I don't want to take Statins. Advice please.

In my middle 50s blood test showed high cholesterol, was not surprised as my mum developed it at same age and she was 7st dripping wet.Mine is inherited , tried diet change ect, no joy so been taking for 15 years. When I first started the recommendations were take just before bed so side effects happened when asleep, so always done this. Have a routine blood test every year .

Taking statins has the same impact on cardio-vascular health as one extra portion of fruit or veg a day. Guess which I do. GPs are incentivised to prescribe statins and the country is spending millions on medicating people who are not sick. If you have hyper-cholersterolemia or have had a heart attack or stroke, you may want to consider them. Otherwise, eat more veg!

My husband and sister have been on statins for many years with no problems. A few years ago my cholesterol was 7. GP said 'I think we'll put you on a statin'. That was fine with me. Then I began to get horrendous nosebleeds. I'd never had one up until then even as a child. I waa getting afraid to go anywhere because of them. I just happened to read the side effects leaflet with the statins and nosebleeds was right at the top. So I stopped taking them. No bleeds since.

Re Statins, the comments from Theexwife & henetha (others too) are quite right. Zillions of folk take them, no real probs. I've had them for must be about 20 years, started with SIMVAstatin, now shifted to ATORVAstatin (GP's preference). Having said no probs, the initial dose was needlessly high, caused indigestion, switched to a lower dose, that was OK. I HAVE HAD (years ago) a side effect of Itching (sounds funny?!) but it's listed as quite a common side effect, and for me hasn't happened for years. But there are quite a few different statins, and several dosages, so plenty of ways to change if you should have a side effect (you'd quickly know). But the vast majority of folk just take them, and they are effective re cholesterol, my level has been around 5 for ages (close to 10 when I started).

I have a friend who is tiny and thin but her cholesterol became very high. Diet didn’t seem to make much difference. She is now on statins. My husband had side effects from statins so after trying several, gave them up. He then developed heart failure and the cardiologist told him off in no uncertain terms . He is now on some expensive statins - Resuvastatin- I think !! - and is fine. I take statins and have had no problems.

I've been taking them for years, so has my partner.Neither of us have any problems.I think you will find any medication has a long list of possible side effects if you read the blurb.Paracetamol the worse - I would never take that.Nothing else is likely to lower your blood lipids.I tried flax seed oil, a low saturated fat diet, 20mls olive oil a day and the special yoghourts (I forget what they are called) but none of this worked so have been on 10mg atorvastatin for years with absolutely no side effects

Macerena - the culprit is your diet and nothing more. I have been taking statins in increasing doses for almost 30 years to cope with familial hypercholesterolaemia which results from a genetic abnormality in my liver that causes blocked arteries, and then heart attack. Unfortunately GPs dole them out to the world and its dog and they have become a licence for people who want to over-indulge in fatty foods to do so. Naturally, I don't agree with this policy since it costs the NHS millions that could be used to keep children born with one of the three genes that cause the problem alive until they get a heart transplant. So for me, there's a moral reason not to accept this kind of medication from a GP. At the same time I can tell you quite categorically that statins do begin to affect muscle and over any length of time, muscle tone and strength declines, leading to problems with walking and carrying. Your new diet sounds just right for bringing that level down so I would try it, despite your daughter's rolling eyes, for a month and ask your GP for a blood test then to see what effect it's had. You don't need to wait three months for a blood test. Good luck.

Philippa111

I think before taking any medicines into the body it's best to make changes to lifestyle if you can. These substances are known to have side effects, some worse than others. And unfortunately some doctors prescribe them almost automatically... easier that lots of chats!!
Just eat a balanced diet... Protein, starch, vegetable fat, a variety of vegetables and some sugar in the form of fruit.
Meditation has a very positive health giving effect on the body, not just the mind. It's been scientifically proven.Why not try that? Also don't rule out acupuncture.
Why not have a plan to make some changes and reassess in December?

Not 'vegetable fat' Philippa111 - that's hydrogenated fat, aka trans fat which is seriously bad for the body. Meat and dairy are once again considered to be part of a good diet. But whatever, definitely do not eat trans fats!

I was in the same scenario. Refused to take HBP and statins ever since I hit 55 and was told I had to. Then we had COVID and family members started dying. The younger members started to panic, so I agreed to start just to ease their mind.

It was a nightmare from the beginning. It started off with one small tablet for HBP to open my arteries, then another was added to slow the blood down, Then another for suspected Diabetes, then another for suspected high cholesterol, Within six months I had a full compliant of tablets and went from a very fit and active 70 year old, swimming/ gardening etc everyday to someone who could not get out of bed, had lots of infections and frankly lost the will to live. Discussed with GP, who thought it was all in my head but took me off one of the statins because it maybe cutting off my Adrenaline.
The GP's attitude was appalling. They use to say 'it was your age', now it's in your mind. I went home, decided my health was under my control. I took all the tablets, piled them high on a plate and after crushing them all put them in the bag for the rubbish bin.
After six weeks of getting this junk out of my system I was back to normal, which includes BP. I had 3 sets of blood tests, for all these problems by GP, including one by A&E for DVT. They couldn't find anything wrong with me and was declare very fit and healthy.

My advise, stay well away from Statins, if you are a normal fit person. HBP etc readings is just an indication that you need to take notice of your body and tweak your diet and do more exercises if you need too. Remember you knew your body best.
Let's also not forget that GP surgeries earn a comfortable percentage from prescribing pills.

Macerena

Since I posted yesterday thanking everyone for their help, there have been more messages. So thank you all very much.

I am going to stick to what I'm doing now, cutting out all fats etc. as I said in my first post, eating fruits, veg, fish, nuts, Benecol and see what the blood results are in December.

