Atorvastatin - Or Statins In General

[smudge]

Hi AB'ers - I don't post on here these days, but thought I'd ask for your opinions please. My doctor recently phoned to tell me my cholesterol is very high and prescribed Atorvastatin 20mg. I reluctantly accepted this, as I've been on Simvastatin before, but stopped taking them due to muscle pain in my hands and fingers. Anyway, I started taking them just over a week ago and since then have had bad shaking episodes, my eyesight has been affected, especially when driving and I haven't felt like 'myself'. Has anyone else experienced side effects from taking Atorvastatin and did you find an alternative? Btw, I didn't take one last night and feel relatively 'normal' today!    

[Canary42]

My label states "To be taken at night" which I do. Also states "Do not take any Grapefruit Products at the same time".

[jno]

I had trouble with Simvastatin.  But really, if it appears you're having trouble with any drug, speak to your GP about possible alternatives. (It turned out the surgery didn't even have a record of me going on Simvastatin, let alone why...)

[Tyrion44]

Ask for a referral to your nearest lipid clinic. After my referral and trying different medications my cholestrol has dropped by 65%. I can't take statins but ezitimbe works in conjunction with other drugs.

[smudge]

Thanks again for your helpful replies and suggestions. I'm currently waiting for my doc' to call me back and will ask if I can be prescribed ezitimbe, as that may be a more suitable alternative to taking statins, as per jan1956 and Tyrion44. 

 

[smudge]

Hi again Lottie - thank you for your kind comments. I've always been healthy and active, but this last few months I haven't been feeling quite like my old self. After a recent series of blood tests, not only did my doc' call to tell me my cholesterol was high, she also told me I've just gone over the threshold for type 2 diabetes, from 47 to 49. I did have a cry over the phone, as it was a bit of a shock, but she didn't want to put me on medication for that, as I intend to try to reverse it myself. Hope you and yours are well and still enjoying livinge in the countryside. -xx-   

[Ellipsis]

> Has anyone else experienced side effects from taking Atorvastatin and did you find an alternative?

I have been on Atorvastatin for years and I don't have any side effects. I take a much higher dose than you, smudge.

But forget me - for you, there may be side effects.  You should check with your doctor, and do not reduce your dose without talking to your doctor first.

[smudge]

Thank you Ellipsis.

[jno]

jan1956 is lucky, there hasn't been an ezetimibe in London since November. I'm going to have to ask my GP about this tomorrow.