I can t buy into any therapy that has the amount of known side effects that statins do. Most doctors that I deal with go right to statin therapy and bypass what the guidelines are for cholesterol reduction. The national standard is dietary modification including adding a good quality fiber and plant sterols. I ve rarely seen them take patients through that first. There are very effective ways to change the diet (not always the tastiest stuff in the world) and a few good fiber sources around that I m aware of. I would aggressively do (not try...says Yoda) those and show the doc the results so you can get off the drug. Personally, I d stop taking it right away but that s just me. Hope this helps. Jeff the nurse in Nashville (Cardiac ICU)