Hi been on statins for 2 months iam not tolerating them .woke up dizzy .my aching arms and hips not good.They all say you must take them but I know my own body. I've cut down on lots of stuff so hopefully change of diet helps.
My anxiety is bad because iam listening and reading up on good and bad things about them. I have underactive thyroid so maybe sudnt be on then
Think I need to change my dr as not interested .I think I take my chances off this statin .
Hi Tigglypoo
I’m sorry to hear about the side effects of your medication.
Can I ask what statin or statins you’re on? This may help forum members give you a more specific answer in relation to their experiences with it.
Muscle aches, which you mention arms and hips, can be a common side effect of statins. My mum takes Atorvastatin and this has caused a lot of cramping and muscle aches in her calves.
All the best.
Tos
Hi iam on same one as your mum .20mg hate them getting confused with all the things people say about them
There are other statins which you could try. If you’ve been on them for 2 months and you’re still experiencing these types of side effects, you should run it past your GP so they can investigate an alternative for you. In the meantime, I wouldn’t overly worry about it until your next appointment with your GP.
This statin is known to cause all the side effects you are mentioning, it is also one of the cheapest statins. Please go back and insist on them changing it, there are lots more which may be more suitable. I started out on this statin and suffered the same as you and it was changed immediately. Please persist .
hi Tigglypoo
Ahh the statins wretched things that they are. My cardiologist was not happy with my recent blood tests and said you’ve stopped taking the statins haven’t you ………busted!
Long story short l decided to see a naturopath who has put me on betaglucan which is made from oats, the way it works is brilliant so this stuff puts a layer down in the stomach and soaks up your bile salts then goes on it’s merry way, the liver realises oh there’s no bile salts and sends cholesterol which makes the bile salts. So the liver is kinda tricked into releasing more cholesterol from the body every day. So l have only been doing this for 3 weeks so in 2months time the proof will be in as to whether this works. I am also watching what l eat and walking lots. I can’t handle the statins and the monoclonal antibody injections are a no go for me as well due to autoimmune disease. Hope this helps.
hi what are they treating you for with the statins?
My cholesterol is 6 so said I sud be on statins. I think I will stop them .must stop reading about them .it's effecting my anxiety as worrying about my heart. It's one vicious circle. Thank you for replying
I have been on and off statins for years, I’m now trying again just low dose rosavastatin as my cholesterol is very high and my diet BAD ! Live alone so don’t want to cook anymore. I do get leg cramps, aches and pains and funny head but when I’m able to sleep I get bad dreams, but I’m going to preserver 🤞
Please research Professor Sultan world President of Vascular. I have been damaged permanently by Statin medications and you will find in research that 'HIGH CHOLESTEROL' is not a Heart risk. World Wide research shows that the higher your cholesterol the least likely you are to have a heart event. Dr Aseem Malhotra N.H.S. on you tube confirms this. The proof here in the folly of taking Statin medication is the Japanese have the highest cholesterol readings in the developed world yet the lowest incidence of heart event, I would stop this evil 'Pharmaceutical drug now, it also lowers or stops the production of C.O.Q.10 which is necessary for every muscle and cell in your body which is why you develop pain in your muscles. Your Heart is the largest muscle in your body.
Please do not take offence at this but statins are not just to lower cholesterol in the body, they play a huge part in helping to strip harmful plaque buildup in the arteries of the heart. I've had 3 heart attacks and 2 stents which failed. Now a double bypass. My cholesterol levels have always been normal!! Diet alone may change your cholesterol reading bit NOT the potential build up of plaque I'm the heart. My cardiologist is an extremely learned man who trains and teaches students, and travels the world lecturing and giving seminars on research and the benefits of statins. You could be a healthy person eating the right things and exercising and yet have high cholesterol and a build up of plaque in the heart, or you old be unhealthy and have none!!! It can be genetic, hereditary, or just bad luck!! Mine is genetic. To put up a post like yours is your opinion which is ok in itself, but it's scaremongering and potentially harmful to anyone who is already stressed about being on them!? If these men were correct then it would have been on the news and statins would no longer be prescribed in this country? They would be banned! Do you have a heart problem? If so, like all of us here, you would welcome anything that helps keep you alive.
