The Decision to Quit Statins and Symptom Resolutions : The Final Straw 

My old doctor who retired put me on statins. My new doctor she took me off them. She told me these are not good for me. I thank her for that.

Statin was killing me: it was raising my sugar level to the point I was going to be put on insuline, my legs were like wood, my memory was so low I felt like I was having dementia. A week after I stopped statin my sugar level went down to normal limits, I am walking like a teenager and I got my memory back.

It’s normal for blood cholesterol levels to increase as we age. Our brains, and every cell in the body, needs it. Mine was 240 and my doctor said if I didn’t lower it through diet and exercise she’s put me on statins. I politely told her I’ll never take that poison.

I had been on Crestor 10 mg for the last 30 yrs or so, I’m 62, and while on Crestor, I felt like I was 90. I stopped taking it about 5 days ago, and have immediately noticed a difference, better breathing, mental clarity, more energetic, less joint pain and muscle pain, just feeling so much better physically, I hope this continues. I would rather have high cholesterol and feel alive again, compared to being on that statin.

Statins were paralyzing my epiglottis. After a mild stroke in 2017, I was prescribed statins, aspirin, insulin etc. During 2018, I was having increasingly severe bouts of choking, which built up to 3 or 4 bouts a day, which, being a 70 year old living on my own, could be considered life threatening. As well, I had the joint pain, mental fog etc, etc. Two days after stopping the statins, I stopped choking and a week later, I stopped wearing knee braces! I began a very low carb, high animal fat diet and within 3 months was able to come off all medication. I supplement with cod liver oil, vit d3/ k2, zinc, magnesium and periodic short courses of NAC. Not had a cold in 3 years, mental clarity is amazing, handle stress much better.

What i forgot to mention was after a year on a low carb diet with 6 day a week exercise program my labs for cholestetol. I have familial high cholesterol and prior to starting the diet my total cholesterol was 275-300. At one year i went out of pocket for a comprehensive lipid panel including APOa, APOb, and my particle size. What was most impressive was my triglycerides went from an average of 130 pretty much my whole life to 70. My HDL went up from 30 to 90 giving me a ratio of HDL/Trigs of less than one. That is an indication of stellar metabolic health. I also found out i have high APOa which some say is a indicator of high risk for cardio vascular disease but i mentioned before i dont really buy the cholesterol hypothesis of disease. I think based on my reasearch of worldwide total cholesterol averages 225-250 seems to be the average so like any other hormone or lipid marker there is an optimum and healthy range seems to point to 200-300 total not below 200. The statin market is a monumental money maker for the pharma industry and its obvious to me most doctors refuse to see the forest for the trees. Just because something is there doesnt make it the cause. Cholesterol is part of the repair mechanism for damage. If you habitually damage your heart arteries then cholestetol will show up like a scab trying to repair the damage. Over time it becomes a scar and a continues building up until it plugs up the vessel. Lowering cholesterol is not going to stop the damage. Lowering food intake so we aren't habitually in storage mode does. I think fasting triglyceries, blood glucose, A1C and insulin are the most important labs you can get to know if your metabolism is healthy. If your doctor that will not listen and keep pushing statins find a doctor who will listen. The medical system is not designed for preventative medicine it is completely broken.

My total cholesterol was just over 200 and my doc put me on Lipitor when I was 45 y/o. I didn't notice it at first but it was wiping out my memory. I couldn't remember what I did 2 days ago on a project. I'd suddenly and periodically forget people's names who I worked with for years. I'd fall asleep driving home at 3:30pm. I don't know why I took so long to realize it was the statins but after 15 years I quit cold turkey and my memory made a marked improvement! Of course my doctors are all over me to start back up on them. Forget it! I'm now 63 and my blood pressure is only 115/75 and I feel good. When God calls me home, he calls me home and that's good enough for me.

Over 20 years ago a doctor said I was to start taking statins for high cholesterol. When I asked what the side effects were he said,"If I tell you, you won't take them.:" My response was, "Tell me because I'm not going to take anything without knowing." He said,"Memory loss." Needless to say I simply never took them. I'm now 82 years old and fit. 😊

A few years back, my doctor told me my cholesterol was way up and suggested statin therapy, I went away and researched everything, I decided that cholesterol was not the devil it is painted up as, also I decided that statins were snake oil and I would not take them. A couple of years later another blood tested showed that the cholesterol was a little lower but the triglycerides were way, way up, my doctor assured me that changing my diet would not work. I changed my diet anyway, cutting out some things (I ate a lot of crisps) and losing a bit of weight ( I am now vegetarian). My blood is now perfect, my blood pressure is ok and i feel great. I have never taken any kind of regular medication, I will be 66 next week. All the people I know who were on statins had terrible problems, I told them of my findings, they all stopped the statins, they all enjoyed improved health. Ps. I have always contended that too much exercise is just as bad as none.

