Simvastatin

[Wellington19]

Saw cardiology this week asked if i could have a non statin drug, i have had aerotic valve surgery, and since surgery simvastatin was incresed, reulting in becoming prediabetec, only offered different statin, , what is the reason for this, is it financial

[Wellington19]

Iam beginning to doubt that risks definitely outweigh the benefits. Iwould certainly prefer , having different medication which would not cause my prediabetes

[Wellington19]

On long time simvastatin the diabetes risk is 46 per4

[Chappychap]

"what is the reason for this, is it financial"

You can rule out any financial motive. Statins are many years out of patent protection, so no one makes much money from manufacturing them these days.

The risk regarding T2 diabetes is small and rare, but admittedly there is credible evidence that some people can experience a small blood sugar increase from statins. However, let's keep this in perspective, if you're overweight, or you eat processed foods, or drink sugary drinks or beer, or you don't exercise to the NHS recommended guidelines of 150 minutes per week, then all these things (and many more besides) are massively more likely to be driving your pre-diabetic HbA1c scores.

I was diagnosed as pre diabetic, but losing two stones, exercising regularly, and switching to a Mediterranean diet, have brought my HbA1c scores well back into the safe zone, and what's more have kept it there for nearly five years now, and that's despite 40mg of statins every day.

Something else to factor into your thinking, statins don't only improve our lipid levels, for many of us their more important attribute is that they stabilise our plaque, meaning we're less likely to have a sudden, out of hospital heart attack.

At the end of the day your health is your choice. But once we strip away the crackpot internet conspiracy theories, the hard fact is that there are only two things that will keep us safe, life style changes and medication. Personally I intend to double down on both of those.

Good luck!

[Suzz7 in reply to Chappychap]

Read Cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra's book

[Wellington19]

Cardiology consultant to me my prediabetes was caused by the statins, simvastatin risk of diabetes is 46 percent

[Suzz7]

Read Cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra's book

[Barre01 in reply to Suzz7]

isnt he they guy who the barm pot mp Bridgen (currently suspended from the Tory’s) quotes?

[Hrty]

There is a big difference between actual and increased risk and with any use of statistics, and you have explained this very well, you can get high percentages with relatively small numbers. Context is key. Ultimately it's down to an individual as to whether or not they take a statin but that decision should be made, imo, following discussion between them and their medical professionals and fully understanding what the risks and benefits are, and what any numbers actually mean.

[Wellington19 in reply to Hrty]

All cardiology offered was a different statin, would not prescribe statin alternatives that would not increase my blood sugar levels

[Hrty in reply to Wellington19]

Obviously I'm not you and you must make your own decision but I too have been down the pre diabetic route, one of the reasons I was signed up for the dapaglifozin trial, and prior to last November's HA was back to low prediabetes levels. Mind you I was also overweight, drank too much and wasn't as strict with my diet as I could have been. I swam and walked regularly so was probably in denial and convinced myself I was fitter than I was. I had also declined statins for 2 years. Having had one confirmed HA and signs of a potential earlier one I'm keen to avoid another. I cannot do much about my age (63), sex, ethnicity, etc but I can do something about my weight, diet and exercise. I've dropped 10kg since coming out of hospital and overhauled my diet. Exercise levels aren't back to what they were but are improving. My cholesterol level has plummeted resulting in a drop from 80mg to 40mg of atorvastatin. I'll never know whether taking the statin when first offered would have prevented the HA(s) but it's best to focus on what is not what if. Whatever you decide I wish you all the best.

[Captain_Birdseye]

He's going down the Wakefield route I think.

Pity, he does have some good points around lifestyle changes - but there's an agenda on some pretty hefty anti-science points.

[Captain_Birdseye]

If you have pre-diabetes then it's still reversible. Did the doctor recommend any lifestyle changes you could try first?

I don't think there's many options for stabilisation of plaque that will do a better job than statins- but there are different statins to try that you might tolerate better.

[AlfredV]

Despite some here believing this is rare or merely coincidental, it is not. There exists a strong association between statins and raised blood glucose levels. They may have suggested trying a different statin because some are worse than others when it comes to this.

See my reply to a similar question from a few months ago for more details.

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

I hope you are able to find a satisfactory solution.

[Wooodsie]

Pre diabetes isn't that big a deal Wellington. If it bothers you, try reducing sugar intake (not just what you have in your tea). As far as I'm aware there isn't and alternative to statins, thats like asking ifnthere is an alternative to pain killers. They have different names and work slightly differently, but they are basically the same.

[CarolingTeacher]

I had some serious problems with statins—I tried different ones and had to stop because of significant side effects in my kidneys, joints, and muscles. After discovering a large blockage in my ventricular artery (the widow maker) and receiving a stent, the doctors strongly recommended that I try a PCSK9 inhibitor called Repatha (injectable). According to BHF, they “work by blocking a protein called PCSK9, which binds to LDL receptors in the liver, stopping them from working”. I went for a blood test (lipid panel) about one month after starting Repatha, and much to my amazement every single one of my bad levels had dropped by more than 50%.

I will add that I agree that losing weight (I lost 30 pounds a few years ago) also helped drop my levels some at that time, but this medication was far more dramatic, that’s for sure.