Reluctant to start a statin…

I have taken both since 2017, following a mini-stroke and as far as I can tell, no side effects whatsoever.
I don't know why they have a bad reputation but three people (all non-medical but who 'enjoyed'ill-heath) told me not to take them because they caused stress, anxiety and cramp.
I mentioned it to the nurse who was dealing with me at the time and she gave me a severe talking-,to, said I would be at higher risk of another stroke if I didn't take them, advised me to proceed and said if I did have any problems to talk to the doctor who could try a different type.
Haven't suffered any side effects.

The only side effect I have had with them is that I dream more than I used to.

Gp wanted me on a statin. I said I would only go on them if she put me on 10mg which she did.
Cholesterol has come down & no side effects.
Ask for 10mg dose to start off with.

I would never take them after seeing the nasty side effects my late Dad had with them when the GP put him on them aged 80.

Confusion, memory loss, aching joints and muscles.

I was told to go on them 20 years ago but I refused after researching them and have never had any problems.

Absolutely has to be your decision.

Atorvastatin didn’t suit me so the GP changed my prescription to Simvastatin and I’m finding that to be much better.

I've taken both for about 3 years,with no problems.

I've been on both for 6+ yrs no symtoms or side affects.

I’ve been on Amlodopine for 10+ years but only agreed to start Atorvastatin about 12 months ago. Like you I had heard all the horror stories. I’ve had absolutely no symptoms whatsoever

My son has been diagnosed with angina and they put him on statins he had terrible pains in his legs when he asked about this he was told to put up and shut up more or less as he was in the danger of having a stroke. He preserved he’s doing ok now.

Harris27

My son has been diagnosed with angina and they put him on statins he had terrible pains in his legs when he asked about this he was told to put up and shut up more or less as he was in the danger of having a stroke. He preserved he’s doing ok now.

That’s awful as they could have changed the type or dosage.

I take both and have no problems whatsoever.
Of course, if one formulation doesn't agree with you, it's possible to ask to try another. Good luck.

I think if the danger of having a stroke is imminent then the side effects have to be weighed against the danger of strokes.

I take three different BP tablets and Avostatin and I did experience some aches and pains, so initially I took them every other day, I’m back to daily now with no issues.

I take both, and while I was very reluctant to take statins, I have had no side effects from either one and they seems to be doing the job.

DH was put on Atorvastatin, without consulting him, when in hospital after a severe brain bleed. His liver function became seriously 'deranged' and it was changed to Rosuvastatin but still stayed abnormal. A bit of research reveals that statins have a slightly increased risk of causing another bleed, and that there is no proven benefit of starting a statin when over 80. So not for him.

I was put on statins as a presentative measure . I developed nerve pain in my feet . Tried too sorts! Eventually I was prescribed Ezetimibe 10mg - this is not a statin and not quite as effective. However I have been fine with it.
In your situation I would definitely give the statins a go- you will probably be fine ! Most people are. In the unlikely event they have side effects ask your GP about Ezetimibe. Good luck.

Preventative!

My OH was prescribed statins after heart attacks almost 15 years ago.
He had awful side effects. We researched a natural alternative ,ran it past hisGP and he has been taking ubiquinol Co Q 10 ever since,they dropped the statins after a few weeks .At his yearly checkup last month his GP said his cholesterol level was just under 4.

I have familial cholesterol. I have taken 60mg daily for years. A year you ago I was referred to the Innovation Centre and they immediately added ezetimbe a different type of statin and Inclisirin injections twice a year. The consultant at the Innocence Centre told me that it is keeping me alive. New research, she said has really improved and people have no idea how, especially as we age, damaging high cholesterol levels are. The British Heart Foundation has come up with new guidelines to focus on lowering cholesterol much more. My bad cholesterol is now 1.5. It is a silent killer.

Because I have had a heart attack and have a stent the cholesterol level I need to aim for is lower than normal. (I also am pacemaker dependent).
I could not achieve this level with statins and had some side effects so I am now on Inclisiran 6 monthly injections.
Taking statins saves millions of strokes and lives so it is really worth trying if it has been recommended. If one does not suit they can try another or move to ezetimibe. I would not reject it out of hand.

Just to add that since my heart began its rebellion I have been on lots of drugs that ideally I might not wish to take, but I have to accept my situation and do what is needed even though I would like to bin the lot!!

It is a matter of being realistic.... age catches up with us all in the end and we are lucky to.have these meds to keep us going.

I’ve got to discuss my latest cholesterol b/t with the nurse soon. I’ve been taking plant sterols, using Benecol and have changed my diet since the last test so it will be interesting to see if it has helped. I get enough pain from my arthritis and don’t want muscle pain on top of it. I wish I could discuss it with someone who is an expert in it rather than the practice nurse to be honest. Was wondering if I could pay to have one of those tests that check the state of your arteries etc. Apart from my arthritis I thought I was reasonably healthy before I had the first b/t but, as a bit of a hypochondriac I’ve been worried ever since . From what I’ve read I think if you do take statins it’s important to take Co enzyme Q10 but they’re rather expensive.

Re: exzitembe shuts off your bodies natural cholesterol production whereas statins help your liver process cholesterol already in blood. They are often taken together due to their slightly different functions

I’ve been on Lipitor 20 mg for around 30 years and I’m still here! I found a higher dose problematic with aches and pains so stuck to the lower dose which has kept my cholesterol reasonable.

I've taken atorvastatin for years without any side effects. I took amlodopine and had to move to a different BP med as I had severe side effects. We're all different, just give it a try, statins work and prevent strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.