Statins

[horselady]

My doctor wants to see me next week about my cholesterol test. I think statins will be recommended, can I have some viewpoints please. I've heard all sorts of stories about side effects.

[Sqad]

How old are you?
Have you got a past history of heart disease or high blood pressure?
Any family history of heart disease?
Are you on any other medication.
What is you total cholesterol and LDL and HDL levels?

Then I will comment.

[murraymints]

Mydad had a terribe time on Satins...depression awful..had to come off them, but listen to Sqad he's the daddy !!!

[mike11111]

I'm not the OP, but whilst we're on the subject - I am a 62 year old male, smoker, with HBP (controlled by medication), mild Type 2 diabetes (no medication) and take Erythromycin twice a day for my immune system (spleen removed after accident many years ago). I take 20 mg Pravastatin per day. Is this OK in your book?

[painterman32]

I had a terrible time on statins too, joint pain mostly. I could hardly get out of bed some mornings, which isn't like me at all. I've adjusted my diet slightly and now don't need them thank goodness, but the time I had on them was absolutely awful

[starone]

I've been on the highest dose of statins for years and never had a problem, but that does not mean that you won't. Sqad is right - he needs other facts before he can comment. I would like to find a way of bringing down my cholesterol level without taking statins, but I do everything I can and it still stays the same. You can try eating less fat that should help.

[Sqad]

mike...is that question for me?

If so the above questions also apply to you.

If the question wasn´t for me...........I back down ;-)

[horselady]

Hi Sqad
I'm 61 have high blood pressure, cholesterol is 7.9. no family history of heart disease, am on beta blockers for high blood pressure.

[Sqad]

The correct reply..............do what your Dr. suggests.

If it were me..........I wouldn´t take statins.

[mike11111]

Murray posted while I was typing. I must confess to feeling mildly depressed since I started taking statins, also very little energy and get out of breath very quickly - everything, even having a shave is a huge effort and I have to sit down and recover afterwards. I've noticed this has got worse since my GP increased my dose from 10 mg to 20 mg. Do you think there is any connection, or is it just advancing old age combined with smoking?

[cazzz1975]

my dad's on statins, his cholesterol was 12.9 which I was shocked at, he was feeling much better as a result of taking them, however he has been diagnosed with a heart problem which he is being monitored for.

[mike11111]

Yes it was, Sqad, as is my second post further down.

[cazzz1975]

ooh mike, my dad was having similar problems, after a lot of tests they said his heart is pumping less efficient and he has a leaky valve!

[Sqad]

mike........what is your total blood cholesterol. HDL and LDL?

[murraymints]

Mike...EXACTLY how dad was..he was 75 at the time smoked a pipe occasionaly....mum radically overhauled his diet..also type 2 Diabetes...now much improved without statins..

[starone]

So, sqad, please, what would you do instead of taking statins then? I would like to stop taking them but I think they have kept me alive. With regard to your questions for horselady, my answers would be 1. you already know. 2. yes, high blood pressure. 3. yes one brother died and one had triple bypass. 4. lisonopril for hbp. 5. 5.2 - that's all I know. Any hints to reduce it and keep it reduced would be.very welcome.

[mike11111]

Don't understand HDL and LDL - don't have the figures, but the number which sticks in my mind from my last diabetes review is 5.8 cholesterol. I had acute pancreatitis about 18 months ago (resulting in the removal of my gall bladder) and thought that my continuing debility was down to a slow recovery from that, but I feel I should have much more energy than I have. Obviously I will mention this to my GP at my next diabetic review but I wondered if I would be harming myself if I stopped taking the statins for a while to see if there is any improvement.

[Sqad]

starbuck.....you have been taking statins for a long time and have had no side effects from them. There is a family history of heart disease.....you have hypertension, you are in your 80´s ( I think) and with that in mind I would not change your medication in any way.

[murraymints]

Mike....you my dad in mufti ?...LOL.. Also had gall bladder out..

[starone]

Thanks sqad - I feel greatly reassured by your remarks. I shall go on taking them (not happily but at least resigned).

[horselady]

Thanks Sqad, I really don't want to go on them, but what sort of reaction will I get from the doctor when I say this, I wonder? I feel so full of energy now, still working, have loads of energy for my grandchildren, don't want to take something that makes me feel rubbish just so I have about 5 extra years.