Statins

I read Dr James Le Fanu's book, Too Many Pills in two sittings. It's an absolutely scandalous revelation. On the recent care home thread, people describe their loved ones as confused, psychotic even. I'd recommend counting how many different medications they are on and asking if any of them are really necessary, especially at advanced age. Some people are diagnosed with dementia and when certain medications are stopped they become lucid again!

It is interesting how things like MMR and Statins seem to bring such diverse opinions with them. I remember the contraceptive pill causing heated discussions, never hear it mentioned now.
The op has gone off to show her partner the replies !?!?!

DrWatson. PS. I also said what I did say very politely, starting with “with respect”. You may notice that the OP has not replied to the thread.

DrWatson The OP asked if people on here were scared to refuse statins, getting prescriptions and binning them. This is what her partner does and she was asking if it’s wrong.

I don’t think it’s patronising to point this out bearing in mind we have had countless threads about statins and who loves them and who hates them and why. 🙂

Well I’m on statins although why I’ll never know ….ive had two strokes since taking them 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes agree should either try if not suited tell GP then ! don’t cash in at pharmacy and throw them away that’s very naughty and wasteful. If had to pay would he do it then?????

For Primrose, and that patronising "this thread is about" :- Various comments are about what GNetters have experienced re Statins, trying to HELPFULLY illustrate their experiences for the OP, to give a broad reflection of opinion.

I've had statins for about 20 years, since experiencing a 'mystery heart event' one night (subsequent tests couldn't clarify if it was a mild heart attack). To be safe not sorry, I was prescribed a statin, to lower cholesterol, I soon complained of side effects, so moved to the lowest possible dose, no side effects, and my 'bad cholesterol' level (some cholesterol is good) has reduced.

My most recent GP shifted me to a different type of statin a year or so ago, seems to think it may offer other benefits, I gather. I'm unclear what the fear of statins is about, a huge chunk of the population takes them. There are several different varieties, and a GP's preferences may vary depending on their experiences.

Somebody helpfully listed other dietary ways you can lessen a cholesterol level, that tallies with what I was told, BUT I'm assured there are folk (a tiny subset) who have large amounts of foods that are bad for you, (so, the cake, dairy, biscuits and booze extravaganza) but have low cholesterol, and the reverse, spartan healthy diets, but high cholesterol anyway!!! THEY are in the minority, it's their body doing rather odd things.

Statins are regularly reported to have other benefits, certainly not just re cholesterol. It seems barmy to me to refuse to take them, they were prescribed for a reason, at least give them a trial of a week or two. Any side effect (and ALL DRUGS have some, our bodies re different, read that leaflet in the packet!!) will quickly become apparent, and you can report back to the GP so that problem can be recorded.

I haven't been put on them but I would take them gratefully if advised. It's not just GP's who start people on them, the stroke specialists & vascular departments & cardiologists do all the time & they presumably are the specialists on artery disease. The muscle aches are a known side effect but most people don't get them.

I’ve been on them since I was in my early 40 s with a very high cholesterol count. They have kept it down for years now though it is gradually creeping up a bit. I just take a low dose because I get aches and pains with a higher dose. My Mum and dad both died of heart attacks and very high cholesterol is in our family even though none of us are/ were overweight. They certainly have their uses but obviously not for everyone. I would just tell the doctor he doesn’t want them because when they do blood tests they will factor them in and think he needs a higher dose if he isn’t actually taking them and his cholesterol is high.

What a dreadful waste.

If he doesn’t want the statins , just tell someone,

If he doesn't want the stations, he needs to tell the doc and for them not to be prescribed, and if he won't do that he needs just not to order more
Anyone can refuse any meds but it should be made in facts, it needs to be an informed decision
I've had no problems with stations personally. You don't know until you try them

I was on statins for years, and, like many others on here, began to notice the worsening pain and irritation in my legs. I was taken off the statins by my GP and now inject myself with Repatha every 2 weeks. What a difference. I highly recommend.

I have been on statins daily for about 30 years. I am 83 and fit and able to get on with life. What is your husband scared of or what untrained people has he been getting his advice from. If he wants to die suddenly from Thrombosis he's going the right way about it.

scared of a GP?

seriously?

