Side effects of statins.

I started to take statins a few months ago and have not side effects.

I couldn't understand why I'd been put on them because my cholesterol number was 4.1 which was in the norms. It turns out that they now separate the number again into two types of cholesterol....lets call them good and bad. My good cholesterol was OK but my bad cholesterol was 2.4 and it's better if it's under 2.

Maybe that's a similar reason to why others have been offered statins when their numbers seem to be OK.

I was offered choice if statins or life changes to get under control. As I am on lots other medications I decided to try to change diet ect. Assuming my body doesn’t naturally make lots of cholesterol…my check is in 3 moths .
So has anyone had any luck with plant sterols?

I have to see the nurse next week about my high cholesterol it’s 5.8 I don’t fancy the tablets. I’m going to see what she suggests. My DH takes simavastin, and is very forgetful, always resting his eyes 🤣 and suffers a lot of aches and pains. Difficult to know what to do for the best.

vampirequeen

I started to take statins a few months ago and have not side effects.

I couldn't understand why I'd been put on them because my cholesterol number was 4.1 which was in the norms. It turns out that they now separate the number again into two types of cholesterol....lets call them good and bad. My good cholesterol was OK but my bad cholesterol was 2.4 and it's better if it's under 2.

Maybe that's a similar reason to why others have been offered statins when their numbers seem to be OK.

The figure they look at is the total cholesterol/HDL (good) ratio.

A couple of years ago I was told by the nurse at a health review that my cholesterol was”slightly higher than we’d like” and that the doctor had recommended I take statins. My husband has a drawerful of the things and I’m sure they have affected him in some of the ways mentioned in this thread. So I said no thanks, I’ll try to do something about it myself first. I agreed to go on a healthy diet course, and started taking plant sterols.
Six months later all was well.
GP practices get money from the government for prescribing sterols. It’s much needed money, I know, in these times - I have a GP dil. I just wish the suggestion to try myself had come from the doctor first.

It's not true that GPs are paid to prescribe statins. They get paid for bringing down cholesterol levels, which isn't the same thing. If patients can bring down their levels by diet and lifestyle changes, they still get paid.

I was prescribed statins last year after high cholesterol diagnosis. I took for three months but became depressed and anxious. Apparently statins can affect other drugs I was taking so I stopped the statins and joined the gym.

mags0412

I think most GP's are pretty clueless about side effects from the array of drugs the prescribe.

Interesting view. I think that most prescribers are clued up about side effects.

But everyone has their own opinion.

As a retired GP I find it insulting to read ' most GPs are clueless about side effects from the array of drugs they prescribe'. GPs may have to look things up sometimes which is perfectly acceptable as there is too much to remember. We learn a lot about drugs , their interactions and side effects.

I’m also on atorvastin I was given mine because I was having high blood pressure in lockdown watching the bbc all day but my Gp also said because I’ve have a higher risk than most ppl with heart disease on both sides of my family I was under the impression that once you on them you can’t stop taking them I’m sure that’s what the doctor said at hospital but I was half out of it at the time when they were stopping all my medication as I’d been rushed in with a bad reaction to some other pills 💊

My DH has taken statins for about a decade I think. The only side affect has been very unpleasant nightmares (haven’t a clue why or how) but after one emergency visit for a heart related problem, the Dr. Changed the statin and the nightmares have reduced both in amount and intensity. So more liveable with now.

Been on statins for years but last year I started muscle pain in my legs and constant fatigue not sure if it’s age related so taking a chance against gp advice and having a break for 4/6 weeks. How else can you tell ? !

Been on statins for years no problem but the last year muscle pain and leg weakness with fatigue. I am coming off them for 4/6 weeks against gp advice to see if it helps. We need quality of life as well !!! It could be age related but we will see !

mumofmadboys

As a retired GP I find it insulting to read ' most GPs are clueless about side effects from the array of drugs they prescribe'. GPs may have to look things up sometimes which is perfectly acceptable as there is too much to remember. We learn a lot about drugs , their interactions and side effects.

I'd be insulted too. My GP started me on a new drug last week and we had a long conversation about the pros and cons. He didn't put pressure on me either way and I made up my own mind.

Too much negativity about out statins I’m on atorvastatin no side effects there

That’s interesting. I’ve recently developed an extreme sort of IBS which is worse than its ever been, also horrible heartburn. I’m already prescribed Omeprazole to protect my stomach against the side affects of steroids for Polymyalgia but it seems to have stopped working. I’m also constantly exhausted and could sleep all day. I’m about to get second cataract done but never considered that any of these conditions might be caused by statins. I’ve been blaming the steroids. I’m only on 10 mgs of Atorvastatin and thought I had no side effects. Currently trying to get a doctors appointment to try and find out whyI have constant diarrhoea and heartburn.

Stella14
I’m on a statin my cholesterol levels came down from 6.1 to 3.4 well worth going on and no side effects my gp was very informative of the side effects she knew exactly what was best for me

I had major issues with cramp when on statins, waking up at night unable to put my foot to the floor, it was so bad. I am also a diabetic and when I had my hospital review, I explained to the consultant how bad the cramp was and he suggested taking Ezetimibe and also drinking slimline tonic before bed. I still get cramp but when I have not drunk the tonic. Worth considering for those with the cramp side effect. My cholesterol is well controlled now, so everyone is happy.

It would be interesting to see the comparison of whether or not statins were taken by those affected by heart attacks or strokes. But I guess other factors would have to be taken into account - family history/lifestyle etc.

JANH

I had major issues with cramp when on statins, waking up at night unable to put my foot to the floor, it was so bad. I am also a diabetic and when I had my hospital review, I explained to the consultant how bad the cramp was and he suggested taking Ezetimibe and also drinking slimline tonic before bed. I still get cramp but when I have not drunk the tonic. Worth considering for those with the cramp side effect. My cholesterol is well controlled now, so everyone is happy.

That’s what I am on too. Much better results.

I was prescribed Simvastatin years ago, I suddenly started becoming very forgetful so I stopped tak8ng them and I got my mind back.

My prescription was changed to Atorvastatin and I've been OK since.

I've been on Atorvastatin for years with no side effects that I've noticed.

Willow68

I was offered choice if statins or life changes to get under control. As I am on lots other medications I decided to try to change diet ect. Assuming my body doesn’t naturally make lots of cholesterol…my check is in 3 moths .
So has anyone had any luck with plant sterols?

Yes my cholesterol seems to be coming down with plant sterols.
It’s a slower process.

Those who are having side effects from their statins, but either wish or need to continue taking them - ask your doctor to switch you to a different statin, which may well do the trick - there are a few different ones available. My late husband was on statins for years and never had any side effects from them.

Initially I took statins and got cracking headaches. A lovely Aussie locum said to stop and the headaches ceased. I’m now on a different low dose one and apart from a little cramp , all seems fine.