patty

[Coligate123]

Hi I wonder if anyone can help, I’ve been on statins for 10 years. Three years ago I found out I had Nash Cirrhosis. Changed diet exercise more feeling ok . But just watched a program saying statins are bad for liver . Now don’t know what to think or do . Pat

[FlippinOut]

Hi Pat,

I’m in the same boat. Diagnosed recently with NAFLD cirrhosis from metabolic syndrome. I’ve been on statin, metformin, bp meds for years. I don’t know whether the meds or the metabolic issues caused my cirrhosis but I know if I go off any of them, everything gets worse. I recently went off statin for two weeks and my cholesterol shot up. If I go off metformin for a few days my glucose levels go up. But I know all these meds are killing my liver. It’s really a catch 22.

I’m trying hard to lose the weight and hopefully get off some of the meds. Did your cirrhosis improve any with weight loss?

[Coligate123 in reply to FlippinOut]

Hi FlippinOut .I can’t get to find out if its improved I’ve lost 2 stone now 10 stone 5 so feel ok for 75 year old type 2 for a few years so did that cause the cirrhosis ,can’t say . I have 6 monthly scan and bloods they appear acceptable to whoever checks them. I did mention it to my liver nurse she said it will always be there . I always want to find out more from them but they never commit to anything always say keep glucose levels good and keep up what you’re doing . Pat

[FlippinOut in reply to Coligate123]

I hear ya. I’m 73 and my doc told me the same thing. Lose weight and keep blood sugar low. I feel like he doesn’t want to deal with it so just gives the “canned” advice and says try not to worry. 😆 Easy for him to say.

[Livmar]

Hi Coligate123, like you, I have been on statins for over 10 years. Since my cirrhosis, I also greatly improved my diet. I have always exercised. I got off diabetic medication and wanted to get off Pravastatin as my cholesterol is well controlled but my hepatologist and gastroenterologist are against it.

They told me it helps with liver inflammation and guards against heart issues. I followed their advise as they are exceptional at what they do. Please seek your Hepatologist advise.

[larkat99]

Hi Coligate123, I am allergic to statins and I'm on a generic for Zetia and it's processed through the stomach and not the liver. Ask your doctor about it.

[RedBarn]

Greetings Coligate123, Thanks for sharing your story about statins and the med you are now taking. I am also allergic to statins. At one time I was on Crestro (SP?) which is the root cause of my NASH. The drug I have been taking or the last 10 years has never given me the numbers I need, way to high, Ezetimibe , 10 mg. I keep asking for a better solution, silence from the Doc. I think we really have to be our own healthcare advocate. Be well !!

[Jkf1]

Fasting does alot of healing of blood glucose and the liver. I fast eighteen to twenty hours a day. I started fasting with sixteen hours. I eat two meals and try to make it so that I go to bed hungry. Fasting Gives your liver a break and makes your cells more sensitive to insulin. I only take statins no more than twice a week. It still improves my numbers without overdoing it. Fasting has been amazing on my blood work, I still exercise and try to eat whole foods. It helps me to lose weight slowly.

[ShatteredGrL]

I work in primary care and I just reviewed this data with a patient. It be is very rare that statins are thought to cause liver damage. What studies showed was that WHEN/IF there was an elevation in liver enzymes after start of statin use stopping them returned the enzymes to normal and studies showed that even though there were occasional slight elevations no damage was found. You and your doctor have to do a risk benefit analysis and weight any potential side effect against what you are gaining. Taking a statin reduces risk of heart attack and stroke. If you haven’t done a coronary calcium ct score you could do that to see what you risk score is of these things before continuing a statin.

[Coligate123 in reply to ShatteredGrL]

Thank you ShatteredGrL for your reply I shall certainly take on board your reply. Pat

[Alterity]

When I was given Statins, my liver rejected them and they tried 3 different kinds, I went into like a heart attack, shut down my whole system. I finally told the heart Dr. I'm not taking any more of your pills, your killing my liver and if you kill my liver I won't be alive to keep my heart going because of your pills. He argued with me. The next day he called me and apologized as he had just read up about NASH. Heart Drs know nothing about any other organ except the Heart, they don't care, they just want to keep the heart going. Now every time he sees me, he starts to say I need this or that and I say no, then he remembers, Your my NASH patient. and he leaves me alone. With NASH you have so many heart attack systems because your liver will go into what I call shut down mode and just litterly shuts you down. I do to bed at that point as the liver works best at rest. I try not to take any medications that go through my liver. Very few meds period... Don't kill your liver because of your heart, Heal your liver and the heart will heal too. (In most cases) I find in my case the crashing spells usually last 48 hours. I did just have one that lasted 10 days, but it came from me being on Ozempic as a research for NASH, I'm now off the Ozempic because of this major crash. Be careful what goes in your body when you have NASH. Your liver will yell and scream if it's the wrong stuff. Just my experience of 22 years of knowing I have stage 4 NASH.

[Coligate123 in reply to Alterity]

Thank you for your reply Alterity , So many things to consider with Nash and diabetes plus cholesterol. Pat