Confused.

[georgiaemily]

Been off statins for about nearly 3 months now after severe muscle pain in chest arms and then legs. Started to take Calcium & magnesium & vit D tablets and started to feel better, but then came off them as i was have a blood test to check my chol after coming off statins. Pains came back as bad, went to dr to get my results today, they gone up slightly from 4.9 too 5, And then to make things worse my gp said to me, have you ever tried statins !!!!! i was shocked as i have been going for years over the pains, told him yet again that never having another statin, he has now prescribed me an antidepression tablet saying it would help my Pains, Read the info on the antidepression tablets and it says do not take if, Had a heart attack, (which i have), on lowing blood pressure tablets, which i am, . I am truelly at a loss off what to do. i felt so bad when i came out. My pains are as bad as ever and not on statins. Any advice would be truelly appreciated.

[georgiaemily]

No i have asked about the lipid clinic and he didnt seem to think i needed it , i have seen a few dr and get the same response ,

[georgiaemily]

I told my gp that i had been taking co-q10 and he said there no known evidence that these work, i said i have read most gp prescribe this with statins, he looked at me as if i was mad.

[DakCB-UK in reply to georgiaemily]

Change gp, then leave them a stinking review on nhs.UK

[goldie]

I have had terrible intolerance to every statin I have been prescribed. I am now 3 weeks into Pravastatin, unbearable on its own but taken at night with co-q10 with added magnesium and I have absolutely no side effects. I have just this morning been to the lipid clinic and my Cholesterol is down for the first time ever from 11 to 7.8. I am over the moon.

This may be of interest to you.

[patch14]

What Dr does not keep up with the new ideas on statins, co-Q10 and other aides to statin absorbtion? I am not on statins and do not intend to take them but for a GP to not know the new ongoing information on statin regimens and their partner aides to lessen the side effects, even I know that there is a correlation between the two to help the severe aches and pains that statins cause.

If you can, change your GP surgery if his partners are not "on the ball". you have a right to go to any GP you wish. Perhaps you could talk to friends and family that maybe are on a similar regime and ask their advice about their GPs and how much help they get from their Surgeries.

You say that you have already had heart problems. Have you thought about contacting your Consultant at the hospital and asking him for an appointment? If he asks you to go through your GP say that you are unhappy with the GPs advice and would appreciate his.

Can I ask why you felt it necessary to come off your vitamin/mineral supplements before your blood test? I take vitamins and minerals and I have never stopped them before a blood test. My GP knows I take them and I have never been told to stop them before going to have a test.

Did you ask why your GP thought it was necessary to put you on antidepressants? That seems a bit "over the top". Antidepressants are for people with depression. Your are unhappy with him not unhappy with life!!! To not know that they interfere with your current blood pressure medication, etc., seems close to negligence to me.

If you have found that your supplements ease your symptoms, take them! Then, if, after say, three months you go back to your GP you are armed with an argument that the supplements are doing the trick and you will not take the antidepressants again.

I wish you all the best,

[georgiaemily in reply to patch14]

Thank you. I am not taking the antidepressants, i have gone back on the magnesium and calcium wjth vit d and now taking co-q10 also a

started taking l-carnitine as i have read that those supposed to help also. heres hoping. I stopped taking the suppliments before blood test as i thought it would give a false reading, My gp gave me anti dep, saying it was to help muscles relax. i am looking for another gp.

[patch14]

Good for you. The vitamin/mineral supplements support the body and keep it ticking over they shouldn't give a "false readling" as such. Anyway, it your blood shows that you are fighting fit then the supplements are doing their job aren' they!!!!

The best way to relax is not to get stressed by your GP. Buy some nice bubble bath and have a long soak with a glass of wine. Much better way to help your muscles relax!!!

All the best with your search for a decent GP. Regards

[Aliwally]

Actually I haven't met one medical person, GP or otherwise , who has even mentioned the fact that Co Q10 may be helpful. You are not alone.

[georgiaemily]

i have been taking co q10 but it gives me bad indigestion. any advice

[Aliwally]

I can't remember whether you are meant to take Co Q10 on an empty stomach or after food, it's one or the other. Maybe switching would help with the indigestion, but I don't know, maybe you've tried.