Statin: I saw my Internist this morning to go... - PBC Foundation

PBC Foundation

9,475 members8,328 posts

Statin

gwillistexas profile image
34 Replies

I saw my Internist this morning to go over last labs. In discussing my cholesterol, he sent a msg to my GI asking his thoughts on getting back on statin. GI responded quickly & approved as long as they both keep an eye on enzymes. I researched Journal of Lipid Research & looked into their clinical trials with the use of statins & PBC. The trial was done with simvastatin 40 mg, which is what I’ve always taken. They found no harmful effects on PBC. I had a full script when I was taken off so Dr said I can continue 40 mg or can cut in half. Will give it a fair shot.

Written by
gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
34 Replies
Ottley3 profile image
Ottley3

That sounds like good news. Are you going to try the half or the full dose? Good luck.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toOttley3

I’ll start cutting in half for a while. Want to make sure it doesn’t mess with anything. Labs in 3 months for lipid, hepatic & thyroid.

Ktltel profile image
Ktltel

gwillistexas,

Sounds good 👍. I hope you can get the benefit of it without it raising your LFT's. I need to have my cholesterol checked. Good to know there is a statin out there that won't mess with LFT's. Keep us posted.

Stella ❤

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toKtltel

My hopes as well. Tks

As I shared with you before, my hepatologist put me back on statins & told me it was perfectly safe. I still tripled check by consulting with my GI/PCP & the cardiologist. Well, hepatologist did suggest, why don't you discuss it as well with your PCP. Then my PCP said, let's check in with the cardiologist as well.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to

Great😊 and it doesn’t have negative effect on your enzymes?

in reply togwillistexas

Don't think so.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to

Which statin do you take?

in reply togwillistexas

Generic for Lipitor

Ballymahon2 profile image
Ballymahon2

My enzymes elevated for rhe first time in 2013 after taking statins just watch your enzymes you will know after the first blood tests good luck

Gatorlin profile image
Gatorlin

I’m taking the same medication and it works great for me. Keep us informed.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toGatorlin

Lipitor or simvastatin?

Gatorlin profile image
Gatorlin in reply togwillistexas

Lipitor

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toGatorlin

Gatorlin...I remember your AMA & ANA we’re negative? I may be thinking of another member.

Gatorlin profile image
Gatorlin in reply togwillistexas

No, my ama was very high, but the ANA2 was negative

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toGatorlin

Gatorlin...so I actually didn’t remember if you definitely have PBC.

Gatorlin profile image
Gatorlin in reply togwillistexas

No, but since my AMA was so high, I am having labs drawn twice a year. My doc said I could eventually develop a problem, and let her know if I do. Since I am a retired nurse, I am very optimistic that I won’t.

Gatorlin profile image
Gatorlin in reply togwillistexas

I don’t yet. My test revealed that I’m leaning toward Lupus, but it is not active either. As I mentioned in another post, the dr plans to check me for that twice a year

butterflyEi profile image
butterflyEi

Hi gwillistexas

I have been on simvastatin for a long time now even before PBC was diagnosed. I have often asked to come off them but have always been advised best not. My blood tests for the PBC have remained slightly above normal parameters.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply tobutterflyEi

Thank you. Yes, I took simvastatin 5 years prior to diagnosis & I didn’t want to stop taking it. I’m praying it has no adverse effect now. Do you take 20 Or 40?

butterflyEi profile image
butterflyEi in reply togwillistexas

Hi gwillistexas

Oh I only take one at a time :-) :-)

apologies for my terrible sense of humour, seriously

my prescription is for 10mg a day.

hope I have at least brought a smile to your day :-)

best wishes

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply tobutterflyEi

Lol! I’m sorry... I meant 20 mg or 40mg. 🤗 I take one at night.

janetfolley profile image
janetfolley

Thanks for info as I have just started Stations as was worried in case it effects my PBC

