Atorvastatin 20 mg

HelterSkelter1 - the problem was that my cholesterol is familial and hereditary. The doctor just advised that 20mg would benefit me more and as I have no side effects I was happy for the dose to be increased.

I have taken it for a few years now, for cholesterol. I was put straight on 20mg from the beginning. The last time I was at the GP I asked when I could come off them. I was told that I would be on them forever. I have lost almost 5 stone in weight over the past year and would really rather not be on them. I don't know whether to just stop and see what happens or carry on for the rest of my days.

So did the 10mg not keep the cholesterol level low blue14?

I was prescribed 10mg Atorvastatin over 20 years ago.
After tests it was raised to 20mg last year.
The pharmacist at the surgery then reminded me to take it close to bedtime.
I have no problems taking it.

I had to stop taking it on Doctors advice as the pains in my arm was really bad, felt like they were just hanging and very heavy all the time. Stopped taking it and pains stopped. Now going in Fluvastatin.

They gave my husband dreadful nose bleeds but when he changed to a different brand it was OK.

Nannylovesshopping

Some of the cheaper statins first offered can cause pains in limbs, the more expensive ones not so much, I have taken Rosuvastatin for several years, this one I can tolerate, wanted to find one that suited me, any preventative meds I will take to avoid heart attack/stroke, to me it’s a no-brainer …

This is true. I was prescribed the cheaper statins, (simvastatin) and it didn’t suit me. I’ve now been taking Atorvastatin for years and it seems ok. There are lots of different types.

I take Atorvastatin (20mg), have done for years due to raised cholesterol. The doctor originally told me to change my, fairly healthy, diet. I discussed it with my pharmacist, showing him the printout, who pointed out that it was the family, DNA, element that was high, my dietary element was well within the normal range. I told the doctor this and he prescribed statins.
I've never had a problem with them.

I was a nurse on a stroke ward . I really do not want to have a stroke and for this reason when my doctor prescribed me me 20mg Atorvastatin 10 years ago when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I decided I would take it . I have never had any side effects of any medication and have been fine on atorvastatin.
People who are very slim can still have very high cholesterol. It can run in families .

You could try plant sterols.

I’m on 20mg and take it at night with no side effects. Hubby is on 40mg and was having nightmares. He now takes his in the morning & all is ok.

Just like Tanith I was started on 20mg. I’ve been on it a year or so with no problems.

Ive been taking 20mg Atorvastatin for a few years with no problems at all.

Snap to constipation side effect, I don't take it anymore

Me too. I tried both Simvastatin and Atorvastatin for a while but they didn't suit me. Nothing really bad just some sleep disturbance and muscle cramps in calves. Have now been on Rosuvastatin for years with no issues but GP has just doubled my dose to 40mg. I have familial hypercholesterolaemia and my mum died at 49 yrs with her 4th heart attack. No statins in those days so now I am grateful just to be here aged 78 yrs. I credit statins for keeping me alive!

I have been on various statins for several years (following a h/a). No-one in the medical profession told me about the possible side effects - I have learnt everything via GN and the media, which has to be wrong. The cramps and leg pains have been unbearable. I have not seen the other side of my garden, as I just can't get there!

I have spent £000s on investigations, with no definitive answers. My new GP has put me on Ezetimibe, so will just have to see how that works. I have no idea how long it takes for the old statins to get out of the system or if the damage caused will be permanent. Time will tell.......

suelld

A male friend cannot take statins ( mid 70s) @as he gets bad reactions. So he doesn’t take them … since diagnosis and refusing to take them he has had a few mini strokes. He has recovered from them immediately or within a few hours/ days and is perfectly normal, but I do worry he should be taking something…?

A GP can prescribe Ezetimibe which is a drug that reduces the absorption of cholesterol if a patient has concerns about statin intolerance.

He could also talk to his cardiologist about Inclisarin injections which are very effective.

A male friend cannot take statins ( mid 70s) @as he gets bad reactions. So he doesn’t take them … since diagnosis and refusing to take them he has had a few mini strokes. He has recovered from them immediately or within a few hours/ days and is perfectly normal, but I do worry he should be taking something…?

I had terrible side effects from Simvastatin and Pravastatin which went when I stopped taking them. But don't even know I'm taking 10mg of atorvastatin. Been fine.

I have been taking Atorvastatin 40mg for many years and never had a problem.

With statins not everyone type will suit everyone my brother is long term user of statins but the first 2 sorts he tired gave him severe leg cramps . Which was no good as he was HGV driver . But once on Atorvastatin lot higher dose than me he didn't have any side effects . He his cholesterol was 7.2 when he started. But been just above 3 for well over 10 years .

Poppyred - take the statins.
The research confirms they work and side effects less common

twaddle

Oreo

kittylester

I have taken this for ages, as has DH. I am bewildered by attitude of some people to these drugs. We have never had a problem with them and I do think people believe scare stories in the media.

That’s a sweeping statement and unfair.Many people do have reactions to statins especially muscle pain, I listened to GP’s on radio 4 a few years ago saying this was a common problem and that statins just don’t suit some people.

"Many" and "some" don't mean the same thing. Statins are probably the most frequently tested drugs in the world. Nearly all research shows that it is only a small percent of people who have side effects.

Without quoting statistics, a lot of people worldwide take statins and a proportion don’t, as having tried various ones they just cannot continue with the side effects.
It’s a bit of a lottery and worth trying before deciding if they are for you or not.
It’s nothing to do with scare stories in the media, the side effects are very real for some people.

I decided to take half the quantity of Atorvastatin prescribed by the doctor, as my body is slightly built and I have a good enough diet.

Poppyred That's very high, please take the statins. If you get any side effects, just go back and tell your GP as there are several different ones you can take. OH had side effects with the first type he was prescribed but is fine on what he takes now and his cholesterol is now at a safe level.