GPs are drug-pushers.

Alexis
I could have written that about my friend. After much hectoring from me she stopped them.
About this time I went with her to see her consultant. He noticed on her notes that had been put on statins.
She told him how she had got to the stage where she couldn’t walk and that she had stopped them.
He replied And stay off them I nearly fell off the chair.

How selfish and wasteful to take medication just to bin it!!

Just please don't throw away NHS money, nobody is forced to take medication all the doctor can do is advise

My Dr put me on them, and within 3 days I was so weak and out of breath it took me over an hour to get home across the fields. It would usually have taken about twenty minutes. I stopped taking them at once and contacted Dr. He put I’m my notes I must not take statins. They don’t suit everyone, but your husband must talk to his gp, who thinks he’s taking them. Apart from the health issue, this is a dreadful waste of nhs money. Good luck Persuading him,,!

I think this grown man should tell his dr that he does not want them. And not to be silly and throw away it’s such a waste

harold

Are statins sometimes recommended automatically at the age of 80. A doctor greeted me saying I had a 33.3% chance of a heart attack at my age and it would probably be a good idea to start on statins. In the end I agreed to this even though I was doubtful about it.

There is no/very little research evidence on the usefulness of STARTING statins in the over 80s whereas there is plenty that it is beneficial in younger age groups. All drugs have side effects but most people most of the time tolerate statins well. My mother now 89 tried statins on GP recommendation but stopped as she had side effects. Aged 87 she asked for some as she had small cholesterol deposits under her eyes. At this point the GP initially refused to give her any.

Long time reader, first time poster.

Posting due to being so so passionate about this subject.

I was prescribed statins some years ago as a fit 50 something. After 3 months I could no longer walk up the stairs. Even when I stopped the muscle agony remained for over 6 months. I was terrified it would never go.

I was then referred to the lipid clinic at Hammersmith Hospital and prescribed something I was told was "like a statin but without the side affects", I was reticent but was basically bullied into it. Fast forward another 3 months and neither could I walk up the stairs or get out of my office chair.
I stopped.

Fool me once, fair enough, fool me twice and shame on me for being so stupid.

And I have now got all medical professionals to write that I am allergic to statins on my files.

I was treated terribly to be honest. Told it was in my head, told it couldn't be, told I would die if I didn't take a statin.

Nah. Do your own research about high cholesterol. Often people, probably like me have side affects not so much from the drugs but from low cholesterol. There is no real medical evidence to say that strokes etc are reduced. Let's face it if they were people wouldn't be dying from strokes or heart attacks because most people are on statins.

Now years on and in my 60's I work out 5 times a week in classes that are full of women half my age, I am still a little overweight, but I keep my carbs low and my diet healthy. Even my husband who had a stroke a year ago is a statin refuser. Like me he tried numerous types on numerous occasions, they affect him cognitively. He's also been honest with his doctors.

We need to stop being driven by our GP's. Remember they are GENERAL practioners who sadly don't have time to keep up to date with their continued professional development and are very led by the pharmaceutical companies and what incentives they offer.

There are many facebook groups who discuss statin side affects and some incredible interviews on Youtube with highly esteemed neurologists and neuroscientists who have no axe to grind apart from the science of these often unnecessary and damaging drugs.

Goodness. That was a big blurty for a first post. Sorry.

A good friend of mine aged 69 was offered them by his doctor. When he asked said doctor how much the percentage risk of heart attack etc was reduced by taking statins the doctor told him that the biggest risk to his health was just being a 69 year old bloke and that the pills wouldn’t make that much difference… so he refused the offer and is still hale and healthy.

Seems a real waste to throw them away. Also where does he dispose of them, pills shouldn't be put in the bin or down the toilet? I was prescribed them, hated the side effects and stopped them. I can't understand why he won't tell his doctor the truth and stop wasting NHS money.

That sounds very wasteful especially with the crisis in the NHS.

Is he binning the paper prescription or actual tablets?
Does he have actual appointments with the GP?
Would need to know answers to these before offering an opinion.