Commenting from Australia, this is just the vid I've been looking for. In 2008 I was diagnosed with an irregular heart beat and after some more tests they found that I had a bicuspid valve and an anurisum in my Aorta, not life threatening yet. So i was put on a blood thinner a better blocker and the statin, Crestor, which had the dosage increase nearly a year ago, as the cardiologist thought acholesterol level of 3.6 was to high for my condition. So basically I felt off or not 100% till after twelve midday an having seen some videos on Statins so I decided to do an experiment and stop taking them, within a week I was able to go downstairs and start pottering around in the garden and work till 10 am or smoko here in AUS. I then decided to stop eating bread, flour, biscuit and drinking milk to stop felling bloated. Then two weeks ago I stated intermittent fasting after watching more videos, and I've never felt better. I try to eat my last meal around six or seven and eat again around 12 noon although it's usually later, I'm losing weight I'm not bloated not hungry but just empty at times and a lot happier as I also had a bad temper. But I wouldn't have tried all that if i hadn't stopped taking the Statin, now I will see if I get my head chewed of by my cardiologist in May. I could be wrong but I feel better, I'm 61 years old by the way.

I am encouraged to hear that you recovered from (most) of the statin side effects. I took one for three months, and am now off it for three months. Still recovering. I will look for your coQ10 video.

I got off stating 4 years ago. I thought I was aging badly and dying of a slow death, this went on for years, I finally looked at the side effects on the bottle and wow I had them all. I got off them asap and slowly got my life back to normal. Statins is a trillion dollars business. Follow the money

67. Been on statins probably 25 years. I remember it being 240 back then. My triglycerides have always been high. 1 month ago I started Mediterranean diet, no added sugars, and doing IF. Also no processed foods! I was due for bloodwork after just 2 weeks into this. My total cholesterol was 206 previous test. My cholesterol was 158!!!! Never that low! My tri 81!!!! Everything normal after just 2 weeks eating clean! I have cut my statin in half at this point! Haven’t seen doc yet. I’m not even going to tell them and just keep watching my bloodwork. I plan on getting off completely, but right now only on 20mg. I have become convinced they seem to like us sick and on meds 😗😡

A friend of mine died last month from an extremely rare reaction to the statin she was on. It caused an autoimmune reaction that attacked her muscles. We miss her.

All sounds very familiar. I also had shortness of breath, memory problems and accidents. I am a statin survivor. I gave them up in 2012 as I was headed for life in a wheelchair. I have since lost 2 stone in weight and regained my energy. My cholesterol is high but then it always was, even with the statins. Weekly I do body fitness with weights, fitness Pilates and Zumba and all at the age of 76. I regularly have to fight off pressure from my GP to take a statin and I refuse. I continue to take CoQ10.

Thanks for confirming my experience. Was vegetarian 4 years then Vegan for 2 years. Had vertigo or stroke 5 month’s ago 3 weeks after that Doc increased statin from 5 to 20mg. Knee pain would wake at night. Went carnivore and three weeks later A1C 5.2, ldl 51 vldl 12,HDL 66 and triglycerides 56. I’m happy only on low dose aspirin stopped the statin and feel great! Knee pain all but totally gone attitude and energy with memory dramatically improved. Had two stints 3 years ago Dr says statin stabilizes the plaque. New blood tests next month. Still strong on carnivores food. I’ll be 74 in March ❤🎉👍🏻

My friend started taking statins, within a week he had memory problems, severe sudden anger, difficulty functioning, never having these issues before, ever, once he stopped taking statins his memory came back and the anger stopped.

I went off statins 5 months ago..I have had all the side effects that you talk about...My wife has seen a big difference in how I do things and handle daily life...I feel alot better and my last blood testing showed good numbers..Thank you ...

I reluctantly agree at age 69 that triathlon training is something I need to let go of. Moderate exercise is all I need now.

I have been on statins several times and different types and all of them have had bad side effects. The last ones were simvastatin which made it impossible to lift my arms up past my chest. I stopped taking them and I feel much better and healthier now. Great video and very informative,it’s good to know that I am not alone with these side effects which my doctor never mentioned. Keep up the good work.

Thank you so much for sharing. I am experiencing all of these as you speak. I have been on a statin for 2 yrs now I never knew this drug was the cause of my body hurting, ear aches, jaw pain, restless, brain fog...OMG my life was great before statin. I am definitely talking to my health provider this week. You just saved my life from suffering anymore 🤩Russ 👏 Bless you!!!

Very objective analysis.Great job.

What an excellent diet that you're on. You are doing wonderful. I'm so proud that you got off that poison!!!

Decades ago, my uncle had a sudden, massive heart attack and died at age 44. My Dad had high cholesterol and a triple bypass at age 57. He started to take Lipitor, and took it for the rest of his life. I was 30, and though I never smoked as they did, I worried about my health. I asked my doctor for a blood test and she agreed to put me on Lipitor. I had weakness and pain in my legs, but this was before wide reports of this as a side effect of Lipitor. I continued to take it for 10 years, then tried a couple of other statins, eventually quit them all. Then my younger sister, age 60, suddenly needed a triple bypass. she had sky-high cholesterol, and tested positive for a genetic factor of familial hyper- cholesterol. That scared me enough to get blood tests done, and my lipids were very high, though not as bad as hers. I decided to try to amend my diet and start taking a statin again, Livalo. It doesn't give me leg pain, but I wonder what it's doing to my brain. My mother, along with my dad had gone onto Lipitor. My father lived quite active and healthy until death at age 81, from a stroke. My mother developed dementia at age 78, and died of it age 85 after 7 years in a nursing home. I think if we are lucky to live to old age, it becomes a guessing game of how long you want to live, what you want to risk to get there, and then your own individual luck. I have just turned 69, and I hope I don't follow my mother's route. Whether to take statins to possibly lengthen my life while risking my brain health is the question for me.

