Statins (again)

Yes I stopped taking them 4 years ago I was down to my last strip, I broke them in half used them until all gone.
.
The reason? I was on jobseekers and couldn't
afford the prescriptions!

I also stopped taking my blood pressure tabs, that was 4 yrs ago also.

I didn't feel any different.

Eventually I had to go docs for yearly check, they put me back on statins.I took a few but then didn't bother.

They kept eye on BP and said may need to go back on tablets (that was nearly a year ago) they were supposed to monitor me (they didn't) Im due for yearly check soon so we shall see!

Im sure my cholesterol will have gone up but my BP seems ok.

I'm not saying you should stop them , just saying what I did. Not sure if I should be on them I really don't know as so many conflicting reports.

Thank you biker. I may try that, having half a one then cutting them out. I haven't felt right since I've been on them - stomach upsets and all sorts. I feel as though I'm being a bit irresponsible not taking them but the bleeds are making me not want to go out. I am on BP meds and have been put on beta blockers today for anxiety which GP says will also help my BP. I don't know what to do for the best really.

Think really the best thing is talk to your doctor/nurse again.

I may be doing myself harm not taking them , I really don't know.

I didn't have any of the side effects' It was purely down to money that I stopped taking them (of course now I have passed the 60 mark they are free) ! but I still haven't started taking them again.
Once I have my yearly check and are faced with my Cholesterol shooting through the roof! I will no doubt change my mind

Thank you "biker*. I have to see my GP again in two weeks. I'll try to talk to her again. I think I'll take the side effects leaflet with me, which lists nosebleeds as one.

Katy you can just stop stations. There is no need to taper them. Perhaps best to discuss with your GP again and say you would like to try without. It depends on your other risk factors. It helps if you are a non smoker and are not overweight.

Thank you mumofmadboys. No I've never smoked and am not overweight - well maybe half a stone, not much

I have a prescription for a statin but will not be taking it after reading about the side effects. My cholesterol test came in at 5.6 which I don't think is excessive. Also, I am very cynical and I may be wrong here but I have read that doctors are paid for each patient they put on statins which makes me very dubious about whether I need them or whether I am just boosting my doctor's salary.

Doctors are not paid for putting patients on statins

mumofmadboys I'm not arguing with your statement that doctors aren't paid for putting patients on statins.
But isn't it the case that NICE guidelines expect doctors to at least suggest to patients that they go on statins if their risk of a CVD event in the next 10 years is >20%? And wasn't this rather controversially lowered a little while ago to 10%?
So that while it is fair to say that doctors aren't given inducements to prescribe statins, there is certainly pressure exerted to encourage them to do so.
Apologies in advance if I've got that wrong!

This is what I have read:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/05/21/gps-paid-handing-statins-puts-patients-review-finds/

I see Jane the risk has been lowered to 10%. Didn't know that, that's why statins have been suggested when the doctor said my risk of CVD event in the nest 10 years is 15%. But I too haven't taken them after reading the side effects and my cholesterol at 5.7 is not sky high. My BP has stabilised to a acceptable figure, I'm taking a plant sterol capsule, follow a low fat diet. I will tell the GP when I have the next check up, I'm also 70 and would possibly feel different if I was only 50.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/statins/

My gp wanted me to take these last year and I refused.

I take a very small dose of atorvastatin as my cholesterol was high, even though I eat no red meat or hard cheese, and I generally eat low fat stuff - fish etc. - and have followed this diet for decades. It is thought the high reading is simply hereditary.

The only side effect I get is occasional nightmares.

I have decided to bash on with them as they are keeping y cholesterol around 4.5 which is reasonable.

Patients these days should share decision making in their care, not be told what to do.

GPs get QOF (Quality and Outcome Framework) payments for putting those with a 20% risk of having a heart attack in the next 10 years, according to the QRISK calculator, on statins. NICE wanted to bring this down to statins for those with a 10% risk, but GPs raised strong objections, and this was dropped.

If you know your cholesterol ratio, you can work out your own risk here www.qrisk.org/three/

Note that it is your cholesterol ratio that is used, not your total cholesterol. You can play about with the calculator, seeing what difference taking statins will make for you (it isn't a lot if you are otherwise fit and healthy)

A lot of the push for putting the vast majority of over 65's on statins comes, unsurprisingly, from the drug companies. Dr Ben Goldacre has done a lot of research on this, you can wade through his book 'Bad Pharma' if you have the time. www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Pharma-How-Medicine-Broken/dp/000749808X?tag=gransnetforum-21

or for a simpler update, try his article

www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g3306/rr/759401

You will need to do your research and go along to your doctor with your decision. Only you can decide whether the possibility of reducing your cardiovascular event risk by a few percentage points outweighs the side effects.

