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Statins & tiredness?

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wint

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Type 2
Hello all.

I have searched and can't find any chat about this so:

I have been on statins since being diagnosed type 2 about 6 years ago. Originally I was prescribed Simvastatin which seemed to make me constantly tired. After a few years of this my doctor suggested "Lipitor Atorvastatin". Both these drugs reduce my cholesterol levels, I think I may be a little less tired with Lipitor but I don't seem to have the energy levels I feel I should have - or is that because I am 53??? :D

My wife says that she has noticed that I am constantly tired and this started with the statins.

I exercise regularly and feel otherwise fit fit & healthy.

Any comments or suggestions greatfully received.
 
Hi Wint
I was diagnosed Type 1 two+ years ago. At the time tiredness and lack of energy even to walk the dog were a major problem at the time (with all the other symptoms).
After being diagnosed and being on insulin (I also take one simvastatin at night) for about two weeks, my energy levels and fatigue went back to normal.
I guess my question is has your diabetes got worse and maybe your medication (if you are on any) needs increasing? Just a thought. all the best.
 
Have you read the leaflet that came with the pills? Have a read and see what that says. May also pay to talk with your doctor or nurse about side effects. It may mean you have to have another change of tablets.
 
I'm on statins too, though it's only been a few weeks. I'm having trouble sleeping, but I don't know if that's down to the statin, the diabetic meds or plain old stress and depression.
 
Hello, I have regular blood tests and my levels are all pretty stable. For the first 2 years, I was diet only and then onto Metformin.

I have talked to both doctor and nurse about this. The feeling is that it may be diabetes related, there are no known side effects causing tiredness apart from anecdotal reporting. For example, a colleague feels the same and I have read similar tale(s) in Balance.

I suppose it could be a coincidence or diabetes related. My GP and practice nurse are very helpful and will change medication if I suggest/request it - within reason obviously. My swap from Simvastatin to Atorvastatin was a result of my request for example.

I am just trying to find any other cause.

Thanks.
 
A number of friends are Type II and all have been prescribed stains at some stage. Some people seem to tolerate them well but a higher number than the medical profession would admit have quite bad side effects. One friend had to be taken off them as she was falling asleep at work whilst another gave them up as they were suffering muscle pains in the legs. Another has no problems but is starting to question his GP why exactly it is better for his colesterol to be 2.7 when it was 4.0 without statins. Answers on a postcard please.
 
falcon123 said:
A number of friends are Type II and all have been prescribed stains at some stage. Some people seem to tolerate them well but a higher number than the medical profession would admit have quite bad side effects. One friend had to be taken off them as she was falling asleep at work whilst another gave them up as they were suffering muscle pains in the legs. Another has no problems but is starting to question his GP why exactly it is better for his colesterol to be 2.7 when it was 4.0 without statins. Answers on a postcard please.
Click to expand...

Well, I think you already know my views on statins - especially if your cholesterol levels are fine without them and stupidly low with them! Wint, welcome to the forum!🙂 Would it perhaps be possible to ask your gp if you could have a trial period of not taking them? I did this last year when I was trying to determine which of the many drugs I was on back then was causing my constant nausea. My chol. level was 2.4 before I stopped, then 3.7 four weeks after stopping. The nausea did ease a little, but not completely. I reluctantly started taking them again, but about a month ago I decided to stop. I do feel as though I have more energy now, but it's a very subjective thing.

I don't think there would be any harm in having a trial period without them, with your doctor's consent, unless your chol. levels are really high - feeling tired all the time is affecting your quality of life, so it's important to get to the bottom of it.
 
I've been considering that option Northerner. If my level is still 4.4 or less at my assessment in March I'll talk to my team about coming off them. I don't want to be taking pills I don't need.
 
AlisonM said:
I've been considering that option Northerner. If my level is still 4.4 or less at my assessment in March I'll talk to my team about coming off them. I don't want to be taking pills I don't need.
Click to expand...

