Statins

My understanding from what I read on the statins info was that people with no co morbidities should not be offered statins, if 75 or over.
Those already on statins who reach 75 carry on with the,.
I have tried to find the page where I read this, but there is so much, but also spoke to a retired GP friend who confirmed that was the case.
Of course it’s up to the individual to decide first themselves what they do. I was just reporting what I had read.

silverlining48

It’s my understanding from the nhs info on statins online that the over 75s who have no heRt or lung etc problems should not be started on statins. I assume that those over 75 who began taking them years ago are ok to continue.

I was prescribed statins over the phone by a pharmacy without previous discussion some months ago. I was 76 and take no meds. I didn’t get the tablets then but am having another cholesterol test to check and discuss next week.

As for why otherwise healthy over 75 s should not be prescribed , I don’t know.
I have asked but got no answers.

I am 79 and my husband is 81. We are both on statins as are two of my friends aged 78 and 76. There might be other friends on statins too but we haven't discussed it.

Same here terrible cramps. I’m now on ezetimibe which is a cholesterol reducing medication but not a statin and it’s working for me. Takes a bit longer to work than a statin but more tolerable.

I was prescribed Atorvastatin and it was awful and the side effects quite debilitating. The GP I saw at the time advised me to persevere as it was better than having a stroke! I spoke to the Lipid clinic and they recommended I take Rosuvastatin and to start on 5mg every other day and increase to 5mg per day. This I did and I am fine on them. I take them in the evening after my main meal. I also take Amlodipine for blood pressure.
My cholesterol readings have come down to good level as even though I did reduce them by changing my diet, my problem is familial so I am stuck with it.
If you are not happy do go back to your GP

Dalrymple23
I took Atorvastatin when gp advised it.
However the fatigue was so bad I couldn't climb stairs.
Gp agreed to switch me to Rosuvastatin which I was grateful for. I know the first statin is a lot cheaper than the one I now take.
As was said previously taking statin every night was questioned. Yes if you stop taking them it can take several weeks to clear them from your system.
But surely if your gp prescribes daily use, why would you go against this?

hollysteers

On statins for quite a while but have terrible cramp. Not sure if it’s related…
With a family history of strokes and heart attacks, I’m happy to take them, but maybe need another brand.

I take amlodopine and enalopril to control BP. When I started taking a daily Atorvastatin (GP advice) , the local pharmacist advised me to take it timed 12 hours apart from the BP medication.

A year later I started having leg problems ( acute night cramps waking me up; and decreased walking range by day due to stiffness) but creatine levels normal so GP didn't think statin was involved. Referred me to neurology, lots of tests/ MRI found nothing wrong. However, the neurologist was surprised my cholesterol level required a statin and suggested I could stop taking it. "Better safe than sorry " so I kept taking the statin until without warning, and just standing still, I heard a loud pop, felt like a hard kick in the back of my leg. Fell over, unable to walk on that leg. GP diagnosed torn calf muscle or ligament. I immediately stopped taking the statin and haven't had one for 9 months.
The night cramps, broken sleep, daytime leg stiffness. weakness rapidly reduced and now all gone. Calf injury has mended; no further leg or muscle symptoms.

I started statins a couple of weeks ago. As three of the common side effects are affecting the digestive system, muscle aches and a persistent cough and I already have all of these my GP suggested I start on 1 a week for a few weeks, then 2 a week, then 3 a week etc and see where I start to feel side effects. The first week I had a badly upset stomach, but the following week I didn't so I'm assuming something else caused it. This week my cough has been worse but that could be anything so I'm persevering on 1 a week for now to see how things go. Keeping fingers crossed it all settles down.

I was prescribed statins many years ago and have not had any side effects as far as I'm aware. I take high strength coenzyme Q10 supplement as I read that our production decreases as we age and statins reduce this further.

Apart from whethet they are recommended for over 70s what causes a GP to prescribe statins. I haven't had a test for cholesterol or diabetes and I am 78. I did have a blood test 2 years ago in anticipation I may need oral treatment for fungal nail infection. Never needed as
wasn't anything like fingal infection. That blood test was to check liver function. No follow. With so many seemingly on statins for preventative measures should I be asking GP why I am not.

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/treatments/statins
www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/drug-cabinet/statins

As with many things medical there is a lot of misinformation out there! I have found my pharmacist and the BHF web site very helpful. I take 75mg Atorvastatin daily, there are some minimal side effects but the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease if I don't take them far outweighs the inconvenience of some side effects.

Yes, I am also confused about Autumn's info, as I was prescribed Rusovastatin when I was over 70. There can be side-effects, as with any med It is also horses for courses. What suits one person, won't necessarily suit another. I believe that I have statin-related side-effects (leg pains). Vascular surgeon advised changing to another statin. GP refuses. Unless one tries something different, how is one to know? It is the same with beta-blockers. Can't we just give a change of meds a whirl?

Autumnrose I am 75 and have only recently started taking statins as advised by GP. I doubt they wd have been prescribed if not recommended. I've just googled this (not always correct I know) and read that they are recommended for over 70's. I wonder where your info came from?

olderme

Do you know why statins are not recommended for over 70's, please

I suggest that people read the link below. Latest studies do show that statins provide a cardiovascular benefit for older patients.

gpnotebook.com/en-GB/pages/cardiovascular-medicine/age-and-statin-treatment

It’s my understanding from the nhs info on statins online that the over 75s who have no heRt or lung etc problems should not be started on statins. I assume that those over 75 who began taking them years ago are ok to continue.

I was prescribed statins over the phone by a pharmacy without previous discussion some months ago. I was 76 and take no meds. I didn’t get the tablets then but am having another cholesterol test to check and discuss next week.

As for why otherwise healthy over 75 s should not be prescribed , I don’t know.
I have asked but got no answers.

I wondered that too

Are you a medical professional Autumnrose? If not, where is your information from please?

Do you know why statins are not recommended for over 70's, please

livelylady

I have same health issues as you. Started statins but very bad fatigue. Switched to another brand which I take every evening. No side effects at all and I'm happy to continue with them.
Advice is try another brand. Most strokes happen at night so taking statin in evening makes sense.

Do they not have a cumulative effect? I have been offered them but haven't started them yet.

This makes it sound like you just have to take one everyday because if you miss this might lead to your having a stroke the same day?

Raised cholesterol and high blood pressure are both symptoms of an underactive thyroid and statins are not recommended in these circumstances. It may be worth checking that your thyroid replacement hormones are optimal but this is difficult to do via a GP. I had to resort to private testing but once my hormone replacement was optimised my cholesterol and blood pressure both came down. You should also be aware that statins are not recommended for women over the age of 70.

On statins for quite a while but have terrible cramp. Not sure if it’s related…
With a family history of strokes and heart attacks, I’m happy to take them, but maybe need another brand.

I have same health issues as you. Started statins but very bad fatigue. Switched to another brand which I take every evening. No side effects at all and I'm happy to continue with them.
Advice is try another brand. Most strokes happen at night so taking statin in evening makes sense.

Statins effected my memory so GP took me off of them, it is one of the known side effects.

I am taking a similar mix with no side effects. So, perhaps give it another week then back to GP, perhaps drugs can be modified?