First time posting. Medication comments.

[TeflonT]

Completely out of the blue, February 2017 whisked in with cascade angina. It took two blood tests to eventually find trace indicators of heart attack. Two stents fitted. On discharge told my heart valves were strong. Now on Atorvastatin 40mg, Ramipril 2.5mg, Bisoprolol 1.5mg and Aspirin 75mg. Nearly three years on I’m now convinced that the meds are my biggest problem. I have almost constant muscle pain and cramping. Bouts of tiredness sometimes bordering on exhaustion. I exercise pretty well daily, cardio and resistance work, but don’t feel I’m improving. I understand the statin I’m on is one of the most potent, and it has successfully dropped my LDL to well below 2. I’m seeing my GP to see if I need to be on it, or if I can switch to something less potent or a lower dose. Prior to the episode, I had no history in the family of heart disease, exercised regularly and stayed active even after retirement. I’ve never smoked, and only ever drank moderately, no history of high blood pressure, also not overweight. So overall almost boringly healthy.

Any useful comments welcomed. Cheers.

[Dolphin14]

Does the md know you have muscle pain? That can be caused by the statin

[Lezzers]

Hi TeflonT, it is a known side effect that statins can cause muscle pain in some people. Definately ask your GP if you can reduce the doseage or try a different one, a lot of people have found changing their statin has worked for them.

[Dickyticker26]

With me Atorvastatin caused diarrhoea so I was switched to Rosuvastatin plus Lansoprazole

Aspirin causes me to urinate black blood so I don't have that

Bisoprolol I am on 10 mg and trying to get the Gp to alter it

I have been asked to make notes of the side effects-in additional to the overwhelming fatigue I have cold hands and feet and runny nose, left leg cramp, some loss of balance and dizziness, hissing and ringing in the ears, some nausea and loss of appetite, and breathlessness, blurred vision and dry mouth

I am also on Apixaban blood-thinner and Clopidogrel anti clotting but do not feel any side-effects from them

I have only just the other day read on the prescription form "Review date at which the prescriber would like to review the treatment with the patient" so it does give you some say officially it seems

[TeflonT]

I have wondered if I was on a generic cocktail of meds that they put everyone on just to play it safe. And I do wonder how many people actually need to be on them. About four months before the angina episode a personal trainer, because of my age, insisted I had a heart check before he took me on. My GP gave me a clear bill of health....go figure! If my heart was ok then and doesn’t appear to have suffered much damage as a result of the angina, then I’m wondering if the focus needs to be on keeping the arteries clear of plaque and just let my heart strengthen normally through regular exercise. I’ve always found it odd, that I’m supposed to make my heart work but then I’m expected to take meds to keep my heart rate down. Seems contradictory to me.

Cheers.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Good points made with eloquence.

I loved your explanation.

[TeflonT]

Thanks for that. Very clear. I neglected to mention I’ve been on Lansoprazole 15mg for nearly ten years and the anti clotting agent was Ticagrelor. The latter was stopped after twelve months; as you suggested. I’m also now taking a sachet of Cosmocol per day to counter the constipation caused by the meds.....such fun!😂

[TeflonT]

Saw my go this morning. Having blood test next Wednesday and from that point I stop taking my statin for one month. Then a review to see if the muscle pain has eased. If not then the assumption will be that it’s just the normal aches and pains of aging. If they do ease off then we’ll look into alternatives. He seems to be taking a softly softly approach, one medication at a time. I’m ok with that....seems sensible.

[TeflonT in reply to TeflonT]

That’s “GP” not “go”. Bl#&*£(dy predictive text!😂