Query about statins

For Sheian, and anyone tempted to believe that medically illiterate twaddle, kindly list YOUR medical qualifications?

YOU may be one of the gormless subset who believes everything they see on FaceBook, and if so, jolly good luck, you'll need it!

Cholesterol causes blockages to your blood flow, which over time become so severe that a hert attack is the likely result.

A big chunk of the older population takes Statins (quite a few types) mostly without much in the way of side effects, though looking at the leaflet, quite a few may be possible. Maybe check an aspirin packet, check the possible side effects on THAT leaflet?

Overall, Statins are a major benefit, so your unhinged nonsense is not just ill-informed, it's possibly dangerous (if some gullible sorts believe you). I've heard several doctors (they're the ones who studied for years, and passed exams, give it a try?!) say there is good and bad cholesterol, and tests these days can measure both. Only if someone's 'bad' measure is at a naughty level will doctors get concerned, and Statins can MOST CERTAINLY help to reduce it.

Could diet and exercise help? Sure, as they can with most things, but not always to the level needed.

I was put on statins for a while by my Dr. and later he decided that I didn't need them any more. (Oh great I can have grapefruit again)
Later I saw a nurse practitioner to review my Diabetic 6 monthly review and she decided that I should be tacking them (she is known throughout the surgery as the "statin Queen she seems to love putting people on them). Bit confusing that1

I’ve taken Atorvastatin for some years with no ill effects whatsoever.

Amlodonpine, blood pressure meds, does that, I had to change to ramipril

After recent blood tests the Dr phoned. I was sure she'd say I had to go in statins but she said there was no need for me to. Hooray.

I've taken 20mg Atorvastatin every day for just over 2 years, no side effects at all. My cholesterol was very high in spite of my low weight, walking up to 20 miles a week, gardening and eating the sort of diet that is recommended to lower cholesterol. It was down to normal within 3 months of taking statins. A few days ago I read that eating oats for 3 days (not sure if any other food was allowed) lowers cholesterol rapidly.

DrWatson

For Sheian, and anyone tempted to believe that medically illiterate twaddle, kindly list YOUR medical qualifications?

YOU may be one of the gormless subset who believes everything they see on FaceBook, and if so, jolly good luck, you'll need it!

Cholesterol causes blockages to your blood flow, which over time become so severe that a hert attack is the likely result.

A big chunk of the older population takes Statins (quite a few types) mostly without much in the way of side effects, though looking at the leaflet, quite a few may be possible. Maybe check an aspirin packet, check the possible side effects on THAT leaflet?

Overall, Statins are a major benefit, so your unhinged nonsense is not just ill-informed, it's possibly dangerous (if some gullible sorts believe you). I've heard several doctors (they're the ones who studied for years, and passed exams, give it a try?!) say there is good and bad cholesterol, and tests these days can measure both. Only if someone's 'bad' measure is at a naughty level will doctors get concerned, and Statins can MOST CERTAINLY help to reduce it.

Could diet and exercise help? Sure, as they can with most things, but not always to the level needed.

How very rude, ok, some folk don't have problems with statins others do. statins raised my blood sugar, so gp thought I was type 2 diabetic...only when I had the sense to stop the statins did my blood sugar go back to normal, and I didn't ask my gp's advice about stopping them, I worked that out all by myself..every organ in your body needs cholesterol.

Statins are one the most researched drugs in use across the World today.

Research has shown that many of the reported side effects are related to what is known as the nocebo effect. Various trials have reported that patients prescribed a placebo have reported the same side effects as those prescribed statins.

A 2015 Danish study published in the European Heart Journal found that negative news stories about statins led to an increase in patients stopping their medication, which was associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular death.

A private cardiologist that I meet with each year takes a daily statin and he tells me that his cholesterol levels are normal. He describes statins as the safety belt of heart disease. Those who have a heart attack often wish they have kept taking their prescribed statin.

That’s good enough for me.

Anyone with hypothyroidism problems should read NICE guidance re prescribing statins.

I am a believer in statins. I take Antorvastatin every day and , although I have slightly swollen ankles, I would rather be on it than not.

I have raised cholesterol which is a hereditary trait on my paternal side. I tried changing my diet and exercise and reduced it marginally but not enough. So I was put on Atorvastatin and had awful side effects from it, achy joints and such like. I was then put on Rosuvastatin just over a year ago and so far this has been ok. My levels have reduced and currently I am watching my saturated fat as I need to lose a few pounds. I have not had any swollen ankles or feet.

Are you sure the swelling isnt due to the actual medical problem itself? I have had the swollen ankles awhile (I have heart problems) but i noticed them BEFORE the hospital put me on atorvastatin, and i still have them now ive had heart valve replaced AND im not on the statins anymore.I assumed the valve replacement would cure a lot of things,like heart murmer and swollen ankles etc but No, it didnt, (unless it maybe takes awhile?) But maybe its due to the aortic anaurysm they also found🤔whichever,i still have the swelling, maybe you should have a chat with your doctor or consultant?

I'm on Atorvastatin, have been for a few years, no side-effects whatsoever, thankfully. Hope it stays that way.

