Astrovastatin

[Marcus243]

Hi All,

I have been asked to take 40mg astrovastatin by my doctor. My cholesterol is very high. I have fatty liver and type 2 diabetes. I have read that statins can damage your liver and increase blood sugars. Yet I am still expected to take them. I have told my doctor that from past experience I have suffered terribly but he is insistent on me taking them.

I feel I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place with this.

Does anyone have the answer, are statins really that bad long term or is it just internet rubbish. My personal experience was dreadful with statins and from what I have read they do more harm than good.

Thanks

[Karenpr]

My husband blames statins for the muscle damage he suffered (no proof however). He also has type 2 diabetes. After he stopped taking them the cardiologist suggested he take Ezetimibe which lowers cholesterol but is no where as strong as statins. If you really struggle with statins maybe suggest Ezetimibe

[DAFFODILLS]

I suffered terribly with statins I was on 80 Artovastatin, after 2 hospital admissions with pain , they were reduced to 40 ,symptoms were not half so bad for a short while then again they returned but not so severe they are now reduced to 20 ,my nurse said my cholesterol was fine I am sticking to the diet so I do not need such a high dose

[Hidden]

Are statins bad in the long term? Oh if any of us knew the answer to that we would be rich am sure. I can only go on my own experience of having a HA. No indicators for it - is cholesterol and BP fine. They discovered a hole in my heart and this is being managed medically rather than surgery. Was initially prescribed Atorvastatin and had to come off it. I experienced dreadful muscle pain to the point of not being able to walk. Mentioned to my GP who then put me on Rosuvastatin. No problems since. There are loads of different ones out there so I would speak to your GP about your concerns - hope that helps to

[Rosie1066]

I have been on Atorvastatin for over nine years and I don’t have any problems with them.

[Zena166]

Hi Marcus statins are recommended in both primary and secondary prevention of heart disease. Yes they have side effects and so you will need to find one that suits you. I am currently on my 4th. I follow a very strict vegan diet and have managed to reduce my cholesterol from 7.6 to 3.6 with diet exercise weight loss (5.5 stones) and statins. I have read and read and read all of the arguments about statins and following on from a heart attack last year I absolutely will continue to take them. Because of lifestyle changes I have managed to reduce my dose as well. So it’s a matter of choice I guess but I also have Familial Hypercholestraemia so I am not going to take the risk. There are several other statins so discuss with your GP the best option for you. I also follow Caldwell Esselstyn vegan diet so that maybe worth a read about diet controlled cholesterol it makes interesting reading but I’m not ready to stop the statins yet as he suggests. Hope this gives you some suggestions to think about. Best wishes Zena

[Kimstyles]

Iv been in statin for years we discovered 40 years ago the we have familiar cholesterol , my broth been in then 49 year still needed two stent , im on two Atorvastatin and Ezetimibe but still need a valve replaced and cardiac bypass three years ago , but Iv made it to 60 in August , that old for my family , personally I had no problems taking statin and I believe they helped me

[stevejb1810]

I take 80 mg Atorvastatin without any issues. As with all meds, some meds are better tolerated by some and less so by others. Long term high cholesterol is likely to be detrimental to your health and if you cannot control your levels with diet - and most people struggle to do that - statins are a largely effective and safe way to achieve that lowering. If Atorvastatin isn’t for you, try another one. Just a note on the side effects - not everyone gets them. Go in with an open mind and see what happens. You might be fine!

[Marcus243]

Thanks all for your replies.

I have taken statins in the past and been really rough off them. It got to a point where I could hardly walk, I had no energy and suffered terrible restless leg syndrome. I've read many stories of the nasty side effects these meds have and will take them if they help. I have asked my doctor to change them and he refuses.

Thanks again

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I came across an article that said the average age of those undergoing CAGB has gone up by ten years since the advent of statins and other cholesterol lowering drugs. I was changed to Atorvastatin from Simvastatin. Others have fared better on Rouvastatin. If one statin does not suit there are others or alternative drugs. I partially convinced some people's symptoms are related to articles in tabloids than real side effects!