You mentioned CoQ10 would like to hear your follow up, I appreciated everything you had to say looking forward to more.

Thank you Russ.....this was very important for me to hear. After a mild TIS stroke in the spring of 2019. they put me 40 mg Atorvastatin daily. I have perfect health. No coronary heart disease. No high blood pressure. Nothing. I do not need this drug. It has stolen my muscle tone. I feel weak like never before. I understand how statins can be so very bad for you. Terrible, really. ...So Russ, thank you again for making feel some hope to getting away from this stuff. I'm subscribed!

I was put on statins by my doctor, ended up being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes! Took the decision to stop tacking them, months later I had reversed my diabetes symptoms! The doctor was amazed and said that whatever I was doing, I should bottle it and put it on eBay, that was many years ago and I am 67 now, but bizarrely I am still classed as being diabetic, even though I am probably eating more sugar now than I have ever done. I no longer have problems with my blood sugar levels, and every time I go to the doctors they ask if I am controlling it with diet? They just say well done! Needless to say I won’t touch Statins again with a barge pole!!

Thank you I really appreciate this video. You have helped me so much. I recently got off statins and it’s been the best thing I ever did.

Hi Russ, great video! I run the 800 as well in the senior olympics. In fact, I took 3rd in the CA state championships one year. I had a doc put me on a drug (not statins) and I had to come to the conclusion that it was causing me a lot of problems as well. I got off of it 3 years ago and am totally drug-free now. I don't know why docs are so gung-ho about prescribing drugs. It's idiocy! I'm so glad you figured it out as well. Best wishes!

Brilliant, like you I was equating aches and sleeplessness, and even the brain fog, with aging. I feel like suing these Big -Pharma pill-pushing Doctors, they don't even research this stuff. I quit Statins today, and am so glad to have discovered your channel and others

I found this helpful. My doctor wants to put me on a statin and I am resisting. The need for regular liver testing is a concern, and the muscle soreness. I am 62 and pretty active. My HDL is fantastic and my triglycerides. I have been doing intermittent fasting, which can raise LDL levels, but has also brought down my sugar levels. Look into the development of statins. It is eye opening. As always follow the money.

Thank you for making this video. I have quit taking them against the advice of my doctor after 12 years. I started having kidney issues, and insomnia. I realized later that I would get tired easily and had leg pain when exercising or walking long distances. I'm in my 60's and for me it was the quality of life, I want to be physical as long as possible and not being able to walk in order to get a lab value was not my idea of healthcare. I also work in healthcare and now I am trying to go totally natural supplements exclusively along with diet and exercise.

I was prescribed statins years ago, recently I was getting pains in my right leg only, was putting it down to arthritis, but i decided to half the the dose, and saw a vast improvement in mobility, it’s my intention to half that again starting next month. Got my blood’s done last week got report saying everything was satisfactory. Proof I didn’t really need the dose they initially put me on. My aim is to eliminate them completely, they are not a good drug to be taking, particularly if you’re on other drugs for other conditions. Great upload.

Since our brains are almost 75% cholesterol it makes sense that you would have mental changes. Also the one thing that all centurions have in common is high cholesterol.

You've sent a clear message. Appreciate it

I am 60. I have had minor palpitations since I was 22 and had a major back surgery for a broken 5th vertebrae. I had a tachycardia attack the day after my surgery, the cardiologist diagnosed me with mitral valve prolapse. In 2014 I saw a cardiologist just to check up on things and see how my heart was doing. They have new technology since 1985 and he informed me that I do not have mitral valve prolapse, that was nice to hear! No more antibiotics every time I went to the dentist, every 6 months! Lately I have been having Testosterone therapy and I noticed that the palpitations were becoming more frequent so my Dr set an appointment with the cardiologist to check up on things. My cholesterol is high so they want to perform a CT scan with contrast to check my blood flow around my heart. I am still active and can work strenuously without shortness of breath or pain so I'm a bit confused about that test.. I don't want the radioactive contrast or the high dose of X-ray from the CT scan, I have had to many of those after having my surgeries! They want to give me a pill to take the evening before and the day of the CT scan to SLOW my heart rate, sounds terrifying as my resting heart rate is around 62 bpm.. Both my Dr and this new cardiologist want me on a Statin drug, I really don't want to take it because I have not heard much positive feedback about it. I think I want to try stopping my sugars and carbs and lean towards a Carnivore diet with some good veggies here and there.. Ive stopped my coffee and have gone to tea's. I'm already fasting since my daily habits are typically no breakfast then a 12-2 lunch with a very light supper if any around 7PM. I I'm 5'11 and 182 lbs, probably best weight would be 175 once I get off sweets that should be doable.. I don't want to go down the medicine rabbit trail, I have an 11 and 10 year old girls and I hope to be around for them but the drugs worry me... Thank you for sharing your experiences, You sound like you have great knees! lol.. 500+ Mile hikes!?? awesome!

