Statins

[Ronniej]

I've JUST taken my first 40mg stating. Then read lots of comments on here. If I stopped taking them NOW how long before its out of my system

[PeterWh]

I am not medically qualified so I don't know exactly nor I do know their half life.

In my case I was on Simavastatin for 5.5 months when it was found out that my liver function was significantly out (4 times max). It took about 6 weeks to get back in range.

With only 1 or 2 taken I would guess only a few days if that. Wikipedia shows biological half life as 2 hours.

[Ronniej in reply to PeterWh]

Cheers mate

[seasider18]

Why were you prescribed it?

[Ronniej in reply to seasider18]

Severe chest pains. Diagnosed as Angina.

[seasider18 in reply to Ronniej]

In your case you really need to take them. I presume that you are also on other medications.

[PeterWh in reply to seasider18]

Bee cause cholesterol was higher than upper limit.

[Andyman]

There are millions that take also with no side effects but they normally don't post on here. Discuss with your doctor.

[Gerhard in reply to Andyman]

I must agree with Andyman. The 40mg was prescribed for a reason. Ask your docter and pharmacist, other spesialists and users.

Because of my FH, no diet could lower my cholestorol reading. Therefor I don't have a choice using 10mg of statins daily.

All the best

[DJ100]

Research whole food plant based diets as an alternative. I reduced (and have maintained) total cholesterol from 6.3 to 3.1 in 9 weeks and have never felt better in so many ther ways since. Good luck.

[Anne76 in reply to DJ100]

Hi DJ100

I have also been on a WFPB diet for three months and all my levels have come down. Apart from Patrick Holford I have not found any UK doctor advocating this method, everything you read is from America. Is this your experience, also how do you cope with eating out.

Anne76

[DJ100 in reply to Anne76]

I am 95% plant based. When out I will always ask for no/low oil input and find restaurants generally forthcoming. It can be a little restrictive at times. Yes you're right there is little support in the UK...it's as if they see it as complimentary therapy. They are out there

doctoraseem.com/biography/

People view a plant diet like a forced sacrifice (see other replies) but it's only when you do it that you realise what you've been missing! Good luck

[Anne76 in reply to DJ100]

Thanks for your reply. Dr Aseem Malhotra still is not advocating the WFPB diet though. I had a coronary artery test in August and came out as high risk. Had a stress test today and that was "excellent". Would like to have a coronary artery test after one year to see if my arteries have cleared at all. Initially the diet is daunting but I am enjoying the meals now.

[DJ100 in reply to Anne76]

If you mean angiogram then they are reluctant to do one less than 5 years apart. I had some breathing problems whilst out running and eventually had an ECG - no issues, dos a stress test - no issues apparent and it took a CT scan to show 'potential' narrowing of one artery. Even then the cardiologist didn't think it was heart related. That was this time last year....I've since had a quintuple heart by-pass. I was a keep fit non smoking early 40's type with poor family history sadly. My point is I would urge anyone with suspicions to push for a CT as the least non intrusive test. That said, if you're not displaying symptoms and there are no aggravating factors then perhaps you shouldn't worry?

[seasider18 in reply to DJ100]

How did you get from a potential narrowing of one artery to a quintuple heart by-pass in one year?

[DJ100 in reply to seasider18]

The CT showed the potential narrowing of 1...the subsequent angiogram showed significant disease in all 3 main arteries and a couple of smaller ones. Needless to say it was a shock. All sorted now & I intend to do everything in my power to keep em clean! But something of course, you cannot control.

[seasider18 in reply to DJ100]

Reports I have read indicated that the

CT coronary angiogram and the one checking for calcification were very reliable but that is evidently not the case.

[sargrith in reply to seasider18]

I'd say that's quite easy. I have a reduced carotid artery that has gone from 50% blockage to 80% in 3 years. Taking statins has made absolutely no difference. I could possibly have a endarterectomy to remove the plaque or risk a complete blockage which doesn't neccessarily mean a stroke in the process of complete closure. As the blockage occurs relatively slowly the other carotid, plus the two arteries we have at the back of the neck supply sufficient blood flow to the brain.Here's hoping!

