I would like to better manage cholesterol and i'm don't tolerate statins well/at all...muscle, wasting cramps, and pain. i've tried intermittent ues?

Try a different stat: Pravachol (pravastatin) at low doses can often help with this. Also, fish oil twice per day (I take it) is very effective.

Keep looking: for an agent that does not cause muscle injury. Make sure muscle loss is not due to another condition (see a neurologist). There are several different cholesterol lowering agents. If one causes problems try another. Check both liver function and muscle CPK. Consider getting an EMG-NCS (neuropathy and myopathy may cause muscle wasting which is exacerbated by medications)

Several meds: You could try alternative approach by using Cholest-off, available in numerous drug stores. You could eat more fiber, even try grapefruit rind powder. A prescription alternative might be Zetia (ezetimibe). Usually, your doctor can guide these sorts of approaches, as statins have many potential adverse effects in numerous patients.

Diet: Well, this may fall under the category of alternative medicine, but your diet can have a dramatic affect on cholesterol. Cholesterol is not found in plants, only in animal "products", so switching to a vegan diet with no animal products can dramatically reduce a persons cholesterol and have many other benefits. A beginners intro would be to read the book "forks over knives"