Thank you for sharing this important information.

Just a note, I have hypothyroidism and was put on a statin for elevated cholesterol and a CAC score of 70. I developed dysphasia, pre diabetes, and muscle atrophy after a year of use. I then found published studies that found people with Hashimotos, like myself, tend to experience more severe side effects than the average. I stopped my statin and my dysphasia went away. I still have very weak muscles but am beginning to wear light ankle and wrist weights to help regain strength. I have cut my processed foods and carbohydrates majorly and am seeing a marked result in my glucose levels. My last CAC and carotid sonogram showed no progression of plaque despite being off the statin. I will also note that my CAC went from a zero to 70 in just five years. The two highest contributors to that were menopause and extremely high stress in my life. They say that estrogen provides a very protective action against cholesterol build up and levels, and is known to protect the endothelial. My hypothesis is that because estrogen is such a super protector, there was no need for extra cholesterol- not necessarily that estrogen kept cholesterol at bay. With reduction of this hormone, the body miraculously adapts another way of protecting and healing the endothelial by sending extra cholesterol. The true cause of arterial damage is not the cholesterol but the daily assault of high carbohydrates, sugar, processed foods, and STRESS which lead to a need for our body to constantly send in cholesterol to mitigate the damages. The numerous studies which find that older people with high cholesterol levels live longer just reaffirms my belief that cholesterol is a protective substance. Too, using the Framingham calculator, adding a statin to the formula actually raises one’s percentage toward the likelihood of an event. I couldn’t believe what I was figuring, but each time I took away the statin the percentage went down!? Our lifestyles and eating habits need to be changed, not our cholesterol levels.

Just took my wife off atorvastain studies and recommendations by Medical Medium and a favorite Nurse Practitioner. Get off now! Medical Medium explained what they really are doing. Scary to say the least! Thanks for your clearly produced video Sir.

My hubby gave up two types of statins after 17 years as well as a few other drugs. He has been off them over two years and now he has no asthma, his sleep and memory have improved. His body strength has improved. His anxiety has gone. His doctor told him that side effects were not all part of taking the medication and he would probably die of stomach cancer if he gave losec. He is careful of any foods that upset his stomach and we try to eat as healthy as possible. Nice to hear about other people's stories.

Case CLOSED! Thank you!

I was on atorvastatin (brand name would be Lipitor) for 2 years. I had a growing feeling that I was suffering side effects, mainly muscle pain and weakness, and brain fog. A month and a half ago I decided to stop taking it. Very quickly it became apparent that the side effects had been worse than I had realized, because their onset had been slow. Suddenly I have more endurance, no muscle pain, better balance, and clearer thinking. I feel like the me I used to know is back. I have changed my food choices, toward lower carb, and I'm losing weight. My cholesterol is at 218, but the HDL is 56. I think I can improve my numbers through diet and exercise, because I have done it before, til I got lax about it, leading to the statin prescription. I won't go back on it again, because my quality of life is far, far better without!

I hope I may call you friend. You are providing very helpful information. I am 74. A year and a half ago I weighed 400 lbs. Total couch potato. I was on Atorvistatin. I have now lost 150 and walking with aids BUT doing streching and PT through a Clinic. Easter I stopped the Statin. I have been plagued by muscle knots everywhere in my body. They are already diminishing. I was not making progress on the Atorvistatin. I had a sedentary profession. I don’t care if I run again. But I so want to walk. Walk miles! Thank you, Kindred Spirit.

that's it!!! I used statins until I went to the surgery bed and replaced the valve...luckily the operation was successful...now I am on KETO and my LDL is high, but I will never take statins again...my A1C is 5.5, and my triglycerides are 100, so I do not care what my LDL is...there is one holistic doctor on youtube, Sten Ekberg- he is the one to watch for almost anything !!! Blessings 👍 👏 ❤

Astronomical profits and cover ups are the problem. Just follow the corporate money. Health is a business and is managed as such to maximise profits,, pretty much regardless.

The benefits claimed for statins do not come from reducing LDL. They slightly reduce systemic inflammation and are mildly anti thrombotic. But given that they risk causing so many bad side effects, it makes sense to get these positive effects by other means. For example, a low carb diet without seed oils will reduce inflammation. Exercise and sunlight will also help

I have just put on a statin and I hate the fact the drs give you great explanations on why you should be on it , my cholesterol is elevated slightly. I’m working on getting it down. Thank you so much for your video.

My doctor offered me statins without doing any tests, I asked for blood test and was told I had very low cholesterol. As the doctor was talking to me I thought, I’m a lot fitter than you, I do a bit of keep fit and eat fairly good, don’t drink much and I’ve never smoked, found out the other day my doctor died.

