I have suffered bouts of depression anxiety and chronic indecision all through my life. I left work 4 years ago and had series of health scares. Last 18 months with sight issues but coping ok.
I always wake badly depressed but force myself to exercise as that really helps.
But I have got seriously worse over last few months and the only thing that has changed is that I have been taking Rosuvastatin. Only 5 mg 3 times a week as rapidly reduced my LDL. Coukd it be making me worse?
I’ve also developed stupid crush on someone (I’m 64 for goodness sake!). It started as fun but I know it’s not real and he has no romantic interest in me but it’s made me feel really old and regretful of my wasted years. (I haven’t any family - I do have great friends but they live a long way away.) I know I should get out and do some volunteering to break my isolation but feel too bad at present. Am also going round in circles on decisions I need to make in the house.
I can’t get gp appointment at moment so have decided to stop my statin to see if I feel better off them.
I’m sorry about ramble - I realise my mental problems very minor compared to all that you folk going through and I keep telling myself to snap out of it! I’m very lucky in so many ways so should not feel like this
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Janouska
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It is not recommended to stop taking medication without first discussing it with a health professional. So whilst it would seem to me to be unlikely that a statin side effect could include mental health issues, I suggest you speak with a pharmacist who be able to give you a professional opinion if you are unable to speak with your GP. That aside it may also be wise to speak with someone about your mental health issues if you believe they are getting worse, if you are not already doing so, perhaps contact Mind or similar. I hope you get sorted.
Thank you. I’d forgotten about asking pharmacist. I will keep trying to talk to gp. I may try private mental health provider as I know the wait on nhs horrendous
if things / events make your depression worse rather than cause it then it’s about getting to the route of whats causing your depression/ mental health issues. Some mental health support rather than stopping statin (until you get to discuss / decide with GP) seems key. If you can afford it get some support soon.
Until we unblock whatever is clogging that “sink” it’s always going to back up / overflow.
and also there is no age limit to having a crush, if you can manage your expectations, just enjoy being in that person’s company.
Thank you- I smiled at your description - very accurate. My person of interest ( sorry sounds like a virus variant) is moving away soon so I had better get myself prepared for that quickly. I will take your advice.
I believe some statins affect the brain more than others. Definitely have a conversation with your doctor about your concern with the statin on your mood. Also, it is not stupid to have feelings for someone at your age , there are many singles looking for companionship . The trick ,as you know, is joining a social group to meet people is hard when you feel down. But try to remember there are many lovely people waiting to meet you.
I am sorry to hear about your struggles with your mental health regarding depression and anxiety, as someone who themselves has suffered with both since the age of 15, I completley understand how crippling and life affecting it can be.
I'm glad to hear you maintain exercise, I know its hard when you dont feel great but it really does have benefits both mental and physical, even a brisk 30 minute walk is good exercise without be to heavy.
As others above mentioned, and from my own experience often anixety and depression creep back in, even when we feel were fine. I would recommend reaching out to a mental health professional, either through the NHS or via private means, or even using some resources like the samaritans, just having someone to talk to can be a great help.
I'm not a qualified doctor or healthcare worker, but I would be extremely cautious of stopping any medication without consulting your doctor first. Whilst all medications have the risks of side effects, working with your GP to assess wether or not your medicines are causing your particular problems is always the best thing to do.
I will drop you some links to some resources below that might be helpful for you, and I wish you the very best, in both health and happiness, and that 2024 is a great year for you!
samaritans.org/ - Samaritans 24hr Listening Service
giveusashout.org/ - Shout! 24hr Listening Service (text only)
bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists - BACP directory for regiestered private counsellors near you.
Also there is many helpful apps such as HeadSpace, or Breethe that can be helpful for depression and anxiety as the contain plenty of helpful resources and exercises for you to try.
Thank you so much for your encouragement and going to so much trouble to send me the links. I really appreciate the support on this forum. It is inspiring that there are such kind people out there in a world that can feel so dark. I promise I will look into these links.
Hi I thought I would update. I relented and had statin and an aspirin Monday - because had pain in jaw and back when out walking. I expect it was the cold and stress. I have had it before a few times but dr wasn’t concerned when I mentioned it. Cardiologist I saw over year ago now said anxiety but if persistent he’d happily do angiogram. He decided against beta blocker as my resting heart rate low ( 54) except at night when is in 80s and 90s lot of the time. But I do wake in night very anxious crying and depressed. Like I did last night. It’s very scary and I would do anything to feel better. I’ve followed advice here and paid for on line counselling. Not ideal but can’t get through to nhs.
Thank you for the update, I really am sorry to hear about what your going through at the moment, I can hear how much its affecting day to day life for you.
I'd say be cautious and keep a note of how your feeling, and if these pains do persist, get in touch with the cardiologist, and have a conversation with them about it, it's always best to get things checked out.
It's completley understandable with all whats going on the moment your having difficulty sleeping, and in turn, that will make you feel worse. I'm pleased you've managed to find yourself a therapist, I personally have been seeing a therapist privatley now since October 2021, the fortnightly appointments have really helped me, and I hope they will do the same for you.
I'd recommend maybe trying one of the mindfulness apps such as HeadSpace, Breethe or Calm, I use them quite alot especially at night, the relaxing music and the meditation techniques can really be helpful for settling down and making you feel more relaxed. You could also try some mindfulness videos on YouTube too.
Ultimatley, it's about whatever is most helpful to you, and whats going to be best for yourself going forward. I really hope these small steps you've taken go a long way towards feeling better.
Please feel free to reach out on here, or to anyone if you need help. You matter and you deserve to feel your best, and I'm sure you will do soon.
Thank you so much. I have my first on line therapy session tomorrow. I am trying relaxing podcasts. I fall asleep really quickly anyway but now using the relaxation podcast to get me back to sleep which does help.
Have a weekend testing hi fi speakers at home which is a distraction but also need to make a decision which am bad at - not least when anxious
Omg I'm the same taking 1 every other day feel low and breathless not sure if its these or sulfasalazine that I started 6 weeks ago so I'm stopping both until I speak with someone on monday I have zero energy ...my resting pulse has gone from 65 to 80 🤷♀️
I think we are all unique and react differently to pills. I haven’t been able to talk to a doctor so just stopped the statins. I am going through difficult time emotionally but I still feel less anxious. I’m not saying stop the statins you need dr advice but I am working on basis that a few days off ok isn’t going to make much difference. I had to stop taking them before when they interacted with pills for suspected acid reflux. Good luck- let us know how you get in.
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