I have had success lowering my cholesterol by consuming raw, whole goat's milk. It contains the bacteria acidophilous, which can reduce cholesterol. I had too many side effects with medications.

I am a 57-year-old female who was diagnosed with high cholesterol four years ago. The doctor prescribed Zetia for a year with no significant change. Then he prescribed Lovastatin, checked my liver levels in one month, and I had very little decrease in LDL and overall cholesterol levels. It was a little scary. I have always eaten OK and exercised a lot. So, after checking on alternative options, I did two things in the last three months. I went on Weight Watchers and lost 18 pounds and started taking red rice yeast, twice a day, 600 mg in the morning and at night. My LDL dropped 70 points to 111 and my overall cholesterol dropped 42 points to 206! And my liver levels are normal! I am so pleased and look forward to my next lab work and doctor's visit in April! I can't wait to see my results then!

My cholesterol was 249 in March. I was 223 pounds. I exercised three to four times a week and greatly reduced the amount of meat I ate. I also increased veggies and green spinach. I drank smoothies with bananas apples and orange juice. I lost 33 pounds. My cholesterol on 12/20/10 was 165. I'm proof that diet and exercise and no meds can work.

I have tried Lipitor (40mg) and Crestor (40 mg) to lower my cholesterol. They worked in lowering ALL of my cholesterol, including my HDL level, which I cannot afford to do. Niaspan in combination with Lipitor worked the best, but I had a hard time tolerating the 500 mg of Niaspan.

By reducing my cheese intake, (cheese fan) and only using Logicol, Proactive or Rice Bran oil (this being the better one) and taking 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a tumbler of water 10 mins before breakfast and dinner, I reduced my cholesterol from 5.6 to 4.7 in one month. I do eat healthily: fruit, homemade muesli and tea for breakfast, salad lunches, with 1 slice wholegrain bread, and meat and 3 veg for dinner. Meats include, fish 1-2x weekly, chicken 2x, meat 2x, and one day with only vegetables. I walk daily, plus exercise, and tennis 1x weekly. Exercise is a must for a healthy lifestyle.

Atorvastatin caused insomnia in the form of waking at regular intervals throughout the night and not feeling tired at all. Simvastatin slowly caused me to have difficulty clearing my throat. After two years of being on it, I found it difficult to engage in conversation at all as I was constantly clearing my throat. Eventually, my throat was swollen, painful and bruised. I stopped taking statins for my cholesterol last March and am now able to speak without constantly clearing my throat, although it still feels tight and congested with mucus.

After taking Lipitor for several months, I was having cognitive difficulties. I was having trouble staying in my lane on the freeway, and I felt tired all of the time. I was unable to really get mentally engaged in meetings at work. I was worrying that I was losing my ability to think and be employed. On a hunch, I stopped the Lipitor. I started feeling a little better every day. It took months to somewhat recover. My doctor switched me to Zetia. I experienced the same problems, but not as severe. I stopped taking it also. Both drugs did improve my cholesterol readings, but the decline in mental ability is not worth it. Over all, it's taken a very long time (about two years) for me to start feeling mentally sharp again.