I take Atorvastatin, but also Ferusamide for peripheral oedema (swollen ankles) . They can go hand in hand because high cholesterol and heart failure, while not the same thing, are cousins

I’ve been on statins for over 30 years. I was advised to go on a higher dose but kept with 20 mg because I found the higher dose gave me aches and pains and I was no longer able to garden, which was important to me. I don’t have much in the way of side affects but I do have a kidney problem which may or may not be caused by them. Still, my family has a history of heart attacks so I would rather be safe than sorry. I think it is important to have regular blood tests,though, to make sure everything is ok .

Getting sucked in by conspiracy theories is always dangerous. You should seek help.

Some excellent common sense here. Bravo!

Facts are facts, they can’t be rude. Unless of course you really do have a medical degree and have done the 20 years of extra training it takes to become a cardiologist. Do tell!

“The stories about statins are everywhere”
“I don’t understand why this hasn’t been investigated”
“Doctors are paid to prescribe them”

This is a very sad post and shows the dangers of social media combined with poor scientific j deranging.

The fact is that statins have been thoroughly investigated and shown to be safe and extreme effective. Why you think doctors are “paid” to prescribe certain drugs is an odd one. They aren’t, like most people they are paid to do their job!

Every thread about statins there's someone who says that doctor's get paid to prescribe statins. They don't ( as stated above), they get paid to do health checks which may result in a patient being prescribed statins. If the patient decides NOT to take statins it does not affect the doctor financially.

As someone earlier said, many Doctors take them. I’d go with that - they’re not going to take things that are not beneficial and / or safe. Doctors study for many, many years -some of our family members are physicians and I know they learn about different drugs and side affects and not from social media rubbish, either.

I was put on Atorvastatin last year after having refused to have them previously. I have no side effects to date, but the excruciating leg cramps I used to suffer from previously have stopped since I started taking them.

Not with statins but my blood pressure tablets made my ankles swell. Changed from Amlodipine to Candesartan and all ok now!

I stopped taking statins years ago because they made my feet and ankles swell and caused my muscles to atrophy, I couldn't get up from the sofa or get up the stairs without my husband helping me in the end, I was 55. Since then my cholesterol has remained stable at 4.7 and while, that's not ideal, it's stable and my doctor is ok with it. I can be particularly sensitive to medications and have some weird side effects that do go away when I stop taking certain medications or adjust the dose. It could be that you react in a similar way to medications and it's trial and error to find what suits you. Apples and pears are also beneficial to helping cholesterol levels.

Statins! Where to start. I was put on statins after my first heart attack aged 44 (later described as mild to moderate) …nothing mild about it though. I had called the ambulance myself one Sunday morning and a paramedic arrived quickly.
In A&E after what seemed like too long writhing around in agony on the trolley and pointing at my chest and after they had ascertained that I was not (a) an alcoholic and (b) didn’t take any drugs prescribed or illegal then I was given a clot busting injection and morphine- I think and within minutes the whole pain had subsided - a blood test taken which detected enzymes present when a Myocardial infarction has occurred. Then further tests identified a very high cholesterol.
So I am well aware over the twenty one years and angioplasty and two more MIs followed by another stent and the final episode 2017 resulting in a bypass surgery, of the significance of cholesterol and how very quickly statins can and indeed did bring down my cholesterol (later years at the endocrinology clinic) the diagnosis of Familial Hypercholesterol was given which is hereditary naturally higher level unaffected by diet/lifestyle etc etc.
BUT heart attacks aside..I was at 44 and still am - at soon to be 65 otherwise healthy physically, mobile and with no other conditions.
So when I started feeling like s#!t with massive cramps up my legs and arms, and those symptoms start almost immediately with each new attempt at a different statin and end just as quickly when I stop taking them; well then I knew it was statins.
Obviously I would love to just take a pill and carry on but I’m in my own body no one else. The good or better news is there are newer medicines to reduce cholesterol( statins are just one and they are; like aspirin, cheap!) these newer ones require evidence of need before they are offered as they cost the NHS more.
What irks me is this “nocebo” ie it’s all in yer head/you’ve been reading the leaflet that comes in the pill pack…🤔erm well yes!
and it has occurred to me that many (usually older) people are being urged to take these meds who have certain aches and pains already, or other concurrent conditions who won’t recognise the difference and just assume the often really debilitating side effects are them getting older.
I at 44 knew what healthy me felt like without any meds and the difference was stark and depressing but the reaction from doctors was in a nut shell we have got this “wonder pill”- and it “is”, so you should take it and put up.
Ps also I have never had high blood pressure readings either before, even during or after the heart attacks. It does not seem to be an issue with me oddly.
The experts only know what they know for now and future research will reveal yet more but meanwhile I have to live and work and function so I read all the facts (but absolutely not the “quacky” American “experts” that pop up on YouTube and Facebook) - or any article that contains the term “Big Pharma” because it just doesn’t apply to us who live in UK as our meds and treatment is mostly free at the point of delivery or at least subsidised.
I listen to my own body.