What is causing these awful headaches ?

Hi everyone

I have been on meds since November last year after having an angiogram show I have have subtotal blockage and a moderate blockage. I was put on isosorbide mononitrate, bisoprolol, aspirin and statins. I had awful headaches so the isosorbide mononitrate was reduced but the headaches continued, every afternoon I would get a dull ache which then turned into a migraine type headache, really debilitating. The GP told me to stop the isosorbide which I did over 4 weeks ago. He increased the bisoprolol by 1.25mg. The headaches are still there, regular as clockwork. Blood pressure is good. The GP has said maybe we should try stopping the statins but I am reluctant as my cholesterol was originally 8.8, bought down to 4.6 after 6 weeks and I can't have it creeping up again. I haven't been able to see a consultant yet, cannot get an appointment until July. Any idea what the cause could be?

[MountainGoat52]

Hmm, that's a bit of a dilemma. I assume that you may be on Atorvastatin which is the first one that most doctors prescribe... and maybe at the high dose of 80mg. I wonder whether a change to a more modern statin such as Rosuvastatin might ease your symptoms... worth discussing with your GP.

From experience it can take time to get the right mix of medication to suit you. Changing one at a time is required to isolate which one is (or which ones are) problematic.

I hope you get this sorted soon.

Gerald

[richard_jw]

It takes around 3 days for the body to void all traces of atorvastatin. Maybe that's what your doctor suggests. If that eliminates the headaches, then use a different statin.