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STATINS
- Thread starter rosalindb
- Start date
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Statins can be a divisive subject. Personally I do not want to take any medication which I don't need and my cholesterol levels are pretty good (usually mid 4s) but is slightly higher than they would like for someone with diabetes as they want us to be below 4. However, I am fit and otherwise healthy and my diabetes is very well managed with fairly low variability and I do not have a family history of cardiovascular disease, so even though the QRisk calculator gives me a score above 10% (I think it is about 15%) I don't believe that takes into account my personal circumstances and therefore, having weighed up my own particular circumstances, I have declined them for the past 3 years. If my total cholesterol was to suddenly increase to 6 or 7 I would likely reconsider, but I have been pretty stable in the mid 4s since diagnosis and changing to a low carb higher fat way of eating, which seems to be healthy for me in lots of respects and certainly better than my previous high carb diet.
You have to decide if you are happy to follow the doctor/nurse's advice which is often more a blanket approach or assess your own risk and take responsibility for your own decision. If that is the case then you need to educate yourself a bit about cholesterol. Many people take stains with no apparent ill effects and some benefit to their cardiovascular system and some find they get side effects which may be anywhere from mild to very significant. You will only know if you try them and see. If you have a bad reaction to them, you can try a different statin or there is an alternative and more expensive cholesterol lowering drug however it is not as effective as statins and generall used in conjunction with a low dose statin for best effect. There are also things you can do diet wise like increasing your soluble fibre intake (I use chia seeds and psyllium husk as they are low carb but oat bran is also good but higher carb) and I believe the drinks like Benecol can also help.
You have to decide if you are happy to follow the doctor/nurse's advice which is often more a blanket approach or assess your own risk and take responsibility for your own decision. If that is the case then you need to educate yourself a bit about cholesterol. Many people take stains with no apparent ill effects and some benefit to their cardiovascular system and some find they get side effects which may be anywhere from mild to very significant. You will only know if you try them and see. If you have a bad reaction to them, you can try a different statin or there is an alternative and more expensive cholesterol lowering drug however it is not as effective as statins and generall used in conjunction with a low dose statin for best effect. There are also things you can do diet wise like increasing your soluble fibre intake (I use chia seeds and psyllium husk as they are low carb but oat bran is also good but higher carb) and I believe the drinks like Benecol can also help.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Well nobody knows whether they'll be badly affected by any drug or not, unless they actually try taking it. The majority of people don't appear to be adversely affected and even if they are, the adverse effects don't usually happen instantly.
I have been offered statins for more than 10 years.
I think the guidance is that everyone with diabetes over the age of 40 are recommended to take statins.
I resisted for years while my cholesterol was within the tight range defined for people with diabetes.
At the start, this was supported by my consultant who said the offer of statins was based on a studies from people who do little exercise and are overweight which is not me.
Then I changed to a different consultant who sang from a different hymn sheet. He kept telling me that people with diabetes have greater swings on BG which puts extra strain on their heart.
While my blood test results showed me within range, I still declined the offer.
This year, my blood tests showed I had just peeked outside this range. I decided to give statins a go at a low dose. My GP insisted on blood tests after 3 months to check there were no adverse reaction. The results came back fine. The only joint pains (a common complaint) have had much more to do with a broken bone than anything else so I will continue with them for now.
I think the guidance is that everyone with diabetes over the age of 40 are recommended to take statins.
I resisted for years while my cholesterol was within the tight range defined for people with diabetes.
At the start, this was supported by my consultant who said the offer of statins was based on a studies from people who do little exercise and are overweight which is not me.
Then I changed to a different consultant who sang from a different hymn sheet. He kept telling me that people with diabetes have greater swings on BG which puts extra strain on their heart.
While my blood test results showed me within range, I still declined the offer.
This year, my blood tests showed I had just peeked outside this range. I decided to give statins a go at a low dose. My GP insisted on blood tests after 3 months to check there were no adverse reaction. The results came back fine. The only joint pains (a common complaint) have had much more to do with a broken bone than anything else so I will continue with them for now.
JJay
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
If you do decide to try them, be aware that that there are different types, and don't hesitate to ask for a change of tablet if you get unpleasant side effects.
I have atrial fibrillation and my Qrisk is pretty high so my view is I will take anything that helps if it does no harm.
Simvastatin & Pravastatin didn't suit me. Atorvastatin was fine but didn't produce results my GP was happy with, so I was switched to Rosuvastatin. This was fine, but a house move to a different county 8 years ago found me back on Atorvastatin, because the CCG at the time wouldn't fund Rosuvastatin. My cholesterol has never been lower than 4.7 but everyone seems content with that.
Interestingly, my Atorvastatin was stopped when I had 8 weeks in hospital recently because there was concern about my low blood pressure. I had a test 6 weeks ago with a result of 5.6 and was told to restart the statins. On Monday, a second test showed 4.8.
I have atrial fibrillation and my Qrisk is pretty high so my view is I will take anything that helps if it does no harm.
Simvastatin & Pravastatin didn't suit me. Atorvastatin was fine but didn't produce results my GP was happy with, so I was switched to Rosuvastatin. This was fine, but a house move to a different county 8 years ago found me back on Atorvastatin, because the CCG at the time wouldn't fund Rosuvastatin. My cholesterol has never been lower than 4.7 but everyone seems content with that.
Interestingly, my Atorvastatin was stopped when I had 8 weeks in hospital recently because there was concern about my low blood pressure. I had a test 6 weeks ago with a result of 5.6 and was told to restart the statins. On Monday, a second test showed 4.8.
