Statins yes or no. I take a 15mg statin and blame every pain I get on them, so I stop for a while and then start again, am I stupid doing this I really want to take them but can't seem to get going.
Statins : Statins yes or no. I take a... - British Heart Fou...
Statins
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OlieAlfie
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I really don't know I suppose I read to many negatives online. But I am going to start again today and forget all the negatives.
Reluctantly I agreed to go on them and looking back I should have taken them 10 years earlier.The benefits outweigh most side effects.
You could change to another statin if you are having side effects that worry you.
Totally agree rather than stop, change the Statin
Hello 
I can only say what happened to me and how it left me thinking but some years ago I was advised I should go on Statins I read the bad press about it and thought no forget that
Several years later I had 3 heart attacks and a triple Bypass followed and now I am a wreck
I often wonder but will never know but had I took those Statins when advised I needed to and even if they did give me a few aches and pains would I have ended up with 3 heart attacks and a triple Bypass who knows but if I could go back and have the offer again before all this I know if I were advised to take them I would
15mg is a very small dose and usually would not cause any severe side effects and as a Doctor in Hospital said to me any mg of Statin if there is a chance your arteries will get clogged up is better than none and I thought you have a point so now I take 40mg a day which is still less than some take
I hope you make the right choice for you x
Sljp0000• in reply to
Same here BeKind. I was advised to take them when I first got T2 Diabetes but Atorvastatin gave me terrible leg pains. Because my Cholesterol at the time was 3. 2 the GP said I could come off them. Roll forward 7 years and my arteries are all clogged amd needed CABGx3. I'm now on Rosuvastatin and don't have any problems. I wish I'd preserved years ago. So @OlieAlfie I suggest you carry in or discuss a different stating with your GP. Good luck!
• in reply toSljp0000
Hello
I have been trying to find your user name and now I have because you have replied on this post
Yes it makes you wonder would things have been different
Now I have your name I will PM or you me because of course I want to know how you are but will not ask on this post
So glad to see you pop up x
Sljp0000• in reply to
Fab! I did message you but I'm guessing you didn't see my last message xx
• in reply toSljp0000
I left the Community and have come back
You may not have noticed but I was BeKind28 not much difference but now my user name has a little - in it as you cannot have the same so it is BeKind-28
That is why I have never got the message x
I was put on 80mgs of atorvastatin after i had a stent fitted. After a blood test of a high troponin i was admitted to hosp. Atorvastatin was reduced to 10mgs andEzetimibe 10mgs added.I have awful leg pains . I have type2 diabetes now and swelling of ankles so dont know if its the statins giving me problems or not. I had no pains before. Hope you try them for a while and see if there right for you. By the way hosp took me off 80mgs of Atorastatin and gp put me back on them at the low dose. Terrible hip leg and ankle pains.Was to see nurse today but snow too deep to travel.Good luck.
I’m also on Rosuvastatin 10mg a day no side affects l was initially on Atorvastatin but had muscle cramps.
LadyZ13• in reply to
Thanks for this contribution BeKind - in a total shock I was told that in addition to an ASD (that they have now confirmed can only be treated via OHS) I have moderarte coronary artery disease (25%-49% blocked, Agaston score of 156) - this is despite being 38, BMI 24, normal BP, and doing 1-2 hours of exercise every day. Apparently hereditary - my dad had high cholesterol in his 40s. I was told yesterday that I'd need to go on Statins, GP being told to issue them asap. Scary but if the alternative is a HA at 60 then I guess it's the right call.
