Dropping Statins ?

[Mgs333]

I have been on statins for around 15 yrs now but recently my doctor has suggested that I come off them for a 3 month trial, because Ive been getting some muscle pain and poor sleep patterns, my Cholesterol is within "normal limits". Has anybody else come off them after a long time, and how do you feel without them ?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

What dose are you on? Because statins stabilise plaque and also reduce irritation, often a precursor to plaque formation, I would suggest going onto a maintenance dose, e. g. 40mg Atorvastatin to 10mg. Maybe run it past your GP as I am not professionally qualified more a hobby cardiologist!

[Mgs333 in reply to MichaelJH]

I am on 20mg simvastatn plus 1 asprin and Bisprolol beta blocker.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Mgs333]

Have you been tried on another statin. I had muscle pain on Simvastatin but it stopped when I changed to Atorvastatin.

[Heythrop51]

The advice ties in with what I have read so seems sound to me. Maybe the BHF nurses could arbitrate. Like the other HeartStars this gentleman seems well informed!

[Dolphin14]

It says the md is doing a trial period due to pain?

How is your lab work? Your liver?

Trial to me means it may not be permanent?

[Mgs333 in reply to Dolphin14]

Bloods are good, liver good...My cholesterol has been within limits for about 5 yrs.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Mgs333]

👍

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Mgs333

How do you feel about stopping the statins?

I expect your GP will check your blood cholesterol results at the end of the trial.

During the 3 months break from statins you could keep a diary of your aches and pains, exercise and diet and see how stopping statins effect these.

Then perhaps discuss with your GP your various treatment options.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Plaque stabilisation is mentioned on Section 3 of this BHF webpage on Statins. This is why maintenance doses are mentioned in a number of articles.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Lezzers]

Is it usual to start experiencing side effects after 15 years? Wouldn't the side effects have started sooner?

[bobaxford]

I was on statins for 10 years and it wasn’t until I read extensively about the effects of statins that I decided to stop. The side effects were not instant and happened over many months and years. I also took a months break at suggestion of my GP and changed statin types but eventually a few years later following a bypass operation and drastic change in nutrition and lifestyle later decided my quality of life was so much better off statins. It turned out that the things I had assumed were part of getting old were probably the side effects of statins - muscle problems and cramps, fuzzy head, fatigue - I still keep a close watch on my my blood markers and my GP is supportive and comfortable with my choices.

[Hidden]

I agree with you - however I am totally AGAINST anyone offering advice that clearly contradicts a GP's advice or suggestion - which in my humble opinion is totally unethical and verges on the dangerous and irresponsible and should never be done.

What Mgs333 asked for was advice on how people felt without them and whether there were any side effects and not whether they should take any maintenance doses. My first thought was about "How I would feel" having been given the same advice but the question does not exist for I am diabetic and was put on 40mg statins to "ensure" my cholesterol stayed within a safe range - which it has. After the HA and bypass I was increased to 80mg statins which I believe is a part of a range of medication taken almost across the range for those having had a HA.

Some months ago I asked the forum for "ADVICE" and "EXPERIENCES" regarding pains in hips etc with a higher statin dose and quite a few folk told me of their experiences and how a higher dose can lead to muscle pains etc and to discuss the issue with my own GP. I did do exactly that and we came to an agreement that I should revert to the lower dose of 40mg that I was originally on and had no problems with and since the previous dose delivered acceptable results, everyone would be a winner or there would be no losers.

That is the best example of good advice I can give - people passing on their own tried and tested experiences and NOT supposed advice from what someone has already said was - Like the other HeartStars this gentleman seems well informed.

Surely that sort of carte blanche approval could be verging on dangerous and such advice should not be entered into by a heart star or anyone else - UNLESS the advice relates to their own experiences and not their own advice.

Other than my own experiences and the general advice I received about statins and pain, the outcome was I took the advice and went to see my GP and discussed the matter. That was what Mgs333 wanted and anything else is unethical, no matter how kindly the medical advice was - which should be discussed with a GP or even advice to discuss the matter with their cardiologist that treated them whilst in hospital and that is the advice that should always be adhered to - in my humble opinion.

[Mgs333 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

[LaceyLady]

I think your GP has a good idea in view that many older people are on so many drugs. There’s been articles in the press saying lot of older people are being given drugs for anything going.

[Martha2005]

I had a HA last September was put on 80mg atorvastin 10 months on lots of muscle pain and a certain amount of fuzzy ness mentally.

My GP suggested six weeks without and after a week and for the next 5 everything improved steadily.

Am now on 20 mg and so far so good Martha2005

[Qualipop]

This is what my GP suggested to me to see if they are the cause of my pain. It takes 3 months to get right out of your system.