Statins and CLL.

[Dracaena]

I am new to this forum. I Was diagnosed early Jan 2020 with CLL stage A, watch and wait. Next blood test April. I feel anxious and depressed about the whole situation and can't accept it as real but I suppose I will eventually. I am now aware of every twinge and pain I get and think that it's cancer developing. But my question is... My g.p is pushing for me to start taking statins and I don't know whether that's a good idea or not. I will of course discuss it at my next hospital appointment in April.

[GMa27]

It's shocking in the beginning but that will subside soon.

I am on low dose of statin but that had nothing to do with having CLL. Does your doctor have a reason why or just coincidentally suggested and had nothing to do with CLL?

[Dracaena in reply to GMa27]

Thanks for reply. I got a message from g.p saying they had reviewed my records and as per national guidelines they recommend that I go on statins so I don't think it's due to my recent diagnosis. I just didn't want to go on statins if it was going to affect my cll.

[GMa27 in reply to Dracaena]

It should be fine. Let your hematologist oncologist know before you see ur GP so you are prepared. 💕

[sweatbee]

Dracaena,

We all know the shock of getting our diagnosis. It was like a blow to the stomach for me. You will come through this season of life and be stronger for it.

My cardiologist has had me on statins for years, but there is some evidence that statins may have a beneficial effect against some cancers.

I am currently participating in a complementary cancer protocol that uses Atorvastatin as one of its' medicines.

From what I have read the statin should not be harmful for your CLL and may actually be helpful.

God Bless.

Hal

[WinJ3]

We know how you feel Dracaena, but just know that you are not alone. The anxiety and stress will get better over time. It helps to educate yourself on CLL and this site will helps with that and there are some very knowledgeable and caring people on here

Remember that there are many new treatment options if you ever need it. Some people never need treatment.

You need to find out why your doctor wants you on statins. I have been on statin for over 27 years for high cholesterol levels.

Best wishes for you .

Win

[country76]

I have 23 & me also started taking a statin a few months ago. How did you find out your information? I am taking lipitor also, I guess Ibrutinib doesn't like the others.

[Hidden in reply to country76]

Those results came from running the data through Foundmyfitness.com 's service

[country76 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou!

[BayfieldAnnette]

My husband was diagnosed with CLL in November 2016, and he's on statins, and blood pressure tablets before he started taking ibruinib, and doing ok. He has blood tests every three months know, and it was having a blood test when he went for a routine check up for his blood pressure that the GP found that he had low white blood cells, and he was referred to the oncologist.

[attarintiki]

I was diagnosed having CLL in 2013. Neglected taking Statins prescribed for my high Cholesterol. In 2017 I had TIA (Trans Ischemic Attack).

I believe that your GP must have observed your high Lipids and advised you to take Statins. If so, follow your GP's advise.

[Hidden]

Most physicians today are taught cookbook medicine. Practicing physicians have no influence or say as to the criteria that is represented in their cookbook. They also understand that if they stray or vary from what is dictated in the cookbook it could place their livelihood and professional credentials in jeopardy. Practicing physicians cannot be held responsible for what is mandated in their cookbook, even if they strongly suspect it is incorrect. They basically have no choice. The cookbook has proven to be invaluable for catastrophic medicine. It is in "preventative" medicine is where you will encounter the serious problems of pharmaceuticals developed to treat health conditions that are based on a false scientific premise.

I suggest referring closely to the experienced observations and research of the brilliant UK cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra. Since his views have strayed from the cookbook, it is no surprise he has been hounded and vilified by the pharmaceutical industry whose primary objective is to make money for themselves and stockholders. Before beginning statins I highly recommend that you do your own in depth research and decide for yourself.

youtube.com/watch?v=mAoTwfx...(Not working as expected?) - Dr. Aseem Malhotra - 1

youtube.com/watch?v=eb5SmhY...(Not working as expected?) - Dr. Aseem Malhotra - 2

Would I take a statin while dealing with CLL? Absolutely Not!

All the best to you Dracaena...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I would advise you to look up some reputable physicians who don't have to "treat the numbers" for career reasons. Some suggestions are Duane Graveline ,M.D. ; Beatrice Golomb, M.D (UCSD school of medicine). Malcolm Kendrick, M.D (GP in Scotland), and of course Uffe Ravnskov, MD. These physicians have the view that statins can be harmful so including them in your research will help you make an informed decision.

[blowinginthewind]

I an 62, diagnosed w&w 2 years ago. Also have T2 diabetes, for many years, well controlled without insulin. But my GP was permanently nagging me to go on statins. I went on them about 15 years ago, and they caused horrible muscle aches etc and I stopped them. tMy lipid levels were never madly high anyway. 7 weeks ago I had a "silent heart attack" . Angiogram showed 1 completely blocked coronary artery, and one slightly blocked coronary artery. They stented both those arteries during the angiogram. And put me on mega dose of Atorvastatin. I did ask if this would have been avoided if I had been on statins for years, they didnt know. I have tended to always a fairly low fat diet, and I don't drink, don't smoke, and go the gym regularly, or at least I did until I became very breathless some months ago. I put the breathlessness and fatigue down to CLL. I now know that wasn't the cause, I am no longer breathless, and my fatigue is less by a long way.

Not sure why I am telling you this. I think I am saying is make sure decision is an informed one, in consultation with GP, haematology, and perhaps after an echocardiogram or similar to check the condition of your arteries.

Liz - honestly not meaning to be scary.

[Big_Dee]

Hello Dracaena

Are you seeing a CLL Specialist or hematologist oncologist? I have been taking different statins on-off for several years long before diagnosed with CLL so doubt it will affect your CLL. I would suggest having your GP consult with your CLL Specialist or hematologist oncologist because some statins can cause liver/muscle issues which will require monitoring. Welcome to this forum, you can live with this. Blessings.

[Notmuchenergy]

It’s worth remembering that in the UK that gps have targets for giving patients statins, having diabetics patients and inoculating children and people. The payments they receive are very lucrative for the practice. I personally think adding any drug that isn’t absolutely necessary is compromising a patients immune system whether you have an illness or not.

[HappyDave]

Hi

You will soo learn to accept CLL for what it is and in many years time you will be advising others about the condition. CLL and statins are usually ok together. I have been taking them for a few years after my chances of having a stroke / heart attack in the next ten years rose to just over 10%. I also take a mini aspirin each day. All fine thus far.

[Teddo]

Have been on low dose atorvastatin for abt 15 yrs. Was diagnosed with CLL 5+ yrs ago. Neither my GP, oncologist, or CLL experts at NIH ( am in Natural History study there for untreated CLL pts) have mentioned any concern about being on statins. By the way, if you do start statins and do have side effects from them you will experience them quickly. The most common neg. effect is unmistakable muscle aches. Most people do not have adverse effects from them.

Best of luck. You will continue to get good advice from this site from knowledgeable and caring folks.

[cricons]

As some others have said, statins are okay with CLL and may possibly be helpful. I am on 10 mg lovostatin/day and both primary physician and CLL specialist support it.

[alexmcg48]

I'm on statins & been W&W with CLL for 5 years without an issue.

Statins are generally for Cholesterol, mines 6.8 without them & it's down to 3.4 with them when it was last tested.