• in reply toLadyZ13
Hello
I can only imagine the shock and I am sorry tat this was the results that came back but you can start to manage it now so stay positive
Heart attacks run in my family making me even more stupid when I rejected taking them so yes if I was you with all this I would get on them and to be honest I have fibromyalgia to which is pain in the joints and I am coping so I would imagine you will and if one does not suite there are several they can try
Let us know how you get on x
LadyZ13• in reply to
Thanks BeKind, you're always so wise and supportive x
• in reply toLadyZ13
Not so sure if I am wise at all but I am glad if I can help someone
Thank You x
Cymrucurious• in reply to
If I can add my two penny worth your posts are always helpful and kind
Hi, I read your bio out of interest as I was proscribed stations back in 2004 - having moved and had an initial check up at my new surgery I received, with no prior warning, a brown envelope with nothing in it but a prescription for Simvastatin. I queried this as I was shocked, and was told my chloresterol level, which I knew from my cardiac rehab days was normal, so I disposed of the prescription and changed my GP. However, I would not advise you against statins as in your case they may be of benefit. Other than the shock of an unexpected diagnosis, the only other thing I have, or will have, in common with you is open heart surgery. You are young, otherwise fit and healthy and symptom free, as I was prior to an aortic valve replacement in my early thirties. Please do not worry about OHS. I know there are no guarantees, but I went through it and came out the other side with my pain control well managed and only a couple of days where I felt rough (even coming to in ICU wasn't a terrible or frightening experience). I was asymptomatic before but felt really well afterwards to the point I was told off by other patients because my energy levels were making them tired! The heart is mechanical, I prepared myself with the analogy that my car had a part that was slightly worn out and needed replacing, after which it would be back to full performance. Prepare by all means, clear your diary for a couple of months, if you drive, prepare for eight weeks of being a passenger, then fast forward your mind to the benefits. I don't need to tell you what stress is like, but whatever else is on your mind, refocus OHS as a positive rather than a negative experience. And I am sure OHS has come on a long way since the late 80s when I had mine. Hope this helps you
It's so brilliant to hear your story - thank you for sharing! I'd be interested to know - was your valve replacment the result of a congential issue, or something else? I'm just stunned by all they've discovered while I too feel so well!
Of course I'm pretty terrified about OHS - not just because I know it's senisble to make a will and plan my funeral, but being incapacitated having barely had a day off sick in 20 years. Also being young and working full time, I worry about the gap in income as I'm only entitled to 20 days paid sick leave in my new job - so will feel the need to get back to work - which I can do from home, thankfully, but commute normally 14 miles by bike, so that's 6 weeks at least before I can get on the bike to the office! I think it'll take a little while to see OHS as a positive - though I know it's buying me lifespan (and I might have to have it again if the CAD gets bad!) - it is at least content for the blog! If I can write about it, I can get through it, right?
Thanks again - that does really help me.
Zoe, glad I have been able to give you encouragement. My aortic valve was damaged when I had rheumatic fever at age 13. I think this may be a congenial issue as my grandfather had it twice, the second time at age 71 and my father may have had heart issues though he never talked about them. Fifteen weeks in hospital, on Penicillin for eight years and told by my consultant that I might need valve replacement when I was a lot older. Annual check ups then I was told that it was no longer maybe but certainly that my valve would be replaced but that the Consultant didn't want to operate while I was well but didn't want to wait until my leaking valve started to affect me. It was all a matter of timing and I had a year or so to prepare myself. I may have noticed a slight change a couple of weeks before surgery but this could have been psychological. I went into the surgery as an otherwise healthy 32 year old, and felt great once the effects of the anaesthetic had worn off. Around 14 years later I got promotion at work to a highly pressurised safety critical role with lots of shift work at first as well, and held that position with a very good sickness record for 15 years before deciding to take early retirement. God has been good to me, and I only ever had one split second thought pre surgery wondering if I was doing something for the last time. My car part analogy kept me out of worry. Please let me know how you get on. I see you have just changed jobs, is there any kind of support from colleagues at all or can you join a union to get extra benefits? Having worked in the public sector all my career life I had good sick pay but the first place I worked at had an unofficial scheme where everyone joined a sick club and if anyone was off sick long term so would no longer get full sick pay everyone else made a contribution to top up that person's pay. We also have a benevolent fund at work, which provided convalescence amongst other benefits. Shame more places don't have these schemes.
Have you had a confirmed heart issue, such as heart attack, stroke, or a diagnosis of angina?