Yes I know what you mean I will go back to my gp that's what's confusing no one is the same I need to sort it for peace of mind thank you for reply keep well
Hello Tiggy. Momander gave you some very good advice there. I have the genetic type of cholesterol build up. I am a good weight, eat well, exercise regularly, had a reasonable cholesterol of 5 but still had a heart attack and by pass surgery for 90% blocked arteries. I have tried nearly all the statins and suffered the aches and pain and other side effects you have and more. I now have a new alternative which is administered by epipen fortnightly and no side effects at all. Please persevere, if you want to research anything, look at statin alternatives, not the negatives, and talk to your GP about alternatives.
Hi Swalecliffe88
Like you I have tried all the statins, and have been suffering from the side effects.
I am interested to find out more about the epi-pen, and what is in it, and how do I find out more about it, so I can approach my GP surgery about it.
I’ve PM’d you
I know!! I t is very confusing, as we are all so different in our tolerance to medications!!! I would definitely go back to your doctor and discuss other statins or alternatives. Good luck
yes I did I am using a newly developed one for people unable to tolerate tabs. Just about to have first blood test to see if it is working. But thankfully no side effects with this one.
I'm not sure statins strip built up plaque within the blood vessels, my understanding is they stabilise what's already there with the aim of it not breaking away and causing a blockage.
Hi,Do you have a heart condition? If you do, you will almost certainly be on statins. They help break down / strip build up of cholesterol/ plaque in the arteries of the heart. They also help to regulate your general cholesterol, but if course its not a magic fix as you have to try to eat healthy food as much as you can. Clipidogrel or prasugrel also helps strip/ break sown build up if cholesterol in the arteries, but these medications are usually reviewed 6 months after your heart attack and you are normally left on aspirin and statins . It's the statins that do the most important job.
No heart problems
Yes I do have a heart condition but no I'm not on statins I cannot tolerate them. I have to control my cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes which thankfully has worked for me.I standby my understanding of what statins do with regards built up plaque in the blood vessels.
From the Internet
'Atorvastatin can stabilize atherosclerotic plaque, but it can not reverse atheromatous plaque'.
'Statins don't just lower cholesterol levels but also reduce the risk of fatty plaques breaking off from walls of your arteries, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke'.
'They draw cholesterol out of plaque and stabilize plaque'.
'Statin therapy not only reduces cholesterol levels but also changes existing plaques to make them less dangerous'.
Ah!!! The Internet!!?? I'm afraid I would rather trust the professionals
I'm happy with my understanding of what statins do. An easy check for you is to read the leaflet that comes with the statins you take. I would be most interested in the wording contained with in its content that backs up your claim that it strips out or breaks down built up plaque. I think its usually point 1 of the leaflet.
As I said previously I cannot take statins so your understanding/claim about them stripping/breaking down built up plaque makes no difference to me but for all those that do you are creating confusion with their understanding about this drug....as can be seen by a some replies in this chat.
I think ill just do what any sensible person would do now, and that is to leave you well alone. I have absolutely no wish whatsoever to be drawn in to any controversy with you where I am accused of confusing others. Your sarcasm in writing " my understanding/ claim" is also quite inappropriate and also suggesting that an easy check for me is to read a leaflet??? Do you speak to everyone like this?? How very rude and disrespectful you are. there is no need for it? I am not claiming anything at all or trying to confuse anyone, I am only repeating what I have been told by my GP, cardiologist and surgeon
An interesting response...... Please re read your replys and experience the sarcasm and questioning tone of them.
Please have a lovely evening. The weather here has been stunning today. I hope it is also beautiful wherever you are. The warm sun is good for the soul . God bless you and keep you safe and well.
