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]

mike...your total cholesterol level is fine.

Blood cholesterol has 2 components.High Density Lipoprotein (HDL....good stuff) and Low Density Lipoprotein.(.LDL .bad stuff)

So.....one could have a high total blood cholesterol but as long as it was mainly HDL (good stuff) then no need for statins.

Mention to your doctor about the side effects of "upping" your statin dose and respect his opinion.

[mike11111]

Thanks for that Sqad. It is this constant breathlessness whenever I walk, even a short distance, or make the slightest physical exertion which is worrying me. I know I do not have emphysema so I am beginning to think it might be a heart problem after all.

[Sqad]

mike....shortness of breath on minimal exercise does need explaining and investigating, but it has nothing to do with statins.

[murraymints]

GO NOW MIKE... get yourself checked.....please?....

[anneasquith]

mike , as a smoker , you dont seem to think the breathlessness is conected ?

[carlton23]

Mike: I see you mention advancing old age, just how old are you? You could be suffering from COPD due possibly to years of smoking like myself. I`m 76 and have been on Atorvastatins for several years and get breathless easily, but I also have several other serious health problems, which I won`t bore you about, but I wouldn`t stop taking statins, unless ordered too.

[mike11111]

I'm 62, Carlton. Have booked an appointment with GP to get myself checked out, though ECGs have never shown up any problems in the past. No other problems apart from HBP for which I am on medication plus dodgy knees!

[grasscarp]

Taking statins are by no means the only way to lower your cholesterol. There are foods that can help lower e.g. porridge, cider vinegar etc. I was told my cholesterol was too high and took the self help road by researching on the internet. There are also others who think that we are all duped by this high cholesterol hype
http://www.lulu.com/p...holesterol-con/520803
My husband was on statins of a type that caused him weakness and joint pain, vastly improved when he changed what he was on.
Dont be forced onto statins. The fact is that some cholesterol in your body is "good cholesterol" so too much of a cut back can be detrimental.

[horselady]

Thanks grasscarp, that was useful to know. I shall certainly tell my doctor that I prefer to try to sort this out myself by diet and exercise first and hope that makes a difference.

[scotman]

There are a few formulations of 'statins' The most commonly prescribed (I think) is Simvastatin. I was started on this but when I went up to 20mg per day I started to get muscle pain and cramp. If you read the leaflet in the box you will see many possible side-effects. You could get all, some or none of these.
For other reasons I have stopped taking them now. My level is now about 7-8 but the 'good' component is quite high and there is no significant family history so I am willing to risk it.

[chickenlegs]

I wonder why doctors don't tell you the components of good and bad in your cholesterol figure. Mine has been up to 9 but the doctor didn't suggest statins so maybe I have more good than bad. But that wasn't explained to me.

[scotman]

ChickenL

My GP explained it all to me. Ask yours next time you are in.

[jamesnan]

I was started on Simvastin, which resulted in excessive back ache, then Pravastatin, - again, serious back ache and then put on to Exetermibe, and after several months on them, once again muscle pain in my back. I was told that there was no other medication to bring down the cholesterol so am trying to do it by diet. We shall see what the result is when I have to have another blood test in a couple of months.