There's possibly an argument that some doctors may have over prescribed statins as a purely preventative measure, but the risk/reward balance for someone with an actual heart problem is very different. Those of us with a confirmed heart condition know that we're trying to manage a very serious and potentially life-limiting medical problem. Furthermore, for those of us with heart disease/atherosclerosis, there are only two options for slowing the progress of our disease, life style changes and medication.
I guess what I'm saying is that with so few tools in our tool box I'd be loath to walk away from anything that might keep me alive and healthy for longer.
Sure, a very small number of people seem to suffer serious side effects from statins. These people obviously need to consult with their GP's and investigate alternative types of medication and/or smaller doses. But for the rest of us a few aches and pains (which may well be due to the inevitable effects of age) seem a small price to pay for the many benefits that stains deliver. For example statins aren't just about lipid balance, they also stabilise plaque (especially when taken alongside Ramipril) and therefore reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Good luck!
Nailed it mate. I was prescribed 80mg atorvastatin but decided based on research I could reduce it to 40mg If I combined it with serious life style changes. I stopped sugar and saturated fats and trans fats. No meat, cheese or sweets no fried foods no refined carbs. After one month of statins and three months of this diet my over all cholesterol is 0.97.
My diet would maybe be a bit much for some people and others might say I could cut out more and take even lower dose of a statin. I’m happy that 40mg is a good dose to stabilise plaque for now.
Good luck to all the heart gang!
Thanks transporter 👍
You should talk to your GP. Although you may be getting side effects from one particular statin there are others available for your GP to prescribe which may not affect you. But if you cannot tolerate statins at all then other forms of cholesterol lowering medication are available.
A big YES from me for taking them.
The trials and tests around the world with hundreds of thousands of clients using them seem to say, you're better on them for certain reasons than off them. { those can be made clear by your DR }
Your dose is low but even at that dosage it can have the benefits needed, at the end of the day its your body, your life you and only you are in control of that.
You maybe sensitive to this drug { or any others your taking } most can be replaced with others that may not give you these side affects.
But doubts must be creeping in for you to post the question on here and you are right to gather more information to help with your doubts.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do
From me...... " take them, forget about the fact you're taking them and get on with your life "
take care
OlieAlfie• in reply to
👍
So sorry, forgot to welcome you to the forum, but welcome you are, with the hope that it can be as informative and supportive as it has to me and many many others.
again take care
Ask your GP if you can try a different statin and say the one you're on now is giving you pain. It's a common complaint with those pills. they usually start you on the cheapest ones too.
I was on 80mg for the lat 3 years but my meds were tweaked recently and statin reduced to 40mg.
I’m the same as thetransporter1 and take 80mg statin a day and have done since my double bypass in May 2022. Has the statin caused me any problems, not that I’m aware of.
Prior to my Bypass my cholesterol was always borderline (5.5) and no matter what I did it never lowered. The doctors told me the ways of lowering my cholesterol, lose weight; be physically active; and follow a healthy diet. Well, I wasn’t overweight, I am super fit and have a healthy diet, my problem was familial apparently. 12 months on and my cholesterol is 2.9.
After what I’ve been through I’m going to keep taking them. I will say though, your life, your choice. Take care.
I have high cholesterol caused by a genetic condition so no amount of lifestyle changes will help lower my cholesterol to where it needs to be - I take 40mg atorvastatin daily since 2020 and like you I had read a lot (by coincidence, it was a total shock to find out about my condition and that I had heart disease) about statins and muscle pains etc, but I was so terrified by my diagnosis that I wanted to follow the cardiologists advice 100% to the letter. I’ve not had any issues with the statins despite Looking out for muscle pains with an eagle eye! My dad died at 57 from a heart attack so I constantly have that in the back of my mind (he never took statins) the cardiologist even said to me to try not to read about the negative side of statins and every doctor I’ve seen has talked about the benefits of statins. My advice would be to take the statins and think of the benefits. good luck
it’s a big no from me, I felt so ill while I was on them for 2 years, did my research and came off them been gradually feeling better. Do your own research, statins don’t prevent heart attacks, in some instances they can devastate your life. Read Facebook page Stopped our Statins.
