statin query

[Edders]

has anyone stopped taking a daily statin because it made them feel low and anxious?

[BobD Volunteer]

No because it made my legs very painful .

[Edders in reply to BobD]

thanks Bob. I cannot believe how the swelling has reduced in my legs. My doctor said he was more than happy for me to come off statins which made me wonder why I was taking them and for about 18 months. I do wonder if I am more at risk now of a stroke/ heart attack

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Edders]

Why would you?

[Belle11 in reply to Edders]

Unless you have a history of heart disease (not electrical problems like AF) or stroke, it seems the potential downsides of taking a statin are likely to outweigh the benefits, and that a Mediterranean diet has more benefits.

The NNT (number needed to treat), which estimates the number of patients that need to be treated in order to have an impact on one person, finds that:-

statins given to people without history of CVD:-

None were helped (life saved)

1 in 104 were helped (preventing heart attack)

1 in 154 were helped (preventing stroke)

but that on the harms side:-

1 in 50 were harmed (develop diabetes)

1 in 10 were harmed (muscle damage)

But for a Mediterranean diet, 1 in 61 were helped (avoiding a stroke, heart attack, or death) - and none were harmed (diet effects).

Explanation of the NNT here thennt.com/thennt-explained/

For statins without prior heart disease or stroke thennt.com/nnt/statins-for-...

With prior heart disease thennt.com/nnt/statins-for-...

thennt.com/nnt/mediterranea...

thennt.com/nnt/mediterranea...

[Edders in reply to Belle11]

thank you

[Ppiman]

I stopped taking statins for about eighteen months a good while back, partly because a few people online were so negative about them and that got me worrying. I had developed mild peripheral neuropathy, too (hot feet!) and wondered if that was caused by the statins. I didn't get low moods or anything like that.

Well, the result was that nothing changed except my cholesterol went back up to between 6 and 7, I think, and my GP convinced me to go back on them, which I did.

If I were you, I would try to stick with them, but try different ones if you haven't already. I've become convinced they are a useful thing to take. I have read that low cholesterol can affect the mood in some people, as you are finding, and, suffering that way myself now and again, it's not something I would want a tablet to cause and add more to life's burdens. Have you tried coming off them for a few months to see if things improve?

Steve

[Edders in reply to Ppiman]

thank you for your reply. My doctor said he was more than happy to come off them for a month to see if it helps

[Vonnegut]

No as I never took statins but when a blood test occasionally shows I have high cholesterol I take red yeast rice capsules and they always reduce it impressively by the next blood test! Had heard other nasty stories about statins so didn’t want to take them.

[Edders in reply to Vonnegut]

thank you I will give these a try, most helpful

[Vonnegut in reply to Edders]

I found some organic ones online-a friend whose grandson studied Chinese medicine as well as his medical studies told her about them.

[Cookie24 in reply to Vonnegut]

Please tell us more about this. What do you mean organic ones.

[Vonnegut in reply to Cookie24]

It means the stuff is grown naturally without pesticides and other nasties!

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Cookie24]

Hi

Um.

I recently watched a Research video on statins.

Chinese Red Rice has some statin in it but ultimately it does

not bring down cholesterol.

That put out of my mind that organic myth was incorrect.

Eat low-fat diet.

My cholesterol shows 6.2 but taking off the large good ... it

is down to 4.2.

I've decided 'another med' for prevention no thanks.

cheri JOY

[Vonnegut in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Red yeast rice always brings my cholesterol down but we are all different!

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Vonnegut]

Yes, well it has a natural statin in it.

But it also has yeast! Not so good for ladies.

Glad it works for you. It may be like the theory around red wine is good for your heart. But you need big quantities which isn't good for you.

I was given the prescription of glass of red wine or BB to relieve my Essential Tremor diagnosed by a Essential Tremor Specialist. Apparently it settles the neve endings.

cheri JOY

[Qualipop]

NO, they have no effect at all. Please don't stop without speaking to your GP.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Qualipop]

Hi

Really.

They are just an added med for 'perhaps' a prevention'.

Researchers aren't 100% that they do. We all need cholesterol please don't forget that.

Depression I would not wish it on anyone.

But any med condition can give one depression. AFers included.

I take the alternative route in feeling I'm a lucky lass then of 70.

First stroke with AF undiagnosed and because they carried out a carotid artery scan Jade found a shadow (which was cancer) on my thyroid.

If I hadn't had the stroke I wouldn't have been in hospital.

Statin taking is a voluntary action I feel. Some researchers say that cholesterol can't be measured.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[KootenayTrails]

No but stopped them because of diarrhea, hot, tingly feet and no history of high cholesterol or any high lipids.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

It could cause nervousness as it works on muscles.

BBs should make you less nervous.

I read up on them! Didn't like what I read.

From Anti-co.agulants as a must STATINS are a researchers nightmare.

Too much and it takes various working hormones you need. Depriving a baby whom showed of a high cholestrol was statins and died. A man taking statins had side effect 2 years later and couldn't walk.

If you want to take 10-20mg statin do. That should be safe. I read that high dose statins is not necessary. Read all about them.

Avorastatin interfers with my thyroxin. I need all the hormones as I do not have a thyroid or right lymph nodes removed to rid the papillary cancer.

I decided to stop the 10mg as it made my big toe throb. 2 accidents to my toe.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Peony4575]

Drugs that cross the blood brain barrier, like statins, have the potential to alter mood . I have experienced this with other drugs , beta blockers where I got terrible anxiety withdrawing from them after taking them for a very short time . I think I read somewhere about 30% of the population are sensitive in this way. I was offered Atorvastatin and declined on this ground . My cholesterol was 4. something . I do use Benecol which I do believe is beneficial

[Edders in reply to Peony4575]

thank you that’s helpful. I cannot take B B,s as they lowered my heart rate too much.