No they don’t even do that, they reduce inflammation - and that can lead to an improvement (reduction) in plaque. The cholesterol lowering effects of statins are of no use really as lowering cholesterol doesn’t actually prevent heart attacks. To reduce risk of heart attacks you want to change the type of cholesterol you have, you need large LDL particles instead of small LDL particles - but in the NHS they won’t give you an LDL-p test score for example you have to go private for that.
Malhotra!! -I’m not sure that’s a name to bandy about if you want to be taken seriously 😳
that should be persevere 🙄
I've tryd very hard to persevere. My diet is fine given up lots things so maybe get tested in few months .not easy as you know we all know our own bodies and I know something isn't right being on these x
Your GP should be interested in your situation not the opposite. Medication is to help us not make our lives a misery when there are alternatives,. And importantly there are pathways* within the NHS for GPs to follow for dealing with people like yourself with some statin intolerance. About 10% of people taking statins suffer the side effects you describe, but sometimes switching from one statin to another can reduce or stop the side effects. And if that doesn't work there are alternative medications to try such as ezetimibe. I suggest to go back to your GP and tell him/her you want to switch to another statin (of which there ar several) to see if that works for you. And don't take no for an answer.
Edit: *Pathway is here
england.nhs.uk/aac/publicat...
I was taken off 80mg of Atorvastin by consultant and put on 10 mg of Ezetimibe. My gp disagreed with this and put me bsck on Atorvastatin 20mg. I have alot of muscular aches, severe cramps and my hips are giving me constant pain these days. I ran out of statins gor 3 days and the cramp in my feet and calves was so bad i actually cried.Good luck in getting sorted. I wish you well x
Yes you are right googling isn't helping me at all.iam looking for answers that's arnt there .just makes me worry mire thank you x
The answer is to go back to to your GP as I suggested, armed with the information I have linked for you in my edited post above.
Dear Tigglypoo
Nice to talk to you again, so sorry to hear that you are still suffering so much with your anxiety and now the side effects of the statin you are on.
Atorvastatin is the go to statin that most are placed on, a remarkable drug but as we know one size does not fit all.
I am on 80mg a day and {except at the beginning } had very little side effects, but that's me and I have no doubts that your side effects are real and need to be addressed.
Please don't give up on the statins just ask for a change in them.
You yourself have said that your cholesterol level is high and will already know of the real dangers of that, something that is extremely hard to control with diet.
Please also remember that statins are not just for cholesterol level but can help stabilise any plaque that may have formed.
Sorry to say but that should be more of a worry than the side effects of the statins, but those effects can { I am sure } be sorted for you.
Take care
Hi Tigglypoo, I'm sorry you're having these problems with your statin, but I really wouldn't give up on them before speaking with your GP.
I have quite high cholesterol levels too, which they suspect is hereditary and because of that, no amount of changing diets etc will help with that in any big way. I'm a 63yr-old female who was always reasonably fit with a relatively good diet but had a heart attack leading to a triple bypass last year and I'm sure my high cholesterol levels didn't help! Unfortunately, during my time in hospital it was discovered that my liver simply wont tolerate statins, but it really is necessary to bring these levels down.
There are a number of medication alternatives that can be tried - even trying a different statin can make all the difference and there are lots to try! My GP is currently trialing a drug with me called Ezetimibe which is called a cholesterol absorption inhibitor and, in simple terms, works by stopping the body from absorbing cholesterol. This works in a slightly different way than a statin which works by reducing the production of cholesterol inside the liver. It is usually prescribed with a low dose statin, as a dual therapy, as a statin will also help to stablise any build up of plaque that may be formed and also prevent it from breaking away. I will be having a blood test soon, once I've been taking the Ezetimibe for a while to see if it has helped. I've had no side effects with it so far either.
