Statins

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 ?

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 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 !!!

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.

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

Let's hope next tests will show a big improvement. Any particular reason/s why you came off Simvastatin to change for the other. I took it for some time without side-effects- strangely enough have been suffering leg pains since I stopped (doctor's decision as my cholesterol is very low and good cholesterol excellent). Taking magnesium seems to have solved that problem for me now. OH has been on them for many years, again without side-effect, for many reasons.

The Consultant's attitude and 'speech' today was both moving and probably very convincing to many there. OH talked to one of our friends present and she said her cholesterol was 6.5 but refused to take statins. She was quite surprised by his and OH's comments- wonder if that will persuade her or not, or anyone else.

Talking to the cardiologist afterwards at coffee, he said he was distraught by the massive lack of understanding of risk statistics, and the effect on the internet (criminal he stated).

Last year I asked my gp if I could come of some of my medications and I suggested simvastatin as an example.
I had taken simvastatin 20 for several years, gp said my most recent cholesterol was 4.7 and he'd actually like it a little lower. He changed me to Atorvastatin and after 2 months a check showed it was up to 6.2. !! It has now been doubled and I'm due another check soon.

Went to a very interesting conference on the benefits of red wine at the U3A this afternoon. Given by a just retired Head Cardiologist Consultant. At the end he asked for questions from the floor, and after a few questions about wine, as the effect of statins had been mentioned during the talk- one lady asked what she thought about all the bad press about statins and its negative effects.

He approached her and took a deep breath and sat astride a chair in front of her and quietly said 'I take statins and have been for 10 years- if you have low good cholesterol, above 4.5 bad cholesterol, high bp and a history of heart disease in the family- who will you trust, your Consultant cardiologist, of someone on an internet forum? Even if it does give you some muscular pains, and it doesn't for most people- would you rather be paralysed by a stroke or a heart attack? - he asked- and continued 'I could just cry when I see people being crippled and their lives cut short due to internet mis-spreading on information- and I know there is probably little I can say, bar 'I am on statins and I know why' - so I will stop there.

Very moving.

Nelliemoser- there is a huge difference between 5 and 7.2- 7.2 is VERY high. But yes depends on so many other factors too. Combined with Type 2 diabetes, and if blood pressure is too high or needs medication to keep low- then I'm afraid, it is a time bomb. I totally agree that it is wrong to put 'everyone over 60 and with cholesterol of over 4' on statins- this is non-sense. But some combinations of factors puts a very different slant on the odds.

Said before, the very same argument was given by a friend who was slim and healthy, ate a mainly microbiotic diet. When he died totally out of the blue of a massive heart attack- his wife felt so bad, as she was the one who told him not to take statins. She actually wanted to sue the doctor for not being more forceful, despite the fact he had explained fully the risks- and said he should have taken more time going on and on, and even forced him to take them. Sometimes doctors say 'ok' because they know that whatever they say- will not make a difference to the outcome.

Some years ago our surgery were doing tests on heart and stroke risks.
I think my cholestrol was about 5 and the balance between the two types were favourable. My blood pressure has always been at a very healthy level. I am not over weight but the nurse still gave me the lecture on reducing fats etc and suggested that getting the cholesterol down to four was now the target.

I went straight to the library and found a book called "The Great Cholesterol con." where the author trashed the idea of that being a major cause of heart attacks and suggested that a too low level of Cholesterol is not good. There is a great deal of conflicting evidence on this issue and increasing concerns about the side effects of statins.

"Statins the wonder drug" The Daily Express was always going on about the benefits of statins a few years ago. They seem to have recanted a little since.

Does anyone know the mechanics between station s and nightmares? DH has a love hate relationship with his statin use and has recently started taking them again, the nightmares are back and I wonder where the medication is affe ting his brain, I would guess at a sort of primitive emotional level but haven't read antpything about it.

Hi granjura

I did point out I was diagnosed in 1999 so I have had this a considerable time.