It is your life, your decision

Sorry! My meal was ready!

So many people have quite severe side effects so, unless there is a family history involved, I am not sure that I want to feel rubbish just so my gp can reach their targets!

Thanks B9. That explains it very well.
The other thing to hear in mind is the ‘number needed to treat’.
This is the number of patients who need to take a drug for one event to be prevented.
I’m afraid I can’t even pretend to understand the statistics involved, but I have read that for people without a history of CVD, it’s something like 100.
So out of 100 people on statins, 1 will benefit and for the remaining 99 it doesn’t matter whether they take them or not.
The problem of course is knowing whether you might be that one person.
I’m sure we all know, or know of, someone who has collapsed and died of a heart attack without any previous warning signs.

Sussex many people take statins without experiencing any side effects at all. And if one statin doesn’t suit you, there are others that can be prescribed.

Common side effects
Although side effects can vary between different statins, common side effects (which affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:
nosebleeds
sore throat
a runny or blocked nose (non-allergic rhinitis)
headache
feeling sick
problems with the digestive system, such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion or flatulence
muscle and joint pain
increased blood sugar level (hyperglycaemia)
an increased risk of diabetes
However, it's not clear whether most of the common problems people experience when taking statins are actually caused by the medication itself.
Uncommon side effects
Uncommon side effects of statins (which may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:
being sick
loss of appetite or weight gain
difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or having nightmares
dizziness – if you experience this, do not drive or use tools and machinery
loss of sensation or tingling in the nerve endings of the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
memory problems
blurred vision – if you experience this, do not drive or use tools and machinery
ringing in the ears
inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), which can cause flu-like symptoms
inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can cause stomach pain
skin problems, such as acne or an itchy red rash
feeling unusually tired or physically weak
Rare side effects
Rare side effects of statins (which may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) include:
visual disturbances
bleeding or bruising easily
yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Muscle effects
Statins can occasionally cause muscle inflammation (swelling) and damage. Speak to your doctor if you have muscle pain, tenderness or weakness that can't be explained – for example, pain that isn't caused by physical work.
Your doctor may carry out a blood test to measure a substance in your blood called creatine kinase (CK), which is released into the blood when your muscles are inflamed or damaged.
If the level of CK in your blood is more than 5 times the normal level, your doctor may advise you to stop taking the statin. Regular exercise can sometimes lead to a rise in CK, so tell your doctor if you've been exercising a lot.
Once your CK level has returned to normal, your doctor may suggest you start taking the statin again, but at a lower dose

The Cholesterol Con is an informative read regarding this subject.

Everyone is different- and for some people, statins can stop heart attacks and strokes. With longterm BP problems and bad cholesterol on 7 - please please do NOT stop and go and discuss with your GP and a specialist.

I stopped taking Statins as I clearly did not need them- but OH has been on them for many years- as in his case they can really make a huge difference in his life expectations and quality life. It's really not something you should risk with your medical history.

I have felt constantly nauseous since I've been on these but it's the nose bleeds that are getting me down and spoiling my life.

KatyK have you thought about trying plant sterols as well as low fat diet etc? You could tell your GP that you find the side effects unacceptable and you want to try alternatives.

I was prescribed Statins some years ago but was taken off them immediately by my GP after I had said my memory was not good. Apparently this was one of the side effects of the mediation I was on.
My memory as not been good and still isn't but the medication had made it much worse.
I have made some changes to my diet and have been able to bring my cholesterol down without medication.

can I recommend Ubiquinol its an easily absobed version of co q 10 .My OH has been taking it since he came off statins because of the mulitude of side effects he suffered from.The side effects stopped after a couple of weeks and when he started the Ubiquinol it didn't affect him at all .,his cholesterol levels have been fine and his GP has started to recommend it to patients who have similar problems with Statins.My OH has had heart attacks ,never had high cholesterol though and didn't need surgery as his arteries were healthy .His heart attacks were stress related and once the stress was removed( as much as possible for someone running businesses) he has been fine .

Bluesky Funny you should mention plant sterols. I was investigating alternatives the other day and I saw that those could be used. I already eat a low fat diet and have done for years. I will look into sterols further. I will look at Ubiquinol also paddyann. Thank you both.