I’ve not asked for help on here before and would really appreciate any advice. I have alcoholic cirrhosis and am being recommended statins for cholesterol by my practice nurse. I’m a 57 year old UK male. The information sheet from the nurse session warns not to take statins if you have cirrhosis. I’m reluctant to take them as they have a bad reputation for side effects and I’ve already got enough problems!
Does anyone in my position take them and, if so, which and what experiences did you have? For information I currently take thiamin and carvedilol beta blockers. Many thanks in advance, C
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Hubby's hepatologist prescribed them. He explained there is a tiny increased risk taking them when you're a liver patient, but in his opinion, the risk was very small and the benefits far outweighed the risk.
hey there, I’m in the US. My hepatologist recommended a statin for me and I don’t have high cholesterol.
The US seems to be a bit biased towards statins for some reason, and I told her I was apprehensive since I heard they can cause liver damage. I read every research study I could find on statins and agreed. That there was a lot of positive data. There is a lot of information showing statins to do 2 significant things: decrease the risk for primary liver cancer, and decrease portal hypertension. Also, I read they can reduce fibrosis.
They can cause muscle aches (which I did not get), digestive issues, or raised liver enzymes initially (rare cases liver damage). My ALT and AST went up a few points for a few months and then came back down. They were never out of normal range.
Since liver cancer and possible portal hypertension are the 2 biggest risks for me down the road, I figured it made sense. My liver is thankfully well compensated.
Anyway. I recommend looking into information online.
I am still on the fence about whether or not they affect platelet count. That is my main hesitation in taking it, since mine are borderline.
How is your bloodwork? Is your liver compensated ?
Hi Greengal - greetings from the UK - I’ve just got back from a month in NY & DC. I’m really grateful for the amount of effort you’ve put into this and not quite sure where to start with a reply!
First I hope you are well. Ultimately I’m going to take my hepatologist’s steer on this . I’m currently well compensated. They do ultrasound for liver cancer and beta blockers for portal hypertension as I have mild asophagal varies so two of the effects you cite would be very welcome. Seems like the potential for side effects is down to the individual.
Hi 007 British liver forum edition (🤣), I hope you enjoyed NYC and DC. ☺️
yes, I have looked into this (statins) a lot because I wasn’t sure myself, if it was a good idea. I think if I had high cholesterol I would be even more receptive to them.
I read that the combo of statin plus beta blocker is very effective for reducing portal hypertension. Hopefully, your mild varices will disappear.! 🙏
My primary care doc said they increase overall survivability. I read they have been found to decrease the risk of some cancers (breast, colon, etc..).
In the end, it’s your decision.
Like my hepatolgist said, if you get a reaction or your enzymes increase to concern, just go off the medicine. 🙃.
I'm on them for years know one has ever mentioned anything to me about any dangers and it's not as if they don't know I'm on them they prescribed them so I take there word for it
Hi Tommy - thanks for taking the time to reply- pleased it’s working for you and am more encouraged to give it a go. The system has literally saved my life so far.
If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)
My cholesterol went up post transplant and a liver consultant prescribed them, I delayed starting them as I wanted to ask my usual consultant her opinion. In the meantime I saw a Diabetic consultant and he said he would recommend taking them even if my cholesterol wasn’t high. Been taking them for about a month now, no ill effects so far.
Hi Pie-eater - I guess you’ve given up the pies?!? Hope your transplant rehabilitation is going well and is successful. Thanks for the info about your experience with the statins. As a matter of interest were they introduced gradually and do you know if you can stop them if there are side effects??
I did give up pies, and cheese while I was trying to bring it down without statins but now I keep thinking “oh, this lump of cheese will be ok now I’m on statins”. I am still slightly under the target weight the dietitian wanted me to reach though. No, I didn’t start them gradually and will deal with side effects when they occur.
Hi … you’ve just made me and my missus split our sides! How miserable would life be without a bit of what we like?? Good luck and best wishes, C (I’m just off down Greggs followed by a few in Wetherspoons, in my dreams)
You’ll find that a lot of medication is contra indicated if you have liver disease. It’s because the liver has a key role in breaking down the medication. Your practice nurse will have access to your medical records and know your overall condition so has probably taken the view that your high colesterol outweighs the potential side effects. Before you take them, if you are worried, contact her to have a discussion. If you still feel unsure then make an appointment with your GP.
Thanks Aotea - will be seeing the nurse in a couple of weeks and will try to discuss with hep consultant. Consensus from the generous replies that I’m receiving seems to be that it’s a judgement call on balance of risks. General response appears to be that statins are OK.
I’ve read that one of main factors that increases the risk for liver cancer (besides cirrhosis) that was studied was the cholesterol levels. That was one hypothetical reason why the statins decreased the cancer risk (although I don’t know if that has been confirmed).
So in saying that, if the cholesterol levels decrease, the risk of heart disease would decrease, and also the risk for liver cancer (regardless whether a statin or other medication/means was implemented to achieve this).
Just an fyi. 😊.
There are other cholesterol lowering meds that aren’t statins, but I don’t know how safe or well tested they are.
The good thing about statins is that there is a ton of data on them. 🤷♀️😊
Hello again! Very good points that you make. If I didn’t have liver problems I probably would have immediately gone for statins for coronary protection despite bad reps on side effects. I’m getting plenty of positive feedback re statins from many generous respondents. It’s particularly reassuring that statins have been endorsed by many respondents hep consultants. Statins cost pennies and the UK NHS seems to want everyone over a certain age to take them. I’ve been tentatively exploring alternative bile acid seqestrants but suspect I’d get little traction due to comparative cost! It would be statins or risk stroke/arrest.
Good evening from the UK. Your post grabbed my attention and, due to high cholesterol, my GP Practice wanted to put me on Statins. However, like you I had read about the consequences of taking these when one has a Liver problem. I spoke to the Hepatology Department first and they recommended a 10 mg dose to see if there were any side affects. Luckily, there we none and my Cholesterol level is now normal. Possibly a small dose to start with hey! I am not overweight and fairly fit considering my age. Could be hereditary. Best of luck with your journey and take good care.
Hi Teletonetapper - many thanks for taking the time to reply. I’m reassured to hear your story and pleased to hear the statins are working for you. I’m 5’10” and 12st exactly, consider myself to be fit and eat carefully, yet cholesterol problems. Both my mother and her father were similarly built and had heart problems. Looks like I need to take the plunge. I’ve just put a call in to Hep Consultant and will ask about titration.
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