Statins

[trophywench]

Oooh Browser - the reduction in carbs generally usually improves serum Chol levels, and extra exercise does too in terms of increasing HDL and improving Trigs. It's the balance between the elements of Total Chol that appear to be more important than actual numbers - despite what popular myth insists.

Incidentally did we all see the news this morning that after studying 156,000+ people in countries all over the World, they conclude that the recommended salt intake is wrong for preventing heart trouble generally - as long as you eat a diet where every meal isn't full of it and don't exist only on high-salt foodstuffs? ROFLMAO.

 

[Sprogladite]

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!

Yes, in all fairness I did have high cholesterol levels to start with and family history of high cholesterol/heart problems so I think it was a precaution. I'd just had my son and was having a post pregnancy review of my meds when they put me on them x

 

[Ditto]

I don't take mine.

 

[Drummer]

I was prescribed Metformin and Atorvastatin when diagnose, and in weeks was a physical and mental wreck.
The day I lost the car in the supermarket and when I found it I discovered that I had just done the Christmas shopping for the second time was the day I stopped taking them.
As far as I can tell, I don't need either of them to have normal blood glucose levels, and the side effects were just so horrendous that life with then was not worth living.

 

[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.

Had my second HbA1c today. The nurse was pleased with my 10 kg. weight loss and was positive about a move in the right direction. She took blood for cholesterol and, while positive, reminded me that I had said I would reluctantly start on statins if there was no improvement or any deterioration. I might stand my ground on that one as my daughter, who is a GP ( never gets actively involved in my health issues but offers comment if asked) said that in her practice, my cholesterol numbers were slightly below the level where statins would be recommended. I await the results with interest.

 

[newbs]

I was prescribed Simvastatin 40mg not long after diagnosis, which I was on for years (apart from preconception to after delivery of my 2 children). Last year I questioned why I have to take statins as my cholesterol levels are low and was told that it is NICE guidelines to prescribe statins to all diabetics, but my consultant did agree to reducing the dose to 10mg.

 

[Browser]

Had my second HbA1c today. The nurse was pleased with my 10 kg. weight loss and was positive about a move in the right direction. She took blood for cholesterol and, while positive, reminded me that I had said I would reluctantly start on statins if there was no improvement or any deterioration. I might stand my ground on that one as my daughter, who is a GP ( never gets actively involved in my health issues but offers comment if asked) said that in her practice, my cholesterol numbers were slightly below the level where statins would be recommended. I await the results with interest.

Good numbers. HbA1c down from 67 to 45. Cholesterol greatly improved so no statins.

 

[grovesy]

Good numbers. HbA1c down from 67 to 45. Cholesterol greatly improved so no statins.

Well done.

 

[Ralph-YK]

I wasn't prescribed statins when diagnosed diabetic. I was given them when in hospital with my heart. Heart attack, previous silent heart attack and genetic heart condition.

 

[h884]

It was suggested that I take statins, This is on hold at the minute as I am not tolerating Diabetic meds thus far. From what everyone is saying I am not keen to try them

 

[Drummer]

I eat a low carb diet and all my numbers for glucose, cholesterol, the various ratios of cholesterol components are normal, good, ideal etc - so taking tablets which make me feel that life is not worth living seems nonsensical.

 

[trophywench]

Ah, well, existing heart trouble. There is actually SOME evidence that statins do help prevent future CVD events, once you've started along that particular road, much as it pains me to have to admit that they might do anything useful! LOL

Drummer - I have intermittent claudication, AKA PAD, AKA hardening of the arteries. I am therefore being browbeaten from several directions to take the things. I tell them all the same - we've all got to die of something haven't we? However if I have a massive heart attack/stroke and drop dead that's a lot easier for everyone to deal with than having to find a place in a specialist care home for Type 1 diabetic totally confused old women using insulin pumps!

 

[Steff]

So thinking back to what @trophywench said both in another thread just now and on this one it's got me thinking I'm child baring age and I've had no cardiovascular issues but I've taken atorvastatin for ages. I do have horrendously high cho so bad at last test they could not even decifer a reading it was that fatty. My choice was made over 10 years ago I'd be having no more kids full stop so I'm now debating what to do,this has left me with more questions than answers

 

[trophywench]

Steff - I'm no expert mate. I only give reasons for my own decisions for me (and explanations of course)

If you aren't having noticeable side effects of course - if I hadn't - I'd never have started reading more in the first place, cos always you'll find people who say something's good or something's bad for EVERYTHING. You know if further info becomes available - it will get debated on here whether it's good or bad. And you have no deadline to meet in reaching that decision anyway.

In this case as in every one we each have to make - if you have doubts gather the info on the pros and cons, by researching - and only then, make your decision for you.

 

[Steff]

Steff - I'm no expert mate. I only give reasons for my own decisions for me (and explanations of course)

If you aren't having noticeable side effects of course - if I hadn't - I'd never have started reading more in the first place, cos always you'll find people who say something's good or something's bad for EVERYTHING. You know if further info becomes available - it will get debated on here whether it's good or bad. And you have no deadline to meet in reaching that decision anyway.

In this case as in every one we each have to make - if you have doubts gather the info on the pros and cons, by researching - and only then, make your decision for you.

Hi Jenny
Thanks for replying I wasn't ever gonna stop taking it just what you said gave me food for thought and made me want to do abit of research as I've never before just took the pill from first day it was prescribed .

 

[Drummer]

I take some comfort in Dr Atkins having been a cardiologist - and he reports that many of the thousands of people who attended his clinic found that their general health improved on his dietary advice, and some of them had quite dangerous illnesses or were seeing physical changes which could be incapacitating. He also reported changes in blood lipids which went against the all prevailing low fat mantra we still see today.

 

[Davo]

I've been taking Bezafibrate for my cholesterol for the last 5 years or so. I have never been told what my readings have been since then. Was at the hospital yesterday and the consultant wants me to take a statin instead. Need to read up a bit on it first but don't know if I want to change

 

[Pigeon]

Thanks all. Went armed with arguments to my appt today and she never even mentioned it! Think she was focussing on her upcoming retirement- I left then realised she didn't even check my feet! Oh well, will no doubt have these conversations with my new consultant when I meet them....