I have been on atorvastatin(lipitor) for about 13 years. Now reducing my dose from 20mg to 10mg. Then I will come off them for ever. Anything that damages your DNA cannot be good. Thanks for the video. It has been helpful to learn what someone else thinks.

I was prescribed simastatin.. I took it when i was diagnosed as diabetic. I was taking metformin and a blood pressure med. At first i had no problems. I lost 80 pounds. Now i'm off the metaformin. But i'm still on the statin. After about 6 months the side effects started to kick in. When i was on one of my walks i blacked out and fell flat on my face. ( dizziness ) . i cut my chin chipped my teeth cut my lip and cut both of my hands. I had insomnia, muscle cramps digestive problems..the list continues. Thats when i said enough ! I stopped taking the damn statin and guess what folks? All the side effects went away. I still eat healthy and watch my weight . do my daily routine with no issues. I'm 67 and now i feel terrific. Take my word for it , do not take statins. Oh ,and btw , i didn't mention the nightmares and psychotic breaks...take it from me kids , stay well away from statins...be well .🙂

one morning, no pain, no speeded up heartrate, just hard to get a full breath, drove to the hospital I was having the widowmaker, no high cholesteral no high blood pressure. The statins were killing me. I asked the doc why statins if cholesteral was not high, he said cause I said so. I quit taking them feel fine

I stopped taking stations against my Drs advice. I took them only for a short period, but experienced many of the same ones you did. The worst for me were mental fogginess. I just could not think. Another severe side effect was liver pain. All of which disappeared when I stopped statins. I read that stations also cause diabetes. Thankfully, I wasn't on them long enough for that to happen. Thank you for sharing your story.

i had a second stroke 4 months ago. It had been 10 years since my first. the first was very minor, and the second required more time to recover. I now feel recovered. I did have lots of problems w the Crestor statin that were noticeable very early and asked to change my meds within a month. My symptoms included depression, brain fog, weakness, loss of appetite, soreness, hives and more. I am now on Rosavastatin and feel fine. I think i lost quite a bit of muscle tone on the crestor product. Now i exercise regularly since after about 2 months i started waking up w pain which was unusual for me. I did go completely vegan right away after the first stroke, but that does mean i use some margarine. I was also put on hydrazaline. My blood pressure was unusually low at times and generally much lower than before the stroke so the dr said i can try not using the hydrazaline at all or once a day, but to continue to moniter bp 2x a day. I am strongly tempted to go off the statins too but am waiting for a bit. I did take a cholesterol ck after 3 mos and my cholesterol was very low... 138. I have continued to be careful but slightly less stringent and do little salt and sugar. Apparently my strokes were mostly stress related as they i was not showing symptoms of undue plaque although i did have the brain fog a bit before statins. I did have a small blockage in the brain and brain stem. They put me on the highest dosage and i am a small slim woman. I was eating butter and whipped cream and ice cream at times, but avoided most carbs, sugars and salt and cholesterol otherwise. I did realize after going vegan that I had ingested more salt than i had realized. Now we make almost all our food from scratch. I am 71 now and do about 50 min of exercise daily, but not up to your fitness for sure. Thanks, and I will be interested to see how your experience continues. I want to get off statins and do not like that it stops my body from producing cholesteral.

You have been reading my Mail. I had a stroke at 59 and although my cholesterol was normal was prescribed statins. I was on them for years assuming all my odd symptoms were stroke related. Then I decided to do some research as to why I had the stroke. Long story short I stopped statins and within 3 weeks had my life back. Like you I found low carb and that got me off all BP meds and 10% body weight loss. BTW a leading cardiologist here in U.K. has released a new book called a “ statin free life”. He says , apart from all the side effects, taking a statin is as useful as taking one slice of bread out of your daily diet.

I'm 63. I came off Statins 2 years ago, and I take Niacin and vitamin E complex now instead. Never looked back. Eyes open, no fear

Hi thought for a minute Russ was talking about what I went through when I was on statins,100percent accurate and I don’t live in USA.

I refuse to take them anymore the side affects are horrendous people. I stopped taking them and I’m looking for a new doctor he doesn’t give a hoot. I swear they must get kickbacks. Exercise and diet folks it works take back control of your life.

statins are the standard of care that drs prescribe to keep from being sued.

