Statins and resultant skin problems

As I said before I will only consider taking statins if specifically prescribed by cardiologist. And even then would return to see him if I experienced side effects even though I know at times we blame statins and other medication for all ailments.

I've said this before on the station threads but I'll say it again.
My close friend was put on statins after a heart attack. Prior to that, no cholesterol problems.
After starting the statins she could hardly put one foot in front of the other.
I begged her to come off them: she did.
Some time later I went with her to see her consultant.
He asked if she was still taking the statins. She told him,no, and why.
He said and stay off them !!!

I was put on statins just by chance when I went to the docs with a throat infection ! That was late 2016 ... and since then I haven’t had a blood test at all. I came off them for a few weeks after I’d had a couple of falls then went back on. In the intervening time my husband died and I just wasn’t concentrating on my own health. I’ve now started with eczema on my hands and eye lids ... the itching drives me mad ! I saw the doctor ( first time since being put on them ) and came away with hydrocortisone cream and antihistamines. ( I’ve had hay fever for the last 65 years and it’s the first time I’ve had eczema) The doctor thought it might be stress related. Over the last few days I’ve been researching statins and realise that this could all be connected, plus my sleep is appalling and I also have nose bleeds. All seem to be side effects ... plus I’ve put on weight. To get an appointment at my doctors is a very rare thing ... it’s now into July, so I’m going to try the next couple of weeks with no statin. The itching is driving me mad and I’m embarrassed for anyone to see my hands and day by day my eye is going worse. I’ll take the risk ... I’ve no problems with my heart ( touch wood ) don’t smoke and walk regularly. I’ll keep you informed !

Soup 75 - My doctor is reluctant too and I’ll have to wait round for my annual check up.

Lloyds chemists and I expect others too will give you a cholesterol test for around £10-£15. It takes a couple of minutes. Much like the prick test diabetics do. It gives a print out giving levels of both cholesterols.

I can't comment on statins and skin problems (I've never taken them), but here's a thing - my cholesterol shows up "on the high side" (6+) so for the past 5 years every time the GP noticed that, he/she has suggested that I start taking statins. I've resisted.

At the end of last year, I participated in an extensive cardiac research programme at our local hospital, my heart was checked every which way with scans and MRIs, exercise stress testing - you name it. Results came back that I have 0% coronary disease. So boohoo to the statins ...! (I don't think I ever really needed them). I've framed the letter. (Joking!)

My sister had very bad joint pains while on statins, so did my son,i had some but not as bad,
Speaking to my local pharmacist about statins she said she would never take them, that says a lot i think
I stopped mine ages ago

A friend took herself off statins as she had several side effects her GP didn't approve and now is not giving her cholesterol check ups as it was her decision to come off them. Anyone else had this problem....Im in the UK.

Thanks Nfk very helpful. I'm in the same boat, still trying to resist statins and hoping other methods will work. I bought some plant sterol tablets but they are rather huge to swallow. I've just discovered Benecol chews just a pleasant tasting little pastille, so will see when I have a blood test in June. But I'm determined not to take statins unless the consultant wants me to. They were prescribed by a new young doctor which I honestly don't trust.

Thanks nfkDumpling for all that helpful info.

The friend who advised me had cholesterol levels through the roof and she’s got her’s down to three point something too. Just on diet.

of Lethicin

annepl - I make up my own muesli using 50% oats, 25 -30% flaxseed and the rest in goodies - seeds, sultanas and nuts. Apparently walnuts and almonds are best. And I sprinkle a level desert spoon or Lecithin granules on top. Flaxseed and Lecithin from Holland and Barrett. Healthspan sell plant sterol tablets but I got my levels down before I discovered them.

I also cut down drastically on animal fats and rape and palm oil fats (which includes swopping butter for Benecol or I prefer Pro-Active). This effectively cuts down on cake, biscuits, milk chocolate, chips and crispy snacks - thus the bonus of a bit of weight loss! I now snack on nuts instead. They have the right sort of fat. It makes for a very healthy diet!

