I am 58 and have taken simvastatin and... - Cholesterol Support
I am 58 and have taken simvastatin and then rosuvastin and i find that i am very short tempered and angry has anyone else had the same
Well it's funny you should raise this, because I have been experiencing something similar. The problem is it the statin or is it dealing with the shock of being diagnosed with a health issue?
I actually had a minor heart attack(MI) in January 2011, eventually diagnosed as artery blockage due to high Cholesterol and thankfully had it sorted when I had a PCI(stents) in early Oct last year. There have been all sorts of changes in my life in recent years due either directly or indirectly to the health issues and frankly I'm finding it hard to adjust and accept my own mortality.
I had not connected it directly with my statin(Rusavastin), but it is something worth investigation. I have actually re-established contact with the Cardio Rehab Team because I feel I need to talk to someone, may be a Counsellor to resolve the issues. However I would be interested to know if the statin is exacerbating the issue and if anyone else has any information I would be pleased to hear it.
Well, I used to feel angry with the world and that was long before I started taking the statins, so I think Mike262 may have a point. This is a chronic illness which we are told is life-threatening, so it could well have some psychological consequences aside from any that might be drug-related.
I guess one indicator might be whether it varies by type or dose of statin and if you take a short break (with your doctor's support if possible), whether your humour improves.
I'm curious if you had side effects from your statins and that's why you've had your statin changed? If I had side effects I'd be feeling frustrated and angry. Suggest some counselling maybe and or a short spell off statins with Dr support? Good luck
When I was on statins I definitely felt easier agitated. I noticed that I would feel very down at times and when the kids did the slightest little thing I felt myself getting annoyed. I also had other side effects, feeling tired all the time & having muscle aches and pains that stopped me exercising and I know that this all contributed to how I felt overall. After careful consideration I stopped taking statins and now, a few months later, I feel completely different, and much happier! I am not suggesting that everyone takes this approach but for me it was a quality of life decision and at the minute I am much more content!
This sounds just like my mother's experience when she was taking 40mg of Simvastatin a day (her choesterol was 9+). In addition to complaining of grouchiness, exhaustion and muscle/ joint issues she suffered memory problems. She had to stop the statin when the doctor realised they were causing her muscles to break down. She now takes a prescribed fish oil, is supplementing her diet with Co-enzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol) and is so, so much better. The constant dry cough has also abated. Don't know what her cholesterol levels are at the mo but she's like a new woman. She was on the statin for a year and stopped a couple of months ago.
Hi all
you might well be right about the effects of statins on our general feeling of well being, but the shock of the news and feelings of loss of a life we lived and had planned i think also need to considered. Without getting too heavy i think there is a period of adjustment and we would all be right to be angry at how much life has or will change. In essence the process some of us go through is similar to bereavement. So, i think if people think they might benefit from counselling i think they should go for it.
