statins giving up

[Chin1956]

I have been in statins for 3 years with a few side effects

I have been researching and considering stopping them.

I think the evidence is now very positive .

Going to talk to my doctor

Anyone else stopped!!

Any advice please

[Lowerfield_no_more]

There are numerous posts on this forum about the wisdom of not starting or stopping statins to manage cholesterol. One such post only appeared last week. The general consensus is that they bring benefits that outweigh the risks. But you will always get someone who puts up a case for not taking them.

Anyway I don't know what evidence you have found that supports the idea of stopping but it must be contradictory to established medical opinion that has resulted in statins being prescribed globally for millions of people. So if you are going to discuss stopping with your GP you will undoubtedly find that that you are advised to continue unless the known side effects are causing you problems.

Finally my position is I have taken statins to manage a very high natural cholesterol level for about 25 years, and without them I probably wouldn't be here, it's that simple.

[Noodlesalad in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Totally agree it's one of the few medicines I can tolerate and hopefully will continue to be so.

[Denistennis]

Hi China1956, 👋 I assume that you are a child of the 1950s like myself. So you're approaching your 70s. That's when I received my diagnosis of Angina brought on by exercise. Followed by a Bypass September 21. Following that op, I was on the usual cocktail as I had no underlying health problems, nothing too onerous. This script included 40mg Atorvastatin. All things considered I made a rapid recovery but between 10am till teatime every day I suffered from nausea and after 4mths felt I could not continue and after consulting my GP I dropped all my medications except for a daily Aspirin and 20mg Omeprazole.

Having now survived a risky and what some would describe a foolhardy decision, I realise that there's no easy path. The reason I stopped taking a daily statin was that at my age (73), the benefits don't appear to match up to the potential harm for me as an individual.

I think 🤔 this is where relative risk and absolute risk play their part. If you as an individual are genetically vulnerable to high levels of cholesterol as in the case of LowerField the benefits probably outweigh the harm if not I would still counsel anyone not to follow my course of action and first speak to a health professional.

However, I can perfectly understand where you're coming from as I've spent many a sleepless night tossing and turning over my decision to stop statin therapy.

Whatever you decide all the very best,

Denis

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to Denistennis]

If anyone struggles with side effects from any one statin there are others which should be offered to try and they may not carry the same side effects, although success is not guaranteed. And if finding an alternative is not successful in eliminating or reducing side effects there are other forms of medication for cholesterol management that UK health professionals should offer if statins are causing an individual a rough time. It is really the responsibility of the health professional to help the individual find the best solution available for them for cholesterol management, not for the individual to struggle with their conscience if they have simply been given the easy way out for the professional who has dumped that responsibility back onto the individual, without having first pursued all options available.

[Denistennis in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Hi Lowerfield, I'm probably wrong but to my shame I've always felt the whole premise re. statin therapy to feel not quite right. That feeling was confirmed on reading John Worrall's take on his experience of statin therapy following a stroke. John Worrall is a professor at the London School of Economics and unlike some cardiologists-individuals who just have a book to sell would appear to be just offering his own take on the situation he found himself in.His experience resonated with my own but unlike myself prior to his stroke he spent his time carrying out statistical analysis on the data compiled on drugs trials for large pharmaceutical companies.

In short well worth a read.

However, I'm acutely aware that my stenosis of the LAD at 71 had more to do with the aging process than others on this forum who have suffered from heart disease from an early age. Therefore, I'm glad that you've brought to my attention the danger of expressing any opinion that might sway them from taking a daily statin if advised to do so by a medical professional. For that I am truly sorry.

By offering China1956 my experience re.statin therapy I can only hope my response to his request does not encourage anyone from doing anything stupid and in future I will think long and hard before responding to a post.

Best wishes,

Denis

[Noodlesalad in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Here here.

[Heather1957]

I think this is a very personal choice.

I changed statins about 10 years ago and now take 80 mgs of Atorvastatin and have no side effects.

I think you have to decide on what is best for you although before anyone stops I believe they should speak to a Dr to talk though options.

While people on here can give an opinion (and they will) unless they are qualified I think you have to take the advice with a grain of salt.

Too many people accept Google opinions when surely only medical opinions or advice matter.

[Bluehope81]

Not medical advice, suggestions and opinions only,

At a rough guess 70% of the studies out there are supportive of statin use, and 30% are not, including the Norweigian studies. Lowering cholesterol is probably not the main driver of CAD , it is probably more linked to Lipoprotein (a) and the size of the LDL particles you carry, nevertheless it is still an important driver, and allows cholesterol efflux to swing in the favour of sending more lipids back to the liver than arrive at the necrotic core.

There is a new medicine that has just been announced that targets Lipoprotein (a) levels in 2023 - v exciting

They also as a fact reduce CRP and HS -CRP and reduce inflammation in the body.

However many people are statin intolerant or have read the information and have decided to stop statins.

Please do no just stop please have a comprehensive anti-plaquing program in place.

1. Medicines, change statins to PCSK9 inhibitors ( Inclinsiran), Ezetimibe , Bempedoic acid, fibrates,

2, Diet, Keto , WFPB , DASH, Mediterrean

3. Exercise

4. Supplements

Finally every few years record and analyse measurements and plaque progression,

CCA-IMT scan, CAC Scan, Blood work.

[Chin1956]

many thanks for your reply interesting

[Jedx]

hi Chin 1956,

I hear ya mate l had cabg 2022 and been on the statins beta blockers etc since. Last April went to cardiologist and he said your not taking your statins are you l said l was taking them on alternate days cuz they turn my brain to mush, l’m same age as you brother. Well he read me the riot act and told me about an injection it’s a monoclonal antibody. I read up all about it then when he contacted me about it l said NO So from April to December l watched my diet when l went back my ldl was 3 and total cholesterol 5 he said well done but not enough. Now he proposes another injection gene technology NO WAY. So to appease the prick l said ok l will meet you half way give me the lowest dose statin which is 5mg. He wants to see me again before4 months with a family member oh he is oily mate should a been a lawyer. I’m a retired nurse and our bodies make cholesterol they need it for proper brain function and hormones amongst other things. Why would our body make something that is harmful to itself? Keep reading there are many respected cardiologists who say that ldl has nothing to do with heart disease. Look up Ancil Keyes he did fraudulent research back in the ‘50s and the drug companies jumped to it now every second d man and his dog are on statins much to the delight of big pharma.

They hate you to challenge the narrative but lm not going to spend another cent seeing this heart specialist not interested l will be like Ol blue eyes and do it my way thanks. Hope this helps cheers Jedx

[Chin1956 in reply to Jedx]

THANKS

For that looking into it

Great to hear a new voice