So do I. Fortunately they don't seem to affect me but it would be nice to get down to 40mg. Currently I take 2 off 40mg as the 80mg size looks like an pill designed for Elephants as it is so large.
Hi olieI had heart problems and had a stent and since then I have developed AFIB and they said I had to take statins and blood thinners and other drugs , I decided not to take any of them ,I change my diet to low cards and low sugar and pickled garlic every day , and I've been just fine. All the doctors seem to want me to do is take drugs that have to be processed through my liver and kidneys . Check out what some other doctors say about the drugs you are on and then make an informed decision. Dr bergman, and a doctor berg. All the best .
Dr Eric Berg is chiropractor. That’s his only claim to being a Dr he’s also a Scientologist. Seriously I would re consider taking anything he says with extreme caution especially when making decisions about AF medications. I too have AF and coronary disease. I also have a healthy distrust of big pharma and a lot of their biased practices. But reading multiple studies from legitimate sources and making an informed choice is completely different from listening to an unqualified YouTube dr who had zero relevant qualifications and many dubious motives. Still I wish you the all the best.
I take one every other day, that's what my GP suggested because of the side effects I was getting.
I am asking myself this question every morning. 5 years ago my GP had tp stop Atorvistatin because it was damaging my liver. I was referred to the lipid clinic . They stated me on 5mg if Rousuvistatin 3 times a week and 10mg of ezitibe . it worked very well and no liver damage or leg pains. It has been increased gradually over about 1year. I’m now on 10mg daily. While my liver function is ok and my cholesterol is 3.4 , but for the last 6months I get the most excruciating leg pain , mainly at night, I get very little sleep (and neither does my poor husband ). It’s not just my legs, I cramp everywhere where, ribs, fingers , both sides of my back . My GP isn’t bothered he tells me to drink tonic ( I sometimes drink a litre bottle a night , it does not help at all. So I now have to wonder if it’s the statin ? I know I can’t stop it but I wonder if I should reduce it.? I really can’t go on like this it’s very painful and distressing and the lack of sleep is depressing me . Sorry for the rant but Iv had a very bad night last night .
Do you take them at night i have been on 40mg for a few years and at the beginning there were aches and pains i gave them a month and by then found they had all gone
I've been on 80mg for over 6 years now and haven't had any issues.
I tried all statins and I had side effects. Aches, Lethargy and when I came off them on my own accord felt better . I have a LAD stent so have been closely reviewed. My cardiology team have been great and understand my reluctance to take statins. I do read about the subject however having read Dr Malcom Kendricks Book- The great cholesterol con I am wary about the push by media and pharma for us all to be on Statins as a first choice. Lifestyle changes more important for sure
Been on 80mg Atorvastatin since HA in November 2022. Had resisted taking them for several years and we'll never know whether taking them would have prevented or staved off the event. Had some really achy legs to begin with but that could also been one of the other meds. That seems to have settled down now. Had a catchup with consultant last week and he has reduced dose to 40mg as cholesterol down to 2.1 and, in his words, reduce the meds load on me. Got another review in April. He also stopped bisoprolol owing to fatigue and low HR. At rehab they are keen to avoid "what if", and concentrate on "what is", but I do wonder at times what would have happened had I taken statins when first offered.
If pain goes away when you stop them then you could speak to gp about changing them to a different one. My pain went within a couple of weeks of stopping atorvastatin and I was put on 5mg rosuvastatin with very little side effect. If pain doesn't go away when stopping then it may be something else causing it.
As others have suggested, your aches and pains are much more likely to be part of the general joys of getting older! 😀 Plus, I believe, recent comprehensive independent studies, have concluded aches and pains from taking Statins are largely due to a Nocebo effect, with significant actual side effects rare.
I am on 80mg (max dose) of Atorvastatin these days and seem to to tolerate it well, but that doesn’t mean I’d rather not take it, just on balance I think it’s the right thing to do for me. I am however intending to discuss reducing the dose with my GP and the Cardiologist - as with lifestyle changes as well - my cholesterol is very low at present.