As we all say, none of us are medically trained and are just telling you of our different experiences but please have a word with your GP, you may find that just changing to a different brand of statin will really help. Carol
I take Atorvastatin 20 and have occasional leg cramps, but drinking tonic water morning and night seems to help. I read recently that putting a bar of soap, preferably lavender under your bottom sheet helps stop cramps and restless leg syndrome. I have heard several people recommend Rosuvastatin as a better alternative but noticed that it was the only statin listed on the contra indications leaflet in my box of clopidogrel. I will try the bar of soap idea this weekend, which may be an old wives tale, but as an old wife these ideas always appeal to me. There is a lot of negative press about statins, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating and I still have a lot of old friends living who have taken them for years. There are alternatives to statins which your GP should inform you of if you are found to be allergic to them after trying a different brand.
Why oh why don’t they try to identify the reason why some people cannot take Statins. I had a lot of upset stomachs and had to come off them and through strict diet have got my cholesterol under control.
The thing about lifestyle changes to reduce cholesterol is that it is literally for life. Any erosion of the measures you take or a relapse will push your lipids back up. That's fine if you are fortunate to have 'normal' levels of cholesterol, but for someone who has high cholesterol and worse that condition comes with heart disease and cannot tolerate one particular statin it is good idea with the help of your GP to seek alternative meds to bring down your cholesterol and keep it there. Many years ago I found out that I had a cholesterol count of about 9 and adopted a strict diet and other measures and managed to get it down to 6.5 but life got in the way and my diet was a misery including the inconvenience it caused my family and so my resolve diminished and predictably it crept back up to just under 8. Whereupon I started statins, and fortunately for me suffered no noticeable side effects, got my cholesterol to about 5.5 and was able to enjoy life and food again with some obvious restraints on what I could eat. So if you have naturally high cholesterol coupled with heart disease I suggest you consider the long term implications of your current management plan and if in doubt about it's long term viability go back to your GP to discuss.
I was put on atorvastatin and got horrendous muscles aches, joint aches and weakness. I did a bit of googling and found that some statins are metabolised differently in the body. I talked to my GP about this and was changed to rosuvastatin. Fine on this. It did take several weeks for the aching and muscle weakness to go away so if you do change be aware that it's not an instant fix.
Hi Tighlypoo
Dr Google is a dangerous thing! I’m on 80mg of Atorvastatin after a double bypass in May 2022 and amongst other medications 125μg of Thyroxin for an under active thyroid. I’ve been on the thyroxin for over 15 years. I get quite bad bicep and arm aches but have managed to tolerate them in twelve months I’ve been on the statins. I’ve spoken to my doctor and she’s happy so long as I’m not losing muscle strength which I’m not.
The statins are protecting my heart so I accept the aches and pains for the life they are providing me. Not ideal but an accepted part of my new life. My cholesterol was 5.56 prior to my bypass, I was and am super fit not overweight and otherwise healthy.
If you are still not happy speak to your doctor again and explain your anxieties about the statins. A change in statin or alternative medication may help.
Take care.
you need to talk to your GP (how easy that is to say!) but when I believed my originally prescribed statin, Atorvastatin, was causing me problems, mine said to stop taking it for a week. I should then take one the next week, 2 the week after, then gradually increase them until I found my level of tolerance. Even one or two a week was better than none! Excellent advice, I thought. And it put me in control.
In fact, he changed my prescription to Rosavastatin and all was well.
I understand Atorvastatin is the cheapest so usually the NHS first choice.
I’m sorry to hear that you are having problems taking Atorvastatin . I started on this 6 weeks ago, fortunately with no side effects. With my regular blood tests showing my cholesterol to be ‘in range’, I was originally planning to avoid taking a statin. However, an angiogram showed some plaque so I thought it best to change my mind. My GP warned me about the potential for side effects but said that there were alternatives if I experienced a problem.
Please try to remain calm and not stress about it. Anxiety is your real enemy. Take some ‘Me time’ and do something that you enjoy to take your mind elsewhere.
Hi,
When you start statins you should be given a blood test after 4 to 6 weeks to check that your liver is not affected by the statins. If your doctor has not given you a form to get a blood test then you should ask for one.
