Hi,
I have had 3 different statins following a heart attack, Lipitor, Rosuvastatin and Pravastin. The first 2 gave me unbelievable muscle pain and I had to stop taking them. Took a month for the pain to go away. The third lot nearly hospitalised me with breathing difficulties. This was with the lowest dose available. I was prescribed them not to lower cholesterol, but because I was told that they reduce the risk of further heart attacks by stabilising the plaques in the arteries.
I suggest you look at the actual risk reduction that taking them produces. After I looked at the data from peer reviewed studies(NOT vague online sites trying to sell you something), I decided that, for me, the drugs were worse than the so-called benefits they provided.
When reviewing these studies i found that often the percentage improvements seemed terrific, but when you looked closer you found that the old adage "there are lies, damned lies, and statistics" held true. For example some studies quoted a 20% reduction in heart attacks over say 10 years. Sounds great? But what if the 20% reduction meant that there were 5 heart attacks per 100 patients rather than 6 per 100 patients over 10 years? I'd call that a 1% improvement, not a 20% improvement
but then I'm not trying to sell you a drug...
Anyway, I've cancelled further cardiologist appointments as in MY CASE I've judged the benefits not worth the hassle.
Don't take this as advice to you, it's not, it's only my experience. I'm not a doctor. You should discuss this with whoever wants to prescribe you the statins. Take a copy of the studies with you to them - I did. Amazing to see the look on an doctors face when you rock up with a manilla folder of studies and query them.....
FWIW
Gary