ChatterBank30 mins ago
Statins
25 Answers
A friend of mine was placed on statins a few months ago. Myself and a couple of other friends have noticed that recently he's been complaining of tiredness a lot and he's missing out on social event because he's tired or exhausted.
Is there a connection?
Thanks.
Is there a connection?
Thanks.
Answers
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The possible side effects of statins are listed here:
http://
Note that both insomnia (which would lead to daytime tiredness) and an increased risk of diabetes (also leading to general tiredness) are listed there, as well as simply 'feeling unusually tired or physically weak'.
Encourage your friend to go back to his GP.
http://
Note that both insomnia (which would lead to daytime tiredness) and an increased risk of diabetes (also leading to general tiredness) are listed there, as well as simply 'feeling unusually tired or physically weak'.
Encourage your friend to go back to his GP.
It is impossible to connect your friend's recent activity (or lack of it) on their medication, but, from personal experience, Statins did not suit me.
I have never taken medications, my head needed to be explodind before I would even take an asprin, so I was relunctant when I was first prescribed Statins. I started to have bad sleep and was awake all night and then tired in the morning. I stopped taking them and told my doctor, who prescribed a different statin. They had the same effect. I stopped taking them, and the doctor wasn't happy.
By way of a compromise, I now get Statins on percription which I flush down the loo. I take more exercise and eat better, and my Cholesterol is down naturally. My doctor is happy because heis getting paid for supplying the statin, and Iam much happier not taking it.
I have never taken medications, my head needed to be explodind before I would even take an asprin, so I was relunctant when I was first prescribed Statins. I started to have bad sleep and was awake all night and then tired in the morning. I stopped taking them and told my doctor, who prescribed a different statin. They had the same effect. I stopped taking them, and the doctor wasn't happy.
By way of a compromise, I now get Statins on percription which I flush down the loo. I take more exercise and eat better, and my Cholesterol is down naturally. My doctor is happy because heis getting paid for supplying the statin, and Iam much happier not taking it.
Nailit - a few months ago my doctor put me on 40 mg statins - sure I didn't give a *** what she was giving me - thought it was for my own good. didn't ask questions which was unusual for me - however one day walking up the cul-de-sac I literally couldn't move - became nearly static with the heaviness of my legs but of course force myself which should take 5 mins - took me 20 mins. I went back to her and she put on 10mg statins and I never looked back. Still don't know - are statins for cholesterol - well if they are - my count back a few years ago were 8.1 and now down 5.5. Lately she asked me oh would you like 20 mgs - not on your nelly says I
Because doctors seem to prescribe Statins they will start withthe cheapest.
I will soon be asking my doctor to cancel Silvastatin. I am getting ,again, joint pain in my lower thumb joints.They can either give me another Statin that may cost a little more or they can stop prescribing it.I notice that in the 8-9 years I have been prescribed this I have never had my cholestrol checked to monitor the efficacy of the treatment.Just because I reached a certain age I don't se why I should take this just to line the practice coffers.
I will soon be asking my doctor to cancel Silvastatin. I am getting ,again, joint pain in my lower thumb joints.They can either give me another Statin that may cost a little more or they can stop prescribing it.I notice that in the 8-9 years I have been prescribed this I have never had my cholestrol checked to monitor the efficacy of the treatment.Just because I reached a certain age I don't se why I should take this just to line the practice coffers.
\\\\\he's been complaining of tiredness a lot and he's missing out on social event because he's tired or exhausted. \\\
Don't assume that these symptoms are a side effect of statins, they may be, but other conditions need excluding e.g thyroid problems or diabetes.
After saying that, the tiredness, memory problems and lethargy are well documented side effects of statins.
There is a non statin which acts on lowering cholesterol......Ezetral
Don't assume that these symptoms are a side effect of statins, they may be, but other conditions need excluding e.g thyroid problems or diabetes.
After saying that, the tiredness, memory problems and lethargy are well documented side effects of statins.
There is a non statin which acts on lowering cholesterol......Ezetral
On my regular yearly check up my cholesterol was always OK (slightly higher than they want but they always say that). I had a physical injury which impaired my normal physical activity. When I was next checked for cholesterol, it had rocketed and they put me on statins. When my injury repaired and I was active again, they insited I keep taking the statins (I believe the GP practice get paid by the Government or commission for prescribing them). Anyhow, I also read up about lowering cholesterol naturally, and started eating more fruit, cutting out fatty meat etc. I had stopped taking the statins but the cholesterol reduced to normal.
