I am now stage 3 again (eGFR 57, Creatinine 91) having managed to climb up to stage 4 and stayed there over the last 4 years through changes in diet and exercise. For the past year I’ve been taking Bisoprolol for palpitations and recently Ramipril for high blood pressure. I’ve also been taking Prucalopride and Macrogol for IBS-C for two years.
My Lipids are a bit high: Cholesterol 5.7mmol, LDL 3.3mmol, Triglycerides 1.3 mmol. I was offered Statins 4 years ago but chose to make diet and lifestyle changes to lower my lipids instead and I was able to do that but they have now gone up again. I read that Blood pressure medications (Beta Blockers) raise Cholesterol and potassium levels so my dieting and exercise efforts will not be as successful in keeping them under control. I am not overweight and my BMI is within normal limits.
I am now reconsidering taking Statins and I’ve been searching the internet for information on whether statins help to slow or increase the progression of Chronic Kidney disease and I am left confused. There seems to be NO overall conclusive evidence in the articles I’ve read. However, their benefits for patients with heart disease are much clearer.
Has anyone taking statins knows whether they have damaged or improved the functioning of their kidneys and if so which one?
Or can you recommend any links to reliable information on the subject? Thanks for your time and in anticipation of your help.
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I am sure you can Google just like I can to see what is out there. And the truth is, it is all subjective. Some say ok, others say not ok.
The bottom line is to have a discussion with your doctor on the advantages and disadvantages and then you make a decision. Personally, I went on one, hated the feeling, was scared of the effects on the kidney and went off. I monitor my lipids and they have stayed in normal range, actually went down when I went off of the statin, and so the docs are fine with my choice.
Thank you for your reply and for giving your personal experience with Statins which was what I’ve asked for. It was helpful and I appreciate it. However, I fail to understand why you would tell me I can Google it just like you can considering I spent the last paragraph going into details of my internet search. With all due respect that comment was neither helpful nor necessary but the rest was.
It is common to have high cholesterol numbers with CKD. Unless you have some side effects, I would take one. There are RSTs out there though that showed statins don't work on CKD patients so how beneficial they are is debatable.
bumblebee_tuna. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts on Statins. Yes, the articles I’ve read showed they are more beneficial to the heart, which is of course also very important. It’s very difficult to weigh up the risks versus benefits to the kidneys. For the moment, I will continue with diet, exercise and research. Thanks again for your help. Have a good day😊.
I take a blood pressure called Lisinopril. or actually well I was taken off of it and then put back on but a much lower dose. I was taking 10mg originally 2 years ago and then was raised to 20mg as I was told the blood pressure if good for my heart due to my diabetes. however my potassium levels suddenly increased over the last few months to 5.7. so my Dr took me off Lisinopril for a week, retested my lab, potassium went down but then put me back on it at 5mg. she said its good for my kidney.
Alexie90. Thank you so much for your response. It is such a challenge to balance these medications. Wouldn’t it be great if they could treat the conditions they were made for without any side effects! Hopefully it will happen one day. Hope the 5mg Lisinopril is working well for you. Take care.
I control have control of my BP with meds but my lipids are slightly elevated as well. However for the past 26 years I have purposely tried to avoid starting and have not taken statins nor any type of medication to control my minimally elevated lipid level, though my several GP’s have always told me it is a mistake to not tale meds to lower my lipids. I always discuss with my nephrologist and rheumatologist and since the elevation of my lipids is only a few points (my total lipid labs, the ones that are high are high by a total of 5 points or less) the specialists I’ve had, that’s a nephrologist and rheumatologist in 8 different locations over 26 plus years, have always agreed with me that taking those meds (that in my opinion are more harmful than the underlying condition of slightly elevated lipids) in my specific case is not recommended as the meds would do more harm than benefit. Additionally, if you are the medical study reading type of person go read the last 5 years of studies done regards the dangers of moderately elevated lipid level and medication versus no medication and the effects on health and life-span. Extremely eye-opening as the research is contradictory to what one would expect. Can’t and won’t get into that can of worms in this post but suffice to say the research is not supportive of current treatment modalities.
Hi Blackknight1987. Many thanks for your very interesting and helpful reply. I understand your point of view. Taking any medication has always been the last resort for me simply because of side effects. They seem to help the problem they’re prescribed for but cause another. If only they could find a way to make medicine that heals without side effects! Wouldn’t that be amazing! I’m hopeful that it will happen one day but in the mean time we have to carry on taking what we’re given😊.