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply tojanetfolley

Well I have to wonder this...how could it be healthy to let that cholesterol sit in our blood? When my dr put me on it 5 years ago, he said “your liver manufactures that stuff”. So I was given no option but to take statin. And my cholesterol dropped 60 points the first month & has stayed low, until now. Anyway, I’m on it & hope can stay on it. 😊

claygi profile image
claygi

I have high cholesterol, always have since being a teen. I have PBC and recently started taking atorvistatin too, besides ursodiol. I only take 10mg, but also radically changed my diet. I got it down from 290 to 170 in three months.

in reply toclaygi

You might not even need the meds. Sometimes diet & exercise alone can address the issue but unfortunately, our health care system just tells you you need to do this & that without coming up with a comprehensive game plan to set you on course. All so much easier to prescribe a pill.

claygi profile image
claygi in reply to

I had changed my diet many times and it never worked alone. The med is what did it. I hate being on a statin, but as grudgingly as I say this, it works.

in reply toclaygi

Yes...the body changes too as we age. Without meds, my cholesterol #'s fluctuated...sometimes normal, sometimes not. Had to be on a really stringent regiment which is not conducive to day to day living unless you are a model or actress. So I went back on meds. But I was able to decrease the dosage from 20 mg daily to 10 mg every other day.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toclaygi

claygi...I had high cholesterol for many years but was finally given no choice but to start statin. Never had enzyme issue until last year. Mine is familial so no diet helps. Most females on my mom’s side have high cholesterol. If I could keep HDL high, the LDL would be of no concern. One of my aunts had high cholesterol but her HDL stayed high 80’s. Wish I could be so lucky. She also drank red wine.

claygi profile image
claygi in reply togwillistexas

Mine is familial too, my dad even had the genetic test and it came back positive. When I was 19, and about 97 lbs, my cholesterol was at its peak, 490. Now, I’m 46, weigh 115, and my last test it was 220, but I got a little lazy and did not take the statin evert night. I’m going to get militant again and try to get it back down to 170.

in reply toclaygi

Same here. Both parents were on meds. Both siblings on meds except one of them stopped & is eating a very stringent diet & massive daily (7x a week) exercise effort. He took himself off meds with his doctor's approval.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toclaygi

My average weight was 117. But every time my thyroid goes hyper, I may lose one or two lbs then it’s impossible to get it back because I also have high metabolism. Blessing & curse. Right now I’m at 111. Total cholesterol was 230 end of June. GI wanted to watch enzymes before allowing me to start statin again. I don’t think he really realized my cholesterol has been a problem for years, not something that just started. Glad my Internist contacted him & got the green light.

My son was given Lipitor for high cholesterol. My cholesterol went down because of my diet and juicing. His LFTs are already much worse and mine are perfect. It you're going to take a statin, Simvastin is probably the safest, but I can't tell his doctor what to do.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to

I won’t take Lipitor or Crestor. My Internist takes simvastatin so I’m ok with it😊

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Is Azathioprine indicated for pbc

Hi Again. just went to the GI, and yes it's confirmed I have PBC. So far I drink 1000 mg of Urso...
YADILURO profile image

Biopsy results back...

Hi all, So, got my biopsy results back. Liver specialist Dr. called me himself. No PBC. (What?)...
Ktltel profile image

Diagnosed in February

Hi. 🙂 After blood work, ultrasound, CAT scan and liver biopsy I found out (at the age of 67) that...
NormaH951 profile image

New Diagnosis of PBC and Prescribed URSO

Hello Everyone, I recently was diagnosed with PBC and went to see a GI doctor who recommended I...
Toddyboo profile image

Finally had Hepatology appt Today after 3 months of waiting.....

Hi all, I was diagnosed by my GI doc on 10/10/16 off of high LFT's including positive AMA- M2....
Ktltel profile image

Moderation team

See all
PBCCheryll profile image
PBCCheryllAdministrator
janethomas profile image
janethomasModerator
Cupcake1971_ profile image
Cupcake1971_Moderator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.