Having said that, my GP tells me (and I have read) that staying on the maximum dose for a number of years can actually reverse plaque buildup, so after having an NSTEMI last year I need to put that in the mix.
Statins don’t suit everybody. I have naturally high cholesterol so have been encouraged to try every sort of statin. After a day or so I get muscle and joint pain plus I’m pretty sure they trigger a sort of brain fog in me. But I’m ok with dietary changes to reduce the amount of fat I eat and I use cider vinegar and lemon juice copiously. Hope this helps
The medical facts are clear, statins save lives, all meds have side effects, your choice.
Facebook is a forum for airing views similar to this one.
It's hard to stick to a routine. I just read an article in the NY Times that said that only 1/3 of those prescribed statins take them correctly.
I'm on the big boy statin dosage -- 80 mg atovastatin + 10 mg ezetimibe. I'm also on beta blockers and aspirin so I definitely have some side effects. Not enough to make me stop, as I remember (well most of it) having cardiac arrest and a HA!
What I've found is that I need to have a pill organizer and put it right next to my place at the table, along with a small jug of water and a glass. That way, they're sitting right in front of me when I sit down for dinner. I take them in the middle of dinner or at the start, so around 7-8 p.m.
As for the true level side effects, aches and pains...every study shows that leg pains/aches are pretty rare, between 3% and 9%, with those on higher doses reporting more. 15 mg is pretty low, to be honest. If you "read too many negatives online," I'd suggest sticking to actual peer-reviewed scientific studies, such as this: ox.ac.uk/news/2022-08-30-ne...
It's kind of like any online review: If you're satisfied, you probably won't raise a stink about it.
If you really think the side effects are debilitating, ask your dr for alternative statins.
I am convinced statins have spared my brother, with a similar physical profile as me, any serious heart problems. He's been on them for 20 years (his cholesterol was higher than mine, but we have the same genetic issues re heart disease), wheras I was not when I had CA...
Hi Olie,I wouldn't say stupid, but I would say that these medications are given for a reason, and stopping and starting them is perhaps not wise or good for your health. I would dayva chat with your GP would be an excellent idea . That way you could day how this medication makes you feel
There are many other makes that would not make you ache. Let us know how you get on. Good luck.
NHS cardiologist Aseem Malhotra has written the book “a statin free life”. It’s short and easy to read and I recommend it. I also ditto above the incredible knowledge and books/blogs by Malcom Kendrick. Best of luck
I was the same blaming ackes and pains on Statins came off them ,then on but I take them now as I had terrible gall bladder pain ( thought it might have been too much fat in my diet don’t get it now ) I mean I don’t know if it helped , I take Pravastatin Sodium ,10g…….I was taken of the others gave me diarrhoea, I take them at night about 11.00…. preserver …☺️
I'm on 80's and have no problems of note - perhaps calf cramps every 3 months or so but that could be many things I suppose. I take them late evening rather that with the regular morning batch of meds.
Me too
I was presented with this giant 80mg pill immediately after returning home after surgery so swallowing was difficult anyway. They then gave me 20 mg ones so I had to take 4 of those which was a bit of a hassle. . Then I graduated to the 40mg. Not sure I want to go back up to the single 80mg dose though
I was on 20mg at night then my cholesterol went up and they changed it to 40mg I didn't actually notice! Still just the one pill. cholesterol went down from 6.2 to 4.8 so it must work.
firstly , good morning and I hope all is good with you today.
I think like most people you will read and google every day at first and always see pros and cons to every drug or story.
I suggest that you make a balanced decision and explore every option that will sit comfortably with you as an individual and fingers crossed help with your ongoing condition.
Myself ,
I had my first heart attack at 57 , 3 stents fitted and a failing LAD artery diagnosed which required 6 more stents in 2021.
My cholesterol level was 3.2 however the ‘bad’ level (which is more important than the actual level ) was ‘2.9’ !!
I immediately started statins and suffered terrible aches & pains but kept going .
By January 2022 I couldn’t sleep or sit down without constant cramps ( these were not mild cramps)
My cardiologist changed my statins 3 times but each time these cramps continued.