Yes, I do read some research studies but they’re not the easiest to understand. The last 5 years of studies that you mentioned sound interesting and I would like to check them out. Can you tell me which sites they’re on or send me the link please? I would appreciate it very much. Thanks and have a good day.
I am taking a low dose of olmesartan medoximil 5mg twice a day. Also statins Rosuvastatin calcium - 5mg 3 times a week. And COQ10 as statins cause me leg cramps.
Recently went to stage 4 after starting Farxiga 10mg.
Oh no! Sorry to hear that you’re now stage 4 due to Farxiga. It’s such a shame to have to find out after the damage is done and not before. I hope you will not have any more damage. What influenced your decision to take Rosuvastatin?
My nephrologist said jump in Creatinine was temporary, so keeping fingers crossed. I usually follow what the physicians recommend. Keeping cardiac risk down is an important aspect of CKD treatment.
I took prevastatin for three years as a part of a research study out of the university of Colorado medical campus to study the effects of statins on the progression on Polycystic Kidney Disease and the results showed that it did slow the progression and they are now doing a phase 4 study. I realize this is not general ckd but a specific type of ckd, just thought the info may help. I had no ill effects from taking it and specifically my kidney disease progressed slower than average for my disease for the duration of the study.
PKDpostTRANSPLANT. Thank you so much for sharing your research journey and the link. I am delighted to hear that prevastatin has helped to slow the progression of your disease. I will look into that. May I ask, do you know who sponsored the research?
From your username i get the impression you’ve had a transplant if so Congratulations, I hope it’s been successful and you’re recovering well.
I was on statins for a short period, 3-6 months when I was stage 3. I quit them due to leg muscle problems. The research I did at that time said statins damaged muscles, and since the heart is a muscle, and the kidneys do have some smooth muscle tissue, I decided against taking it, which annoyed my dr. Remember that the 3rd cause of death is physician errors! I research every drug they suggest and make my own decisions.
Hi Chicablue. Many thanks for taking the time to share your experience with Statins. I’m trying to weigh up the benefits versus the risks so all information is important. I didn’t know they damaged muscles so that’s new information. Thanks again and have a good day😊.
Hi AlBolt. Many thanks for the information. That sounds like quite a significant risk! Can I ask where you got this information please as I would like to know more about it. Thanks again.
In brief, I believe the jury is still out on statins with ckd, particularly for women. This is one reason why my mum (ckd 3, tot. cholesterol stable at ~7) doesn't take despite medic pressure. For every positive reference, theres a negative one according to my research.
4. webmd.com/cholesterol-manag.... This indicates an association between CKD & statins but there's other causes for increased cholesterol eg menopause (links available). So we believe cholesterol is the "good guy" coming to the aid of underlying issues and suppressing it doesnt remove them.
This then may lead to the discussion as to whether or not cholesterol causes heart disease so should be reduced for that. In brief, it is more complex despite what many medics say and I can supply links to eminent cardiologists eg Dr Aseem Malhotra, to support that.
Many thanks userotc for taking the time to reply and include the links. Yes, access to the first one is denied like you’ve said. I will check out the others, hopefully they can bring some clarity. I had no idea the extent of the controversy about Statins.
Many thanks Dave for your suggestion. Glad you found a Statin that works for you and doesn’t damage your kidneys. I will look into Pitavastatin. Have a good day and thanks again.,
Is Livalo (pitavastatin) better than other statins?
Livalo (pitavastatin) may be better for patients who have not tolerated other statins well and need a medication with less muscle pain as a side effect. Additionally, Livalo (pitavastatin) has fewer drug interactions compared to other statins so it may be a good option for those who take multiple medications. However, Livalo (pitavastatin) has not been shown to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke while other statins have.
