Statin side effects

[ilikeholidays]

Hi, I'm new to this community.

I have been on 80mg of Atorvastatin for the last 14 months but have noticed a marked deterioration in my short term memory and a need to think about tasks that were previously automatic, a few people in similar circumstances have mentioned this as a potential side effect of the high dose of statins and about three weeks ago my GP agreed to halve the dose. Within days I felt better and more "clear headed". I appreciate the difficulty in pinning down cause so am keen to find out if anyone else has had similar symptoms or response to reducing their statins. I've outlined my history below.

I'm 58 and had a CA arrest in Dec 17 after numerous undiagnosed heart attacks, always very fit, no smoking not overweight, low blood pressure etc. Upshot was an ICD, lots of drugs, a permanently blocked artery and damage to both sides of my heart. After a three month or so recovery I mostly feel fine although don't have previous energy levels, I'm back walking, hiking and cycling (have bought an electric mountain bike for the more severe climbs in Snowdonia!). In short I was very lucky and have regained a good quality of life despite an EF of 36% and a poor prognosis (the consultant has indicated that I'm unlikely to make "old bones" so I don't even have to worry about my pension!). My experience with the NHS was fantastic and I have nothing but praise for my local cardiac team.

[bobaxford]

I was on statins for 10 years and the dose was gradually increases but I don’t recall it being as high as 80mg. My circumstances are very different but I ended up needing a bypass and then did lots of research on web and bought and read many books about statins. There are a number of forums where others report adverse side effects. Muscle pain, cramps and pins and needles in my arms were common side effects I experienced and I also believe memory problems too and general fatigue.

You seem to be otherwise fit and healthy so all the changes I made to my diet and lifestyle at not be relevant for you. It seems that statins do effect people to different degrees, some able to tolerate them with next to no side effects, others have real problems. You are not alone and I recommend doing your own research and coming to your own conclusions in conjunction with your medical advisors.

[bruceDavid]

bobaxford was spot on with his advice.i also take Q/10 it is an enzyme that helps the pain of the satin. Some people have problems and stop. im thinking of stopping to take it anymore.diet has helped me.im on eight meds, and I forgot what med free is like.sorry for blabbering

[Stu888]

Hi. I noticed an increased fatigue level on 80mg Atorvastatin and this eased on reducing the dose to 40mg. I’m taking 200mg coQ10 daily which I believe is prescribed in the USA automatically if you’re on a statin. Also regards your cardiologists view on your longevity, my gran suffered heart damage due to illness in youth and heart attacks in middle age and had very poor heart function (I don’t know her EF but am certain it was very poor) she was expected not to live beyond the 1970s however she lived until 2006 aged 91.

[Qualipop in reply to Stu888]

I agree. MY mum was diagnosed with heart failure aged 26 when she had me. She lived a normal life span.

[craftbella]

Hi, I've been on a few different statins over a number of years and suffered a lot of side effects,...muscle and joint aches , thinning hair ,raised blood suger levels until I just stopped taking them, my husband also took them and his memory is really bad now, some people can tolerate them better than others. I must add that my blood sugar levels have been fine since I stopped the statins

[Hidden]

I reduced my cholesterol to normal with only 10mg of atorvastatin and no side effects. We all have different journeys.

[wiltsgirl]

My cardio nurses wanted me to go on to 80mg statin after my bypass op. I resisted and had a cholesterol test that showed taking 20mg had reduced my levels by half. Hope you can get the results you need x

[Qualipop]

I started on statins last August after a H/A. I have been worrying about my short term memory for a couple of months now. I'm only on a low dose. Had to stop atorvastatin and change to simvastatin. I find this very interesting.

[Nicky3]

Hi,

I couldn’t cope with the muscle pains which were severe on several different statins including Atorvastatin. I eventually tried Ezetimibe or Ezetrol which is a substitute and works for my cholesterol and no side effects. Everyone is different so just speak to your GP or Cardiologist and try different ones to find the right one for you.

Good luck

[ilikeholidays]

Thanks for all the responses, it is reassuring to see the replies which broadly concur with my conclusions. I think that Statins undoubtably offer a quick fix for cholestrol but it is clear that there are plenty of side effects. My consultant has indicated that Statins offer other benefits so was keen on max dose notwithstanding that my cholesterol was only 3.7 at the time of my CA (2.7 at last test). I shall discuss this further with him but think for me a lower dose is probably best compromise.

I have taken the supplement coQ10 which seems to have negligible side effects and may offer some help with the statin but there appears to be remarkably little robust research on these issues so all a bit of a "punt".

[Brandibell]

Hi I was put on 80mg of avorstatins within a month I ended up with a deranged Liver acid reflux insomnia etc.... The GP has taken me off them full stop as my 7 stone frame just couldn't handle them they were not needed and apparently they take years to work. They are all about preventing one in the future, not here and now.

[landofhope]

ask your doctor about plant sterols, some people say that they do the same job as statins its worth finding out,

and to everyone if you take any type of herbal substance check out what is in the them, as some have fillers and caking agents in them but the best are usually found in the ones that are in capsule form or tincture ,look online for the ones that have no added anything ,

but always check with your doctor before you make your own mind up,

good luck and good health

[peterjones105]

To share my fun and games with statins: I have been on and off them for the past year with lots of statin holidays due to severe lower leg pain caused bt statins, I am now comfortable with Rusovastatin 5mg taken every other day resulting in total chloresterol dropping from 6.1 to 3.3, in addition I have added sardines and plenty of olive oil to my diet, I take plant sterol and have cut our butter in favour of an olive oil spread. Very good luck to fellow sufferers.