[seasider18 in reply to sargrith]

Speaking about an endarterectomy with a professor at Imperial College he said that he would not be first in the queue for that.

[sargrith in reply to seasider18]

He might be if he badly needed one .All the vascular surveys I've seen give a good result. even very elderly people do very well given they are accepted. Professors are like some GPs they certainly don't know as much as they think they do. Perhaps you and the professor should do what I've done .A lot of research. Don't tell me he says he's an expert!

[seasider18 in reply to sargrith]

Provided they are accepted?

[Anne76 in reply to DJ100]

It was a CT scan that I had which shows calcium build up in four arteries. It seems that my heart is strong. Not too worried but hope that the WFPB diet will gradually widen the arteries. Sorry to hear about your heart bypass, let us hope the diet stops any further trouble.

[DJ100 in reply to Anne76]

Thanks! It's taken me a while to realise I'm one of the lucky ones who got to find out before an incident. I contemplated saying no to surgery having spoken personally to likes of Dr Caldwell Esselstyn et al but in the end opted to have the pipe work sorted and then keep the new ones clean. If it works then perhaps the original arteries will improve over time too - nothing lost. With a build up of calcium I'd say you're doing be right thing and if Esselstyn and his colleagues are right you will be fine going forward. Best wishes.

[Anne76 in reply to DJ100]

Many thanks

[sargrith in reply to DJ100]

Why not

[DakCB-UK in reply to Anne76]

Is there a particular diet or website you'd recommend? At first WFPB does look an awful lot like every other book-selling course-selling fad health diet I've seen over the last thirty years so I hope you'll excuse me not wanting to buy a load of books to research another one.

[Anne76 in reply to DakCB-UK]

I bought the one by Dr Esselstynes, look on YouTube. In four weeks of diet all my readings were lowered.

[PeterWh]

There are many posts re statins including this forum and on the AF forum. GPs are actually paid to prescribe statins but some of the basis is unclear / not always sound. Also follow ups and follow up studies often lacking and ailments / problems caused by statins attributed wrongly to other things. A lot of people could significantly improve their cholesterol levels by improving eating and drinking (not just alcohol) habits without having to go to plant based diets. A significant number of people are negatively affected by statins, some significantly so. I was lucky in that pharmacist did medicines review (20 mins very well spent) said I shouldn't have blood tests and this threw up liver function failing and 4 times maximum level. Panic calls (6 or 7 till they were able to get through as travelling to a meeting) from surgery and immediately pulled me off simavastatin. Cholesterol was pulled right down but although now not on any statins (GP won't prescribe alternative ones) cholesterol level is in range.

Big issue is lack of regular blood tests, particularly at the start.

[Andyman in reply to PeterWh]

I don't think they are paid. It was "suggested" that they should be paid to reduce the heart problem rate over the next 10 years. They may well in some cases get payment from drug companies, but that is also speculation. Its fine if you can show me other wise. I am open for changing my mind as I do regularly.

[seasider18 in reply to PeterWh]

In what way are they paid?

[DakCB-UK in reply to seasider18]

Practices are rewarded for hitting targets and statins to those with high cholesterol are currently part of one target.

As soon as someone writes "GPs are actually paid to prescribe statins" then at least you know you're reading a die-hard anti-statinist!

[kayak]

hi ,i was put on 10 mg then tested ,then put on to 20 tested again ,then 40 it was 2 much i was took off them for a month then started at 10 again tested then 20 tested everything was ok so ive been left on them over 6 years ago ,i had my heart attack 10 years ago ,my brother never took any of his tablets he took his self off them he was a fit lad cycled all over the place he was not fat , but died over 2 years ago . just b careful hey ,