Should I take statins

9f your doctor recommends that you take statins - please take them .
I was about to be put on them when I managed to reduce my cholesterol levels with diet .
But I know that I might have to take them eventually .
The other day , I met someone who has decided not to take her thyroxine - only she isn't telling her doctor about her decision .

Had my cholesterol checked around 20 yrs ago and was told very high but because both the good and bad were high it was OK and I didn't need statins. It's never been checked since and I only saw a locum GP so should probably ask again for blood test but need to see/speak to GP before I can see nurse for test and even a phone call with GP is now over a 4 week wait. Feel like I shouldn't bother them with something seemingly trivial.

I tried taking them for 3 years, and they were the most miserable of my life, going from being a very well-balanced and equable person to being an anxious wreck. The anxiety became worse and worse to the point where I could barely function, with obsessive worry about various illnesses just popping into my head and then staying there for days until I researched it out; within a couple of days another one started. They also gave me the most dreadful restless legs every night. I know it was caused by the statins because it has all gone away since I stopped taking them; it went within 3 weeks. I tried 2 types of statins, both had the same effect. It's a pity, because I did try, being diabetic. Now I just try to stay as fit as possible with cardio and weights, and keep my blood sugar under control as well as possible. I do wonder if it was because my cholesterol levels went so low, down to 2.8 - as it is impossible now to have a sensible conversation with a gp about them I have given up. At the last review with the chemist it seemed that my ratio if HDL/LDL was ok even though the LDL was higher than they liked. Every so often the nurse raises the issue again, but in my case the cure seems worse than the day-to-day quality of life.

Def discussion with GP, also you are able to take them every other day too, with GP agreement

With high cholesterol and a family history of stroke/heart attack spanning many generations my GP suggested years ago that I would benefit from taking statins and it has been discussed at every annual health check since. Last year, my 70th, I finally agreed to take 40mg Atorvastatin daily. The first couple of months were difficult as I experienced nausea and leg pain, but after a ‘check up’ call from the local pharmacist* I decided to stick with it and continued to take the medication without any further side effects.

*The phone call was unsolicited and simply because the pharmacist had seen it was my first prescription for statins. She followed it up with a second phone call a month later. I was seriously impressed, but sadly that particular pharmacy (Boots) is scheduled for closure in February.

I've never been prescribed statins. Both parents died from heart attacks. I recently had a set of blood tests carried out due in part to my telling GP I feel my heart thumps and races. All the tests are normal. He also sent me to have a 24 hour heart monitor fitted. Now been waiting 4 weeks for results. Should I have statins, is it based on genetics alone? I'm 77.

Been on them for a few years after a mini stroke, never had a problem

Thanks, Nadadeturbe. I am. Still vague about some words and tire easily, but so glad to be home!

I am 81 years old and have been taking statins for twenty years and my cholesterol has always been under control. I have not experienced any side effects so will continue to take them.

Glad you're recovering Caleo.

Thanks Fleurpepper. I feel better now. It was not a bleed but lack of blood supply. My memories became splintered and did not hold together, and speech became non existant for six days ,so I am told. So happy to be home again and making my own decisions!

One good thing is if I had died I would not have been aware of dying.

Exactly how I feel GrannyRose

DH had a blood test taken by a nurse. The practice pharmacist then rang him to say she had prescribed statins. He picked them up from the chemist but as yet hasn’t started taking them. We’d feel better about it if he had had the chance to talk to a doctor.

Sorry to hear Caleo- how are you feeling now. Any impairment? Take care.

I will, because have just had a stroke, back from the hospital, and am unlikely to give up butter.

Thank you welshgirl and Jaxjacky

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/behind-the-headlines/who-should-be-offered-statins#:~:text=Like%20the%20previous%20guidance%2C%20the,diseases%20stay%20healthy%20for%20longer.

Sparklefizz

Has anyone tried plant sterols to reduce their cholesterol, and if so, did they work?

Yes and no difference after 6 months Sparklefizz.

Sparklefizz

Has anyone tried plant sterols to reduce their cholesterol, and if so, did they work?

Yes, I tried plant sterols as my surgery pharmacist have been on at me to take statins. I took statins a couple of years ago for about 9 months, then stopped - hated the side effects (aches, leg pains, stiff joints). When I had a routine blood check in the summer they were on at me again to take statins. I don't smoke or drink am not overweight, pretty active, still working at 70, don't have high BP and can't find any family history of early death from stroke/cardiac arrest!

Anyway, this time I said I would try to adjust my diet further (eat pretty healthily anyway) - so went on the stenols (Cardioace Plus by Vitabiotics). 3 months later another blood test....no difference whatsoever in levels still at 7 - I had even lost a couple of kilos as well! So now I am reluctantly accepting a very low dose 3 times a week of a different statin. Only been on it a week, so difficult to tell if there are any effects yet - good or bad. I keep asking to see and discuss with a GP, but I still get fobbed of with the pharmacist either phoning me or messaging me :-( I'm going to be more assertive in the new year and insist on seeing a doctor!

I had a heart attack a year and a half ago and have mild heart disease. When I came out of hospital I was put on a range of medication and didn't think anything about it. I have pains in my legs and finding it painful to go up the stairs now. Do you think it is the statins? I also suffer from M.E. which I have had for nearly 20 yrs which limits any activity, and I am overweight. Nearly 66 yrs

Has anyone tried plant sterols to reduce their cholesterol, and if so, did they work?

Not crowing, I have aches and pains like everyone else, just that I don’t have prescribed medications. In the past medical professionals have made false assumptions of my health because of height weight ratio, that I am a burden on the nhs which is wrong. That’s not to say I won’t be in time I am not getting younger, but so far so good.

I wasn’t given the percentage rate stroke Q thing when the pharmacist mentioned statins, I asked but he hadn’t done the calculation. I then saw the info about over 75 s with no medical contraindications which I need to sort out. Once I have a proper conversation with my surgery ( 3 weeks and still waiting) I will be able to make a decision.

Having a stroke is miserable. Life as a "legume", as quoted above, is not something to be taken lightly. If this can be prevented by taking a pill a day, then why not take advantage of this? I worked in a stroke/head injury service for amny years and have no desire to suffer this fate if it is avoidable.

There is no kudos in being tablet free - it is the luck of the draw. I have AF, osteoporosis and other ailments and I am glad that help is there for me. I see no reason to either crow about taking no medicines, or to feel ashamed if you have to - it is just my lot and I accept it.

Good post Fleurpepper.

Over-prescribed, for some time, yes, perhaps. But for many, they have been proven life-savers. My one massive fear, is having a stroke which would leave me like a 'legume' and unable to state my wishes or communicate. One of our best friend has just died (been liberated) after a massive stroke that left him unable to communicate for 15 months. He was offered statins and refused, because of the bad Press and because he didn't take any medication, aged 78.

OH has a terrible family history, and kidney damage since he was 22 and got untreated strep throat for too long. Despite not having high cholesterol levels, he chose to take Statins to protect himself from stroke and heart attacks., with NO side-effects whatsoever. As a doctor, he spent a lot of time studying the pros and cons before making his decision, and I trust his judgement better than social media.

I don't take statins as I have low cholesterol, low BP and no family history of related issues.

Horses for courses. Same with statins.