Atorvastatin or a different statin?

[taliesan]

Hi there. First time on the forum although diagnosed back in 2017. Spent the first year or so trying to improve BG with diet alone as I was reluctant to go on medication. Improved from 79 at diagnosis in Feb to 60 in April. By the following March (2018) I was back up to 73 and by Aug had risen to 96! So, I capitulated at this point and was put on Metformin and low dose Ramipril for BP. Three months later, in Dec 2019 it had risen again - to 99. Dapagliflozen was added and, in conjunction, I made a serious adjustment toward a LCHF diet.
On May 1st this year, HbA1c recorded at 52 - so, finally heading in the right direction. Latest test, on 13th October, came back with HbA1c at 46. Very pleased (surprised too!) to see things are improving.
A statin was offered at the last couple of meeting with DB nurse but I had declined both times as cholesterol readings seemed ok. Total cholesterol always been under 5 (usually 4 - 4.5 and HDL around 1.5). Latest results had seen Total rise to just over 5.2, HDL was 1.7 and TC:HDL is 3.1. I was told a statin wouldn't be necessary but, in light of the slight rise and after some discussion, I agreed to 'trial' it until the next test date in six months to see what effect it may - or may not - produce.
I received word today that I am to be started with 20mg Atorvastatin. Fair enough, I thought. That is, until I looked at the list of possible side effects! None of them look particularly appealing, I was already aware of muscle pain and accepted that. More surprising - and unwelcome -was to read 'increase HbA1c levels' alongside 'urinary tract infection','angina', 'insomnia' etc, etc.
Obviously, these are all 'possible' side effects, I get that, but the thought of taking something that is actually going raise my HbA1c seems like a step backwards after coming this far.
Am wondering if I ask to try a different type of statin? Or just not take one at all.

Wondering what others with experience of Atorvastatin may have to say on the subject? Could use some words of wisdom right now!

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @taliesan

I have taken atorvastsin for ages, and if it has raised my BG I certainly haven’t noticed. I don’t seem to suffer any of the listed side effects either.

Keep in touch and fire away with any questions you have. Nothing is considered silly on here.

I hope that helps.

 

[Eddy Edson]

I think possible HbA1c increase applies to any statin.

I looked into it a while back & from what I could find in the studies, the effect if any is usually tiny and also highly variable - ie many people wouldn't see any increase. That includes me - I'm on max dose of the strongest (I think) statin and it's had zero noticeable impact on HbA1c.

 

[taliesan]

Thank you both. Reassuring to hear. I have yet to chat with my GP as she is in holiday for next ten days but many thanks for the replies.

 

[Drummer]

I was on Atorvastatin and Metformin from diagnosis.
I had very bad side effects, including memory loss which is still affecting me even though I can now find the car in the supermarket car park and learn new things.
There is no way to know if you will be affected, but the statin crosses the blood/brain boundary.
As you have below average cholesterol anyway isn't it odd that you were pushed to take it so many times?
I was suicidal - or at least, several times I considered suicide after particularly awful days.

 

[Vonny]

Like @Drummer I took Atorvastatin for a brief time and my brain just wouldn't function. I also started running out of steam half way through a walk...it was like a car with no fuel, my legs just didn't want to move! Having said that, my partner (who had cramps with other statins) is now on atorvastatin and he's absolutely fine on it. Weird things our bodies, the way different people react to the same medication.

I am still strenuously resisting them, although the doc put them on my repeat prescription. My cholesterol level is 5.

 

[JMyrtle]

I had the same worries as you back in July but have been on Atorvaststin for three months and have been taking it before retiring and noticed a tiny increase in my bg readings first thing in the morning but a slight reduction in readings before my evening meal so one balances out the other.
The only side effects was mild joint and back pain but that has gone now and I don't notice I am taking them now.
I would be interesting to see what my cholesterol readings are now but I'm not due another test until I have been on Atorvaststin for six months.

 

[nonethewiser]

Wondering what others with experience of Atorvastatin may have to say on the subject? Could use some words of wisdom right now!

Can only talk from experience.

Started on 20g dose of Atorvastatin back in July after much deliberation & speaking with my endocrinologist, cholesterol was excellent but had diabetes for nearly 40 years which puts me at heightened risk of future cardiovascular event.

Read about those possible side effects knowing that not everyone experiences them, same as any drug. Statins have to be one of most researched drugs in modern time & considered safe & highly effective for those most at risk of CVD, so that in mind decided to take drug knowing if side effects occurred could stop at anytime or switch to alternative.

So 3 months in no side effects so far, believe if going to experience any it will be in first few weeks or months, so far so good. No effect on bg no increase in insulin usage.

Up to you to take drug or not, nothing to lose as you can stop them or switch to different statin, choice is yours really.