I was on 20mg of Atoravastin and had a blood test after 6 weeks which showed my liver enzymes were sky high, my doctor summoned me to the surgery to check me over and stopped the statins.
If one type of statin causes side effects then the alternatives are to reduce the dose and see how that goes or change to an alternative statin. Don’t put up with side effects if they are affecting your quality of life, explain to the doctor and ask for a change.
hi running the park could you give more information about statins effecting people who do more exercise please as I am suffering great deals of pain and I do a lot of exercise
Hi Eddie
Athletes are 80% at risk of muscle aches compared to about 20% of the general population.
No gp or cardio will tell you that. Why not?
The rationale for this is straightforward because -
A - the Number 1 side effect is muscle aches - 90% of statin side effects are muscle aches
B - and which is the cohort who use their muscles the most?
See this excellent study by Sinzinger and O’Grady
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
After I found this, I searched ‘athletes and statins’ and found 50 more saying the same thing.
Statins are fine for non exercisers btw.
Persevere
thank you that was much appreciated
thank you that was much appreciated
Have you tried Glycine for muscle aches?
Hi I take Atorvastin around 9pm, was told to take last thing at night, also take 200mg levothyroxine, also take 9 other medications 3 of which are for gastric related issues after a HA and a further 5 different types issued after the HA lol I rattle like a good un.
But going back as mentioned I was issued with the Statin as an evening medication in hospital, Cardiac Nurse confirmed to take at or just before bed time, like a lot of these meds good to take at a regular time.
They are also I believe looking at recommending Statins for over 45s, my Cardiac Nurse is a strong believer of this as a preventative medicine.
As other have said push your Dr to try a different type, even a different brand can make a difference on meds.
Might be worth phoning BHF and speaking to a nurse. Sadly, not all information on the internet is helpful. Other stations are available through your GP which might suit you better
I was put on 40mg of Atorvastatin after a stroke even though my cholesterol levels were good. I started getting pains in my hip and left wrist and knowing that statins have other benefits to the heart I reduced the dose. No problems since. I'm also on Levothyroxine as I have no thyroid, it was removed over 40 years ago. I would suggest you try a different station as others have done,
I went on them about 15 years ago and was just as worried as you are. The doctor I spoke to looked at me when I expressed my concerns and he said solemnly, "sir I must tell you they are life savers, life savers I tell you" I have been on them ever since and I have never looked back. That's not to say they are for everyone, of course.
Use Fluvastatin. Statin common side effect is muscle cramps. But most tolerable one is FLUVASTATIN
Don’t stop taking ,their are other statins you can try.
I was exactly like you and didn’t want to take them.
Yesterday I had a health review and because my diet cannot be improved, my high cholesterol is age related and genetic that have increased my Atorvastatin .
When stating this treatment I had problems with side effects but after 3 months they settled down.
The surgery know this and they said it’s a juggle to settle on the right one.
I took the advice of someone on this forum that advised to persevere because they stopped taking them with disastrous results.
Talk to your GP or nurse.Start taking one you can tolerate and then get on with your life .
Good luck going forward
Hi, I changed from taking mine in the morning to just before I go to bed. No more problems since I did that. Especially with my legs.
I had problems with statins my GP referred me to a lipid clinic where they know how to minimise side effects and can find one that suits you. I was told If you’re low in certain vitamins and minerals it can make side effects worse. I didn’t take statins after being advised to in my early 40s but because of side effects wouldn’t take them. As a result have had to have bypass surgery at 58, not a walk in the park, and regret not taking them now
I'm sorry to see you are having so much trouble with them. I am also on a statin as well as levothyroxine - plus meds for heart. Thankfully I don't have any side effects. In the beginning, it took a few months for my body to get used to heart meds - I felt weak and dizzy for a few months then. (I'm on rosuvastatin - Crestor)
I have been on simvastatin for a long time, and became prediabetic, they won't take youo off statins, ask for alternative statin, am now on pravastatin it seems that it is less toxic
I have now been on statins for 21 years and have always had some muscle pains. Stopping them basically increases the chances of having a stroke. Some people find taking the more expensive coenzyme Q10 helps - doctors usually say it is only a coenzyme so if it helps take it.