Meanwhile a guy I met in hospital and continue to keep in touch with , had no side effects at all from statins , his ‘bad’ cholesterol’s came tumbling down .
I stopped my statins in May 2022 on the advice of my cardiologist. (stupid mistake but totally understandable given the situation as the cramps were now like seizures)
In January 2023 I have just had another heart attack , one more stent fitted .
Suddenly I’m told there are other alternatives !!!
I am now on ‘EZETIMIBE’ on its own.
I am 6 weeks in and absolutely no side effects at all.
I just wish this had been offered before now.
There is also an injection ‘PCSK9’ an inhibitor, again I wish I had known.
I’m afraid to admit that I buried my head in the sand and didn’t investigate ALL OPTIONS of treatment .
This is just another option for you to consider.
Statins lower cardiovascular event risk, yet, they paradoxically increase coronary artery calcification, a marker consistently associated with increased cardiovascular risks.
NHS Atorvastatin - nhs.uk/medicines/atorvastat...
NHS Simvastatin - nhs.uk/medicines/simvastati...
During the covid period a neighbour of mine taking simvastatin tablets decided to take the tablets every other day to reduce leg pain.
After six-weeks it did the trick reducing the pain. However, after suffering an aneurysm was a long period in hospital and then sent on to a recovery centre. After eight months on returning home having lost the use of left arm and leg now looks very unwell and voice both weak and slurred and looks about 20 years older.
I take 400mg of Q10 each day that has helped. The doctor did say that as the pain is in both legs and in exactly the same place and there are no other visible signs it could be the result of statins. The Q10 capsules costs 45p each day, bought online, so not the the highest grade that cost a lot more - capsules from supermarkets proved useless in my case.
The pain if from the result of statins can be reduced completely by using freezer sprays or ointments. Do read instructions and consider advice from a pharmacy.
Prior to the ready availability of the internet there was almost no side effects from taking statins and today people blame all sorts of ailments on them??. Same for a lot of other important medications but remember you dont have to take anything irrespective of what is wrong with you although if you dont you will probably lose the benefits of the large increase in life expectancy in the last 30 years or so. Your call.
As others have said it's a no-brainer! We are benefitting from all who have gone before, and I include my Dad in that as he died at 67 from a massive stroke following several years of smaller strokes which rendered him without speech and having to try and learn to write with his left hand! He had what he called good rich thick British blood, had T2 diabetes, but back then in the mid 70's in Wales anyway, meds for these issues were few and far between. I take Simvastatin, and have had no issues at all-unlike the VERY debilitating side effects of Letrozole which means I crawl upstairs one step at a time and which I have to take for another 3 1/2 years following a diagnosis and treatment for a very early breast cancer in 2021! I take mine at bedtime.
I have probs with Statins - serious muscle pain - right arm and shoulder but both the dose and the particular statin can have an effect - 20mg Atorvastatin zero problem but after having a heart attack does went up to 80mg and the pain started , got worse and worse and almost complete lack of movement so I’m currently on 40mg and pain is going and more movement coming back - If you’re having problems ask to try a different statin or look at the dose but don’t stop taking them as they not only lower your cholesterol they also help to stabilise the plaque that builds up in your arteries reducing the risk of pieces breaking off and resulting in a blood clot
it’s a collection of people’s opinions the same as this forum.
If you decide not to take statins you are going against most doctors knowledge not just chappychap.
Why are the whole population not taking statins if they are so beneficial?
Absolutely take a statin but you may want to ask for a different one- plenty to choose from. Diet alone won't get your cholesterol down. ALl the tales of pain with statins are mostly hype because the only people who post about it are those who have problems. There's a superb video on the main BHF website of consultants discussing whether they do actually cause pain. The consensus is they don't. The 'Live and Ticking' video on statins is on youtube.com/watch?v=om7PnTd...
not everyone will have side effects , only a small percentage but please don’t say it’s ‘hype’ as I can first hand tell of the problems I have had with statins.
That doesn’t mean that I think statins are bad at all , it’s just annoying that I’m one of the very few who do have serious side effects.
