Heart attack in June 2020, on Atorvastain and other brands, now neuropathy muscle pain, can hardly walk. GP says stay on them or suffer another heart attack, but I have stopped taking them as my life is unbearable. Will pay anything for alternative. Can anyone help. I am male and 80.
Crippled by Statins.: Heart attack in... - British Heart Fou...
Crippled by Statins.
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svenson
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I feel for you, my father was put on Simvastatin about 10 years ago, now 82. He very quickly became unable to drive , he couldn't "feel" or command his legs to safely move from one pedal to other in the car, walking became difficult. He too stopped taking them, restarted them after about 6 months then had a return to previous symptoms do stopped them for good. He was told he could try a different brand but he went for quality of life not quantity!
He has since been diagnosed with possible stenosis or leaking heart valve, about 2 years ago, had some investigations but has decided against surgery, he became so stressed at the prospect that in the end we as a family discussed the pros and cons and although it is with reluctance we have accepted his descision, after all he says he is over 80 and surely he and we have to accept that he is in the latter stages of his life. He firmly believes that at his age attempts to resolve hisheart issues won't solve all his other aging health conditions- sight, hearing, mobilty etc!
My husband also on Simvastatin at the behest of GP for about 1 year had similar problems, now at 58 he is no longer able to drive, can't walk more than about 50 meters with stopping or getting pain, has extremely poor balance, took early retirement from the NHS after 30 years employment.
Good luck
Sorry to hear about your father but but echo his philosophy on accepting aging conditions, found it very helpful and wish him all the best. Also your husband - has anyone suggested anything different for him? Feel this whole question of statins (grateful as I always am for developments in medicine) needs in-depth investigation. Your husband is a youngster at58 and hope he gets some appropriate help
Thanks for your reply, Personally I think that the risks that Statins reduce is minimal, it is an easy fix from underpressured GP's, much more time should be spent on supporting people to live a healthier lifestyle. I am a firm beleiver that since the increase in use of statins for many people over the age of 50 has resulted in a very real increase in the number of single vehicle accidents, where older person drives into buildings etc! Afraid the NHs is avictim of its own success in that every assumes that all conditions can be treated or cured, one of the problems as I see it is that sometimes the cure is worse than the condition! Everyone thinks they should be living to an age above 80 and live healthily at the same time! there seems to be a thought that life should continue no matter the cost to the person as well as the state. definately quality above quantity is very realy though about by many medics.
Sadly help for hubby is not likely to be very forth coming, there is only so much nagging him I can do!! He seems resigned to doing very little, and unless he can be bothered to at least try to get help sadly there is not much to be done. After all he is a grown man! Certainly difficulties getting GP input since Covid hasn't helped but the person concerned has to put in some effort.
We are going away in a couple of weeks where we have to climb stairs, this will be interesting, maybe if he finds it difficult he might be minded to at least make an appointment with GP!
Even my GP has stopped taking Statins.
I think you are spot on - thanks for the posting as it has really encouraged me to trust my judgement more and make more effort in helping myself. Your husband sounds lucky to have you and hope your holiday will make him feel better and able to tackle seeing the GP - I know sometimes you can get demoralised and wonder if it is worth the effort
Have you any evidence for your beliefs about statins?
'I am a firm beleiver that since the increase in use of statins for many people over the age of 50 has resulted in a very real increase in the number of single vehicle accidents, where older person drives into buildings etc!'
Evidence for beliefs are not required, just ask anyone who believes in any religion!Since prescribing statins has become commonplace often based on being over 50 years only,it seems the number of incidents of cars crashing into buildings where drivef is an older person andno other apparent cause has increased!
Also the feedback from more than 5 people I know who since starting statins have quickly become unable to control lower body movement gives me some food for thought!
Beliefs and anecdotes don't necessarily make for good medicine.
Are you suggesting that forum members should stop taking their medication?
I have not suggested anything to anybody! In fact I wasn't aware the priginal poster was asking whether he should take his medication or not!Should forum members have concerns about any medication they are taking it is their choice whether to take it, seek advice from their practioner or seek alternative therapies.
All I have said us investigate what is right for you as an individual!
Here are the forum guidelines.
I fully agree with you and it's good to hear some other meanings than the standard 'your doctor knows the best what's good for you'. Especially the help of statins is so little in comparison to the dreaded sideeffects or as you said quality of life is worth more than claimed benefits of drugs at a high cost.
Age should be no barrier to him having valve surgery. I had my aortic valve replaced with a tissue one in 2013 when I was 79.
It isn't just about his age, he has a host of other age related issues which are not going to be helped by valve surgery, he has decided he just doesn't want to" be messed about" with, it causes him great stress, the thought of hospitalisation, so in fact by declining surgery he is trying to keep his stress levels as low as possible.
Everyone should be suppported to make the right descision for them and luckily for him his GP is very good at understanding and accepting her patients views, she is offeringany medication to ease his symptoms and is very happey to re-refer him should he change his mind.
Has he considered TAVI if it would be suitable for him.
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Just to add to seasider 18, and always bearing in mind that everyone is different, I had my valve replacement last year by TAVI and was in hospital for just 3 days (could have been out a day sooner except I had a very slightly unrelated problem). I think they prefer to give older patients this less invasive procedure where possible and it was amazingly easy.