Quite a lot of other medications taken with statins cause pain or even muscle damage. So it pays to check that any self diagnosed medications are harmful.
Some medicines can affect the way atorvastatin works and can increase the chances of you having serious side effects, such as muscle damage. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines: antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin or fusidic acid. There are many others.
nhs.uk/medicines/atorvastat...
4. Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs - Some prescription drugs used to lower cholesterol can also cause sun sensitivity in some people. Despite this risk, it’s important that people who are on certain cholesterol-lowering medications continue to take them or speak with their healthcare provider about switching before going off of them, she said. According to Flaker, not all medications may work for all patients, and not all will experience sun or heat sensitivities, so the most important thing is to continue taking cholesterol-lowering medications as long as your healthcare provider advises you to. The ones that can cause sun sensitivity include:simvastatin (Zocor) atorvastatin (Lipitor) lovastatin (Mevacor) pravastatin (Pravachol)
everydayhealth.com/healthy-...
Some statins have half-lives of less than six hours. These statins are best taken at night. Simvastatin, pravastatin & fluvastatin are statin’s that work better if taken in the evening. Studies show that when simvastatin is taken at night, there is a greater reduction in LDL cholesterol than when the statin is taken in the morning. Lovastatin should be taken with dinner. However, the extended-release version of lovastatin, Altoprev, should also be taken in the evening, preferably at bedtime. Finally, Fluvastatin has a half-life of about three hours, so this statin should also be taken at night.
rxlive.co.uk/should-statins...
Atorvastatin may cause liver problems and using it with substantial quantities of ethanol may increase that risk. You should limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications.
The concurrent administration of green tea and atorvastatin is common in clinical practice. People who consume green tea and take atorvastatin should be warned that an interaction with green tea may affect atorvastatin efficacy.
Adenosine receptor activation is essential for mediating the IS-limiting effects of statins. Caffeine is a nonspecific adenosine receptor blocker, and thus drinking CC may block the myocardial protective effects of statins.
So many diffrent ones I've changed my diet too I have underactive thyroid too .iam totally confused never had statins before .thanks fir the advice x
Hi Tigglypoo,It depends what statin you are on and why? If it is heart related then I would say you need to be on them as they are very important. I've had 3 heart attacks in the last 3 years and am recovering from a double bypass. I'm still on my statin and will be for life. I would try so hard not to Google anything
I've done it myself many times, mostly when I've been feeling low!! It's outdated and mostly American. Why don't you ask your DR for a different brand? The side effects you have are very common but another brand might help. I wouldn't come off them yourself as they play such an important part in a healthy heart. I'm so grateful for being on mine as they help keep me alive!!
My husband took them for a while and they affected him adversely as well, one you didn't mention was how it affected his memory. So he did a LOT of research and learned that the risk-benefit ratio was not worth taking them. He learned that the amount of time they extend life is minimal. So he TOLD his doctor he was stopping them and even gave him the print outs of the research he had done. (The doctor later admitted he never read any of it.).
We watched one excellent video, in particular, by a highly qualified cardiologist and researcher. If you write back I will look for it and send it to you. Diet and exercise are much better influences on preventing another attack and extending life span. Doctors are not always the geniuses we think they are. Best of luck.
Thank you I have no heart problems iam.going to get tested again in few months for now I've stopped it so I Just see how I cope too much reading lots fir lots against iam not happy on it x
Hi Tigglypoo. My Mum has tried various statins and another medication which I can’t recall over the past 2 years and has suffered dreadful side effects in terms of muscle cramps to the extent not being able to drive & gaining max of couple of hrs sleep. She has been off all medication for a few months now & still suffering. The GP has referred her to the hospital. May be worth pressing this with yours? Best of luck
Just et your statin changed. Atorvastatin was bad for me. Changed to simvastatin with no problems at all.
