Statins

[David Forfar]

I have HbA1c 49,type 2 controlled metaattbattack st form in Blood pressure controlled and Af
My cholesterol is 44 .This doctor of mine is obsessed withStatins why don’t you go on them.My annual review nurse is happy as Imam keeping it low he is trying to frighten me heart attack stroke.I excercise regular and feel fit.I am scared of the bad press on statins particularly as they are not good for diabetics.

Any advice appreciatec

 

[KARNAK]

Sorry David I just picked up on this, Statins a topical subject. It really is an individual medication, some people can others cannot, myself I cannot I have just stopped them after adverse side affects and I know it will take me a few months to get over the side affects. Having said that I know of friends and members of the forum who quite happily take them no problem, I`m afraid the only way you will know is to try them. Start with 10 mg if that's ok go to 20mg. If you feel ill and wonder what's up with you stop taking them for a week and see how you feel, this is my personal opinion and has no bearing on current medical advice, so buyer beware.

 

[ianf0ster]

Rather than get involved in whether Statins are good or not so good in general, I suggest you look into whether they seem appropriate for you. Most Doctors try to prescribe statins for all Diabetics (controlled BG levels as well as uncontrolled).
The reason behind this is that CVD is much higher in uncontrolled BG diabetics than in the general population. Obesity and Hypertension are related compounding factors. But also be aware that Statins raise Bg in a significant number of people (figures currently suggest approx. 10%).
The only thing that I have heard of which directly links Diabetes and CVD is high Insulin, since Insulin is an inflammatory hormone which can damage your blood vessels. After which some sort of plaque may form in attempting to cure the damage, but if the inflammation is continuing then the defensive response of the plaque tend to clog your arteries

So consider your BG levels Highs ands well as average (HbA1C) in order to decide if Statins are worth trying.
I suffered muscle pain when taking Simvastatin , however I have been side -effect free (so far) since taking Atorvastatin for the last 3 yrs, though I halved my dose after my T2D diagnosis.

 

[Ljc]

Am I right in thinking your Cholesterol is 4.4 rather than 44.

Some people do need statins or other meds that reduce cholesterol, I am one, my level before stains was 7.7 my HDL was low the baddies were high and I have some risk factors .
But their does seem to be a blanket preference to prescribe them to us with diabetes by some medics. Before you decide yes or no imo you need to have a proper breakdown of your cholesterol not just the high and low density lipids.

Statins are powerful drugs and some people have had some really awful side effects in others they cause no problems. , my personal and non medical opinion is they shouldn’t be handed out like sweeties but that is just my opinion.

Their is a book called, The great cholesterol con, sorry I don’t know the author .

So I advise getting a proper breakdown of your cholesterol
Doing lots of research on good sites, books and from people on here as we have some extremely knowledgeable people here plus one or two medics.

 

[trophywench]

Dr Malcolm Kenrick wrote The Great Cholesterol Con.

 

[Greymouser]

Just a personal note and opinion, but I wouldn't touch statins under any circumstance. I have just heard too many really awful stories, about truly horrendous side effects. I consider the risks of them, to outweigh any potential, beneficial effects. When our second son was born, we were told by a registrar something regarding a medication they wanted to give him. ( Not statins! ) He told us there were potential side effects, that the side effects could be very bad, but the benefits were also very good. He suggested weigh one side of that equation, against the other i.e.: The chance of something bad happening, compared to something good happening. For me the potential negative effects of Statins, far outweigh the potential positive.

I would suggest you consider both side of the equation, see which side feels better for you. Certainly try to lower your cholesterol by diet first, would be hard to argue against. However it is very true that a lot of people can take them without any bad effects. 🙂

I would also add: Don't let the doctor bully you into a decision! 🙂

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I have just heard too many really awful stories, about truly horrendous side effects.

I suspect there's a strong element of publication bias, in the sense that people who experience side effects are much more likely to mention it than those who don't, and those of us who don't don't really have anything specific to say. At least with something like the Libre system, people who find it works for them (and who don't have an allergic reaction to the glue) have something concrete to say. Statins (when they work) just change some test results, maybe, over the long term.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I suspect there's a strong element of publication bias, in the sense that people who experience side effects are much more likely to mention it than those who don't, and those of us who don't don't really have anything specific to say. At least with something like the Libre system, people who find it works for them (and who don't have an allergic reaction to the glue) have something concrete to say. Statins (when they work) just change some test results, maybe, over the long term.

Absolutely agree Bruce. Statins are one of the most prescribed medications in history, and while there are potential adverse events (as with all medications) the vast majority of people take them without problems, or if they react to one, will tolerate another.

If after consulting with your Dr and making up your own mind you think statins are appropriate for you then I would say it’s worth giving them a go and seeing how you get on.

 

[Drummer]

Having experienced the joint medication of Atorvastatin and Metformin, which gave me the worst month of my life so far, I wonder ho many people are in care homes being carefully and diligently medicated into needing to be in a care home.
My uncle was carefully dosed each day during the later part of his life with tablets which rendered him unable to cope alone - they were intended to be used only if he needed them, and in a single dose - but because they were prescribed, he was given them.
It was not anything imaginary - the mental effects were noticed by all at the folk club as I became unable to sing from memory and had to use a printout of the words - I even had to keep my finger on the sheet to know which verse came next. I have been able to relearn my songs, and have pushed myself to sing from memory - it dents the confidence to find one's memory a blank, but it has taken several years to achieve that.

 

[Greymouser]

I suspect there's a strong element of publication bias

Bias maybe, but not publication bias, as my references are to people I know, or knew in real life, so not me relying on the press, which is often a bad idea. As long as the choice is made with eyes wide open, and as much information as possible, it can be no bad thing. I am just very aware from personal, 1st hand experience, that some Doctors have a tendency to bully people into decisions. A minority, but there you go. 🙂

 

[David Forfar]

My cholesterol was 4.4 not 44 sorry

 

[Andy HB]

I agree that whether or not to take statins is a very personal decision. Weigh up the factors involved and decide for yourself.

Personally, I don't take them even after my GP gave me an evening phonecall trying to explain why I should.