ATORVASTATIN DOUBLED UP TO 80mgs - Help please.

[WardijaWardija]

About 12 weeks ago my Advorstatin dose was increased from 40mgs to 80mgs, for my additional "protection". I did my usual research and then started the new dosage. No obvious difference noticed, at least to start.Around the same time, I started having very unpleasant Bowel issues (but didn't even give the Advorstatin a thought) Just thought I must have some kind of tummy bug or eaten something that hadn't agreed with me . . I also felt nauseous.

I've never ever had any bowel issues and have always sent off stools as part of the NHS routine screening . It always came back clear.

After a few weeks, with no change in sight, and living on Immodium 24/7 I went to GP, who made no comment, just requested another sample to be sent off. Week later, I rang for results and was told that all was negative.

Diarrhoea ++ continues just as soon as I stop the Immodium. Its like a rollacoaster I can't get off.

Now can't get an appointment with my GP till October 😱 . . which is beyond ridiculous.

So I've been pondering the situation this weekend and suddenly thought, OMG maybe it's down to the increased, doubled in fact, dose of Advorstatin.

Don't know why I didn't question this before . . . Derhh. Probably because I have so much other medical stuff going on !

But hey, GP didn't mention it either.

Has anyone else out there had a similar experience or any helpful comments to make ?

Thank you

🙏

[Captain_Birdseye]

It's quite a common side effect unfortunately... it usually calms down after some time.

Make sure you're keeping hydrated and keep the electrolytes balanced.

[anke123]

Hi sorry to hear you are having a bad time. It does sound from your description of the problem that it could be the medication.I have not had that experience but you could try phoning 111, I did one time after I had phoned the GP and was told there was no appointment for over a week and they advised phoning them, I did and was told that I needed to see a GP within 24 hours, told me to phone the surgery back and tell them I had been assessed by them I did and got an appointment the next morning.

Could be worth a try, all the best.

[devonian186]

I was on 80mg of atorvastatin as soon as I left hospital after my quad bypass 18 months ago. I had trouble physically swallowing the giant elephant pill and so got 4x10mg then 2x40mg. I had tests to ensure all was well with my kidneys and have never had any negative reactions other than loose bowel movements every 4 or 5 weeks or so, which lasts a day.

We are all different of course and other statins are available but 12 weeks on this dose is still not that long ago and things may yet settle down

[WardijaWardija in reply to devonian186]

Thank you for your comments.

[HenryTudor]

I’ve been on statins for many years and various doses. I’ve mostly been okay, with various tweaks after side effects. After my HA in February 2020 I was incrementally increased to your 80mg horse tablets.

My cardiologist and local heart failure team have been reasonably proactive in monitoring and have been changing my meds. At the beginning of this year I was put on Entresto and my statin was cut right back to 40mg.

Maybe you’ll go through the same process, or you can ask to have your meds tweaked.

[WardijaWardija in reply to HenryTudor]

Thank you for your comments.

[scentedgardener]

I've had the same problem with a different medication. I didn't link it to the meds until I started vomiting 30 mins after taking it.I agree, ring 111, if necessary they can ring your surgery and arrange an appointment, they did for me.

If you are getting this reaction why don't they try a different statin? At my surgery you can arrange a phone appointnent with a clinical pharmacist who can arrange that, and it's much quicker than a GP appointment.

[WardijaWardija in reply to scentedgardener]

Thank you for your comments.

[momander]

HiGish, what a horrible time you are having.

I take 80mg of atorvaststin as I have had 3 heart attacks and a double cabg. The ststins play a major part I'm heart health even though there are a lot of peoplebwho would not agree or would think.they are dangerous to take!! I've only experienced constipstion with mine, never diarrhoea?? I'm sorry your GP has not been very forthcoming, and that you can't now get an appointment till October!!?? Why???? Thst seems bizarre to me!! Have you tried phoning the BHF nurses helpline? They are amazing and would be able to give you advice. Failing that what about 111?? You can't keep taking immodium!? That's not good for your bowel or your heart. I hope younget this sorted put. Take care

[WardijaWardija in reply to momander]

Thank you for your comments.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

The fact that you cannot get a GP appointment until October to discuss important medication issues is indeed beyond ridiculous. In the meantime I suggest you talk to a pharmacist who may be able to help.

[CyclingTime]

I'm on 80mg and had no issues at all with bowels but we are all different.

[mjadkinson]

Hi, I had this problem for over a year after my heart attack but didnt know which one of my many tablets was causing it and felt I should stay on the medication i had been prescribed. In the end decided to try stopping the statin as it would be the least harmful to stop. Within a week all my stomach problems cleared up and my extreme tiredness eased as well. Now on rotuvastatin no stomach problem at all now. Just wish I had experimented earlier.

[WardijaWardija in reply to mjadkinson]

Very helpful, thank you. 🙂