Hi. I've been on statins since July last year, firstly Avortastatin 40mg which I had terrible reaction to, then changed to Rosuvastatin 20mg. I developed terrible back ache which I thought was the statins, so doctor changed me to Simvastatin 40mg. Still no better re back pain so am now back on Rosuvastatin 20mg. The back pain gets so bad that I have to stop what I'm doing (which is usually only cooking, nothing heavy) and rest for a while, but it's excruciating at it's worst. My doctor says they don't recommend I don't take statins, but my back pain gets so bad. I was put on statins after having a TIA last June and am worried not to take them in case I get another worse stroke.I will look into Ezetimibe to see what is said about them.
Best wishes
Denise
Hello, I got put on that Statin a month ago - 20mg but almost straight away I got bad side effects - pain all down right side, tightness in chest, blurry vision, restless legs at night, and confusion. My GP then changed it to 10mg and I thought it was ok but after a few days - I could not even lift my arms at all as they were so painful. My GP has now decided for me to come off them for 4 weeks to see if all symptoms go which they have 😊. He is then going to start me on a different one. I think you need to talk to your GP and hopefully get on one which will suit you. Best of luck.
Hi, I sympathise. I tried 4 different ones, and they gave me awful muscle pain. C K level rose very high so I don’t take any now. See if you can try a different one and good luck!
I was put on Atorvastatin 40mg by the Cardiologist who fitted a stent after a HA, I had bad muscle pain and my then GP changed them to Rosuvastatin 20mg. These suit me much better, still a bit of muscle pain occasionally, From what I've gleaned the benefits of Statins outweigh any risks or occasional muscle pain by reducing cholesterol and plaque build up, so I suggest, like others, to try different ones and only consider stopping them if you are sure your cholesterol and plaque are under control, and you have no other symptoms thet are linked to HA or Strokes such as high blood pressure.
PS I forgot, I take them in the morning as taking them at night makes you more aware of any muscle pain, and will disturb your sleep.
Some people cannot take statins and thus rely on lifestyle changes including diet and exercise to reduce their levels. I am one of those and have managed to reduce my cholesterol levels to a pretty good level. IF you can find a statin your body can tolerate take it. As has been said, your GP needs to help you find that one that works for the individual.
it’s good that you have managed, through lifestyle changes,to lower your cholesterol. It is certainly not possible for everyone.
I tried for years with a lot of exercise and extreme diet change with only small (all lowering is beneficial) changes. After a carotid artery scan showed thickening higher than average for my age and sex and also discovering my son has high cholesterol , I was grateful and relieved to have statins which have lowered my cholesterol in a dramatic way.
It is easy for people to feel guilty/to blame for the fact that they can’t change their lifestyle enough to control high cholesterol. I always felt that the Dr/dietitian must be thinking I was stuffing down cream buns everyday.
It would be interesting to understand why some people’s livers act in this way.
The dreaded high CK levels.....exactly what happened with mine and nearly 12 years on, since I stopped taking statins, I still have CK levels between 4 and 5 times the upper reading for the average male. And that was after only taking them for 8 weeks after my HA.I still say to anyone though if you can take statins do so.
hi my cholesterol was high and I asked my cardiologist if I could lower it by changes in lifestyle as I was sick on statins and I think I tried em all. He was happy with my decision as long has I got levels checked in 6 months which I did and it had come down 2 points.
Hi, Tigglypoo,
I can’t offer medical advice to you, so I would suggest that you discuss this medication with your doctor.
However, I would ask about your dosage. After a HA, or heart event, most cardiologists and doctors seem to prescribe the maximum dosage of this drug, I.e., 80 mg. I was prescribed that dosage after my HA in March 2022. I always hesitate to take a new drug so I spoke with my GP, and we decided to try 20 mg of Atorvastatin instead. Long story short, after 4 months, I still felt very poorly. I saw a cardiologist and we agreed to go up to 40 mg daily. I believe that that dosage really helped make a difference for me.
