18th May 2006
Zimm,
If you have been taking the Plavix for more than 2 months after the stent, you've taken it long enough. It is notorious for causing bleeding and internal bleeding, depending on where it is can be exceedingly painful...and dangerous.
Niacin is a decent cholesterol drug IF statins cannot be taken. For cholesterol control however niacin just CANNOT competre with statins...the drugs are not in the same league...and I have NEVER met anyone who can tolerate the 2 or 3 grams a day of niacin required for adequate monotherapy. As an adjunct to statins when HDL boost is needed then niacin is useful because smaller time release dosages can be used.
Statins:
Lipitor is a strong one. Perhaps you might try simvastatin (Zocor) which is somewhat less strong, or pravastatin or fluvastatin (Lescol) which are far weaker and thus less prone to causing side effects. Lescol is the weakest.
What doseage of Lipitor were you taking that caused pain? Did the doctor rule out rhabdomyolysis?
If you have been taking the Plavix for more than 2 months after the stent, you've taken it long enough. It is notorious for causing bleeding and internal bleeding, depending on where it is can be exceedingly painful...and dangerous.
Niacin is a decent cholesterol drug IF statins cannot be taken. For cholesterol control however niacin just CANNOT competre with statins...the drugs are not in the same league...and I have NEVER met anyone who can tolerate the 2 or 3 grams a day of niacin required for adequate monotherapy. As an adjunct to statins when HDL boost is needed then niacin is useful because smaller time release dosages can be used.
Statins:
Lipitor is a strong one. Perhaps you might try simvastatin (Zocor) which is somewhat less strong, or pravastatin or fluvastatin (Lescol) which are far weaker and thus less prone to causing side effects. Lescol is the weakest.
What doseage of Lipitor were you taking that caused pain? Did the doctor rule out rhabdomyolysis?