How much Atorvastatin is enough?

[Ladylovesmilktray]

I was prescribed 20mg of Atorvastatin about a month before I was diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease. I experience very severe clarification pain and am worried I may need a higher dose of Atorvastatin. What are others experiences?

[Beta70]

I am prescribed Atorvastatin 20 and have been on it since February 2021, no problems.

[Mikeysaab]

since my HA at Christmas I have been on an 80mg dose. No obvious side effects except if I take it too late at night, it gives me an unpleasant digestive reaction. So I take it earlier in the evening and find everything is fine. I’m hoping I can reduce the dose though!

[Comfycousin1 in reply to Mikeysaab]

I had that. My HA was just before Christmas. GP reduced my dose to 40mg and things improved significantly.

[Hrty]

When I asked what was the recommended statin dose I was told "the maximum you can tolerate". I was originally on 80mg but now on 20mg. Have discussed with Cardiologist and GP and they are keeping an eye on things to see if other options, such as ezetimibe, need to be considered/added.

[Mentdent]

I’ve been on 80mg a day Atorvastatin since a heart attack 3 years ago. No issues with it at all.

[L1chf13ld_girl]

My DH had his dose increased to 40 then increased again. He started to feel symptoms of anxiety, which he has never had before. He reduced it back down and the symptoms of anxiety went away.

[Coffeelover2]

They would usually want you on a higher dose with PAD. I had to move to Rovustatin instead as I couldn’t deal with Atorvastatin. They will need to reduce your cholesterol further so the levels of PAD don’t increase

[Classic100 in reply to Coffeelover2]

Hello. Like another post on here this one again caught my eye and given me some hope. I truly feel 80 mg of Atorvastatin is causing my upset stomach with wind, diarrhea which has been bad for 6 weeks with no improvement. GP given me test and everything to deal with this but nothing works. My GP also says she has not know this medication to cause problems with stomach. Could you let me know how this medication effect you and how you got it changed. Thank you

[Coffeelover2 in reply to Classic100]

I had muscle issues and cramps in my legs. I think I still get them with Rovustatin but not as much. Stomach issues are a common side effect with pretty much any medication. If the side effects are unacceptable, there are other medications your doctor could prescribe. With statins, they sometimes suggest stopping them for 2 weeks and then restart them to confirm they are causing side effects.

[Classic100 in reply to Coffeelover2]

Thank you for your reply very much appreciated

[Mitchum]

I can't tolerate Atorvastatin (stomach upsets) and take Simvastatin instead.

[Classic100 in reply to Mitchum]

Hello. Sorry to hear Atorvastatin upset your stomach. Your post has really caught my eye and given me some hope. I was prescribed this same medication in January this year along with other medication. I was totally fine for around 4 weeks. After that such bad stomach upset, wind diarrhea which was so bad and still is now and had been for 6 weeks. I am sure it's the 80 mg Atorvastatin. Did you have the same or similar experience whilst taking this. My GP says she has never known this to happen to people on this medication but I really feel it is causing my issues. Any advise would be welcome. Thank you

[Mitchum in reply to Classic100]

For years I took Simvastatin and then, like millions of others, was swapped to Atorvastatin for reasons of cost. The word is that it is quite a bit cheaper. I reacted after only a few days with the same symptoms you have and went straight to the GP to get a new prescription for Simvastatin, like many other people. Now I only take 20mg per day (by choice).

[Mitchum in reply to Classic100]

Just to add that the morning I went for another prescription, there was another person doing the same. I am amazed your GP has not come across this problem as it is widely documented!

[Classic100 in reply to Mitchum]

Thank you so much this has really helped me and made me so much more confident in asking GP to change this. Thanks again and so much appreciated.

[Jedi14]

Before my HA a year ago, I was supposed to take 40mg daily, ( I was very resistant to taking any medications). But after HA that all changed!

I am on 80mg daily ever since, plus several other medications on a regular dose. No problems so far although I am looking to cut back on the Atorvastatin to a reduced dose since my cholesterol is within limits.

I have heard rumours that long term it's bad for the bones and muscles? Has anyone else come across this idea?

[Barre01 in reply to Jedi14]

Have you heard that statins help stabilise arterial plaque?

[Ladylovesmilktray in reply to Barre01]

Yes, I have, but what I’d like to work out is whether the amount I’ve been prescribed is actually doing the job!

[Lowerfield_no_more]

There is no one size fits all for statin dose. We are all different, gender, age, lifestyle and importantly genetics. Also factor in statin side effect tolerance and the several statins available. But the most important factor is our natural chesterol level which will have a major impact on the dose requirement. So someone like me with a natural level of 9+ will require a high dose (and in my case the max augmented with Ezetimibe) whereas someone who starts out at less than 4 may not require to take statins at all.

[ForestryPine6]

I've been on 20mg for 6 months no problem at all ladylovesmilktray 🤷

[Bluehope81]

No amount of statins by themselves will be able to reverse the plaque that is there, measurements for this are either the dimensions of the plaque, or plaque volume, or calcium units.

They will stabilise the plaque and reduce inflammation, and smooth the edges of the plaque, the remodelling process can also increase the size of the plaque as the calcium hardens, which is a good thing, whereas PCSK9 inhibitors do not display this response.

Statins slow or halt the growth of the plaque which is like a magnet for accumulating more plaque

When you double a statin you do not double the results, certain rate limiters come into action, and the digestive system scavenges for cholesterol.

Claudication - the pain you feel with PAD, when there is not enough oxygen.

Muscle Myopathy - the pain you feel that can be induced with statins.

Please try to work out which one you are experiencing after starting statins.

If is Muscle Myopathy switch to Pravastatin , symptoms should subside.

Statins are wonder drugs.

However in rare cases:

Statins can affect the nerve sheath lining leading to loss of sensation and movement, if this occurs stop statins immediately , the sooner you do so the body can begin to repair the nerve sheath.

rhabdomyolysis - a rare complication where by muscle cells start to break down it is a serious condition which needs urgent treatment.

Be aware of both and you will be fine.

To reverse plaque in your arteries you will need statins and a strong anti plaquing regime.

[Hidden]

Hi Ladylovesmilktray, 👋 Sadly there is no evidence that Statins or any current medication can remove plaque that is already in situ. Statins are a serious medication that can cause permanent liver and muscle damage in very rare cases.So, I personally would advise you to adhere to whatever dose you have been advised to take by your doctor-specialist.

By the way I am a serious statin sceptic but I do respect others views as to their effectiveness and I hope whatever you decide to do brings you good health.

Best wishes,

Denis