Overall, the research supports that statins do more good for those of us with CAD than bad. All drugs seem to have some possible side effects, but we often have to decide whether the health benefits of a particular drug outweigh the potential side effects.
I would suggest that you not stop taking your statins without first discussing this with your doctor. You might be able to adjust the dosage or try a different drug than what you are currently taking.
I wish you the best in sorting out your medication. 😊
Hi please speak to your gp first before making any decisions, i use to google about statins and was put off taking them, as some have said on post you may be able to change to an alternative statin, like yourself i refused to take statins for about 3 years due to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, my gp had advised me to take it several times, it was only actually when he sat me down and looked at family history and explained the risks of not taking statins i thought about it and eventually started taking them, you see my mum had high cholesterol and took no medications and ended up having a stroke at the age of 52, 3 years younger then myself, i am on atorvastatin 20mg, i do get the odd cramps and muscle pain from time to time but i can live with that as i no the statins are important for me, speak with your gp, keep well.
ask you GP to swop you onto ROSUSTATIN. I will cut so much of the aches and hurts with your bones & muscles and most definitely will lower your Cholesterol even quicker than the other statins.
hi Tigglypoo
I too have been taking statins but doctor has asked me to stop for couple of weeks until I am able to have blood
tests as have been having joint pain since I have been on them but this of course may be coincidence it’s hard to know best way to go except that statins do appear to be life saving for a lot of people hope your GP reassures you
I was on 80mg of Atorvastatin when I came out of hospital but a blood test 3 months later showed my liver function had gone off the chart, cardiology said stop Statin and then have another test still too high. It has been a year now and my liver is finally normal so go has started me on a lower dose is statin to see how we go. I was very worried about being taken off the statin, but I am just following go instructions now
This is what both my GP and cardiologist has told me
HiI am sorry to hear you suffering. I also take thyroxine . I couldn't tolerate statins and was given a PSK9 injection instead.
Why don't you ask your GP if he can research this.
Also, I believe a new injection for cholesterol is available which is given 1 per year.
Take Care
I was on artovastatin and also got vey achy legs and it played havoc with my blood glucose. I requested a change an I am now on rouvastatin. Blood sugar control is better but still had achy stiff legs and hips. I starting taking Q10 1x daily and this has improved markedly.
Perhaps speakto flintperepere? Looks like there is quite a lot of " "internet" information there that may help you. I only trust my GP and cardiologist/ surgeon with important things like medications for the heart
I had to change mine due to muscular pains, there are more than 1 kind.
Hi HeartifactI'm so sorry, I seem to have opened a huge can of worms here without intending to do so!!! I know absolutely nothing about statins so I only posted what my GP and cardiologist told me. I genuinely did not set out to confuse or annoy anyone here, but I seem to have done both!? I really am genuinely sorry as this was definitely not my intention. After my 3rd heart attack and subsequent double cabg, I asked my GP why I was still on statins and her explanation was what I posted!! My cardiologist said the same. I'm so very sorry if anyone is annoyed or confused by this , but please believe me when I say that I am only repeating what I was told and that it is not ME claiming any knowledge or trying to be controversial. I do hope this clears things up.
Thank you so very much!!! I was seriously beginning to feel I was being trolled by one particular person. Seriously not nice and very upsetting. There is such a lot of different and quite confusing at times, information about statins. I am just glad to be able to take them without side effects. I feel genuinely sorry for people who cannot tolerate certain medications as it must be very difficult for them. Thank you again for being so understanding.
Again, thank you so much!! I understand that most people are put on atorvastatin first? I think it may be cheaper? I'm lucky I can tolerate it, but then we are all different. I hope you find something you can tolerate . As for the people on here who are not very pleasant, I just pray for them. Thank you again.
Statins/ezetimibe 
statins
STATINS AND HAIR THINNING 
Alternatives to statins