I'm sure a lot of what is printed is hype but that does not mean that I think people don't suffer ill effects from statins. They certainly do but not to the extent the papers hype it up. The first one I had played havoc with my liver. I thought the second one was massively increasing my pain but having stopped them for a month, it was obvious they weren't the cause. I wouldn't dream of suggesting you don't have serious problems with them. Everyone's different and many react badly to all kinds of drugs. I'm severely allergic to a specific yellow colouring used in many tablets and I react extremely badly to so many medications my GP gets really frustrated. We don't know what causes it; could be a preservative or a filler or anything. I had to have every single one of my tablets changed after the heart attack for various reasons. My pharmacist has to stick to certain brands so I don't have a bad reaction.Statins certainly can cause problems for some people but I doubt to the extent that the papers would have you believe. The consultants in the video do explain that certain people cannot be treated with statins but for many , if they expect ill effects they will get ill effects. I believe, in research, it's know as the nocebo effect. scribbr.co.uk/bias-in-resea...
I have been taking satins for 13 years now after my HT I haven’t had any problems with them at all.
All I no is that they have worked for me and kept my cholesterol down so far also I have had no side effects at all so thumbs from me.
Good luck anyway hopefully you will get it sorted soon.
there are different types of statin. If you haven’t switched to a different one yet you should. I got muscle cramps from first one but had no problem with second (Crestor 40mg)
I was given several different makes but came off them and feel so much better. I did some research and take supplements instead.
Do some research on CoQ10 supplementation while taking a Statin drug. Also, there are different brands, doses, etc. Work with your doctor until you find the right one. My father-in-law was on a Statin. He suffered from fatigue and muscle pain and weakness from taking a statin. We begged him to take CoQ10, but he never would take it. A few of my friends are on a statin and take CoQ10 with it. Most of them say it helps a lot. I personally can not take a Statin because of other health issues. According to the clinical trials done with Statins they work better on men than women. I am female, age 67, no heart attack, but blood pressure consistently 170/96. Cause unknown. I do have high cholesterol. I am on a biologic drug for an auto-immune disease. The drug causes high cholesterol.
It's a resounding 'yes' from me!
I've been on 80mg for almost a year but, fortunately, with no side effects (as far as I know!!).
They've certainly done the business to reduce my LDL chloresterol. In fact, halved it in a few months.
Good luck.
Hi OA,
Statin dosage depends on type, target levels, present Lipid profile and person diet etc. Strong statin like rosuvastatin and atorvastatin are used in comparatively low dosage than others. I take 5 mg rosuvastatin alternate days and maintain LDL well below 100 by checking diet. I would suggest low dose regime but regular without breaks so medicine maintains its plasma level concentration steady in body. You may also add ezetimibe 5 mg and Psyllium husk for additional benefits with low statin dosages if you have muscle pain but do consult physician.
Lastly don't trust every thing on internet it cause a profound nocebo effect , everyone is different and react differently to drugs. Good luck
I was sceptical about stains, and went through all the statins NHS could give, ending up with a really low dose of rosuvastain suited me, I now have CAC which stops you in your tracks so I m on a cocktail of drugs, so taking stains is the best treatment for me, and we all have aches and pains as we get older, but you need to investigate what is causing the pain and what you can do to help yourself
in most cases you don’t know you have heart disease until you have a heart attack
You are so right Sparkey, I didnt have a clue until I had H/A, I did get aches and pains but put it down to fibromyalgia down left side of body and also having underactive thyroyed which probably had nothing to do with H/A, or so I thought as I now know it can, It was very scary I can tell you at the time, I ended up having 3 stents fitted as one artery was 90% blocked and the other two not so bad, I dont want to scare anybody but I had heart attack in theartre while having stents fitted which is very rare but I was in the best place to have H/A !! I take statins now which have just been lowed to 40mg from 80mg and was on blood thiners and asprin which I still take asprin, I only take meds as I trust and appreciate all the work and care the hospital gave me I want to live till at least 90 if at all possible never mind a few aches and pains I may get...