My cholesterol is actually fine, but have a lot of nasty other co-morbidities like diabetes etc it was thought that I should maybe go on them ... I think I may drop them for a while and see what happens as I am always in pain now in my limbs etc and my whole body just feels as though it is full of inflammation ... I did think it was the Sjogrens and my auto-immune stuff, but maybe it isn't??

I will report back if it makes a difference as my hands are now permanently dry. sore and stiff, and one of my fingers is forever getting stuck down (Trigger Finger/tendonitis) ... x

I totally refuse to take statins my cholesterol is a bit higher than the accepted level (which goes down and down over the years) but I d rather take my chances

I'm a bit perplexed about GPs' attitude to Statins because there still seem to be some who are quite determined about getting everyone onto them and some who say we don't need them unless there is a history of heart disease etc.

I had to see three different doctors about a bone injury (nothing related to cholesterol) and one was pushing Statins towards the end of the consultation while another said no way would he put someone like me on Statins.

Judging by this, and others, thread, some docs must be widely ignoring the reported side effects even after all these years.

As GPs do try to keep up with latest thinking, I wonder what the unknown force is that stops just some of them ignoring feedback.

Thank you all for your replies....very interesting how many have skin problems of one type or another.
Floradora9 ..... I had no problems from statins until last July but its only the past month I realised my problem was probably to do with statins. Obviously at the moment I cannot say it definitely is but my gut feeling is statins are the cause.

I am lucky to have been on statins for years with no ill effects at all .

NfkDumpling that sounds great. Well done.
What plant sterols do you take?
Do you eat any sugary things? ( I find it hard not to have any chocolate. I have two squares every day)

The rash I had, particularly on my leg, was horrendous. I had never seen anything like it and my GP had no idea. All the potions, lotions, and antibiotics did nothing. It's completely gone now. nfk May I ask what plant sterols you took? I have seen them mentioned before on GN and may give them a try.

MadeInYorkshire - the rash I have looks similar, it feels sore and itchy, but is mainly on the palms and inner wrists. Worse at night

DH has-been taking statins as his level is quite high. He has a scalp skin problem which nothing seems to be helping. I'll pass on all your comments.

I tried statins for one week. I felt so bad - aching joints, itchy and tired I stopped. A friend told me diet could do it and so I cut down on animal fats, nibbled nuts instead of crisps and biscuits, changed to Benecol etc and started taking plant sterols. My cholesterol dropped from 5.8 to 3.9 in just under three months - and I lost half a stone!

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Soup75 How interesting ... can I ask you ladies what the skin on your hands actually looked like as mine are absolutely awful! It doesn't matter how many prescribed and non-prescribed emollients, creams or ointments I put on they seem to just get worse! My skin on my hands is tough, rough, thickened and cracking ,,,, I take a statin but had never thought there may be a correlation there at all - I take around 30 different medications anyway for my 26 different ruddy conditions, so never know if something is a side effect or symptom nowadays!

In the past I have looked at things like Dermatomyositis, Scleroderma, Lupus etc but did actually (finally!) got a diagnosis of Sjogrens Syndrome, which also isn't very pleasant .... Does the Dermo show up in bloods or just biopsies please? My GP seems reluctant to refer me on, but I think I am going to insist!

Be very interested in any info from anybody!

I would love to stop statins because of all the side effects. I sometimes wonder if that's the problem rather than fibromyalgia. I am in pain every day. But my family history of heart disease is extremely bad.

This thread has also got me wondering.
I was put on statins a couple of years ago, and an itchy red rash developed on the palms of hands, back, scalp, even on my nipples, which was diagnosed as eczema - something I've never had previously. I was also prescribed a steroid cream, which worked for a while. I started taking antihistimines as I thought it was an allergy, they do nothing to help. My doctor is a great fan of steroids but I've got to the point I don't want to take them anymore. GN'rs that have taken themselves off steroids, is it okay to just stop them immediately? or should they be gradually weaned off?