Pros----Thumbs Up
Has lower risk of certain drug-drug interactions compared to other statins because it is processed differently in the body. Less likely to cause muscle and kidney damage than other statins
May be a good option for people with HIV who take antiretoviral therapies (ARTs) such as atazanavir, darunavir/ritonavir, and lopinavir/ritonavir
One of the recommended statins for people with kidney problems
Cons---Thumbs Down
Can be expensive if not covered by insurance
May not be as effective as other statins in lowering your cholesterol
You'll still need to eat a low-fat diet and exercise regularly to get the full benefit of Livalo (pitavastatin)
Not safe to use if you're pregnant or breastfeeding
The myth that fats are bad for you and 50 plus years of dietary guidelines that may actually increase CVD risk instead of being cardio protective as several cardiovascular associations proponent:
Processed and Ultra-Processed foods that are the type most consumed in Western countries are associated with increased risk for a CVD event then the fats demonized by the cardiologist association and their dietitian fellows:
Statins significantly increase T2D in people who take them and may actually stimulate atherosclerosis rather then claims of BigPharma, the AHA, and thousands of money-seeking cardiologists:
Blackknight1989. Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me and sending me all those links. I really appreciate it. However, I don’t think I will be able to read all those research papers (due to info overload as you rightly said) but I will read some and browse the others.
I was impressed by your passion so I had a look at your Bio and was very surprised to read that you were stage 4 in 1996! Can I ask, if it’s not too intrusive, did you have a transplant? Just curious how you managed to be still going, seemingly strong for so long after such a diagnosis. Glad you’re still here and helping others. Thanks again and all the best to you.
GFR45, if I was going to give you “recommended reading” I’d say read the first link, the PubMed link on efficacy of -5 to +19 days delay of death from CVD in the statin group versus placebo, and then the last two links. It’s a complicated and ongoing debate at least in the Uzk and Europe. It is trickling into the US but the cardiology lobby is powerful and well funded with BigPharma in the background influencing Congress since those companies donate huge sums to many members of the Congress. The cholesterol theory has generated huge wealth for doctors, researchers, Pharma executives and Congressional campaigns. The desire to turn that spigot off or even examine the new research being done in other Western countries to actually help patients is trumped by “big money.” Further research needs to be done as all the links I posted acknowledge but the majority opinion is leaning towards the new research of cholesterol isn’t responsible for CVD incidence and may even be cardioprotective and that the side effects from statins is far more dangerous then a moderately elevated total cholesterol or triglyceride level. The new research says the risk/reward of using statins is only indicated when total cholesterol is > 300 and triglycerides > 500. My levels are 217/340 so statins are CONTRAINDICATED for me personally according to that research. I’ve know that since 1998 as much of this research began with the Farmington study in the late 1960s as well as research from Asian countries that showed most of their populations have high cholesterol (greater than 220) yet the longest lifespans of any developed nations. Those countries don’t use statin therapies at all or very rarely. Plus it’s important to me since I’ve had high cholesterol since I was 19 years old. I was tested at West Point as a second-class cadet before donating blood. I had just completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC and was in the best shape of my life. Total cholesterol 262. I wasn’t told by the Army doctors, I found out in ‘96 as we were investigating why I had stage 4 CKD at 29 years old. I am adopted so know nothing about my family history but best guess between my research and the trusted specialists I see (seem like I see one once a month) is that I have familia hyperlipidemia.
To change gears…thank you very much for the kind words in your post and again I’m sorry for the word vomit of those posts and this one. I have some fellow Healthunlocked members who hate my novel-like posts and I’ve made a conscious effort to not be long-winded. They will chastise me as well and May on this thread. That’s okay as it’s their opinion and I respect their right to express it. Long story but I am completely disabled now and had to close my business in 2021. I spent 27 years helping over 500 clients with financial planning and decision making. I miss being able to help people as it is a n altruistic gesture. So if I can help one fellow CKD/metabolic syndrome sufferer every day it gives me a purpose that being almost completely home bound strips away from your life. Therefore I’m honored that you thanked me for the help. Means more than you know to me in my situation.
