I recently found out I have high LDL cholesterol -- it's completely hereditary as my dad has been medicated for it for years. I need to go see my PCP and figure out with him if it's high enough that I need to medicate (hoping better diet and exercise might do the trick?). Anyway, I am wondering if any Meniere's folks have any experience with statins, in case he says nope, you need to start these now. Do they affect your MM symptoms at all? Any conflicts with meds you are on for MM? I take a diuretic and Betahistine.
I take statins and have not been aware of any conflict. It used to be Simvastatin but this year has changed to Atorvastatin. Diet and exercise have little impact on my cholesterol numbers, but I do believe that they help my Meniere’s no end. Like you I take a diuretic and Serc.
I have been on statins for a few months and have noticed no side effects at all. I am taking 10 mg of atorvastatin, which isn't much. I also take some of the JOH regimen and valacyclovir.
Statins deplete coenzyme-Q10, which, in time, can cause pain in muscles and reduce their strength. Supplementing with a Co-Q10 supplement is advisable. Search the web on the matter. --John of Ohio
I spent several months reading the actual research studies on statins, and came to the conclusion that they don't reduce chance of heart disease except in cases where people have already had heart problems. So I'm not taking them. But to each his own.
I consulted a qualified medical practitioner and took his advice. I have generally found this to be a safer route to travel than doing my own research on the internet. But as you say, each to his own....
I didn't do internet research. I read the actual papers from over 200 research studies. But it's your life, so you do what your doctor is paid to tell you to do. It's much easier that way.
Thank you for the advice Scott. I haven’t time to read 200 research papers, or the wherewithal to obtain them. Thus I am forced to throw myself at the mercy of a trained professional trusting that they will have a better understanding of the subject matter. I don’t think that high cholesterol is an idiopathic condition like Meniere’s, but I am sure that you will correct me if I have that wrong. 200 papers seems an inordinate amount of reading. I would have got bored after half a dozen, and wary lest the concentration required let the beast back out of the cage. Still it is your life and at least you are very much better informed now....
Thanks for the... input As it turns out, I don't have to go on statins, at least for now. I do need to do a better job at getting out and exercising and cut down on sweets. Due to my other risk factors (or not) factoring in, I am not considered high risk for heart disease right now -- young (ish) in my 40s, female, HDL is good as well as other numbers that were measured with that panel. Due to my dad's long history though, this is likely in my future. Good to know that if/when statins are needed they aren't likely to throw my MM for another loop.
That is good news – the less pills the better! If the healthier living experiment fails (my one year one did in relation to the cholesterol numbers) then bear in mind that not all statins are the same, in the same way that not all antivirals are the same.