Three things affect the risk of heart disease, blood glucose, being out of shape, and stress. But if you do three things; keep your brain and body moving by doing a brief resistance workout, and a brief cardio workout every day; cut out most carbs, especially the refined ones, and do yoga and breathing training, you'll cut your risk enormously. BTW, my grandfather had total cholesterol over 300 ever since they started testing for it. He refused statins, he wasn't a sweet eater, he ate fatty meats and home grown veggies exclusively, he kept moving, and he died of old age at 94. My other grandfather ate pasta and italian pastries 7 days a week, was more sedentary, and he dead before he was 70

joint pain in shoulders and elbows short term memory stopped statins 5 weeks ago pains almost gone sleeping better

Great video. Started statin 15 years ago or so(20 mg). Then went on diabetes not long after(metformin(2000 mg a day). A couple of years ago started 10 mg of high blood pressure then Doctor put me on Jardiance to supplement diabetes(10mg). I always had a pretty good build and played a lot of hockey growing up. Eventually when I worked as a construction Electrician I reached a weight of 300 lbs(not good) but whittled down to 250 lb for the most part. Dr.told me years ago I would never see 210 lbs. Anyways the last 5 years or so I have been having issues with serious cramps in my lower parts especially legs and such. I've had headaches off and on and I have always felt like I was in a fog or stupified. Well About 2 months ago I started to whittle myself off of the drugs and I have stopped taking all the drugs for the last month in a half. I have been pretty much on a whole 30 diet for the last month in a half with my wife and my sugars have been pretty darn good and I have measured my blood pressure to be normal. I gotta say that it hasn't beeen easy but I do feel better. I have to start getting more exercise however. That is the last thing I have to start. Whatever happens to me is in the Great Spirits hands. I really do not want to go back to them drugs. I am currently 58 years old and I currently weigh 215 lbs.

I’ve had these reservation about statins for years. At 56 I was walking with a load and experienced severe chest pain, rested it out, walked some more, same again, walked some more. Next day rang my GP and went to see him, he checked me out and found nothing, being a smoker he sent me to a Cardiologist, he had me go on a treadmill and detected a problem, booked me for an angiogram. Angiogram found an artery 95% blocked by cholesterol, they put in a stent. I was put on stetins and have undergone 2 angiograms since. In 2016 I did a pilgrimage and hiked on average 30 miles a day for 29 days. Before this I was averaging 5 to 10 miles a day walking. In 2018 I had an operation for a hernia, post op I got a lung infection. I’ve never walked over 100 metres since. I’m unable to walk without angina. I retired 2 years later. My temper had degenerated, my muscle weakness and inability to walk continues. I’m going to give up statins, if I die so what, I’d prefer death to the life I have now.😊

Thank you for doing this!! I may try this myself.

Since the Doctors put me on Statins, 15 years ago; I've been getting muscle aches, brain fog...tired, I would fall asleep, during the day; when before I had a lot of energy....I stopped taking them...2 weeks ago! DONE!!! now i take (Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters, Capsules, plus a lot of other Vitamins...I feel so much better.. When I have my next blood work, I will see if there is a difference.

Thanks for sharing your story it motivated me to stop taking statins as i didnt realise the side effects i just thought it was age related i am so much better off them and getting my life back on track am now finding i am coping with the stresses of work stronger physically mentally more with it so am pleased its not age related and the outcome is to eat healthier exercise more cut out sugar and take some supplements like omega 3 and cq10 and am feeling like my old self again

Had some of those symptoms before I started statin medication. When I thought statins caused something, I stopped them for several months and nothing changed.I haven't had most of your symptoms. Guess I'm just lucky. Best of luck with your health.

today I stopped using statins. I put off using them for a long time. Trouble is there is little to alternatives. It took a lot of learning to be able to know and learn the alternatives. Low carb intake is the best starting point but we need something in place of those carbs.

I don't care what a "study" and "data" says anymore. I believe my body's reaction. At 65, I am generally fit with a normal bmi. But I have some heart issues, so my cardiologist put me on statins. Developed severe and debilitating neck and foot pain on rovustatin. Was switched to atorvastatin/entimbe. After three months use, I have noticeable memory problems, confusion, and feel rundown and achy all the time and depressed. So I an planning on stopping, and if I start feeling better, will look for a physician who will help me control my cholesterol naturally.

The Dr. put me on Pravastatin 15 or more years ago. Almost immediately I started experiencing muscle cramps: toes, feet, ankles calves thighs, diaphragm and ribs, neck, fingers and hands. I told the Dr. and he ignored it. Changed Doctor's and e ignored my complaint. Watched a couple of Dr's. on RU-vid discussing the problems with statins. Discontinued the pravastatin the cramps were gone in 48 hours, the severe constipation cleared after seven days. When I told the Dr. he said I had to be on a statin and put me on Rosuvastatin. I developed overall body aches and muscle aches. I discontinued the Rosuvastatin for two weeks and was afraid to go back on it. When I told the Dr. he wanted to put me on another statin. I asked him what the side effects were on the others and he admitted they all could cause muscle pain and cramps, I refused. He wanted to try an alternative to statins, I asked him what the side effects were and he said muscle pain, I refused. That was June of 2022 and I have pain free ever since.