Jodee
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
As mentioned, the medics go by the book re patient Risk relating to current age and other medical conditions. I think its bog standard to be offered with a diagnosis of diabetes.
For myself personally I have refused them as my cholesterol levels are good. The medics will argue the risk though especially if you have more than one health issue risk along with age in accordance with QRISK.
Perhaps ask what your cholesterol level results were, in the end the choice is yours. But of course if you do have high cholesterol as well that it may be safer for you to agree to taking the med.
Brtish Heart Foundation have more info, if you want to check that out; https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/drug-cabinet/statins
For myself personally I have refused them as my cholesterol levels are good. The medics will argue the risk though especially if you have more than one health issue risk along with age in accordance with QRISK.
Perhaps ask what your cholesterol level results were, in the end the choice is yours. But of course if you do have high cholesterol as well that it may be safer for you to agree to taking the med.
Brtish Heart Foundation have more info, if you want to check that out; https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/drug-cabinet/statins
pjgtech
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Statins are not the only way to treat high cholesterol, other drugs are available. My own experience with statins was horrendous, but that was just me. I was in the small percentage of people who suffer side effects, and I was also in the even smaller percentage who suffer significant and serious side effects. However, most people get on with them fine.
But just be aware that a lot of HCP's will tell you you must take statins as there is no alternative, that is not correct.
Also, as advised above, if you take them and do get any serious side effects, tell your HCP and try another one, they can easily change you onto another one.
Personally I will never take another statin ever again, as for me, they just react too badly with my body.
But everyone is different
But just be aware that a lot of HCP's will tell you you must take statins as there is no alternative, that is not correct.
Also, as advised above, if you take them and do get any serious side effects, tell your HCP and try another one, they can easily change you onto another one.
Personally I will never take another statin ever again, as for me, they just react too badly with my body.
But everyone is different
PhoebeC
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Personally, I would ask if you can have time to alter your diet, work on it in other ways.
I have managed to satisfy my medical team, last summer, both my GP and the consultant who both said due to my level a steady 5.6 over the years and the time I'd had diabetes it was advisable.
I am only 35, fit and active and at the time I played rugby so aches and joint pains would be a right pain with that. So I really worked on my diet and got down to 5, it was 5.2 last blood test but I had allowed other foods back into my diet. Now I know if I don't keep up a good diet there's an impact, and that impact will be statins. At some point I will likely need them but for now my team agree that this way is suitable.
There's so many personal reasons why they work or don't for us, and some people will never take them because they don't want to. Look at all the facts, options and decide on the risk you want to take. Balance is everything in life. Fine living longer but what is the price on the day to day 🙂
I know at some point I will go onto them but not at this age, current level of fitness and diet. Also my husband did have an opinion on this which he rarely does, that was part of it too. Basically the same, if it ruined rugby for me it wouldn't be worth it.
I have managed to satisfy my medical team, last summer, both my GP and the consultant who both said due to my level a steady 5.6 over the years and the time I'd had diabetes it was advisable.
I am only 35, fit and active and at the time I played rugby so aches and joint pains would be a right pain with that. So I really worked on my diet and got down to 5, it was 5.2 last blood test but I had allowed other foods back into my diet. Now I know if I don't keep up a good diet there's an impact, and that impact will be statins. At some point I will likely need them but for now my team agree that this way is suitable.
There's so many personal reasons why they work or don't for us, and some people will never take them because they don't want to. Look at all the facts, options and decide on the risk you want to take. Balance is everything in life. Fine living longer but what is the price on the day to day 🙂
I know at some point I will go onto them but not at this age, current level of fitness and diet. Also my husband did have an opinion on this which he rarely does, that was part of it too. Basically the same, if it ruined rugby for me it wouldn't be worth it.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Before I took Atorvastatin and Metformin I had a genius level IQ and phenomenal memory.
After 5 weeks of the tablets I was a wreck.
I have regained a lot, relearning things, and my spelling is a lot better than pre-diagnosis as I have to read more slowly - I can only advise that if you decide to take the tablets on the advice of your GP or HCP, act instantly if you notice changes, don't go on hoping for improvement. The aches and pains meant that I started to use walking aids and then a mobility scooter, I have had to relearn over 300 songs I used to sing from memory - just started to do that after 8 years.
After 5 weeks of the tablets I was a wreck.
I have regained a lot, relearning things, and my spelling is a lot better than pre-diagnosis as I have to read more slowly - I can only advise that if you decide to take the tablets on the advice of your GP or HCP, act instantly if you notice changes, don't go on hoping for improvement. The aches and pains meant that I started to use walking aids and then a mobility scooter, I have had to relearn over 300 songs I used to sing from memory - just started to do that after 8 years.
Eddy Edson
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I'm on a high statin dose.
If I hadn't pushed my GP to increase the dose to guideline levels for this after I was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease 6+ years ago, I would most likely have had a heart attack or a triple bypass by now - as became evident after I finally had a full heart exam about a year ago.
If I hadn't pushed my GP to increase the dose to guideline levels for this after I was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease 6+ years ago, I would most likely have had a heart attack or a triple bypass by now - as became evident after I finally had a full heart exam about a year ago.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I ummmed and ahhhhhed for far longer than necessary, and began taking statins a few years ago. I’ve had no negative effects at all, and now all parts of my lipid panel are now sitting nicely in their recommended ranges.
Hope you get on well with them @rosalindb 🙂
Hope you get on well with them @rosalindb 🙂
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I’m indecisive anyway, but I still haven’t decided about statins, swinging from Definitely Not to I Think I’ll Try Them. I asked about statins in the thread below @rosalindb if you’re interested in others’ experiences. I found it useful:
