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Statins and T2

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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Dinky64

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi I was diagnosed April 2020 as T2 prescribed Metformin and left to fend for myself everything I now know is from here or other help groups.
In my last blood check my blood levels were good but my cholesterol was raised and my kidney function had dropped to worrying levels. The GP prescribed Atorvastatin and said my bloods would be checked in a month.
I have been taking the statins for a month and suffered headaches and nosebleeds which are now improving.
The last couple of weeks I've felt "off" so I started testing bloods before and 2 hours after my meals and my levels are higher. I know my meals and only test if it's something new...the new levels are some of the highest levels I've registered.
Do I contact my GP or am I concerned over nothing?
All of my appointments are by phone I've not physically visited the surgery.
 
Hi they're not dramatically high but a regular meal that has always been 5.5 two hours after is now 11.8.
I'm a creature of habit and stick to meals I know and trust and they have all doubled or even more than doubled since taking the statins...nothing else has changed.
 
Statins including Atorvastatin are know to sometimes rise BG and to sometimes cause muscle pain/damage and brain fog.

Were your Triglycerides to HDL ratio really so bad that you needed statins? - Unlikely if you were low-carbing.
 
I'm sure the figures mentioned were bloods down to 48 and cholesterol up to 6.4, I've never had an issue with cholesterol previously??
If I'd had a face to face appointment I'd have queried everything but my GP isn't seeing patients and you're only allotted a timed phone call.
From diagnosis to now I've just been left to deal with it. I received a phonecall in April saying I was T2 diabetic and that there was a prescription waiting for me and I was to take 2 tablets a day...that was it.
I was sent for blood tests 1st July and everything was fine and then again 29th November. I received a call off the GP 10th December regarding statins etc..he was more concerned that my kidney function had dropped dramatically but he did point out that people donate them everyday and I'd be fine if I was left with one functioning??
 
My GP tried me on Atorvastatin when my cholesterol was 5.5 but I got bad brain-fog and 2 miles into a walk would just run out of steam and barely get my legs to work. I came off them and next time I had bloods my cholesterol was 5 and still my GP wanted me to be on them due to being diabetic and over 60. I haven't cashed in my prescription for them at all and luckily the chemist has now stopped trying to dispense them.

I don't know what to say about the kidney function...it's not a very satisfactory message from the GP imho!
 
Are you sure your portions have not increased without realising it? I have had readjust my diet over the years.
 
My blood sugars rose after taking Simvastatin.
Taking me from 46 to 49 .I'm now on a break from them for 6 months then will have fasting blood tests in April
 
grovesy said:
Are you sure your portions have not increased without realising it? I have had readjust my diet over the years.
Click to expand...
I don't think so...I have started measuring out again because of the rise and still they're higher ‍♀️
 
pippen said:
My blood sugars rose after taking Simvastatin.
Taking me from 46 to 49 .I'm now on a break from them for 6 months then will have fasting blood tests in April
Click to expand...
My GP referred me to Oviva during our last phonecall who help control your diabetes they have now recommended speaking to my GP as it could be the statins causing the rise.
 
My doctor told me they are advised to put all diabetic on statins
 
pippen said:
My doctor told me they are advised to put all diabetic on statins
Click to expand...
I have read that and I'm probably making a mountain out of a molehill but since taking them I feel "yuk"...the headaches and nosebleeds, although slowing, plus the dizziness and not quite feeling there when my sugars rise are all horrible...I have actually frightened myself into strict eating which also isn't good!!
Maybe I just need a change of statin!! Fingers crossed I might hear from my GP by next week.
 
I took Metformin and Atorvastatin for only a few weeks and felt I would be better off dead several times.
I am still nattered to reduce my cholesterol, but I can't see any valid reason for it - I am likely to live longer with 'high' (just about average) levels of cholesterol.
I am told it is because I am diabetic - but my Hba1c has been below diabetic levels for almost 4 years, and I get normal blood glucose readings all the time now.
I'd be far more concerned about my blood glucose levels if they were increasing for no apparent reason - maybe go back to your GP and discus testing for something other than type 2?
 
Drummer said:
I took Metformin and Atorvastatin for only a few weeks and felt I would be better off dead several times.
I am still nattered to reduce my cholesterol, but I can't see any valid reason for it - I am likely to live longer with 'high' (just about average) levels of cholesterol.
I am told it is because I am diabetic - but my Hba1c has been below diabetic levels for almost 4 years, and I get normal blood glucose readings all the time now.
I'd be far more concerned about my blood glucose levels if they were increasing for no apparent reason - maybe go back to your GP and discus testing for something other than type 2?
Click to expand...
Thank you, I have messaged my GP and hopefully I'll hear something next week.
I also feel "yuk" and it's not good and all this has only been since having the statins.
 
Sorry to hear you are having a rough time since adding statins. We have many members who get in fine with them, but several others have felt they had adverse effects.

Hope you find a way to alleviate the symptoms you have been getting. Perhaps a different statin would suit you better?
 
My advice would be to refuse statins unless a full lipids panel is done with the blood test. This will show all your cholesterol ratios and whether they are bad and need statins. Your total by itself is of little use. Also get yourself added to the surgery online system including test results so you can see what they are at any time and before any phone review.
 
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