Fatty liver medication

Well after writing about my emerging fatty liver disease and rising cholesterol and triglycerides, I finally made the fateful decision to start a statin drug … ugh. My hepatologist really wanted me to start 3 years ago when I started TAF (sold as Vemlidy in the USA) because already my blood tests were starting to show the beginning of fatty liver disease. The TAF definitely exacerbated my rising cholesterol and trig levels. Last chol level was 240 (normal is less than 200), and trig level was 212, which was down from 305 (normal is less than 150).

I really really didn’t want to start ANOTHER drug, and so many folks I know (incl my husband) had problems when they started a statin - fatigue and muscle weakness. I already suffer from fatigue so definitely wasn’t interested in anything that would further sap my energy. And at 63 years, I can’t afford any muscle weakness. With that said, I finally relented because despite my best efforts (alright, not wholehearted efforts) to lose 10% of my body weight, I have been unable. So, to stop fighting the inevitable I took my first statin this past Friday night. And slept 12 hours! Took it again Sunday night and slept 12 hours. It’s like a sleeping pill for me?? I’m taking 10 mg of atorvastatin (sold as Lipitor) every other day as per my discussion with the doctor to see if my blood work improves on this every other day cycle. To be very honest, I feel quite disappointed in myself for not being able to “beat” this naturally with weight loss, exercise and diet. I just don’t have the willpower and it makes me feel defeated. So I truly hope that I don’t experience any serious side effects from this new med. Will keep you all posted on my progress. Hopefully I won’t be sleeping 12 hours every time I take the statin, otherwise I will never get anything done. Thanks for listening! Always, Joan

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