First, a brief history. I am 68 years young. I have been taking Amlodopine to treat hypertension for some years, my blood pressure, which I monitor at home remains at an acceptable level. Last June I experienced a 'pins and needles' sensation for 30 seconds or so down my left side in the midst of a blinding migraine. A call to NHS Direct took me to A&E where in due course I was told that I had suffered a mild TIA. I had a high cholesterol reading of 9.1, (9.1 what I do not know). I was prescribed Simvastatin 40mg together with Clopidogrel to thin the blood and Indapamide (diuretic) to reduce the small degree of swelling in my ankles. One month later my ‘Lipid Profile’ was at 3.9, I understand at anything below 4.0 is good.
Last December when collecting my prescription from a different chemist, I was asked by the pharmacist if I was experiencing any aches and pains. Most definitely was my answer. Until this point I had not made the link between my deteriorating health and my medication. The aches and pains developed very gradually, I had attributed them to my overall medical condition; aches around my torso, hips and particularly, calf muscles.
A visit to my GP and I was told to stop taking the statin and to make an appointment in one months time to reassess my situation. Within a couple of weeks I noticed a marked improvement. The discomfort I had been experiencing over the last few months began to diminish to the point that when I went to see my GP again 6 weeks after stopping the Simvastatin, I was almost (not quite), free of muscular pain.
My GP was still keen to proceed again down the statin route albeit a different version at a much lower dose so that I would quote “benefit from the other protective heath aspects of taking a statin” The interesting comment from the GP was that I should commence taking this statin once a week and gradually increase the dose to alternate days of the week! The newcomer is Atorvastatin 10mg.
I have adjusted my already very good diet (thanks to this site), to include more oats together with linseeds and ground nuts. I have a small glass of pure pomegranate juice 4/5 times a week and I take a Q10 supplement. I am quite active.
Now the question: has anyone been prescribed a statin on a periodic basis and if so what has been your experience. As I said at the outset, I monitor my BP at home (white coat syndrome), is there a suitable home device to monitor cholesterol? I am tested routinely at the surgery every 6 months. Many thanks in advance.
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