I'm wondering about stopping my daily aspirin too, as there seems to have been yet more evidence that it does precisely zilch if you've not had a prior heart attack or stroke. If I can stop that then there's only my BP pill to go, and I've been trying to modify my liefestyle to help reduce BP naturally (less booze, more exercise!). I'll probably continue to take the multivitamin though! This time last year I was on 11 different medications and felt terrible all the time.
 
1. If you do have high blood pressure then the aspirin may help, but I reckon diet is better.
2. If you have a good varied diet then you shouldn't need multivitimins, that's a marketing ploy designed to make money for the companies that produce the things.
3. Licking envelopes is a horrid thing to have to do.... Yeuch!
 
AlisonM said:
1. If you do have high blood pressure then the aspirin may help, but I reckon diet is better.
2. If you have a good varied diet then you shouldn't need multivitimins, that's a marketing ploy designed to make money for the companies that produce the things.
3. Licking envelopes is a horrid thing to have to do.... Yeuch!
Click to expand...

The multivitamins are free - I get them on prescription🙂
 
AlisonM said:
1. If you do have high blood pressure then the aspirin may help, but I reckon diet is better.
2. If you have a good varied diet then you shouldn't need multivitimins, that's a marketing ploy designed to make money for the companies that produce the things.
3. Licking envelopes is a horrid thing to have to do.... Yeuch!
Click to expand...

1. No, aspirin has NO effect on high blood pressure - it is used to prevent clot formation, but also increases likelihood of bleeding in the stomach. Diet doesn't have much effect on clot formation, although lower blood cholesterol means less narrowing of blood vessels, so any clots are less likely to get stuck and cause problems.
2. in general, a good varied diet, does provide adequate vitamins, but not enough folic acid for women who are pregnant or intending to become, to prevent / minimise chance of having a baby with spina bifida.
3. Licking envelopes - a damp sponge or cloth does the trick if you have too many to lick.
 
Re aspirin, oops sorry, you're absolutely right. Re envelopes, it was just the one so I toughed it out. Re vitamins, true and excellent point, but something tells me Northerner isn't going to get pregnant any time soon😱

Just curious Northerner, but why are they prescribing multi-vitamins? Is there some benefit for diabetics that we should be considering?
 
AlisonM said:
Re aspirin, oops sorry, you're absolutely right. Re envelopes, it was just the one so I toughed it out. Re vitamins, true and excellent point, but something tells me Northerner isn't going to get pregnant any time soon😱

Just curious Northerner, but why are they prescribing multi-vitamins? Is there some benefit for diabetics that we should be considering?
Click to expand...

I was prescribed them (Sanatogen Gold) when diagnosed, I think it was because I was in such a terrible state at the time having dropped to 8st 4 from 9st 8 in three days and not being able to drink or eat anything for 5 days. I was also precribed Vitamin B and Thiamine, which I think the body needs to help convert carbs to energy. My GP said I probably no longer need the multivits, but I've carried on taking them. I guess they may be taken off my prescription at my next review.

I did read somewhere that people taking metformin need extra B12, as it can cause a deficiency, so you might want to read up on that.🙂
 
Northerner said:
II did read somewhere that people taking metformin need extra B12, as it can cause a deficiency, so you might want to read up on that.🙂
Click to expand...

I will do, thanks.
 
Hi,

I'm afraid that this is one of the very many reported ill-effects of statin drugs. I was on Simvastatin for only 6 months, and stopped taking it three years ago because of the effect it was having on me.
Most of these cleared up within a couple of months of stopping. It took me two years to recover the weight which I lost, but I have never recovered my stamina. I can only walk about 50 metres without sitting down for a rest, and I tire easily.
If you are interested, read the book: 'The Statin Damage Crisis' by Dr. Duane Graveline.
He goes into all of this fairly thoroughly and, most importantly, all of his statements and conclusions are properly referenced. You can verify them all for yourself.
Good luck.
Bill Wilson
 
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