Side effects of statins.

Like with all medications, not everyone suffers side effects. I've been on Simvastatin for 20 years now and have suffered no side effects. I too have suffered tiredness recently but following blood tests and a visit to a doctor, I was told, my salt levels were low.. The Dr suggested it may be because of omeprazole but since I've been taking it for years it was unlikely. The tiredness seems to have resolved for now so apart from my increased food intake and no change in my medication I am feeling better. I hope you too feel better soon.

Please, please, PLEASE - statins do a vanishingly small amount of possible good to a very few people, for the rest they are often harmful and a great big pharmaceutical con. Listen to cadiologist Aseem Malhotra on the subject, he's available on Youtube

I think I'll just stick with my lovely porridge (as a preventative) as plant sterols have side effects too:

rdcu.be/degOG

Primrose
My cholesterol has been over 9 for over 10 years.
When I was first told told the Dr, no, I’m not taking them.
After a discussion I agreed to go on a very strict low fat diet for 3 months. It came down 2 points.

I had a neighbour in her Early 70s who was as fit as a fiddle. Cared for all her half acre garden herself, did all her decorating, walked, cycled etc. she lived alone.

She was put on statins for high cholesterol and she was terribly ill. GP swapped them and these made her equally ill but in a different way, third swap failed too. In the end she said I would rather not be on them and feel fine and able to do everything than be on them and need someone to care for me.

That must be 15 years ago and she is fine, no heart attacks, no strokes and no statins.

Stella14

Something that is rarely noted is that there is no evidence of benefit for statins in women! All of the research has been done on men and due to hormonal differences etc, you can’t simply extrapolate the results to women.

I am glad you posted that. I had read the same some time ago.

Skye17
Thank you for that. I had the experience of sitting in with my friend when she saw her consultant cardiologist.
She was put on them after 2 heart attacks. Previous to that her cholesterol levels were perfect.
Long story short, she had come off them when she got to the stage where she couldn’t walk.
The consultant told her to stay off them.
My own GP is not a fan, either.

//The main problem with statins is that they inhibit two important enzyme systems. Firstly Coenzyme Q 10… Statins also inhibit formation of selenium based proteins such as glutathione peroxidase. This is one of the most important antioxidants in the blood… It is a combination of the above two factors which explains the devastating effect statins have on some people with muscle metabolism. People get obvious muscle soreness, stiffness, weakness and fatiguability. Heart muscle is little different from normal muscle so it is no wonder that the heart is also affected and theoretically this could result in heart failure.

Because statins interfere with antioxidant defences and energy supply they may be contributing to the epidemic of Alzheimer's disease we are now seeing.//

www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Cholesterol_-_the_whys_and_wherefores#The_Problem_with_Statins

mumofmadboys

As a retired GP I find it insulting to read ' most GPs are clueless about side effects from the array of drugs they prescribe'. GPs may have to look things up sometimes which is perfectly acceptable as there is too much to remember. We learn a lot about drugs , their interactions and side effects.

DH's doctors in the cardiac department and at the GP surgery take a lot of trouble to check his blood out when they change a dose or add a medication and I certainly don't think it's fair to say that they are clueless.
However I wish they would let us know that they have reviewed his medication from time to time as they always seem to be adding rather than subtracting.

My husband has heart failure and takes amazing cocktails of medications, but I'm puzzled by the statins as he actually had low cholesterol before he started taking them. I've heard lots of older people moan about the side effects but, like people on here, they go on taking them because of the suggested risks if they don't.

Initially I took statins and got cracking headaches. A lovely Aussie locum said to stop and the headaches ceased. I’m now on a different low dose one and apart from a little cramp , all seems fine.

Those who are having side effects from their statins, but either wish or need to continue taking them - ask your doctor to switch you to a different statin, which may well do the trick - there are a few different ones available. My late husband was on statins for years and never had any side effects from them.

Willow68

I was offered choice if statins or life changes to get under control. As I am on lots other medications I decided to try to change diet ect. Assuming my body doesn’t naturally make lots of cholesterol…my check is in 3 moths .
So has anyone had any luck with plant sterols?

Yes my cholesterol seems to be coming down with plant sterols.
It’s a slower process.

I've been on Atorvastatin for years with no side effects that I've noticed.

I was prescribed Simvastatin years ago, I suddenly started becoming very forgetful so I stopped tak8ng them and I got my mind back.

My prescription was changed to Atorvastatin and I've been OK since.

JANH

I had major issues with cramp when on statins, waking up at night unable to put my foot to the floor, it was so bad. I am also a diabetic and when I had my hospital review, I explained to the consultant how bad the cramp was and he suggested taking Ezetimibe and also drinking slimline tonic before bed. I still get cramp but when I have not drunk the tonic. Worth considering for those with the cramp side effect. My cholesterol is well controlled now, so everyone is happy.

That’s what I am on too. Much better results.

It would be interesting to see the comparison of whether or not statins were taken by those affected by heart attacks or strokes. But I guess other factors would have to be taken into account - family history/lifestyle etc.

I had major issues with cramp when on statins, waking up at night unable to put my foot to the floor, it was so bad. I am also a diabetic and when I had my hospital review, I explained to the consultant how bad the cramp was and he suggested taking Ezetimibe and also drinking slimline tonic before bed. I still get cramp but when I have not drunk the tonic. Worth considering for those with the cramp side effect. My cholesterol is well controlled now, so everyone is happy.

Stella14
I’m on a statin my cholesterol levels came down from 6.1 to 3.4 well worth going on and no side effects my gp was very informative of the side effects she knew exactly what was best for me

That’s interesting. I’ve recently developed an extreme sort of IBS which is worse than its ever been, also horrible heartburn. I’m already prescribed Omeprazole to protect my stomach against the side affects of steroids for Polymyalgia but it seems to have stopped working. I’m also constantly exhausted and could sleep all day. I’m about to get second cataract done but never considered that any of these conditions might be caused by statins. I’ve been blaming the steroids. I’m only on 10 mgs of Atorvastatin and thought I had no side effects. Currently trying to get a doctors appointment to try and find out whyI have constant diarrhoea and heartburn.

Too much negativity about out statins I’m on atorvastatin no side effects there

mumofmadboys

As a retired GP I find it insulting to read ' most GPs are clueless about side effects from the array of drugs they prescribe'. GPs may have to look things up sometimes which is perfectly acceptable as there is too much to remember. We learn a lot about drugs , their interactions and side effects.

I'd be insulted too. My GP started me on a new drug last week and we had a long conversation about the pros and cons. He didn't put pressure on me either way and I made up my own mind.

Been on statins for years no problem but the last year muscle pain and leg weakness with fatigue. I am coming off them for 4/6 weeks against gp advice to see if it helps. We need quality of life as well !!! It could be age related but we will see !

Been on statins for years but last year I started muscle pain in my legs and constant fatigue not sure if it’s age related so taking a chance against gp advice and having a break for 4/6 weeks. How else can you tell ? !

My DH has taken statins for about a decade I think. The only side affect has been very unpleasant nightmares (haven’t a clue why or how) but after one emergency visit for a heart related problem, the Dr. Changed the statin and the nightmares have reduced both in amount and intensity. So more liveable with now.