Acute Angle Glaucoma and statins

[Extrahelp]

Hi everyone!I was shocked today to find out that my 6 monthly blood test coverning liver function(I've been taking 3g of vitb3 for a year now and regular liver tests are recommended?) cholesterol etc, results showed an increase in my LDL from 5.5 to 6.1 in the last 6 months!

I have monitored my sat fat intake for a year now, keeping well below the suggested sat fat guide of 20g per day, steadily keeping between 11/15 grams max and the last bloods in December showed a decrease in LDL and I lost 20lbs in weight over the 6 month period.

Can LDL fluctuate for no reason?

My doctor suggested statins to me today and apart from trying to keep healthy naturally I can't seem to find any articles suggesting it would be safe to take statins re my glaucoma and that statins wouldn't be even more detrimental to my glaucoma progression? .

Really looking for any info/advice while waiting for my next glaucoma appointment as I'm back in panic mode again!

I have acute open angle glaucoma, treated since 2017 and it's progressing, even though fully compliant using drops..only have sight in the glaucoma eye-lost sight in my right eye after a brain haemmorage in 1998.

Thank-you for listening!

[1inana]

I can well understand your anxiety, Extrahelp, as I have lost the sight of one eye and only have partial sight in the other. I don’t know whether statins pose a risk but am trying to stay off them as I too prefer to try and manage without meds where I can.

As I understand it it’s not just about reducing your saturated fat intake but also having a high fibre diet, eating the rainbow, having a moderate carbohydrate intake of whole grains and getting plenty of exercise.

I’m sure there will be people who can give you more specific advice.

[Extrahelp in reply to 1inana]

Thnkyou for your reply!I feel I do eat healthy-lots of fresh veg and lean white meats and i dont use oils or salt for cooking-monitor dairy-I eat a little fresh fruit daily and use beans spinach etc in batch meals to healthy them up so I was beyond dismayed yesterday..My doc at my surgery didn't respond at all when I said I wasn't sure statins would be more harmful to my glaucoma than not?-I just left it that I will do more research..just not sure I'm getting the correct info on the subject by simply just Googling..

Thankyou again..

[1inana in reply to Extrahelp]

It is infuriating when you’re doing all the right things and still get results like this but then we can’t control everything. Would it be worth asking your ophthalmologist about the statins? You can ask via his medical secretary and I’ve always found them very helpful.

[Extrahelp in reply to 1inana]

Yes that was the plan on my nxt appt at the end of June@Good Hope but I never thought to call the Consultant's secretary so I'll try that during the coming week.Just saying stuff out loud to others helps me so much and helps take away the 'giving up' feeling

Thankyou again!😊

[AlfredV]

Cholesterol levels including LDL can fluctuate quite rapidly and a blood test only gives a snapshot of levels at that time. You mention considerable weight loss and this can give rise to a harmless increase in LDL levels until you settle at your new weight.

Personally it is not something I would worry about too much. I'm no fan of statins as part of a healthy lifestyle.

[Extrahelp in reply to AlfredV]

Thankyou!

[ChristinaGL in reply to Extrahelp]

Yes, I agree with Alfred. And ingesting simple carbs/sugars eg white rice etc can have more negative impact on cholesterol than fats, and ensuring you have enough of the HDLs (eg Fish oil) can help to bring down the LDLs... Fruit juice also not so good... I personally would not take statins... but that is my personal choice.

[Extrahelp in reply to ChristinaGL]

Thankyou!I do not take any medications, just prescribed glaucoma drops and I hope to keep it that way..

I'm re looking at my diet-I have 'slipped' with my healthy food regime of this last year-easily done unfortunately-so back to the drawing board and writing it all down again.

I need to do whatever I can to keep my remaining sight so I won't give up!

🙂

Thankyou again, all..

[Mitziecat]

Hi. I understand your concern and frustration. A lot of medication solve one issue but can cause problems in other ways. I have avoided statins for a few years but have recently given in due to a family history of heart attack and suffering some chest pain. I did see a cardiologist and he felt that the chest pain might have been stress & not cardiac related. I read that statins can increase blood sugar & mine increased slightly since taking them. I know that raised blood sugar can affect the eyes and I have advanced glaucoma in both eyes (currently due eye surgery in two weeks). I worry about not taking statins but have researched a milder one (pravastatin) and have been prescribed a lower dose.

It is very difficult as the preference is not to take medication. I eat healthily but could probably increase the green leafy veg and try to exercise more. If you have no additional medical issues, it is easy to avoid additional medication, however, it is not always possible and can be stressful trying. I have chronic uveitis in addition to glaucoma and use steroid eye drops in one eye. I feel that it has not helped my glaucoma but there is no choice. Like you, I am trying to preserve my sight but it is hard. Google can be scary and give conflicting information t times. It will be interesting to hear what your consultant secretary say about statins. Good luck and sending you positive thoughts.

[Extrahelp in reply to Mitziecat]

Hi. Yes I researched pravastatin and others, so I understand more about statins now. I'll put it to my Consultant when we meet-appt way overdue and get his take on statins/glaucoma.

Trab/ops are akways mentioned at my appts this last year, with an added comment suggesting I am high risk..hence the panic to keep the existing sight ticking over!

Thankyou!