Statins!!!

[Poppywoman]

Hi. I've suffered with ibs (d) for so many years. I manage it by taking Loperamide a couple of hours before I need to leave home & it has always worked! I've recently been prescribed Statins (Atorvastatin) & have constant stomach ache & really bad explosive diarohea & Loperamide now doesn't work!!! Can't tell you how embarrassing it's been! When I finally got a telephone appointment with my Doc I was told that the benefits of taking statins reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke! True... seems living your life longer albeit scared to go out , needing to poo etc. is OK? Would welcome any help!

[Linley]

Hello PoppywomanThere are so many statins would your GP not recommend another one more suitable?

My GP said I should go on statins cholesterol was high but the HDL was proportionally good. We did a deal come back and see him in 3 months and if I had naturally reduced the cholesterol he would let it rest. Well I am pleased to say it worked. Changed my diet a bit, added cholesterol busting food and took natural sterols from Boots(other brands available😉) I am not a clinician but with my GPS blessing it ended well for me.

[b1b1b1]

You can try a different statin. I now take simvastatin, but it my second try. It does not cause any side effects. I was also told to take 100 msg of COq10 every day to help make sure muscle pain does not occur. Also, double check that statins can cause stomach problems. I am not sure about this, although I do know they can cause achy muscles.

[jetwill]

I have tried 3 different statins, terrible side effects of stomach pain and muscle aches. I have a fourth in my draw and I'm too anxious to take it. I didn't know boots sd natural sterol. I'm wondering about taking them.

[eyeofthetiger123 in reply to jetwill]

If you look in my comment, I would really recommend reading a book called the cholesterol con!

[Trec]

I have to say that I’ve taken the basic Simvastatin for over 17 years and have suffered no ill effects at all. Yet, there’s always a yet! I think with most drugs there is a possibility of side effects for some people so I’d ask for a different statin option.

[Hidden]

Worth a read inews.co.uk/news/health/dr-...

[eyeofthetiger123]

I would read a book entitled the Cholesterol Con. Statins are no more of an answer than drastically improving vitamin C intake. However, I will say that large amounts of vitamin C can also cause loose stools, but not necessarily explosive diarrhoea. In the UK, many doctors are on the payroll for prescribing statins! They are also linked to higher risk factor of getting diabetes. I would avoid them like the plague and find a new doctor.

[xxbluexx]

My Cholesterol was elevated, but my Dr told me to use a supplement called Red Yeast Rice. On my next blood draw, my numbers were significantly improved. I personally haven’t had any side effects from it. Maybe you could ask your Dr about that.

[Fodmapfella]

I also have IBS (d) and have been on Atorvastatin for a few years now. I have noticed no side effects from it from the point of view of my IBS.

[jbrking]

Some people who have ibs(d) actually have a condition called bile acid malabsorption (bam for short). I only know because I was told (no formal tests) I had IBS for years. 15 years ago I was found to have a Fatty liver and put on statins (atorvastatin). Mentioned the diarrhoea and nothing done. Fast forward 10 years and the diarrhoea was so bad I finally got referred to gastro who said straight away it was bile acid malabsorption (also called bile salt or bile acid diarrhoea). You need a sehcat scan to confirm or a trial of colestyramine sachets. The symptoms you describe sound like bam. Basically the bile used for digestion should naturally get reabsorbed and reused. If it doesn’t (there are a number of reasons why not) then it reaches the colon. Because it shouldn’t be there the body flushes it out, hence the watery, explosive diarrhoea. I treated mine with loperamide for years until it just got too bad. Had a scan confirmed etc. look at bad-uk.org website for some good info on this. I don’t think it’s your statins I think you may have this, like me.

[Poppywoman in reply to jbrking]

Thank you so much for your advice. I can identify with all you said! I will definitely ask my doc (when I can get a telephone appointment) about BAM & hope I get a positive & useful response!!!