Atorvastatin

I had been resisting my GPs' calls to take statins for some years having pointed out to them that although they were saying a total cholesterol level around 6 was too high the ratio of HDL to LDL was good. About eighteen months ago I acquiesceded and started taking Atorvastatin. However, l was hospitalised recently with hepatic biliary system problem and the hospital immediately withdrew the stations. I later learned these can cause liver function problems. I am now awaiting a major operation involving the Whipple procedure.

[High_fives]

Hello

Thanks for sharing.

My cholesterol is similar. Bad cholesterol at 6 but my ratio being good like yours. On a few occasions statins were mentioned in the past, but I never took up the option.

Then a recent check revealed cartiod artery plaques, leading to discovery of a silent HA (ie damage) & moderate blockages in all coronary arteries.

Long story I'm now taking the statins (Rosuvastatin) that were talked about before my HA, with no side effects yet (I'm new to this).

As a non-smoker, gym goer, normal BMI, BP, healthy eater I'm happy to take any help I can get to reduce my cholesterol because lifestyle won't cut it.

I hope your liver problems get resolved quickly. All the best.

[Wooodsie]

My understanding is that the Whipple procedure is for cancer, it is a very involved operation. One of my friends had it. He is OK again now. Statins can affect the liver as I'm told, but they do regular blood tests to check if there is any damage. I hope the op goes well.

[DasyB in reply to Wooodsie]

annual blood tests perhaps.

[Hidden]

Good morning Roland, at 73 I'm probably were you where 9 years ago. I discovered I had severe stenosis at the top of the LAD 2021 followed by a Bypass September 2022. Usual drug regime following my Bypass Atorvastatin being one. I was very conscious of the need to exercise post op and started walking as soon as I was able to. It also helped with the nausea brought on by the meds.

After three and a half months I was back playing social tennis 🎾 doubles. Out of nowhere I started to feel a sharp pain at the back of my rear calf. 2am I'm sat drinking tea and happened to look and was shocked to see a large patch of blood under the skin at the point of the pain.

Quick look at the side effects of Atorvastatin one of which is muscle tears weakness etc. Also possible interference with bile production hence my nausea?

What to do? Take the Atorvastatin can't exercise stop taking the Atorvastatin risk further furred Arteries.

In truth by then the side effects of all the meds I was taking were making my life very difficult. Contacted my GP told him I'd had enough and my intention to stop all my medications. As luck would have it I had a call from the cardiologist who had diagnosed my CHD 12 mths earlier and I got the all clear to drop them all with the exception of a daily Aspirin though he was keen for me to try another statin.

On the downside since then my cholesterol levels have doubled and are now similar to yours. On the upside my muscle strain cleared up and the nausea etc vanished some weeks after stopping the statins etc and I'm feeling as good as I've ever felt.

So, this is the dilemma we all face. There's very little doubt that Statin therapy will slow the inevitable build of plaque in the circulatory system. However, there's one thing I've learnt over the years there aren't any free lunches in this life and your current situation which may or may not have been brought on by taking Atorvastatin definitely gives one food for thought.

I hoped all goes well for you,

Denis

[fishonabike]

i am sorry to hear about your forthcoming surgery - this is a major operation and it must be quite a shock to be told that this is necessary - but am not sure of the purpose of your post - are you telling us this to:

share your experience?

ask for information and support?

suggest that the statin caused this and warn us?

[Hidden in reply to fishonabike]

Sorry if I rambled on a bit in my first post but I posted it to highlight one of the problems that can occur with the use of statins. I've no idea if they were in any way connected to my condition or not but I was quite shocked when the hospital stopped my intake of statins straight away, and it was only then that I did some reading about the drawbacks associated with the drug. My liver function tests had indicated something amiss for some months.All the best.

Roland

[Hidden]

I agree. I've stopped all my prescribed drugs and feel much better for it.

[LordLytton in reply to Hidden]

Could I ask what prescription drugs you were on.

[Qualipop]

Wasn't your GP doing a blood test? He should have done one soon after starting statins and one at least annually after that, specifically to check liver function. Best of luck with your operation. It maybe hasn't been caused by the statins but they could have made it worse.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

My Cardiologist prescribed my statins not my GP.

Have you got any evidence to support your comment about GPs being ' paid ' to prescribe statins to their patients?

Are you suggesting that GPs are behaving unethically?

The BHF, an idependent charity, was one of the original funders of research into the benefits of statins.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I personally would prefer to take the evidence based advice from the BHF rather than a doctor who profits from their book sales.

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

Yes I have. Our GP told us that. Please don't accuse me of giving non-factual information. I don't do that sort of thing and I read and take advice but everyone has a choice about whether they take that advice. We are all responsible adults.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

GPs are independent business who contract their services to the NHS.

The NHS pays the practice for these services provided by the GPs

england.nhs.uk/long-read/ch...

kingsfund.org.uk/publicatio...

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

I didn't join this forum for confrontation. I shall leave immediately so dont bother replying.

[WardijaWardija in reply to Hidden]

It's not confrontation, it's evidence based research, suggested for you to educate yourself further.Statins save lives - end of . . .

Cheerio

[Loobycare in reply to Hidden]

Please do not leave the forum due to perceived confrontation. There are plenty of us on here, myself included, who benefit from the experience of others.I personally wouldn't come of my prescribed drugs, without consultation with either my GP or Cardiologist, but understand the need to feel well again.

When I had my HA I was in Spain and they took me off every drug I had been prescribed but the first one they reintroduced was my statin.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that we are all different with vastly different experiences.

[BridBoy]

Don't forget that statins also draw the cholesterol out of the plaque that's already in your arteries, this strengthens the plaque and stops lumps breaking off and blocking your arteries....