As far as my CKD. diagnosed on 02/08/1996 stage 4 most likely from familia HBP found on my entrance physical done by the military for my entering West Point at age 17. Average BP was 145/90 at age 17. Also, throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s (I served from 1985-1994) if you sprained an ankle, tweaked a knee, any kind of muscle or bone injuries the drug of choice was Motrin (ibuprofen). I played 2 years of college football, we ran in boots on concrete, repelled out of helicopters, jumped out of airplanes, and I was a tanker so I jumped on and off the tank (9 feet tall) regularly as there was no other way to get off the tank…lol! I had several of previous mentioned injuries and would regularly get 60-90 pills of 800mg of Motrin and we could take up to 8 a day. NSAIDS are kidney killers…so CKD. I had developed ascites mostly from a heat-stroke two weeks prior but complete transparency I did enjoy large quantity of Kentucky Bourbon so certainly a contributing factor. I had an incompetent ER doctor managing my care (he lost his license to practice in 1997 as he hurt too many patients under his care) and he stuck a peritoneal tap to drain the fluid from my abdominal cavity, sent me home with it and drained nearly 60 lbs of fluid off in 8 days. Any website or medical manual clearly states only small amounts of fluid need to be drained as large amounts can cause metabolic acidosis and AKI. On 02/08/1996 I had AKI and luckily my family took me to the ER because I couldn’t breath when I tried to lay down in bed. I collapsed in the X-Ray room, was rushed to an examine room where the doc stood paralyzed, a 96 pound nurse with long red hair pinned my shoulders with her knees (I remember her hair in my face and the panic on her face) and intubated me. I had 13 pages of ECG flatline. Woke up 4 days later in the ICU on the ventilator, feeding tube in my nose, central line in my chest, 2 additional IVs and wrists tied to the bed rails. Family had arranged new doctors with the best gastroenterologist and nephrologist leading my care. The lead docs first words to me were “I’m sorry Todd you are going to die, you’ll never walk out of this hospital. We will do all we can using the latest medical techniques and technology but it’ll be futile. These labs, quite frankly I’ve only seen numbers like this in the morgue in my autopsy rotation. I’m sorry.” Then he left the room. I’ll give you two numbers from that initial lab report, creatine 11.7 Bun 145. 6 months in the ICU 4 on the ventilator. Took me a year to completely recover. Creatine recovered to average about 2.5 eGFR measured initially in 2000 between 25-29. Now eGFR 17-23 creatine about 3.5-4. No transplant, no dialysis, my weary kidneys still working at about 20% capacity. Side effect of 27 years with stage 4 I’ve developed stage 5 peripheral neuropathy with no feeling from about mid-thigh down from the higher toxin levels in my body. Had bilateral knee replacements, bilateral hip replacements and bilateral ankle fusions and additional orthopedic surgeries from 1998-2014 over 20 surgeries total so the osteoarthritis plus the PN finally made me almost completely wheelchair bound. Plus my HBP and hyperlipidemia…with so many comorbities I’ll never qualify for a transplant. I’ve already decided I won’t do dialysis if/when that time comes. Instead I’ll opt for palliative care. No need to go through all that dialysis discomfort and nuisance as if that time comes I’ve had a great life and I’m on 27 years of “borrowed time” as I should have died in ‘96. So I’m thankful every day the God blessed me with this time I really didn’t deserve or earn. I never though I’d lady past 65 anyway and I’m nearly 57 so probably catch me. I DO have hope for the new SGLT2 inhibitors just need to find a cooperative nephrologist who has seen the new research of their benefits to CKD sufferers down to eGFR of 20 (Jardiance) WITHOUT T2D. Anyway that’s my CKD/AKI story.
Finally, (rejoicing all over the healthunlocked website…lol…sorta) again a sincere thank you for your kind words and expressing your thanks for any help I may have offered. Made my day! My best in your journey to you best health!
You are an amazing man Blackknight1989. Your story of survival is heartwarming. As I was reading it, I was picturing, superheroes like Steve Austin, The Bionic man, Superman, Rambo, Incredible Hulk Lol! You’re incredibly brave and strong, for real😊. Your life seems to be one of selfless service and survival so you do deserve life and earned it I’d say. Please don’t be so hard on yourself but try to enjoy each day. It must be so hard for someone who’ve been such an action man to be immobile now but you’ve got a strong and positive mindset, which is necessary to get through the long days. I’m impressed, you have a fan in me. Lol.