I was borderline for a year so my doc put me on simvastatin. After one year I had developed severe musculoskeletal pain, using a cane to walk, hunched over in pain and wearing knee braces. My boss at the time had a similar experience that took doctors three months to realize it was side effects from taking statins. I immediately quit taking mine and my pain reduced by half overnight! One night! My pain went down steadily after that. But then I developed severe lumbar pain from arthritis in my spine. I am now disabled. I believe the statin led to this. I was only on it for one year. At the same time I was also started on a blood pressure med. Again, I was borderline for over a year so was put on bp meds. After one year my bp was all over the place. One reading was 180/98, 30 min later 160/100. Up and down. Doc wanted to hospitalize me. I changed my diet drastically and SLOWLY WEANED myself off those meds. Got my dna tested and had a diet designed to help bp. Now, ten years later, all my value are off the charts bad. All of a sudden, in 2020, had weird everything. Blood sugars are bad, bp out of control again. LDL bad. Hdl not enough. I was dubbed "non-compliant" when I refused to go back on statins, a different one. Worried that bp drugs will need to be pretty strong to work on my weird body. I often have atypical responses to drugs, making my condition worse of just ineffective. What to do?

Interesting analysis. Out of curiosity, what has been the effect on your cholesterol panel? Have the changes increased HDL or decreased triglycerides?

My Doctor keeps trying to push Statins on me and I refuse to do it. One thing I didn't see you mention is they affect the onset of diabetes - I've struggled the last 7 years to keep my A1C out of the diabetes range. Thanks for your video.

On the symptoms that you have from taking Statin oh, I also have. I've always heard bad things about statins oh, but you bring it home, because your symptoms are the same as mine. I don't know what TMJ earaches are, but I have constant problems with my ears being plugged up and a very slight ear ache at times. Now I'm wondering if it is the statins that are causing my ear problems and my sinus problems perhaps. Thanks for sharing we learn from each other

Statins and Rapatha, both put me into AFIB. Rapatha put my identical twin brother into AFIB. I have concluded that it was the effect of dropping my cholesterol radically. After my HA at age 62 I asked my cardiologist to put me on a statin. They could not keep on Lipitor in the hospital when I had my HA because it caused me to run a fever. When my cardiologist doubled the dose of statins I had my first AFIB. I had to be cardioverted. Six years later I started Rapatha, in one week I went into AFIB, my LDL dropped to 59. We stopped Rapatha, 4 years later I went into AFIb twice in two months. Your heart structure can change and that triggered that AFIB. No AFIB for two years, I am 77 now, my heart structured changed again and AfiB. So as an endurance athlete for 35 years I am more prone to AFIb.

Yeup you had a classic case of Statinitus ❤

I feel that I am listening to my story. Holymoly...

The Lipiid panel test is basically obsolete. You need an NMR particle size test to look at your pattern A and pattern B LDL. Forget Statins

I'm in the process of weaning myself off the statins. I intend to take one pill last a week for 6 weeks, then they'll all be gone. How did you decrease your medications so you safely could eliminate the statins? Loved your video, Judy

My problem escalated when my old physician retired and I was at the mercy of fresh baked ones.

Very interesting. Thanks

Thank you for your video. You said a couple of things that caught my attention. We are very similar in age and in athletic interests with hiking. I have done a lot of research, and I’ve decided to stop statins. I made lifestyle changes and my bloodwork is now good. However, I can’t find where anyone has said if a person can quit cold turkey or do they need to wean themselves off them slowly. I know they’re not addictive, but my doctor is no help. How did you stop?

I am not disagreeing with you in terms of the side effects of statins however, all of the symptoms you mention are signs of severe stress. Before I left my job, I didn’t even know who I was anymore, I was angry, depressed, having nausea going out the door to go to work, as well as Sunday evenings, chest pain, brain fog etc.! My cortisol levels were up, I felt lethargic, yet had terrible anxiety and could not sleep. Much later, after I retired, I was also put on statins and after about a year, I felt terrible, my pain felt like kidney infection, heart twinges and memory problems so I started researching every medication I was on. I took myself off of statins and my sense of well being was greatly improved and many cardiologists are saying that they don’t believe statins help most people very much either. I don’t think that lab findings always translate to real life experience but, I’m glad research is being done to protect us from disease.

Thank you for this great video. I'm amazed these drugs are still being prescribed. I'd rather die today with my mind reasonably intact than be a statin-induced zombie for years.

I'm 70 and eat carnivore. Of course, my ldl went up. At my yearly physical, my obese physician wanted me to take a statin. I said, No, because of the side effects. I still refuse to take it. I generally work out 5 days a week for 2 hours a day. I'm lean and gaining more flexibility. Last month, I had my yearly physical. I did yoga moves and got off the floor without using my hands while he continues to eat the standard American diet and is getting fatter. Statins are the most common drug given by physicians, yet the incidents of heart disease continue to increase.

After being on statins for years I developed chest pains as well. My Dr said it was frozen shoulder...a round of pain meds and 6 wks of therapy. Good for a month...same thing again, but other shoulder. This happened a total of 4 times. The last time I thought I was having a heart attack....and the only relief was sitting and leaning forward. Got to the er and after spending half a day there..I had pericarditis! Treated me for 4 months. Now I'm taking myself off statins.

