Statins and grapefruit do not underestimate the effect!

Grantanow

I have been taking Statins for over 5 years without problems. My GP warned me not to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice and I have followed his advice to the letter.

Exactly, the effect of grapefruit when taking statins are very well known.

Callistemon21

Fleurpepper

My friend refused, point blank. Slim, no smoker, vegetarian diet, no alcohol- he died a year later.

Genetics must play a part too. My friend's DH ate (eats) a very unhealthy diet, probably too much meat, dairy, fats, loathes any vegetables except frozen peas but his cholesterol level is around 2.5.

Totally, family history is so very important. All I am saying is that people should get proper advice and take all factors in together, before making a decision, with their GP or Consultant. And not all the conspiracy theories on the Internet.

nanna8- did she get the prescription from the chemists or not? It is very common for Health Visitors, or whomever has to clear house after the demise of the person- that they find cupboards full of prescribed drugs, which have been stacked up for many years.

My Mum never took the statins she was prescribed and she had very high cholesterol levels. Sure enough, she developed heart problems and eventually died from a heart attack. I always wondered if she would have lived longer if she had taken them. She just couldn’t be bothered taking regular medication, it wasn’t a moral issue with her.

Fleurpepper

My friend refused, point blank. Slim, no smoker, vegetarian diet, no alcohol- he died a year later.

Genetics must play a part too. My friend's DH ate (eats) a very unhealthy diet, probably too much meat, dairy, fats, loathes any vegetables except frozen peas but his cholesterol level is around 2.5.

MerylStreep

Fleurpepper

My friend refused, point blank. Slim, no smoker, vegetarian diet, no alcohol- he died a year later.

My cholesterol hasn’t been under 9.4 since 2010.
It’s the worst scam ever perpetrated on the public by drug companies.

But what does the 9.4 mean MerylStreep? Is it total cholesterol ? HDL? LDL? On its own, total cholesterol doesn't mean much. This was my point upthread about proper interpretation of blood results and risk factors. Some GPs are very good at this, others not so much.
And Fleurpepper surely you are assuming cause and effect in your friends case?

About five years ago, (I was then in mid-70's) when ordering a repeat prescription I noticed that Statins were on that list. Never had got them never taken them,never been told anything about having them prescribed. I telephoned my GP who told me that they had been added due to my age, but if I do not want them don't take them!!! I did not!!!!

Statins have kept me alive though I only take a low dose, against what my Doc suggests. I haven't had grapefruit since about 1990, not worth the risk.

I haven't read any "internet scare stories" about statins as it happens.

I have been taking Statins for over 5 years without problems. My GP warned me not to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice and I have followed his advice to the letter.

Mine has a warning too Blossoming Lecarnidipine.

It isn’t only statins that can react badly with grapefruit. Some of my blood pressure drugs have a warning about this.

I took statins for several years and then with cholesterol low came off them . Blood test for another reason showed my cholesterol was considerably higher, I have type 2 diabetes (very well controlled) and a high incidence of heart disease on one side of my family I was advised to retake them which I have levels low again and have never had side effects.

I have white coat syndrome when blood pressure taken at the surgery, reluctantly tried medication took one tablet and awful dizziness and nausea stopped taking them straight away and told GP I now monitor blood pressure at home and send in results to surgery 2 weeks at a time, all fine, don’t ever intend to take them again if I can help it so side effects can really vary between medications and individuals

Indeed, often a delicate balance of weighing pros and cons.

For me, avoiding a stroke would weigh very heavily in that balance, even at the cost of some inconvenience. I know many people who take statins without any problems. And one who had to change the type.

I was advised to take medication for high BP but the side effects are unpleasant.

Often medication results in side-effects which result in taking an additional medication to counteract those effects.

MerylStreep

Fleurpepper

My friend refused, point blank. Slim, no smoker, vegetarian diet, no alcohol- he died a year later.

My cholesterol hasn’t been under 9.4 since 2010.
It’s the worst scam ever perpetrated on the public by drug companies.

I'd listen to the Consultant too. 9.4 is very high.

Each case is different. What is your family history like?

All I am saying, is dont listen to conspiracy theories on t'internet- and listen to MEDICAL advice. I don't take statins, low BP, no history of heart disease, and low cholesterol.

MerylStreep

Fleurpepper

My friend refused, point blank. Slim, no smoker, vegetarian diet, no alcohol- he died a year later.

My cholesterol hasn’t been under 9.4 since 2010.
It’s the worst scam ever perpetrated on the public by drug companies.

Probably.

I'll listen to the consultant.

Fleurpepper

My friend refused, point blank. Slim, no smoker, vegetarian diet, no alcohol- he died a year later.

My cholesterol hasn’t been under 9.4 since 2010.
It’s the worst scam ever perpetrated on the public by drug companies.

Fleurpepper

My friend refused, point blank. Slim, no smoker, vegetarian diet, no alcohol- he died a year later.

My friend was slim and fit but her cholesterol level was over 11 so yes, statins would be recommended and necessary in her case.

She's still around 20 years later in her 80s; I dont know if she still takes them.

I have been taking Avrostatin 50mg ever since a diagnosis of angina in 2016 followed by the insertion of 3 cardiac stents. The cardiologist came out of his office 3 times while I was in post op to emphasise that I must never miss taking either them, the 75mg Aspirin or the 2.5 mg beta blockers. I take Co-Enzyme Q10 which eliminates the discomfort the Statins caused me initially....I now walk a good 3 miles a day with our dog and lead a full life. Before the procedure I could barely shuffle a few blocks to the bus stop where I sat for 10 minutes before shuffling back home.....

Yes, each case is different. But Statins in many cases save lives and even more important, prevent strokes. Don't refuse them just because of what you read on Social Media.

I stopped taking BP pills, with GP agreement,and my BP went down significantly. I avoid statins because I've suffered really bad side effects..

NotSpaghetti

Fleurpepper

BlueBelle- what about people who are at serious risk of stroke or heart attacks?

Fleur I was prescribed statins post-stroke. Apparently it's now "common practice" and is what consultants are supposed to do.
I questioned my consultant who looked at my bloods and other results and said "take them if you want to, I have to prescribe them or questions may be asked." I asked if he'd be concerned if I was a close family member, (someone he cared about personally) decided not to take them - and he said no.

Sago I would ask this of your GP or consultant. Just ask "why" and "what if I don't"

Good luck.

I had a stroke 19 months ago and was prescribed statins (as well as BP pills and a couple of other things) - the standard treatment for anyone who has had a stroke, the hospital said. I stopped taking the statins 4 weeks ago as my cholesterol has been 3.2 for many years. My GP told me to stop the BP pills a week ago, as I've been having side-effects. My BP now averages 130/78, so I don't intend to take any at all.

Fleurpepper

BlueBelle- what about people who are at serious risk of stroke or heart attacks?

Fleur I was prescribed statins post-stroke. Apparently it's now "common practice" and is what consultants are supposed to do.
I questioned my consultant who looked at my bloods and other results and said "take them if you want to, I have to prescribe them or questions may be asked." I asked if he'd be concerned if I was a close family member, (someone he cared about personally) decided not to take them - and he said no.

Sago I would ask this of your GP or consultant. Just ask "why" and "what if I don't"

Good luck.

My friend refused, point blank. Slim, no smoker, vegetarian diet, no alcohol- he died a year later.

Yes, this is what I said.