Statins - Thank You

[25rosclare]

I was prescribed Statins 18months ago. I did not get on with them but was told that you get used to them. I asked the Pharmacist about them and he said to take them with food, which I also tried. At the beginning of December 23, I was totally exhausted physically and mentally. Two weeks ago I saw someone say about the problems they had with Statins. I stopped taking my Statins and the difference has been amazing. Fibro has so many quirks. My GP said that Statins and Fibro don't work together. I believe its true and that is enough for me

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi there, I am intrigued why your GP would say why statins and fibro together are a problem.

One of the known side effects of statins can be exactly what you described. Pain, tiredness etc. So my way of thinking if you have been suffering with side effects from the meds. It would be normal to feel better once you stopped taking them.. Not sure why the GP thought your fibro was the problem and not the statins side effects?

[25rosclare in reply to Dizzytwo]

Not too sure what point you are trying to make. I was feeling bad, I saw on here that statins can be a problem. I stopped taking statins. I feel a lot better. I asked a GP and he said that if you have Fibro then Statins can have an adverse effect, so in my post I was saying that Thanks to the website for pointing that out to me.

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to 25rosclare]

Hi, I was not tryng to make any point. Just interested to know why the GP thought your increase in pain maybe related to your statins interacting with your fibro. My husband as been on them for years with no problem.

I also personally know many people who have had the reaction you spoke about and had to stop taking them and they do not have fibro. We all know how some doctors tend to blame fibro for most things So not sure why the need for the tone in your reply. I hope you have a pleasant day.

Momo

[Suegault]

Hi, same problem with me.Keep stopping and starting statins.Told this time to start with 1 a week then 2 and now 3.Only 2 a week was bad enough.Take ezetimbe also but they don't lower my cholesterol on their own.Not sure whether to carry on with statins or not.The side effects just seem to make everything worse.

[Cat00]

Oh that's a worry, both my parents are statins but they don't have fibro, I assumed I'd end up on them too....

[IsleofWight1]

When I first took statins a few years ago I had bad side effects , especially leg pains, which improved when I stopped taking them.

I had forgotten about that until I read your post. I’m back on statins but Im going to stop them and tr y harder to lower cholesterol with diet.

By the way, on both occasions my cholesterol levels weren’t high before taking statins .

Has anyone else done this. ?

It’s very helpful to share experiences on this site so thanks everyone that contributes.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

I am presuming it was in the post I link to below. I would hope that you also saw the post from Carlt about his and the comments from the person that responded to him.

It is not an either or situation. I would hope you go back to your GP and find an approach that both addresses what the statins were aiming to help and lower any longer term risk.

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

As to your GP saying statins and fibro not working together it seems that there are many that are surviving with both of them albeit with a bit of a journey to find the right ones for themselves.

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to desquinn]

Thanks Des, that was exactly what I was trying to ask in my reply above. Unfortunately I got the impression from the OP they felt I was trying to make some kind of point. I hope you have a good day.

Momo

[EarthSitter1]

I’ve had to come off statins too but in my case it’s because I have a sensitivity problem with several different medications causing allergic reactions nothing to do with fibromyalgia . I have read about some statins aggravating some people’s fibromyalgia symptoms but it’s alright for most people. It’s a case of trial and error I guess.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to EarthSitter1]

Statins can cause pain the same as fibro presents with. Often it is a case of changing the statin medication to another one to find something that offers the risk reduction the statins are trying to address.

If you had fibro I can see this making any pain from statins worse but the risk of heart attack or stroke is certainly higher. The below is from the British Heart Foundation:

"For every 1000 people taking a moderate intensity statin, the treatment would cause 11 (generally mild) episodes of muscle pain or weakness. This means that the slightly increased risk of muscle symptoms is greatly outweighed by the previously known benefits of statin therapy in preventing cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.

For example, for every 1000 people taking a moderate intensity statin, the treatment would typically prevent 50 major vascular events (such as heart attacks and strokes) in those with pre-existing vascular disease (secondary prevention), and 25 major vascular events if used for primary prevention."

[EarthSitter1 in reply to desquinn]

I totally agree my family has a condition called FHC and I have lost uncles my Nan and my father to heart disease and stroke. As I was saying due to other conditions I cannot take statins, that’s why I said it’s alright for most people to take them I didn’t want anyone to be put off trying them by the main post as they do save lives, and if one type doesn’t work try another as I said trial and error.

[AgedCrone]

Why not ask for a referral to a consultant who will know a lot more about statins than your GP?

After all, if your GP thought you needed statins, surely nothing changes if the first one he tries doesn’t suit?

I had great difficulty when I first went on statins and my GP…… after many abortive attempts at finding something that suited me referred me to a cardiologist who prescribed the correct statin for my problem, and I’ve been on them very happily ever since.

The consultant I saw , explained deciding which statin to prescribe is not something some GPs have much experience of and they don’t actually think it’s very important…however although getting the correct statin is not always easy. ..it is vital.

That was a long time ago …… I’m in my 80’s now and going strong and I don’t think I would’ve been without statins. I would add I was not overweight, I had a good diet. …..I just had naturally high cholesterol that needed controlling. …….So no harm in asking for a referral…… otherwise if your GP doesn’t think you need statins now, why did you need them before?

[25rosclare in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks for you advice

[Princess61]

Hi unfortunately I have no choice really about taking statins I have high cholesterol that runs in my family. I'm only on 20 mg . Which as helped to lower it, and it doesn't effect my fibro. I tried a few before I found the one that helped, it's trial and error really. Hope you get sorted x

[1499]

Hi, I didn't do well on statins either so I stopped them a few years ago. The next time I saw my GP I mentioned to her and she advised with having Fibromyalgia I should never have been prescribed them!!! After moving home and being with a new medical practice now, I was invited for an appointment with the practice nurse to have yearly bloods etc taken. She advised me that my cholesterol was up a bit and would I take statins. I told her about what my previous GP had advised and that they didn't agree with me anyway. She said she had never heard of this before, so when I got home I checked an NHS site and it listed conditions you shouldn't take statins with. The last one on the list was Fibromyalgia so I let the practice nurse know it was on this NHS site. Good luck

[AgedCrone in reply to 1499]

If you have naturally high cholesterol….don,t believe all you read…. it is not the case that one decision fits all.

You will probably have to join a long waiting list to get an appointment with a specialist…..but spend that time researching how bad cholesterol can affect your health.L.& lifstyly. Those in my family who ignored that advice regret it now,

[25rosclare]

Thanks

[releasethemagic]

Don't give up on the medication options. High Cholesterol is a cardio-vascular risk for heart and stroke issues later in life. There are different statins that your GP can try with you as well as other drugs that lower cholesterol and are not statins. You can also try products with plant sterols in them like Benecol that lower cholesterol, or plant sterol tablets that are available from the same companies that supply vitamin tablets.

[25rosclare in reply to releasethemagic]

Thank you for your advice . I already use Flora Light, which is made from plants & Soya Milk. There are heart problems on both sides of the family so I will try having another word with the GP. Thanks