Had a heart attack 5 weeks ago, they inserted 2 stents.
Having real problems with the medication now.
and looking at the side effects it seems as though its the ATORVASTATIN 80MG Taken at NIGHT. Im having serious stomach cramps and I'm full of wind if you know what I mean.
Wondered if anyone else had these problems and if so what alternatives are to the ATORVASTATIN 80MG available. Before the heart attack I was taking simvastatin with no side effects thanks.
Hello and welcome to the forum!
The actions of Simvastatin and Atorvastatin are virtually identical but Atorvastatin is the current "go to" statin after stents or bypass. Ask your GP to go back on Simvastatin - maybe the maximum dose if you were not on it before. You do not need to suffer!
Yes I had the same .. terrible IBS type stomach trouble for some time on 80mg atorvastatin BUT after perseverance it totally cleared, still on them a year later with no side effects anymore.. good health to you … stick on there
I suggest you might want to consider that although some people blame atorvastatin for a range of side effects you are prescribed lots of different drugs after a heart attack including aspirin, anti-platelet drugs and a proton pump inhibitor (ppi) to prevent stomach ulcers like lanzoprazole which equally might be causing digestion problems. Hopefully your GP or nurse specialist can get to the bottom of the issues with you.
They rarely do get to the bottom of it any time soon dealing with stomach issues.....it's keep talking your man made chemicals or you may die effectively
I had gastritis had all the symptoms but doctor didn't reckonise and I didn't of course but youTube and Google saved the day
Worth persevering because statins not only lower cholesterol but also act to help stop plaque rupturing and causing a clot in the artery. That's why they give the max dosage
Yes as I said in my op. Before the heart attack I was taking simvastatin with no side effects thanks.
Statins are not the only potential cause. I was suffering similarly, and my cardiologist both changed the statins down to 40mg of simvastatin (which I was on with no ill effects before my MI) and he changed Lansoprazole to Famotidine. Don't know which one made the difference but my digestion improved a lot.
Hello you probably haven't seen my past posts I had the most awful diarrhea for 6 months on 80mg stations and lazoprosol amongst many I lost 2 stone and couldn't even go downstairs it was so bad I was sent for cancer tests etc gp couldn't see it was tabs but took me off then no probs since definitely go back .have a read ofmyposts.good luck let me know how you get on.ive had 5 stents.
You can reduce ATOR to 40 mg which percentage wise is better at reducing chorlestoral than 80mg then go hardcore on your diet.
Stomach issues.....I take zinc L carnosine ....gastritis stomach ulcers etc are often helped greatly and cured and is prescribed in Japan for stomach ulcers!
I had the same with atorvastatin. Swapped to simvastatin no problems
You sound like we could be twins!!My HA was 9 weeks ago and I had two stents fitted 8 weeks ago.
I've been on Simvastatin for 6 years with no problems, after my heart attack I was put on Atorvastatin....I was full of wind, I could have burped for England and I had awful indigestion pain....our GP upped my Omeprazole which had a limited effect.
He then put me on Lansoprazole, two 30mg daily, it took a week to be fully effective but now I hardly have an issue.
My GP and cardiologist didn't want to alter my cocktail of heart medication as they both said it was the perfect combination.
Hi John,
Your post to microbar describes to me what is wrong with prescribing in the NHS. PROTOCOL. Atorvastatin is the go-to statin, but it doesn't make sense in your case when you were on Simvastatin for 6 years, presumably without any problems. Then to compound the issue by prescribing a PPI to solve the problem caused by the Atorvastatin, well to my mind is totally daft. My GP actually prescribed Lansoprazole when I didn't have a stomach problem! It is almost as though they are wearing blinkers. There is no perfect combination.
It was through incidences such as this that I became pro-active in respect of my medication. I got Atorvastatin changed to Simvastatin, which was then changed to Pravastatin, none of which suited me as the muscle aches I had reduced my capacity to exercise. I tried Ezetimibe which had no effect on my cholesterol. Now I take Rosuvastatin which actually works for me with no issues.
Thanks everyone for your kind replies, and individual experiences with statins. Now waiting for my GP to get back to me. will let you know how it goes, thanks again.
80mg are pretty big. You could break the pills in 2 and take half for a few days to see if it makes a difference untill you get a 40mg supply
Hi all just got to speak to my GP. He has has suggested I reduce the ATORVASTATIN to 40mg and see If the symptoms subside over the next four weeks. So will give that a go hopefully that will work.
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