Statins

This thread is very timely. My DH has literally just come home from seeing the nurse at our practice who has told him he needs statins. I’ve just read out all your replies to him. He is undecided now. I will keep reading.

Marydoll

Two quick heart attacks and the physical an emotional consequences certainly frightened me, Fleurpepper.
A healthy diet, low chlorestoral, clear arteries and well functioning valves made no difference.
I will do anything in my power to avoid another one.
Unless you have suffered one, you have no idea of the physical and emotional fallout.
I am strong minded and resilient, but it had a tremendous impact on my wellbeing.

Oh I am so sorry. Yes, this is not what I meant, sorry. I meant if I have to go of a quick and massive heart attack, I am not afraid. But a massive stroke, which would leave me unable to communicate or do anything, just terrifies me.

I wish you all the very best, and hope you get the right medication, care and support to continue to improve back to the life you love

pascal30

Every time,I've tried statins and over the years I've tried 6 different types because my GP keeps pushing them, I've had terrible pains and weakness in my legs.. The last try a few months ago after not having taken any for several years, and because my GP kept persuading me, I tried a new one, resulted in my not being able to walk. The GP pharmacist insisted that these statins did not have that side effect.. I will never take any again because as soon as I stopped so did the weakness and pain.. Frankly I'd rather risk having another heart attack, though since I stopped taking blood pressure tablets my blood pressure has returned to normal..

I had exactly the same experience - the weakness in my legs was actually so bad that I had a couple of falls.

Two quick heart attacks and the physical an emotional consequences certainly frightened me, Fleurpepper.
A healthy diet, low chlorestoral, clear arteries and well functioning valves made no difference.
I will do anything in my power to avoid another one.
Unless you have suffered one, you have no idea of the physical and emotional fallout.
I am strong minded and resilient, but it had a tremendous impact on my wellbeing.

This can be your opinion- but please- they can be life savers and especially quality life savers.

A friend of ours, very healthy lifestyle, slim- was told his cholesteral was too high. He refused statins because he had read exactly what you said. When he died a year later, of a heart attack- his wife and family wanted to sue their doctor because he had not made a case strong enough for him to take statins. We have a friend currenly in a care home, unable to communicate or to walk- after a massive stroke in the autumn. He refused statins for the same reason.

Please, listen to your doctor, not the internet or GN. If your cholesterol is over 5- you are at very serious risk. A quick heart attack does not frighten me too much, but a debilitating stroke rendering me unable to communicate or live my life stuck as a semi-'vegetable' is just terrifying.

I've been on statins since my mini stroke and had no adverse effects from it. And my cholesterol was halved. I honestly believe that they are life-savers.

Grannie06

I was very interested to read this as I have just been told to take statins but like others I don't want to and have decided to try changing my diet first.

12 years I went on the strict diet to appease my Dr. My reading was 9.6. I stuck to it rigidly ( and miserably) for 6 months.
My reading came down to 9.4.

I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again: I think it’s the biggest con ever perpetrated by a drugs company.

Iam64

Maw, several years ago, I stopped taking them because of muscle ache. I started again last year because my cholesterol levels had gone higher than my rheumatologist believes safe. RA - heart disease are good friends. I have other risk factors, heart disease on maternal family tree and atrial fib. So I agreed to try again. The doc prescribed a different statin and I’ve had no problems. Best

Good to know it is working. It so worries me that Statins are given such a bad name on Social Media, putting people off taking them- wehn they are true life-savers, but perhaps even much more importantly quality of life savers- preventing debilitating strokes. So well done you. As you say, it is important to talk to doctor and find the one that suits you, rather than give up and take huge risks.

I already have COPD, so Methotrexate was a no no. Now my biologics have been stopped!

I have been waiting for a referral back to Respiratory consultant, since Dec 2021! No luck there.

My acute breathless, constant dizziness and nausea, leading to an urgent admission, was due to being on a high dose of an unsuitable heart medication for 15 months! It has been a close call.
I cannot fault the outstanding treatment given in the cardiology unit, for which I am very grateful.

However, onward and upwards. I hope you get sorted soon. RA is a hellish condition.💐

Hello Marydoll, sorry to hear you’ve been in hospital again. My current referral is to respiratory medicine. My cardiologist did another treadmill test which confirmed what I’ve been telling the docs for 3 years. I’m increasingly breathless on inclines. Lockdown meant no lung function tests but they’re now available again. I did one in January (8 month wait). As a result I’m referred to a respiratory consultant, first appointment in June.
The cardiologist suspects either the RA or the methotrexate I took to modify it between age 48-65 caused the lung problems.