Which heart valve? These valves include the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve and aortic valve.Mick Jagger has his aortic valve replaced via a TAVI procedure at 75 last year and was ready to resume touring three months later. When I was at rehab I was surprised how many people who had not listened properly to their cardiologist, cardiac nurses or GP.
Hi season
If your gp is telling you to stay on this particular statin even thou it's causing you pain and discomfort in your muscles then they ate completely irresponsible!! At the least your gp should be trying you on a different statin to see if it makes any difference,I had a similar problem with atoravastatin,I had been on it a number of years without problems then developed muscle problems in my legs my gp offered 2 more alternatives but I had the same issues,she said once they've tried 3 different ones there wasn't anymore she could do...so I went without statins for about 4years until I changed my gp. I had my annual check up which showed my cholesterol levels had gone up to 9!! The new gp said I needed an urgent referral to the lipids clinic!! I didn't even know they existed. Sadly that change of gp and referral came to late as I suffered a heart attack at 48 and then required a double bypass 3 months later...since then I've been on rousavastatin (probably spelt wrong 😅)..and it seems to be ok..May be worth requesting a referral.
It's a huge problem. Have really debilitating muscle pain in my legs and lower back, walking is so difficult and have enough problems without this! So was thinking of having a word with pharmacist (GP not helpful!) for advice but then will just take a chance and stop taking the statin (on simvastatin now but have been on others, all seem to have the same result) as quality of life is zilch! I can't get into my garden (it has steps going down and I've had a rail put in but still feel very doddery) because my walking is so bad and very painful and I don't feel safe, and yet I know basically there is nothing wrong with my legs except they are older now! I know this is quite a common problem and I wonder what other people have done/are doing and whether there is some study on the side effects of statins.
What exactly are your statins prescribed for? I mean, what are they meant to be doing? Reduce cholesterol? Reduce inflammation? Stop plaque build up? A combination? There are alternatives to statins - I’m on enzetimibe for my cholesterol (I didn’t have external side effects from statins, but they are my liver). Speak to your GP about the pain you’re suffering or ask for a second opinion if they’re still aren’t helping.
Thank you very much for your reply. I will try to get a phone appointment to speak to one of the GPs at my practice - rather potluck as to who you get. I'm not really sure why I was prescribed statins, but it was after I'd had a TAVI procedure and was done by my GP practice, not at the hospital, possibly as some kind of safeguard (statins did seem to be regarded as a magic kind of pill at one time) but I would like to be able to cut them out unless there is some really good reason to take them as they do seem to have these unpleasant side effects.
Ask your GP “Why I been placed on this drug?” and “are there alternatives that don’t induce these side effects?”.
Remember, doctors must o use by the Hippocratic oath “First, do no harm”.
Thanks - that is very helpful, will do!
3 years after my HA and 40mg Atorvastatin (I persuaded my GP to reduce it from 80mg a month after the HA), and having put on 3 stone and worsening peripheral neuropathy, I stopped taking the statin a month ago - against GP's advice. I have since lost 8lbs and my legs are finally beginning to feel slightly better, although still rubbish. My friendly pharmacist tells me that Rosuvastatin has the least side effects, but, of course is the most expensive, so I will have to try sweet-talking my GP!
Thank you for raising such an important question.
I know exactly what you are talking about. The same happened to my mother after her heart operation, five years on statin and her mobility was impaired to almost bed ridden. Her cardiologist stopped the statin for few months.
Now am on the same boat having had my HA last year, on 20mg a day and genuinely trying to find an alternative to statins as am aware first hand of its effect on mobility.
Away from Dr. Google, would be interesting to explore alternatives and see what others think.
Have you tried taking a CoQ10 supplement? I'm on Atorvastain and started having major muscle aches and pains. Started taking 200mg of CoQ10 daily and it's really working for me.
I've been on 3 different statins over time but artorvastatin for me was the worst for pain but I've spoken to friends who have had no issue with it. I was eventually changed onto rusovastatin and it has been great, thankfully I had a GP that listened to my request as the pain, especially in my hands and joints, had become so bad I was having difficulty functioning during the day. Hope you manage to get sorted.
Hope you find some of the replies to your post helpful - I've not been finding some of the replies helpful, as I am in a similar position and have been very encouraged by them. So a big thank you from me for your posting and hope you will get some useful advice and help too
Hope you find some of the replies to your post helpful, as I certainly have, being in a similar position. Have been encouraged by them. So a big thank you from me for your posting and I hope you will get some useful advice and help too
BHF is doing a talk all about statins today at 4pm. YOu need to sign up for it. Have you tried different statins? There are several. It's very easy for your GP to change them. I couldn't tolerate atorvastatin but am fine on simvastatin. Are you absolutely certain it's he statin causing the pain and not something like a trapped nerve? Your GP should be investigating all possibilities. In the long run it's your choice. . Life has to be worth living. My GP told me I would have to be off them for 3 months to see any improvement in the pain. If you can find it, there was a post on here about a month b ack where someone said he'd had a blood test called a CK test to check whether statins had caused enzymes to build up in his muscles. That may be worth asking for. I'm contemplating it but will attend the zoom talk today for more information before I decide. Modern research claims that pain from statins is just the same as from a placebo. AFraid I disagree. Take a look at this and see if you can sign up to watch today. bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/in-yo...
Quality of life is more important especially when we get to a certain age........some doctors really push statins but it’s your life....
Thank you all, good to hear other peoples experiences and suggestions, I will change the GP I speak with and request any alternative available.
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