Cholesterol Drugs -- Alternatives to Statins?

[LR23]

My father needs to lower his cholesterol, but Statins cause him significant muscle problems (Myositis) and elevated Creatine Kinase CPK and Aldalase.  His symptoms resolve and tests return to normal when the Statins are discontinued.

What Cholesterol drugs can he try that do not have Myositis as a side effect?

[Lee Kirksey, MD]

Hello
Has he been on several types of statins. Specifically which ones? Sometimes merely changing agents even within the class will improve the symptoms.

[LR23]

Thanks for your reply. He has been on (5) Vytorin, Lipitor, Lescol, Baycol and Crestor.  I know that he had great success lowering his Cholesterol with at least 2 or 3 of these agents, but he has suffered terribly each time with very acute muscle pains that are virtually non-stop.  The pain resolves gradually over weeks as he stops taking the medications.  And his test results (CPK, etc.) improve as well.

Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.  

[Lee Kirksey, MD]

That's a challenging situation. In that case I would consider coenzyme Q 10 high grade. This can mitigate some of the symptoms of myositis since he apparrently had some benefit. I have had good results in many cases. Consult with your cardiologist