Hi Everyone
I recently had my Statin changed from Atorvastatin to ROSUSTATIN. They are fantastic, no more hurts anywhere and my Cholesterol is right down from 7 - 4. That is a miracle for me. TRY ROSU xx
Me too!!
I also take 4 x 500 mgs of metformin which are also the size of horse tranquilizers!
I don’t agree it’s been proven statistically
it’s been 100% proved statistically. This is even admitted by Dr like Dr Aseem malhortra who has wrote the book a Statin free life.
The facts are that alongside diet and with a diagnosis of heart disease post heart attack or with significant arterial plaque they provide some benefit. The NNT.com analyses all the data available and concludes. That with heart disease statins DO provide a benefit as follows
1 in 83 were helped (life saved)1 in 39 were helped (preventing non-fatal heart attack)1 in 125 were helped (preventing stroke)
But without heart disease they don’t provide a benefit over their harms.
Unless you have genetic high cholestrol or you’re unable or unwilling to change your diet or lifestyle.
Some people might conclude that 1 in 83 life’s saved isn’t high enough odds for them to take a statin or 1 in 39 heart attacks prevented. I’m 47 and need all the help I can get so I’ve changed my diet from pretty healthy to extremely healthy I’m taking less statin than prescribed initially but the Drs are happy with my new LDL at 0.97.
another point wort mentioning is that our bodies need cholesterol for energy. Why do you think the body produces it.
Hi 👋 Olie, sorry I'm a little late to add my pennyworth. However, I'm in a pretty similar situation myself. I had a double Bypass late September 2022. Then put on the usual mix of Statins+ Beta blockers etc.
After I started to slowly regain my health and heal I started back 1st with table tennis then back on the tennis courts. That's when I tore/pulled my lower calf muscle with blood appearing under the surface of my skin. That's when I got the colly wobbles re Atorvastatin and after speaking to my GP on the 2nd February we decided between us to stop statin therapy.
I also began to suffer serious side effects with my other meds fortunately I received an unexpected telephone appointment from the cardiology department who had diagnosed my problem. (Serious short stenosis at the top of the LAD unstentable as it was on the bend)
I'm very lucky when compared to most of the people on this forum as I have no underlying health conditions. Iow BMI blood pressure etc. In short following my consultation I'm now on just a daily Aspirin + 20mg Omeprazole. However, he did recommend I re start Statin therapy this time with a different Statin.
When I brought this up with my GP he suggested we lay off the Statins for a little while as I was beginning to feel myself again for the 1st time since my Bypass.
Like a lot of us on here we all worry about the long term consequences of not taking a daily Statin. My personal view is that the majority of people don't feel any different when they take a daily Statin so regardless of their effectiveness in staving off heart events what's not to like.
For people like me and you it's slightly more problematic and can lead to sleepless nights.
Best wishes, Denis
I agree with that one runforhealth96, having my H/A really nocked 10 bells out of me and that happend twice, theres no fun in that as am still suffering 18 months later...
I would slightly disagree. Lifestyle changes could stop the progression of the disease for some maybe many. But are those changes achievable for everyone ? Probably not. Dr Esseltyne was a head cardiologist at the Cleveland clinic and he very much believes in halted disease progression and even reversal with lifestyle and diet. He’s not a quack and has studies to back this up. But he would also conclude there’s a place for statins and that genetic high cholesterol is a completely different problem.
Hi OlieAlfie , Thanks for being part of our community.
Just a reminder that content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and your doctor. Please avoid making any changes to your medication or advising others to do the same, without speaking to a health professional first.
For more information about Statins please follow th link below:
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Many thanks,
HU_Moderator
I haven’t tried to go statin free and on diet alone yet and I’m not sure if I will.I seem to be tolerating 40mg Atorvastatin pretty well so pending on liver and kidneys I’m happy to continue and also afford myself the odd treat food wise. Maybe there’s a sweet spot of lower statin and good lipid scores. But yeah I agree and I’ve read a lot of information about statins 1-39 heart attacks prevented is still appealing odds at 47 years old and with 50% stenosis in my LAD I’m going to play any odds I can.
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