There are alternatives to statin drugs that are not nearly as toxic (if at all). The no-flush Niacin mentioned above is one. Several others are red yeast rice, guggul lipids and garlic oil, all of which have been shown to be very helpful in controlling high cholesterol, especially the Niacin, Guggul lipids and red yeast rice.
The downside is that since these are natural alternatives, most insurance companies won't cover them and they can be expensive, especially if you decide to try a combination of them.
I've read enough about the potential dangers of statins to stear wide and clear of them if at all possible and since my cholesterol has responded nicely to diet alone (down from 238 to 177, LDL down from 160 to 108), I'm not about to let my doc badger, threaten or cajole me into taking it. Still...it's an individual choice, but I think I'd try more natural approach along with diet and excercise before considering something stronger.