Does anyone have troubles when taking statins (muscle weakness, dizzyness, constipation, etc)?
Some years ago the medical gurus said everyone over 45 should be taking statins. Later they came up with “unnecessary statin taking”. On doctors orders I took them (after a slight heart query) then, again, on doctors orders - a few years later - I was told to drop them!!! I was put back on them one month ago.😡😡 My cholesterol reading is 348 (German reading - can’t understand the English one). I don’t want to take them! Advice please!
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Constance13
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I have taken statins for a long time - long before GCA, during and post! They were started when I first took medication to control blood pressure.
It took some time to find one that didn’t give me muscle pains (my brother had same problem). I think they usually start you on the cheaper options, and maybe the fillers aren’t the best, but I’ve been on Rosuvastatin -20mg without any of the complaints you describe.
I discussed them with my GP last week actually because my latest Cholesterol readings were 3.1. I asked if I still needed to be on that dose, perhaps a lower one would be okay. His reply was - if you are okay at that dose then stick with it - the lower the Cholesterol reading the better! Not sure how that equates to German reading, but will try and find out.
I know some on here will disagree- but I don’t have a problem.
Just as an aside I have reduced my blood pressure tablets considerably since a. stopping Pred and b. stopping worrying about late hubby.
That is an exceptionally low level DL, Constance's is probably about 9mg/ml - and while your GP thinks the lower the better, there are quite a few experts who don't agree with that as the body needs cholesterol for good nerve function. But 9 really is a bit on the high side!!!
It is the ratio of the HDL and LDL some go by - but to be considered OK at a total of 348 Constance's HDL level would have to be very very high - mine is high at about 80 with a total of 240 or so. Hers would need to be way above 100...
Hi Constance,l can understand your reluctance to taking statins,l had dreadful cramp and pain with the first brand and just did not feel my normal self,very lethargic and my brain a bit foggy. The next weaker brand l felt fine but after a couple of weeks came out in a very red and itchy rash.Apparently l am allergic to statin. I would have liked to have been able to take them as they do lower cholesterol and help prevent strokes and are good for the heart.l think that you just need to find a statin that suits you.Good Luck .
Hello, some people do have problems with them and sometimes all it needs is a change of type. There is a blood test to check for the rare muscle problem, Rhabsomyolysis linked with statins but that usually causes pain. Have you had your magnesium levels checked? Since being on Pred my muscles go quite weak and sometimes achey if I don’t take some for a couple of days. Also potassium.
That is a pretty high cholesterol level Constance.
A week of statins nearly had me in a wheelchair so never again. But it is maybe worth trying various ones until you find one that suits you, they are all different.
I didn’t want to take them either. I didn’t like the way they were automatically given out to people of my age and the side effects sounded off putting. Therefore I only really collect negative evidence about them. My Cholesterol has not been highlighted as a problem since. I guess it’s slightly up. I don’t know what your blood tests mean. Sorry to be of no help.
Had a reply from PMRro who knows the German results - she says they are pretty high. I suppose I’ll have to take them (I’ll rattle soon)! As I have high blood pressure (under control with medicines) It’s a bit dangerous to ignore (my doctor’s words).
When I first started feeling the pains of PMR (in the ischial bursa) my doctor had just started me on blood pressure medication. I asked him if I was perhaps allergic to the bp medication. He said to go off it for two weeks, so as to give it time to get completely out of my system. I did that with no effect on the pain. So he said, "it is more likely the statin." So I went off the statin for two weeks. Again, the pain did not go away. It took a whole year before a doctor would diagnose PMR, because the inflammation levels didn't show up in the blood work.
PMRpro had posted a study out of New Zealand indicating a two fold increase in muscle pain problems in people taking both Prednisone and statins. Right now, I wondering if the pain in my legs is related to PMR, Pred or a conflict with my statin. So I am currently in the middle of temporarily withdrawing from the statin drug, again for two weeks, long enough to get it completely out of my system.
I was diagnosed PMR last Jan was on statins due to family history of stroke four weeks ago after discussion with my gp I have stopped the statins and my muscle pain has decreased I on slow reducing press now on 12 mg and have reducedpain meds
I would check dr william davis heart surgeon links, author of "wheat belley" lots on autoimmune on his website, some can be read for free using search engine,
PMR and RA two examples that can be fixed. His diet is not just low carb but very low carb, he did major heart surgery for 35 years, and some of his patients are very sick. Bear in mind that an autoimmune response is caused by poison,
I would always consider drugs/vaccines first, read Dr. Barbara H. Roberts's book, free pages in chapter 3, on amazon. And if no obvious suspect then consider food allergy, which of course cause dramatic responses too for some,
gluten is no 1 suspect and milk casein no 2 suspect, but low carb high fat diet is healthy for everyone. I am visiting here for a freind who took statins, without taking coq10. I am in here not for myself, but for a freind, so I had all these links handy, from years ago, and worst for my friend now is he cant sleep. Early days, must ditch the sugar for insomnia too. So if any ingenious ideas for sleeping out there (stumbled across self hypnosis) please do let me know.
I recently 'confessed' to my doctor that I had stopped taking Simvastatin (sp?). I expected a lecture. Instead I got an OK. When I told him I thought he'd be angry, his response was "No, I'm ok with that". Could have knocked me over with a feather. However, I did apologize for not discussing it with him first.
I went to the doctor’s today and asked again if statins were necessary - he said “in December your cholesterol stood at 348, now it’s 162, answer your own question!!!
Statins it is! Not really suffered any real difficulties, I just didn’t want any more tablets, but if they are keeping me alive.........?
I'm going to be curious to see if he feels the same way once I've been off of them for awhile. I know I'll ask for something other than Simvastatin due to it's possible association with PMR.
Hi Heron. I haven’t had a cardiac event but my brother died at 62 of a stroke. My mother had several ‘small’ strokes, also a ‘dicky’ heart. My father had two heavy heart attacks. My cholesterol was 348 and I have high blood pressure - what would YOU do with these results?
My diet has been very good (careful) because of PMR and arthritis. Oats, nuts, hardly ever meat, lots of vegetables. My cholesterol level just rose higher and higher! I was against statins but have come to the conclusion that I really NEED them.
Sorry, didn't mean to imply that you don't. It was more a warning to others who may be having them prescribed for less significant reasons. Do you know there was actually talk a few years ago of putting statins into the drinking water? Thankfully this didn't get far.
I am very Statin intolerant. I am being ÈtreatedÈ for PMR but I have some conflicts with symptoms. Is it PMR or is it the fact that the statins including the new Praulent at 300 dollars a shot tipped my body into this and it is a long term drug reaction. Not sure but if I listen to my body , the word statin makes a flashing neon red sign in whatès left of my mind.
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