Finally get to see my gp tomorrow for my decision to take statin or not.
Have seen rheumatologist and toxicologist and between them scared me into believing I should start statins. I take methotrexate for past 18 years 20 mg and plauqnil and rivaroxaban (since first & only isolated afib & tia Feb 2017). my nutritionist says don't stress your liver which to me says don't take statins. I take co codamol every night, already have BPPV so already dizzy fairly regularly. my RA gives me bone and muscle ache (for past 38 years) it's a huge decision and I can't reduce my quality of life further. been reading reviews from statin users and they say opposite from doc, in that the painful side effects of statins do not just disappear when you stop taking them as the doc would have me believe. would coq10 help whether I take statins or not? any opinions of users of above meds would be really helpful. it's stressing me not being able to make this decision. so many side effects which I already get doesn't seem to be going in the right direction. help please
My husband took statins for just a few months after a heart attack, just over 10 years ago. His legs and hips became so painful that he refused to take them anymore. I was really worried that he would have another, potentially more serious heart attack.
Someone suggested that I should read “The Great Cholesterol Con” by Dr Malcolm Kendrick. It put my mind at rest, he didn’t take the statins, and hasn’t had another heart attack either.
many thanks. this is just the response I needed to hear before the morning. thank you
I have to make the same decision as my cholesterol is now 7. I really don’t want to be on them and have a month to change my diet and lose bit of weight. I sympathise with you. The book will be good to read.
I haven't been asked to try and change diet. maybe this should be a first step. thank you for your responset
What do u mean by "I have a month to change my diet". No medication is compulsory and it is entirely your decision to take anything or otherwise. What are the results of your lipid tests - HDL, LDL and Triglycerides? There are many medical writers who look at the relationship between these level rather than the total value. The QRISK2 assessment for 10 yr heart attack risk only requires the HDL/Total ratio and does not even mention the actual total value.
Hello Ajax’s, thank you for replying. I understand it’s my decision and it’s one I won’t make lightly. I haven’t seen my doctor for the results so don’t have the breakdown figures. I have given myself a month to eat a little healthier and lose some weight and will go for another test after that.
When I was first advised to take atorvastatin (Lipitor) in 2011 when my aortic stenosis was diagnosed I was concerned by all I had read about them. It all came true and I soon stopped it due to muscle pains but started it again a month prior to my surgery and back came the muscle pains and I have not gone back to them again.
When I initially voiced my concerns to my GP he said that he took them and produced a packet from his drawer. He had not had any problems with them and he was a runner and was taking them due to his family history. At various time we have spoken of changes to the directives he has had on prescribing. Recently my wife had a series of blood tests that showed her cholesterol had risen for the third year. He asked if she wanted to take a statin and said doctors are now being advised to tell the patient of the benefits and side effects and let them make their own decision.
I asked if he was still taking them and he said that he had stopped. Our time was running out and he was looking at his watch so I did not ask him for his reasons but will get back to it another time. My wife though 'Case Proven"
Rosuvastatin has worked for me for the past 4 years. After 2 torturous years on simvastatin and atorvastatin