Ignorance about Statins?: I have just... - Cholesterol Support

Cholesterol Support

9,661 members2,643 posts

Ignorance about Statins?

Aliwally profile image
7 Replies

I have just been watching the Andrew Marr Show when they were discussing a headline about statin side effects in the Daily Express this morning. I haven't read it (I know the Express has a thing about statins). What shocked me was Max Hastings saying he had been on statins for 7 years and "didn't know about these side effects!"

I felt like screaming at the TV saying you are such an intelligent man, former editor, war historian and so on and you didn't even think about being on life long medication. Maybe, mind you he didn't have any side effects, but I can't believe he expressed such disbelief about not knowing.

Written by
Aliwally profile image
Aliwally
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
7 Replies
MikePollard profile image
MikePollard

Didn't see the TV piece, but here's the article:

express.co.uk/news/health/4...

It also makes me despair when I see so much suffering for so little gain. There is a long way to go but one day these egregious drugs will be also be consigned to the dustbin as these have been:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_...

Wyvon profile image
Wyvon

Unless you live on this forum, maybe it is very easy to have been on statins for so long and not know of the side effects. As an F.H. sufferer,I have now had to take statins for ten years and have had no side effects whatsoever - apart from lowering my LDL cholesterol levels to a safe level. I am in the vast majority and, knowing the good effects placebos can have, I do have to wonder if the opposite can also be true. If all the adverse publicity about side effects is publicised then maybe people just expect to suffer them, whereas, if they are not publicised will people reap the benefits without noticing anything untoward?

in reply toWyvon

I think we are still at the stage of not many knowing about the side effects, even after all this time. I knew nothing of the side effects of statins until I suffered them and began researching, and by that time it was too late. My GP didn't even mention side effects even when I asked the question. I will not be peruaded to take medication again until I have done my own research. Bring it on Dr Kendrick, ( see below) I will tell my experiences.

Sonyajba profile image
Sonyajba

Please please please look for a post on here by ' bigleg' 2 days ago, they posted a link that asks for people suffering or have suffered side effects. Dr Malcom Kendrick has been contacted by journalists who wish to speak to patients and hear their stories.

It's now time for our voice to be heard so please take a look

Well said, Clanchattan....how long has it taken to realise the dangers of over-prescribing and taking antibiotics. The body can deal with such a lot if left to it's own devices.... we have an efficient immune system....and given the correct nutrition and knowledge about the help from natural products we would be ok. I grant that we need intervention for some conditions and progress and research is very important but let nature do its bit as well.

DakCB-UK profile image
DakCB-UK

"you are such an intelligent man" - maybe we're not talking about the same Max Hastings? Anyway, this showed he pops pills without even reading the leaflet in the box that does list a lot of the side effects...

patch14 profile image
patch14

You know, I think it is a "man" thing! My husband is on medication for several complaints including statins and when I have asked him what they are for he says " I don't know - the Dr says I have to take them therefore I do - after all he spent all that time at medical school so should know his business - I wouldn't expect him to question me if he had problems with his electrics at home" (my husband is a qualified electrician)! He doesn't like to know "all the ins and outs" about his body, (he faints when he has a blood test!) and gets very shaky if he cuts his finger - so any discussion about his health is out of the question!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Statins expert calls for safety checks over the drug

Two news paper report on statin medication! Statins expert calls for safety checks over the drug...
sandybrown profile image

statins

I have been on Rosuvastatin 5mg now for 16 months, originally started Atorvastatin, which caused...

Cholesterol /Statins

Have been avoiding taking Statins since Doctor said I should since August 2014. Yesterday I said I...
deeanne14 profile image

Statins side effects

I have been on statins 25yrs I took my self off them a year ago And got my cholestrol down my...
Nannyval profile image

The Statins Debate

I think that there is a lot of confusion about the benefits of statins, and who should take them....
ursa profile image

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.