Iam64

Maw, several years ago, I stopped taking them because of muscle ache. I started again last year because my cholesterol levels had gone higher than my rheumatologist believes safe. RA - heart disease are good friends. I have other risk factors, heart disease on maternal family tree and atrial fib. So I agreed to try again. The doc prescribed a different statin and I’ve had no problems. Best

As you know Iam, I too, have RA, which is why I spent last week in the cardiology ward.
RA and heart problems go hand in hand!

Maw, several years ago, I stopped taking them because of muscle ache. I started again last year because my cholesterol levels had gone higher than my rheumatologist believes safe. RA - heart disease are good friends. I have other risk factors, heart disease on maternal family tree and atrial fib. So I agreed to try again. The doc prescribed a different statin and I’ve had no problems. Best

I was very interested to read this as I have just been told to take statins but like others I don't want to and have decided to try changing my diet first.

My doctor suggested statins a while ago due to high cholesterol (good and bad). People I had spoken to before this all complained of side affects, which I mentioned to him.
I am a reasonably healthy person (67 yrs old) so he suggested I change my lifestyle and see if there is any improvement. Perhaps you could talk to your doctor about these options?
Since then I walk everyday. A 40 minute solid power walk, and last March I started on time restricted fasting, both of which have shown to decrease bad cholesterol.
He also suggested I eat oats and legumes regularly, cut out processed food except dark chocolate, which I have done.
I go back in March and I'm certain my cholesterol will be lower, I just feel so much more energised. Cramps, aches and pains and lack of energy do not make for a pleasant lifestyle!
I give blood every three months and my blood pressure, blood sugar and weight have all dropped according to their calculations.
Time restricted eating was hard at first but now its second nature, I start eating at noon and stop at 9pm each day.
I prefer the whole body/lifestyle method to taking tablets. Obviously if there is no improvement to my cholesterol I'll have to have a rethink...fingers and toes crossed.
PS I'm in Australia too and I've been with my doctor for almost forty years.

I would only take statins AFTER I’d had a heart attack or TIA. I don’t think it is useful as a prophylactic before any of the above episodes. IMHO I think the benefits, if you haven’t had any heart problems, are greatly exaggerated.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I have been on statins for years with no side effects. My cholesterol isn't high, but after two heart attacks, I was advised to take them.

BridgetPark

MayBe70, I have also just started taking Co-enzyme C10. My son has just been over here from Australia, and his doctor put him on statins. He also prescribed the C10 tablets, as all doctors do this as the norm in Australia, as they believe they help with your energy levels as Statins can sap your energy. Find it very interesting that your Doctor has prescribed them, MayBe70, is he Australian?

No. It’s my friend who’s on them: she lives in Devon. She’s had covid and I mentioned that I’d heard that it’s good to take Co Enzyme Q10 to help with tiredness and she told me she was on them already because her doctor had advised to take them with statins.

You must discuss this with your doctor and see if you can't swap to another one. Just depends on your familial and personal history and your cholesterol values. If they are borderline, and you have no worrying history, then perhaps stopping is an option. But this is truly not a question for an internet Forum, honestly. All the best.

I have low cholesterol, low BP and no familial history, so I don't take Statins. OH is just over borderline, but terrible familial history, so he takes them and has done for a long time, without any issue. Just depends- but needs to be discussed with doctor, not GN.

Do you have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease Maw?

MayBe70, I have also just started taking Co-enzyme C10. My son has just been over here from Australia, and his doctor put him on statins. He also prescribed the C10 tablets, as all doctors do this as the norm in Australia, as they believe they help with your energy levels as Statins can sap your energy. Find it very interesting that your Doctor has prescribed them, MayBe70, is he Australian?

I had the same as you qnd it got so bad I could hardly hobble. I tried 3 different medications until my body managed to tolerate a low dose of Rosuvastatin. I take Coenzyme Q10 with it which also helps. I persevered as there is a history of heart problems on both sides of my family and I have the familial type of high chlorestrol. Good luck in finding something that suits.

Statins save many lives, even better, they prevent devastating, debilitating strokes. I know what I would prefer.

My friend takes Co enzyme Q10 with her statins. Her doctor advised it.