Statins?

[shirl]

Hi all,

Just a quick couple of questions about statins, I have been on Simvastatin since dx in 2005 at my last check up my cholesterol level was around 3 - 3.5 my question is, is it possible to have too little cholesterol? If it is what would the repercussions (if any) be? I only ask because I have been suffering with cramp like pains for some weeks, I have been doing stretching exercises to try to help, should I be worried?

Thanks

Shirl

 

[Vicsetter]

Statins have been associated with muscle pains. I have just given up on the latest attempt by my GP to use statins.
I would suggest you read this:
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=16431
and go and see your GP, if you are lucky they will give you the CPK blood test or more likely either drop your statin or try another.

 

[Hazel]

I am on statins - levels around 2.6 to 2.8.

I asked my GP can I come off statins - a very firm no!!!

 

[Northerner]

Hi all,

Just a quick couple of questions about statins, I have been on Simvastatin since dx in 2005 at my last check up my cholesterol level was around 3 - 3.5 my question is, is it possible to have too little cholesterol? If it is what would the repercussions (if any) be? I only ask because I have been suffering with cramp like pains for some weeks, I have been doing stretching exercises to try to help, should I be worried?

Thanks

Shirl

My cholesterol dropped to 2.4 when I was on simvastatin, and I also asked the question, 'can it be too low?' No-one seemed to be able to give me a clear answer, so I researched the issue and came to the conclusion that I really didn't need them. At the time I was also getting cramps and muscle aches, which have not returned since I stopped taking the statins. My last cholesterol was 4.8, but my consultant said he wasn't too worried as I have a lot of 'good' HDL cholesterol.

I would go back to your doctor and discuss the possibility of stopping them for a week or two to see if the pains go, and also to aks whether you really need to be taking them. What swung it for me was that, out of 100 people who take them that have no history of heart disease, only 3 might gain some benefit. Your doctor will be able to explain if there are any additional reasons why you should take them, and may ask you to take a different type.

edit: cholesterol is essential for every cell in your body, so there has to be a lower limit surely!

 

[shirl]

Thank you for replies,

I think I will make an app. with doc that does Diabetic clinic hpfully he will be able to help 🙄 won't hold me breath tho. Part of my being put on Statin was the fact that both my parents died after suffering sudden heart attacks.

Shirl

 

[Northerner]

Thank you for replies,

I think I will make an app. with doc that does Diabetic clinic hpfully he will be able to help 🙄 won't hold me breath tho. Part of my being put on Statin was the fact that both my parents died after suffering sudden heart attacks.

Shirl

That does cast a different light on things Shirl. Perhaps they will try a different statin or perhaps a lower dose. It might still be worth asking if you can stop taking them for a couple of weeks to see if they might be responsible (unless they have any other ideas as to the cause, of course). Whatever happens, I hope that you are feeling stronger soon 🙂

 

[shirl]

quick update

Managed to get appointment to see a doctor this afternoon, had blood test to check if Statins causing prob. so got to wait for result hpflly should be back for Friday. In meantime been advised to take painkillers and quinine in the hope that helps.

Shirl

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for the update shirl, I hope that they can sort things out for you when the results are through 🙂

 

[RachelT]

I think it is possible to have too little cholesterol, but i don't think you can get it from taking too many statins, it might be something you're born with or without. When i worked at a famous children's hospital we used to mix up cholesterol mixture for some of our patients, it was a horrible job and i pity the poor kids who had to take it. Unfortunatley this was before i learnt anything useful about medicines or diabetes (to be honest) and i never found out why the kids had to take it. The odd thing is that the patients also had to take statins, so i guess that they didn't have enough "good" cholesterol and maybe lacked the genes and the biochemical process needed to make it. Anybody else know what to make of this?
I would be more worried about the cramps though, it's a known side effect of statins and may mean that you need to change to a different statin or different cholesterol reducing med, don't worry, there are plenty more to choose from. The cramps could be a sign of potential muscle damage to please check with your GP.