KJ - Not on statins, but I have a suggestion.  Strange as it may sound.
Ask your PCP about the possibility of trying apherisis (sp?).  That's
where they take out the red blood cells and put the plasma back (or
maybe the reverse).  The removed stuff is often used to treat cancer
patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, the phlebotomists here say
it's like a shot of adrenaline or speed for the patients receiving it.

The only reason I suggest it is because my husband used to do
apherisis, and his cholesterol level dropped by more than 50 points,
and there was no change in diet and he wasn't taking any cholesterol
lowering drugs.  My PCP said it was possible that the procedure did
lower it, but had not heard of it before.  Just a suggestion.
Smokie Darling (Annie)

sorry, i'm no help with your question, kj.

but,
i just read an article, yesterday, written by a doctor,  that stated that
lecithin helps reverse the plaque buildup that may just be caused by
arterial inflammation (one cause of which is homocysteine levels that rise
as b-vitamin levels deplete).  also that we should be taking coq10 with
statins, if we take them, but doctors forget to tell us that statins strip
us of those heart protective nutrients.  interesting article.

kate

ME!  Lipitor along with mtx & Arava, though we hope to dump one of the latter
in 2005.  Also, taking plenty of milk thistle.  My RD made note of how stable
my LFTs have been when starting the Lipitor.

My sister had the muscle weakness side effect of the statins and couldn't
take them.  Her doc just recently started her on Zetia instead, but I haven't
heard about her results yet.

Tina,

I didn't want to take a statin because of the muscle pain associated with
some.  I've been taking Zitia and it has worked well for me.  It did not
work for my daughter whose chol. was higher than mine so she is back on
Lescol which is doing a great job for her.

debbie m.
http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/angels1/