Statins sleep terrors

[Paulus70]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has had any trouble sleeping and waking whilst on statins? (10mg Rousavastatin) I find myself wide awake in the middle of the night in a panic after having had a terrible nightmare, followed by strange thoughts. I'm also finding that I'm completely miserable upon waking and it sets the tone for the rest of the day. I'm at my wits end and to be honest, and it's putting a strain on my daily life and relationship.

Thanks in advance,

Pauk

[Hidden]

Is a statin the only meds you take?

[Paulus70 in reply to Hidden]

Hey Gaz_chops.

I'm also on 10mg of Ezetimibe and and 80mg of Aspirin.

[Mountwood]

I have been on statins for years. Initially it was Simvastatin which caused bizarre dreams, not nightmares or threatening in any way, but strange. When I developed angina the cardiologist changed it to Atorvastatin and over the years the dreams have subsided. I suggest you have a word with your GP (if you can !). A different statin may suit you better, but I read years ago of a woman whose nightmares were so horrendous that she had to stop the statin.

[Paulus70 in reply to Mountwood]

Good morning, Mountwood,

I have an appointment with the cardiologist in January to discuss my cholesterol levels. My TC is 4.0 which is still to high and will need to come down before he will change my meds. Its really frustrating.

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear Paul

I take statins, with some reluctance.

I get nightmares but then I sometimes get horrific dreams that stay with me when I am awake. I call these night terrors.

I dont link these dreams with statins. But over the years, if I get decent hours of sleep then the night terrors go away and the nightmares reduce. And I keep on statins.

I spent many many months adjusting my sleep pattern. I found that retiring by 10.30 and staying in bed for7hrs 30 mins suits my requirements, even if it doesnt suit my life style at all.

I tried three pillows, a different mattress and less blankets (ditching the duvets).

To get to this stage I slept with the light on, used the spare bedroom until sleep settled. One useful gadget is a tinnitus relaxer.

Yes it was a lot of hassle, but its paying good dividends.

And black cat Sooty works around it by appearing for shelter by 10pm !

Colin

[Paulus70 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks for the info, Colin.

I've recently been diagnosed with tinnitus and I think that this is probably adding to my troubles. I'm going to give a tinnitus app a go and try and keep to a proper sleep routine.

Thanks for the advice.

Paul

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Paulus70]

It never rains but it pours.I do feel for you. Full blown tinnitus is the pits. I dont have it thank goodness, but the tinnitus relaxer helps get me to sleep.

I started on this regime five years ago. And it helps deal with all sorts of ills. I also do relaxation, well I do it a bit and will go back to classes if Corona goes away. I also do seated or gentle yoga, again I await Corona to get back to classes.

The bottom line is so often......get the right sleep and then recovery will be on its way.

Keep at it.

Colin

[Paulus70 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks, Colin,

I've also started yoga, meditation but it's difficult to focus with the constant buzzing in my ears 😜. I'll just have to get used to it I suppose.

Thanks for the reply,

Paul

[dunestar]

I take 20 mg atorvastatin. I go through periods of not exactly night terrors but not very nice dreams which wake me up. They don't stay with me when I wake fortunately. I'm very careful also about what I eat and don't eat anything later than about 6.30pm.

[Paulus70 in reply to dunestar]

Thanks for the advice,I don't usually snack in the evening and have cut down my beer intake considerably. Fingers crossed that I can get a decent night's sleep soon.

Cheers.

Paul

[Crochetwoman]

I’ve been on Atorvastatin since H.A. Two years ago. Had only a few nightmares initially but put it down to being worried.No problems since. I take it at night.

Hope you sleep well soon.

[Paulus70 in reply to Crochetwoman]

Hello,Yeah, I think it's probably my mind playing tricks on me and I'm focusing too much on the meds. Hopefully a discussion with my doctor next week will help.

Take care,

Paul

[Qualipop]

Not from the statins but I did from another tablet. I had hallucinations. I would wake suddenly and see enormous 3 foot long black worms all over the walls and ceilings. i can't remember which tablet it was now because I had almost all of them changed.

[Paulus70 in reply to Qualipop]

That sounds terrible.Glad to hear that that had cleared up and you're feeling better. Think I might have to discuss the meds again with my doctor.

Thanks for the reply

[Theska in reply to Paulus70]

Hi i take 5mg amlodipine for my BP even though i was sceptical at first in taking them but glad i did as i started on them nearly 4 weeks ago and it has lowered my bp a lot, i was then put on 10mg atorvastatin 3 weeks ago due to high cholesterol, was fine first week then second week i had 2 nights in a row with horrible nightmares that woke me up but have not had any since, i believe the side affects disappear over time, so dont worry 👍🤗