Statins

[Pigeon]

Hello, how many people take statins? My consultant has been telling me for years that when I get to 10 years of diabetes I'll need to take statins, even though she admits herself that the evidence base is a bit dubious. So it's 10 years now and I'm seeing her in a week.

I do understand that people with diabetes are at increased risk of CVD, but I'm 36, I'm slim, my cholesterol and blood pressure are low and I regularly exercise... so I don't really feel at risk of CVD apart from the diabetes. HBA1c is 52, so not doing too badly there either.

Bit worried about side effects and don't really want to start taking another daily med.... anyone else in a similar situation feel the same?

 

[Vicsetter]

Prescribing statins is supposed to be based on statistical risk of developing cardiovascular problems, your consultant will probably follow goverment guidelines are recomend you take statins. However it is up to you what you follow the advice or not. I would quiz your consultant on what the reduction in risk would be if you took statins and what is your current full cholesterol (including trigs) scores and what the target score is. It might be interesting if you could get your consultant to explain how statins work.

 

[Steff]

Nope I got put on atorvsatatin and didnt question it just took it and have the past years.

 

[trophywench]

If you are a woman of child-bearing age and there is even the very slightest off-chance you could become pregnant you MUST NOT take statins. They cause horrific foetal damage. Not 'might' nor 'can' - they DO.

Statins reduce approx. 1 person in every 1,000 having a CV event - but nobody knows whether you are that one, or one of the 999.

They can also have some nasty side effects - muscular and mental - but not everyone gets these. I'm biased though, I freely admit, since I suffered awful loss of memory on them - I'd noticed I was forgetting eg the river that run through London where I'd already got T--M-S, and couldn't recall instructions I'd been given at work, or what I'd agreed to do - but it really really upset me when visiting my only sister in Australia one day when I could NOT for the life of me, remember her NAME. Well, I had only known her over 50 years by then ......

You may have gathered, I won't touch the damned things with the longest bargepole ever invented.

Do your research, don't believe me. Zoe Harcombe and Malcolm Kenrick are just two of the people who give the scientific evidence for their total mistrust of them but I can't tell the name of anyone I'd trust, who might be in favour.

 

[mikeyB]

You've no need to take statins. They don't help prevent cardiac disease to any great effect, except in those people who already have cardiac problems or have had a heart attack, and that applies whether you are diabetic or not. Of course, if your cholesterol level rockets up (unlikely) then there might be an argument, but not the way it is now. Politely decline the offer, doesn't sound like she'll hammer the point anyway.

 

[Hazel]

Mile can you have cholesterol that's top low

 

[Sprogladite]

I've been on statins since I was 17 on the advice of my doctor, so it's been 12 years now. Can't say I have ever noticed any side effects or nasties from taking them, so more than happy to keep taking them 🙂

 

[James 974]

Took them for two years but got muscle pain and anxiety - doc took me off them.

 

[Dollypolly]

Took them for 6 months and came of them as I suffered muscle pain and aching joints along with the memory loss which was really scary for me.

 

[trophywench]

Took them for 6 months and came of them as I suffered muscle pain and aching joints along with the memory loss which was really scary for me.

Yes - my mother had senile dementia in her late 60s onwards - and I was much more terrified of that than I actually am of dying.

 

[Dollypolly]

Same actually @trophywench as it runs in the family but I have since discovered my mother took statins and was getting forgetful then the memory loss along with pain and I did say was it the tablets and she's going oh no docs says it's fine then she'd forget who I was and the repeating, god that's horrible remembering that now.

 

[trophywench]

Oh bottom - just lost a post.

There is a theory - which I'm very fond of myself, Hazel! - but I honestly don't know if it's 100% reliable - that post-menopausal women do better with higher chol than lower.

 

[mikeyB]

Do better at what Jenny? We need to be told....😉

 

[Forgetful55]

I can understand (I think) why ladies of a certain age ( and especially surgically meno ladies like me) need higher chol.. I believe it is because you need Chol to make hormones. I have decided not to take them after reading the book by Dr Malcolm Kendrick.

 

[cazscot]

I was on 40mg of simivistatin for 7 years and didn't have any side effects I was charged to Atorvastatin 2 weeks ago as my cholesterol had jumped to 7.1 strangely I feel more clear headed now...

 

[Rosiecarmel]

I've been on statins since I was 17 on the advice of my doctor, so it's been 12 years now. Can't say I have ever noticed any side effects or nasties from taking them, so more than happy to keep taking them 🙂

17? That's so low! I was told that under no circumstances are statins given to women of child bearing age. Im seriously shocked they're licensed for under 18s!

 

[Pine Marten]

I took Simvastatin for some years before developing weird muscle and joint aches. My GP changed it to a low dose Atorvastatin and since then I've had no problems. I did broach the subject of stopping once or twice, because my cholesterol levels are good, but both my GP and nurse said that it was the statin that was keeping the levels good.... I'm not very good at arguing, and I'm having no problems, so I continue with it.

 

[Matt Cycle]

I've never taken them. The GP and DN at the surgery tried pushing them a few times saying they're recommended for people over 40 🙄 with certain conditions including diabetes. I declined and as my cholesterol and ratios are perfectly fine they haven't been mentioned by them for ages.

 

[trophywench]

Mine aren't what 'they' reckon is 'fine'. However they refuse to test Trigs at all - so how the Hell they can actually calculate your LDL from that I fail to understand. (LDL is not in any normal circumstances ever tested - it is ALWAYS calculated using either the Friedwald calculation usually or the Iranian calc in other more expert situations with a cardiac specialist for certain specific persons in certain circumstance. No, not Iranians! LOL) They only ever measure Total chol and HDL and make sweeping assumptions that I'm going to die soon (and cost them shedloads of dosh in the process cos I'm bound to with all the wicked things I do ie smoking and refusing to take the only brain-altering drugs ever on offer) LOL

 

[Browser]

When diagnosed, the D nurse raised the issue of statins, in light of the condition and slightly high cholesterol. I know many people say they have no side effects but quite a few have told me they suffered severe muscular and joint pains. Given that possibility and the fact that at 70 and leading a fairly active physical lifestyle, I am not willing to risk it. Also, having lost 1.5 st. and eating healthily, I am hoping my cholesterol will have improved. I'm having it checked on Monday.