Statin

[Nesting]

Had my yearly review with my doctor today over the phone

Now she wants me to double up my dose of atorvastatin from 40 mg to 80 mg and said since I had a stroke I should have been on the stronger dose from the start .

[Lure2]

Hi Nesting,

I just wonder if your Doctor is very knowledable of APS. I mean if she has patients like you with this illness and other autoimmun illnesses at a daily basis?

You have had a stroke and have also positive Lupus Anticoagulant I read. I wonder if you should have a Coagulation drug instead of Clopidogrel which is only an antiplatelet drug and perhaps will not thin your blood enough.

When having APS we need a Specialist who has great knowledge of what it means to have this illness with its thick blood.

Best wishes

[Nesting in reply to Lure2]

Hello thanks for your reply

When I last saw the haematology consultant he was fine for me to stay on clopidogrel but if I have any more clots then it’ll be changed to warfarin

It’s just having to pass a seafarers medical for work , it’s getting difficult

But yes the doctor I spoke to this morning she was good and went through it all with me

Thanks again

[HollyHeski Administrator in reply to Nesting]

Hi, I agree with Lure2 that you need anticogeration, clopidogrel is an anti platelet?Bit as long as you don't get any further clots this may be sufficient for you.

What was the reasoning for the increase in statin? Is your cholesterol high?

I think you need further answers from this doctor.

I've been on a statin since my 1st stroke at 40mg a day, no one has mentioned increasing the dose since. (25 years)

[Nesting in reply to HollyHeski]

Thanks again for your reply

What the doctor said this morning because I had a stroke I should have been put on 80 mg atorvastatin from the start

But recently had my long term conditions check and bloods were okay but I’ll need more blood tests when I start this stronger atorvastatin

Thanks

[HollyHeski Administrator in reply to Nesting]

Hi, found this paper on 80mg atorvastatin - it might help.Did the same research on the statin I am on and it recommends 40mg. I can't take atorvastatin.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/168...

[Jmiller623]

This is true. Anyone with a stroke gets 80 mg from the start. Has been this way for at least 5 years, maybe a little more. If you have side effects from statin then dose gets decreased.

[MaryF Administrator]

Hiya I am not on statins but a number of people are who use this forum, not that unusual to be prescribed these. It sounds like your doctor is really trying to help you which is a good sign, I am sure you can report back to them regarding the doubling of this particular medication. MaryF