Thanks for recommending the articles I should read, it’s great to have the most useful ones picked out for me. I heard a podcast on SGLT2 inhibitors and the doctor was saying how good they are for slowing the progression of CKD but I thought it was for diabetics. I really do hope you will get to try them, keep righting; you shouldn’t have to really but now a days it’s the only way to get good medical care🙁. Thanks again for sharing and have a great day.😁
The “Statin Wars” and controversy over research that clearly has indicated for decades that statins are not effective at lowing CVD risk nor mortality from a CVD incident versus continuing and increased prescribing by doctors. Also the misleading of most patients by doctors that statins are effective yet 92% of all studies showing the efficacy of these poisons are backed by Pharmaceutical companies and done by cardiovascular researchers and doctors who are paid financial incentives to prescribe statins. Further these controversies have been intensified with the recent clinical guidelines to cardiology practitioners to lower LDL-C and total cholesterol to significantly lower levels by “high-dose” statin therapy which is both dangerous and costly as either multiple generic prescriptions or newer non-generic higher dose drugs are used for this therapy. These guidelines were issued and incorporated in the last 3 years:
I know it’s probably information overload. However, the issues surrounding both the risks posed by high cholesterol or high levels of LDL-C, the lack of any evidence that fats in the diet are associated with higher cholesterol levels, the true effectiveness of statin therapy, the side effects of both low cholesterol levels, any US, UK and several mainland European countries medical studies showing the wonderful benefits of statins are funded by the makers of said drug and conducted by the largest prescribers of these drugs and statins and the fact the the Cardiologist Associations as well as the AHA are the largest and best funded health lobbyists on Capitol Hill with member who have built fortunes through financial incentives provided by the pharmaceutical companies, all of these issues combine to make the decision of the lowly patient a convoluted mess of benefit versus risk despite the fact the statin that their trusted doctor said would be the only option to help with CVD risk factors. Thus, a thoughtful, well-informed, self-advocating patient should ponder such a serious decision and only make it based on a pros/cons a evaluation of their specific health concerns. Appropriately, I have always declined the pressure of my various doctors to begin statin therapy and for me that is the best decision to promote my best overall health. I hope some of this helps you with your choices. Finally, look at the cardio benefits of SGLT2’s that is my choice if I can just find a nephrologist who is willing to listen instead of dismissing me as a troublesome patient! My best to you in you journey to optimum health?
Regarding the Statin controversy: In 2019 the REDUCE-IT clinical trial showed that for individuals who had cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes, a Statin plus Vascepa (the EPA half of fish oil), reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke events by 40 per cent. Admittedly, some statins are not well tolerated, and they may impact kidney and liver in some individuals, but if you have cardiovascular issues, you may have to make some tough choices.
Yes, thank you. I hear you, either way it’s a risk and trying to assess which is the lesser risk is more difficult than I originally thought. While I’m weighing up the risks versus benefits option, I’m trying diet and lifestyle changes in the meantime. Thank you again for your help and have a good day.
I had taken Lisinopril for years until my first visit with my nephrologist, who stopped it immediately. My cardiologist had me in Simvastatin and my nephro has me stay on it. I think it depends on your stage of CKD and all of your medical factors. Just be sure all of your docs are aware of each other's diagnosis & treatments so they can work together for your overall health. Good luck.
Thank you so much for your help nascar4433. Unfortunately I don’t have a specialist. I live in the U.K. and stage 3 is not considered bad enough to see one and my General Practitioner does the bare minimum. Hence I have to be proactive, do my own research and then ask for what I think I need. For example I asked for a referral to a Renal Dietitian and I was told to keep a food diary and my General Practitioner , who is not a trained nutritionist, will have a look at it!
Thanks again for sharing your experience with Statins with me. Glad you are now on one that is better for you. Wishing you good health and long life😊
It can be a little difficult to find a renal dietician. I found one that specialized in renal and other issues, and she helped some to balance the new renal diet with my previously recommended restricted diet due to severe gastrointestinal issues. That's been hard balancing the 2...low potassium, kidney healthy, but no healthy stuff like nuts, seeds, while grains, etc. because of the gastro & swallowing issues. I'm sorry they don't consider stage 3 to be serious enough to see a nephrologist...it would be better for you, obviously, to be proactive before more severe damage was done, but would also be less expensive for them to keep you from needing dialysis or a transplant if it got that bad. Hopefully you won't get that far! Continue to do research, eat healthy as others have said, closely watch meds that may be prescribed, stay vigilant and ask questions why you need the drug and how it may affect kidneys, and really importantly...be your own health advocate. It's your body, and you need to fight for it! Best of luck in staying well.
Yes Nascar4433, I agree with everything you’ve said and I feel encouraged by your empathetic words. Thank you so much. I wish you good health and longevity. Take care.
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Kidney Donor who now had CKD stage 3a
Hello, sorry I ask “alotl” questions.
New to CKD need advice
Not Diagnosed Yet, But Going To The Doctor Next Week
New diagnosis at ckd 3a