The GP thinks I am taking a statin but I stopped a few years ago. Last time I went to see my doctor after about a year of being off them (flushing them down the loo) I suggested to my Doctor that I didn't want them anymore, and he was insistant that I needed them and they were working.
After saying all that, for what reason was your friend given them. I would hate to recommend coming off them if your friend would in fact benefit from them.
The GP thinks I am taking a statin but I stopped a few years ago. Last time I went to see my doctor after about a year of being off them (flushing them down the loo) I suggested to my Doctor that I didn't want them anymore, and he was insistant that I needed them and they were working.
After saying all that, for what reason was your friend given them. I would hate to recommend coming off them if your friend would in fact benefit from them.
Just to point out here after reading Gromit's post is that doctors can insist all they like but cannot actually do anything if you refuse to take a medication. There was (and may still be) huge pressure on GP's to prescribe statins...and before anyone gets all political, its started while Labour were in power.
Just to reiterate, Statins were not good for me, but that does not mean they are bad for everyone, and prbably can help a lot of complaints.
In my instance, it is easier to fool my GP than defy them. When I did stop them without consulting them, it was a bit awkward. They were very insitant I should keep taking them (even though I wasn't and my cholesterol had reduced). They never actually said it, but it was implied, that they coyld drop me as patient if I didn't follow their advice.
In my instance, it is easier to fool my GP than defy them. When I did stop them without consulting them, it was a bit awkward. They were very insitant I should keep taking them (even though I wasn't and my cholesterol had reduced). They never actually said it, but it was implied, that they coyld drop me as patient if I didn't follow their advice.
Gromit, if you are a really really difficult patient then a surgery can remove you from their books, but believe me, you would have to do a lot more than decline to take statins. provided you aren't violent or abusive to staff, the NHS MUST provide you with a local GP service.
I am really blessed in that I have got a surgery where the receptionists are pleasant and helpful and the doctors treat the patients like sensible adults.
My late DH took statins and they made him feel really ill. The doctor he was with then (different surgery) was adamant that all statin side effects were figments of the patients' imagination. My sister takes them and has never noticed any side effects.
I am really blessed in that I have got a surgery where the receptionists are pleasant and helpful and the doctors treat the patients like sensible adults.
My late DH took statins and they made him feel really ill. The doctor he was with then (different surgery) was adamant that all statin side effects were figments of the patients' imagination. My sister takes them and has never noticed any side effects.
Gromit
I will agree with you there. You have to tow the line to a greater extent. I have had 3 life saving ops in the last 6 years with all the different medications to follow for each ailment. I would be dead probably if I did not follow the advice of those who know better but I agree that some medication is over prescribed. Antibiotics and uppers for two examples in certain cases.
I believe there are two people not far from us who suffer psychotic problems through over prescription of medication.
I will agree with you there. You have to tow the line to a greater extent. I have had 3 life saving ops in the last 6 years with all the different medications to follow for each ailment. I would be dead probably if I did not follow the advice of those who know better but I agree that some medication is over prescribed. Antibiotics and uppers for two examples in certain cases.
I believe there are two people not far from us who suffer psychotic problems through over prescription of medication.
Gromit, what the BMA says
http://
and what the NHS says
http://
Basically they have to give a reason, have to tell you what the reason is and the process takes time. They can't normally do it during a course of treatment. They can't do it without being given permission to do so by the commissioning body. As I said, the sole exception is the patient's being violent or abusive to staff.
http://
and what the NHS says
http://
Basically they have to give a reason, have to tell you what the reason is and the process takes time. They can't normally do it during a course of treatment. They can't do it without being given permission to do so by the commissioning body. As I said, the sole exception is the patient's being violent or abusive to staff.
//The doctor he was with then (different surgery) was adamant that all statin side effects were figments of the patients' imagination. //
That was hardly a helpful and truthful comment by a doctor. Every box of medication will have a list of possible side effects listed. Even aspirin. That is why they are tested before allowed to go on the market.
That was hardly a helpful and truthful comment by a doctor. Every box of medication will have a list of possible side effects listed. Even aspirin. That is why they are tested before allowed to go on the market.