My experience with statins, although I never had cholesterol over 150, was prescribed as a preventive with hypertension medicines I do believe. After many years, I suddenly developed a "severe allergic reaction to statins" which now is yellow and red alert marked on my chart. I had Rhabdomyolysis mainly in my upper legs and lower abdominal muscles. I lost 20 lbs in 30 days mainly in those areas over half being in muscle loss. My symptoms included falling down about 8 times at the least taking almost as small as a pebble or one step rise or even sinking in a little sand. down I would go, sometimes backwards. Statins were blamed after 7 days in the hospital on IV and took over a year to fully recover. Hope this helps, Rhabdomyolysis mainly affects athletes or even military trainees subjected to over strained muscles. This condition is listed as a possible side effect to statins. good Luck !

I've had chronic issues with statins like muscle weakness, shortness of breath, joint pain in my hips, shoulders, shoulder blades that were excruciating, elevated blood sugar levels and gout. I've always had poor memory so it is difficult to say it was affected by statins. Besides I don't remember. I too went through the three forms of statins and two non-statins before I decided to quit! I agree Dr. look at each problem in isolation and recommend another type of drug. I was determined not to take anymore and opted to control these things through diet. Marginal results. In between switching from one statin to another I notice some changes in lowered blood serum levels, the frequency of nightly severe shoulder blade pain. My stanima riding my bike improved some, less gout and improved leg muscle aches. (I did not tell my Dr. took these short hiatus from statins, a few weeks to a couple of months.) Back on statins the issues returned and my distress over this mounted. I'm aged😊, so I've quite statins and am doing much better. I'm continuing my diet control, muscle strength has returned, joint pain diminished greatly blood glucose at normal. BUT, I still have neuropathy in both set of toes and cholesterol still high as it was before statins and while on statins!?

I experienced neuropathy recently and with my checking a number of videos, I came in conclusion that it must have been caused by statins which I have been taking for a number of years.

Elevated LDL levels do not seem to be a problem while very low levels are. Many recent legitimate studies verify this.

I have all these problems coz my brain is atrophying on SSRIs..anti depressants fry it..and i have to go to rehab to withdraw...its impossible on our own

I argued with doctors about statins….one even threatened to not take care of me if I did not take the pills. Finally when I got a “new” PCP, I told her right off, even before she ordered blood tests, that, under any reason or recommendations, would I EVER put statins in my body. Surprisingly she agreed with me.

I took niacin for 20 years and except for occasional flushing had no issues. Old doc retires, new doc insists on atorvastatin. For about the first six months everything seemed normal. Then the side effects started. I didn't realize what was happening at first because I didn't expect side effects to start so long after I started atorvastatin. In a matter of weeks I went from walking 5 miles per day down to less than one due to muscle pain and fatigue. Finally spoke with new doc and stopped the statin. Went back to niacin. It's been eight months off the statin and I'm better but still really fatigued. This whole mess is taking a good year out of my life and at 68, I don't have that many years left. BTW blood work with niacin versus statin was almost identical.

Went of Stains not because of high Cholesterol but because of chest pains that turned out to be caused by sleep apnea. Lots of problems on statins........ but the biggest problem is my overall cholesterol level went down to 120, LDL's 65, Tri's 80, HDL 39........ muscle pain, fatigue...... I just wasn't feeling very well............ two years off statins and my numbers have gone up to just below what they consider normal, just below starting become above the levels they want you at....... What should I do? Please help.

My doctor prescribed a diuretic which is known to create higher cholesterol numbers. She then tried to put me on a statin but I have no interest in taking one. I had to bring the info of the raised numbers to her attention. She researched and confirmed

How can I get the name of the study you site with statins and stroke video? I'm 76 and I've had 2 ischemic strokes and was put on statins. But I've had several unhealthy side effects from the statins, so I've stopped taking them. However, 3 different doctors have told me it wasn't a good idea to go off the statins because of my age, my 2 ischemic strokes, and that I was increasing my risk of another stroke that could be fatal. I want to find more holistic support. I'm thin and I've always had a relatively healthy diet that I've improved further. The first statin made my hair fall out leaving me about 50% bald. Being alive is better than being bald, for sure. But with the 2nd statin, I noticed my memory and thinking ability got much worse, my muscles felt heavy making it harder to walk for exercise, my spine started to hurt in odd ways and my spine felt porous and fragile like it was made out of balsa wood. It was harder to walk without pain, and it was even painful to move in bed. Experiencing so many statin side effects left me with a lower quality of life. Thank you for your videos. I'd like to read the study you mentioned in your statins & strokes video that included ischemic strokes after statins. How can I get the name of the study?

On Lipitor a year. Brutal back pain. Dry mouth cracked lips. Voice raspy and weak. Stopped taking it two weeks problems are gone. Feel strong again. Voice strong and normal. Going to watch diet and add fiber and see how it goes.

I thought the point of statins was for the anti-inflammatory properties, not necessarily the cholesterol lowering affect. ...? what did people do after a heart attack, before there were statins to lower future heart attacks?

I never thought to question the Doctor. I am on the highest dose, never had a heart attack, have 2 stents, but still want off them. Can you just go off them, or do you have to wean off.

Would it be possible that statins eleminates to much good fat that is needed from the brain so this could cause many problemes?

I am on Statins and thinking of cancelling them as well.