Statins

effect of the internet (on perception, totally distorted risk assessement, etc)...

My GP took me off Simvastatin and put me on Atorvastatin, the hospital have just discontinued the drug because my LFT test was showing abnormalities.

I don't want to alarm anyone but, having come across this thread just now I would suggest that anyone on statins who is having trouble breathing should ask to be checked for IPF - idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

My OH took statins for ten years and was was diagnosed with IPF two years ago. According to his consultant there is a "connection", and although he will not say that the statins were definitely the cause of the IPF, he admits that there is a chance that they might have done.

As IPF is a terminal illness I would want to know exactly what is causing my breathlessness if I were on statins !!!

DHs GP has told him he must go on statins. He's not happy about this and suggested altering his diet (taking Benecol, Flora pro active etc as well as cutting out the various dodgy cholesterol laden foods). The GP had a big argument with him and told him that would make no difference at all. Would a low cholesterol diet help? I always thought that would be the first thing to try.

I've been on them for 16 years since having a very mild heart attack. They usually start you on simvastatin, but I did get mine changed to another one after a couple of years. My cholesterol levels are fine but for several months a few years ago I took Benecol drinks daily and used the spread as a butter substitute. I noticed that my cholesterol went down quite a bit during that time. However it was expensive to buy and I gave up on it. My cholesterol is still within safe limits but it does seem that you can reduce it in other ways and, of course, stick to a healthy diet. Perhaps your OH's levels are quite high and his GP wants to reduce it quickly by medication and might consider a reduction, or cessation, later on ?