Statins with BAM

[Edgar77]

After a recent blood test that shows I have high cholesterol my doctor has prescribed statins. Without even talking to me! However I have read that people with BAM cannot tolerate statins. Anyone out there had a similar problem,?.

[xjrs]

Did your doctor discuss diet before prescribing statins? I've heard other cases where doctors have gone straight to statins rather than discussing dietary measures to reduce cholesterol, which should be the first port of call. There is too much overprescribing of these things without looking at lifestyle factors first. This happened to a member of my extended family - they were told to take stains, had refused, they improved their diet themselves (in their case cutting out having regular desserts after meals) and got their cholesterol into normal range. Sometimes it can be hereditary and not related to diet, but diet should always be the first mode of treatment.

[Edgar77 in reply to xjrs]

I didn't even see my doctor. Just got a message after my blood test to say a prescription for statins was waiting for me. As a celiac I am gluten free and I know the gluten free products are high in sugar. I am good all day, then binge in the evening. I have cut down the evening binge to one treat a day and a couple of biscuits. Also I am lactose free and avoid dairy. I can't eat the margarine that cuts cholesterol it is not gluten or lactose free, but I have cut semi skimmed milk down to just skimmed. I don't tolerate white fish? (Yes I know it's supposed to be good for you. It's weared??) I eat a lot of chicken and the dietician said that although eggs contain some cholesterol tho pros outlay the cons. So what more can I do? Maybe that's why the doctors are so keen to put me on statins.

[xjrs in reply to Edgar77]

That's a fair point. Though could you cut your one treat a day to 1 treat a week and cut the biscuits and see if that helps? Just a thought (to try to help you avoid needing to take statins). If best endeavours doesn't work then you may need to follow their advice.

Other points here:

nhs.uk/conditions/high-chol...

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

healthline.com/nutrition/me...

[Edgar77 in reply to xjrs]

It just seems to me that they have completely overlooked the fact that I have BAM. Or just dismissed.

[xjrs in reply to Edgar77]

Sometimes you have to point things out to them though you shouldn't have to. Maybe get a telephone consultation so you can talk it all through first to work out between you what is best for you?

[Luisa22]

The increasing problem with healthcare appointments nowadays, is the umpteen doctors...or "Physician associates" etc, who are on your case. It's quite rare to see the same person twice (if indeed you ever do get to "see" someone!), so there's no real continuity.

It can happen that whoever is appointed to you hasn't much of a clue about you as an individual or patient, and is just responding by rote, by prescribing a certain pharmaceutical which seems to address the symptoms you complained of!

And don't tell me they don't know for sure, how difficult it might be for you to actually discuss anything in a follow-up!

Sorry, I am just rather cynical of the way we are all treated nowadays.

I still hold memories of the "Family Doctor" who was there, reliable, dedicated to healing, and knew us often better than we knew ourselves.

But if you possibly can, get to speak to the doctor (I presume it WAS an actual doctor?) who wrote your prescription, and let them know your problems.