I have read many many articles on the subject and I am fully aware of what most of the medical profession consider high. I am in the camp of the misbelievers and again there are many.

My doctor has accepted my decision and is well aware of my views. My blood pressure and diabetes are well controlled and he says those two risks factors are more important than cholesterol levels.

I meant, a lot of evidence especially for those with Type 2 diabetes (like me- but I have low cholesterol and low blood pressure). What is your blood pressure like. If you choose to do so, there is so much on the diabetes uk and other reliable sites about this.

Your choice, totally. But you do realise over 7 is very high, and you may not have any side effects at all. For me, it is the fear of a stroke that would truly make me accept. And I do believe there is plenty of evidence available for those with very high cholesterol. But, yes, your choice entirely.

I was diagnosed with diabetes type II in 1999.

I was advised to go on statins, which I refused. My cholesterol is around 7.2 and that has barely altered.

I do make a point of eating healthily but refuse the statins. There isn't in my view good enough evidence to prove it stops heart attacks etc. and I am very fortunate that my joints and muscles are not affected and I don't want to put them at risk.

I started on 20mg of Simvastatin and my cholesterol duly went down to a very satisfactory level. Once, when the results came back from the lab, although there had been no rise, it was recommended that the dosage be increased to 40mg; so the GP changed the prescription. After I while, I decided unilaterally to go back down to 20mg with no ill effects and when I admitted this to the GP he just said'OK'. I've never had any adverse side effects, though one of my friends who was recently prescribed a statin, has been very poorly since then and has now had to stop taking it.

Only just seen your post harrigran, I'm sporting multicoloured bruising at the moment since tripping up the outside steps yesterday. I have been bruising easily/badly for the last few years but I thought it was yet another age related thing.
I've just checked the side effects of the diuretic I've been on for the last few years and guess what? Bruising is one of the side effects mentioned.

No doctor has ever suggested the possibility when they've seen me after a fall for instance.
I shall obviously be discussing it next time I see my GP.

Rubylady best wishes for your health.

Everyone I know is on 40mg of statins. My cholesterol was not horrendous, 6.7 initially and now below 5.
I think rubylady may be taking a number of drugs and any one of them could cause side effects.
I take a beta blocker, calcium inhibitor, hypotensive drug and a statin. I also used to take a diuretic, ppi and aspirin but came off the last three because of bruising and horrible nausea.
granjura is right, you should talk to your GP.

harrigran, I thought the normal dose for 20- so 10 is low and 40 high.

rubylady, please please, do NOT take yourself off statins without discussing this fully with your doctor. The difficulty in breathing could well be signs of heart or other trouble, especially if combined with headaches- and not the Statins at all. Please take care- this is NOT the way to do it.

Is it a good idea to take yourself off drugs rubylady ? You were on a very low dose of Simvastatin, the usual is 40 mg which I took for 8 years without problems.

Hope you are feeling better now rubylady?

Have you got an understanding doctor? I moved house recently and tried two doctors before I found a really good one in the practice who listened and helped me come off Diazapam.

The first doctor I met just wanted me to take another sedative and wouldn't listen when I said the side effects were alarming.

In the practice where I am now you can ring up and talk to your GP on the phone.

Btw, I am still up, not having slept because I have now got pains in my head too. Not headache, pains on one side of my head, had aged 27 due to stress. No wonder when I feel so blooming awful all the time and can't do anything.

I've just took myself off my statins this morning. On the leaflet it does say that the side effects of Simvastatin 10mg can be breathlessness, cramps, stomach problems, constipation. I have said on here for some time about the breathlessness and this last week or two it has been terrible, so much so that just walking into the kitchen I need my inhaler.

So I have come off the statins and I will see what happens. I am having no quality of life at the moment other than being able to chat on the internet, do my shopping via the internet, watch tele and eat and sleep. Something's gotta give.

Jing you eat your eggs and s*d 'em.

Good! When I was poorly a while back, it was only eggs that stopped me from fading away!

Thank you.