DON'T cut out all fats Macerena! They are vital for your health. Low-fat is an outdated, debunked idea from many years ago. Eat fat, even meat fat and dairy are good for you.

Vintagegirl

Sorry I have not read thru all replies... I also have always had high level up to 7.8 But this figure needs to be broken down into the LDL and HDL amounts and then a ratio worked out between the two to get a better figure. When I queried this, it seemed I had the healthiest rate in the practice. I would refer you to a book called The Cholesterol Myth tho not sure if still in print?

Hi Vintagegirl, Yes The Cholesterol Myth is still available on Amazon. I'm reading it right now - and I recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about this subject.

I think if I were in the same position as OP I would Google NHS advice in managing high cholesterol by diet and exercise, and implement , but take the prescribed statins until the score comes down.
I wonder why OP chose the high saturated and hydrogenated fat high calorie food which seems to have contributed to the high score.. There are ways of increasing weight quickly with healthier unrefined complex carbs, plus fruit and nuts, for example. Calories in need to exceed calories used to gain weight and vice versa to lose it.

My late husband was on statins for years, no side effects whatsoever and they worked wonders at lowering his cholesterol. Don't pay too much attention to all the scare stories - if you do happen to get side effects then switching to a different statin (there are several different ones) usually does the trick. I've heard that many of the so-called side effects are nothing to do with the actual statins and are coincidental occurrences of other health issues that are blamed on the statins. Many people take statins with no problems at all, you can always stop if you do experience unpleasant side effects.

'to regain some weight I have been eating doughnuts, chocolate, biscuits, butter on everything - you get the picture! The doctor has agreed that I could try to change diet and get a blood test in December. I am a bit of an "All or nothing" person and have cut out all but veg, fruit, nuts fish.'
Try not to swing from one end to the other You need plenty of protein from good fish, poultry, eggs, red meat. Plus carbs (potato, rice, oats), and what you like of fruits/salad/veg. Gravy, sauce and custard are easy calorie add ons. And some of the beer and sweet things you like - the first things have priority - so no protein etc in the day = no beer/wine/cake later. Eat enough you have warmth and energy, but not so much as to feel podgy. I'm very sure your high reading was just because you've been a bit over keen to regain weight quickly. (Don't forget whole milk is a really good source of protein and carbs)

When at work a mobile health bus arrived for staff to get basic checks. I was the oldest in the team, a little overweight and didn't do much strenuous exercise. 8 members of the team had checks, ages ranging from 25 to 65. Two were found to have high cholesterol. Everyone was surprised as the two affected were very slim and exercise fanatics, one a vegetarian. GP has never raised statins with me and I'm 76.

henetha

I resisted satins for years and my cholesterol grew higher and higher.
So I gave in and it almost immediately halved. I've had no problems whatsoever. It's over 5 years ago now that I started them . My cholesterol remains low.

Me too, GP advised taking at bedtime for fewer side effects, appears to work
Down from 9.4 to 5 in three months, previous diet changes and plant sterols ( benecol) ineffective

I resisted statins for years as a skinny type I diabetic with only slightly elevated cholesterol inspite of a good diet and no alcohol. Then I discovered that both my brothers were taking them with no adverse effects so I gave in. I have never had any side effects whatsoever and nice low cholesterol readings.

If returning to a sensible diet doesn’t work I say give statins a try. There are different kinds of statins too if the first one gives you problems. You can stop completely if you are one of the unlucky ones and get the dreaded side effects.

I've been taking statins for years with no ill effects. A 7.5 cholestrol level is much to high. Your present diet sounds bizarre and unhealthy. Maybe listen to your doctor and daughter.

Nobody has mentioned good cholesterol or bad cholesterol. I’ve read up on this as I have high cholesterol but doctors never discuss the ratio between the two versus the total no. Better to have high cholesterol if it is the good cholesterol then lower with the bad cholesterol. Hope that makes sense. I’m 71 - only pills I take are HRT and probiotics through choice.

I too refused statins as my cholesterol was low, I was slim and healthy and could see no reason. Three weeks ago I had three minor heart attacks, a stent fitted and five major medications prescribed for lord know how long, one of these being a statin!

I can’t know if I would have swerved the heart attacks if I had taken the statins but perhaps so. Not arguing now!!

I’ve taken statins for years, because of possible hereditary heart problems. I have no trouble with them at all. They are not all the same and you should ask to try a different type if you get side effects. They don’t affect your weight and if you are taking them the doughnuts wouldn’t make you feel so guilty!

I took statins for a month and was so ill my doctor has now taken me off them my cholesterol is 7.8 but he felt the cons out weighed the pro’s they give them out as a preventative

While statins are ok for a lot of people they don't agre with everyone. Lifestyle changes help and also there are non-statin cholesterol lowering tablets you can take, you could ask your doctor about them? I take them as statins didn't agree with me (caused muscle problems) but I take the non statin ones to help reduce my levels but am also careful with the food I eat

My gp brought up some stats once when discussing possibility.
Something like 22% chance of stroke or whatever in next 10 years if you don't take them and 19% if you do. I don't.

There can be some troublesome side effects but has to be weighed again cholesterol measure and reducing risks. Diet and exercise don't have much impact sadly. I'm on statins as there is a strong history of heart attack and stroke. I'm 70 now. My brothers have been taking it since their 50s as it was a "no brainer".
If you read the side effects of paracetamol, you'd never take it!
My risk has increased with age quite markedly and want to avoid being disable or worse for as long as possible.
Someone suggested apple cider vinegar but no research to back this up. Check out trustworthy info like NICE and NHS not anecdotes