High cholesterol/high blood pressure

Yes, I agree that it is entirely up to Cariadagain to choose whether or not she takes the medical advice given. What I think offends quite a few posters is her attitude towards those who do choose to follow the advice given and who do choose to take the medication offered.

Of course there are potential side effects to any medication, but the vast majority of people suffer none or few and if they do, their medical professional will discuss alternatives.

Her dismissive attitudes to others and the NHS, and her somewhat boastful comments is what causes upset, I believe.

Why are you wasting the time of doctors who are far more knowledgeable than you are, who are hard pressed? If you want to die of a stroke or a heart attack just ignore their advice you silly woman. Have you lived with someone who has had a stroke or heart attack which has left them disabled? It's hard work looking after disabled people.

This is something only you can decide what to do. I didn't take statins because I had ill effects from them and then a new drug came out which I could take. Having seen people who lead much poorer lives once they have a stroke, I am going to keep on taking those tablets. If you think you can take the risk of a poor quality life for the sake of not swallowing a pill, don't take one. You will only have yourself to blame but do give the Dr's a break. The NHS is at breaking point with people who do want to be proactive with their health waiting for long time to be seen so don't take away their chance if you don't want it.

If you don’t want to be resuscitated you can discuss a DNACPR with your GP so they and the ambulance service know you don’t want to be ‘brought back’

You can also decline regular reviews from your doctor. It’s an offer of care not a summons. A naturopath might be better suited for you?

Some people suffer side effects from some statins.
Not all people, not all statins.

I take statins as they were recommended by my GP. I don't feel quite myself when I take them but I'd rather not have a stroke or heart attack. They're preferable to death.

I don't understand the original post. It sounds as if Cariadagain has a big support network who would be there to provide personal care for the rest of her life if she has a stroke. Most of us are more considerate and value our independence!

Hmm a member of my family applied a “take it when needed” approach to blood pressure medication, had a massive stroke and died sooner than they might have.
By all means make your own decisions but bear in mind strokes, and indeed heart attacks can be very disabling which has consequences for your loved one’s. Not to mention that more medical intervention may be needed if you end up disabled.
If you aren’t going to follow clinical advice given by qualified professionals please stop taking up time at the cardiology clinics as there are long waiting lists!

To CrazyH - I totally agree.

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Aveline

Fair comment.
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Aveline

It's no big deal to quietly take prescribed meds for what's left of life. If you're not going to take them just stop wasting NHS time.

Agree with you I have been taking Thyroxine since 1995 and the dose is adjusted occasionally depending on the blood test result. No point in (trying!) * to see a doctor if you don't take their advice.
* getting more difficult to get a face to face appointment these days.

I think u are getting a rough ride on here . You have seen a specialist but ultimately it’s your body your choice. Gain as much information as you can then the decision made is informed . I can understand where you are coming from with fear of side effects. I held off on an important drug with support from my out there doctor. Another may have been more forceful. I’m on it now but it’s me that has to live with the fallout not others . I started it when the time was right and he accepted that .

mabon1 sometimes we need information and ideas and different thoughts and research to make decisions.

We may decide to accept the level of risk or not.
We still need to get an idea about our level of risk.
We may need to reassess the risks we are OK with year after year.

Please don't assume those of us who don't take the medication instantly are wasting the time of doctors. After all they arent necessarily "more knowledgeable" than we are about our own bodies.

As my GP said, he only knows about statistics. About the info "per thousand" or per million.
We don't really have personalised treatment as yet.

Well, @CariadAgain, I'm confused as to why you posted because it sounds like you've made your mind up to reject the medication?

I was wondering the same myself 2507CO, Cariad had clearly made up her mind so what was the point unless it was to get all us grans twittering amongst ourselves - and she’s succeeded there! But love her chosen name anyway ….

I had a TIA in York district hospital, I wouldn't have known but I had my sister, a retired nurse visiting me at the time. The staff in the hospital weren't too bothered, which surprised me. I have to admit I wasn't taking my statins at the time. I do haveHigh cholesterol, but my blood pressure is on the low side of normal. At the moment I am waiting to be seen to decide which statin I should be taking

When your times up, it’s up, delay it with medications if you want, live every day as if it’s your last because one day- you’ll be right. Somethings going to get you.
You can be one of those who shuffles from appointment to appointment, this consultant that consultant unpleasant tests, hospital admissions , keeps everyone ,taxis, charity coffee shops, newspapers, crisps, sweets sugary drinks companies, and drug companies going I suppose.

I'm not sure what you're saying, Cumbrian123 - what do you mean please?

Well CariadAgain, I'm with you and at 74 keep well away from doctors and pills while the Great Mother preserves me! Oh yes, the white-coats are for the most part well-meaning, but they are, basically, trained by the drug companies, who fund goodness knows what, including of course most research. Yes of course they are 'expert' in what they've been told, but many of us question if it's the truth, including cardiologist Aseem Malhotra. But still take care of your health. 'Safe' BP levels have come down and down over recent decades, to get more people on meds, and Big Pharma laughing all the way to the bank. But if your BP is high, get it down naturally, there is an Ayurvedic herb, moktavati that can help. Have a very good diet, good supplements, consult alternative practitioners (also very highly trained, by organisations that do not have vested interests) and exercise regularly - you know all the usual advice. Sounds like you know the other bit of good advice - keep smiling!

I don't believe GPs are, basically, trained by the drug companies
That is ridiculous.

Please could you evidence this?

Obviously drug companies are at conferences etc but training???

Absolute nonsense. Medical students are rigorously trained including in how to interpret good quality research

'Safe' BP levels have come down and down over recent decades, to get more people on meds...'

I think the drive has been to save lives rather than to get people on meds. Whilst I wouldn't rule out alternative medications altogether, the practitioners don't practice just out of the goodness of their hearts, they do it to make money. Quite a lot of what they hand out has no proper research to back up the claims made. At least what the medics prescribe has had the research done and peer reviewed.

What a load of rubbish you’ve spouted, Undines. My medic dd has not been trained by drug companies what a scurrilous and nasty thing to say.

absolutely your choice, and, having lost both parents to a massive heart attack and stroke, it is not a bad way to go if you go. A friend's mum hung on for 12 years, doubly incontinent, in a wheelchair, unable to speak. I come from a long line of heart/stroke victims, it is in my dna, I eat healthily walk and cycle miles but that makes no difference. I have been on statins and bp tabs for years. I am grateful for modern medicine, in so many ways, it has saved my life several times, from dangerous birth of one of my children onwards. But your choice ....

I went onto statins reluctantly having read about some side effects etc. Thankfully I haven't suffered any. I'm also on BP meds and medication for diabetes. Personally I try to take my doctor's advice though I discuss concerns. I read around things and take supplements to try to avoid known side effects. For instance statins can deplete your co-enzyme Q10, which depletes as you age anyway, so I take a supplement.
As others have said, if you won't take your doctor's advice don't waste his or her time!
I have also talked to some knowledgeable people who reassured me about the benefits of statins - friends I studied Biochemistry with at university - and I trust their opinions perhaps more than my GP.

Undines years ago, a friend listened to advice from someone who shared your thinking.
Instead of seeking the advice of a medical doctor she followed the advice from the*alternative medicine* person. Three weeks later
my friend was dead.
She was thirty three years old.
Her death could have been prevented!