Statins
Comments
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I was having 6 month blood tests as a result on being on blood pressure tablets. I was put on simvastatin early in 2013. A previous blood test showed no other problems. A few months later a blood test showed elevated sugar levels and after additional
tests I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In September 2013 I had loss of most of the site in my right eye. Often a complication attributed to Diabetes and high blood pressure. For some reason the specialist did not think that was the cause but could offer
no other explanation other than it can happen and we don't really know why but there is a 30% chance of the same happening with the other eye.
Over a period of time I developed walking difficulties. (My hips have not been good since before I was 55 but I still was able to walk 14 miles with a few stops to enjoy the scenery. Often walked 4 or 5 miles when I retired at 55.) This was not my hips
though but I suspect that they somehow masked the symptoms. We met up with a lady who is mid 80s and a friend of ours in Exeter mid last year and as we walked up into town from the old dock area it was her that left me standing. I had to keep stopping to rest
and admire the views.December last year we went off to Southport with the caravan. We sited the caravan and after setting it up I walked a couple of hundred yards to the wardens office and had to stop a couple of times on the way.
I stopped taking the statins, (might have stopped slightly earlier). In April my tablets for diabetes were reduced following a blood test and tablet review. In August I was told that I was no longer diabetic, Last blood test a few weeks ago confirmed that
my sugar levels were fine and my cholesterol level was 4. My walking has also improved - slowly.
Some seem fine on simvastatin. I have enough problems with arthritis
Write your comments here...SIMVASTATIN They put me in a wheelchair eleven years ago.I feel I would not be here today if I had not insisted on stopping them.
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I was put on Simvastatin three years ago without any evident side effects that I noticed, although after a bit of horse-trading with my GP, I persuaded him to reduce from 40Mg to 20Mg as I dislike any medication if avoidable. A couple of months ago, following
my stroke/TIA, I was switched to Atorvastatin 40mg plus Indapamide and Clopidogrel. Haven't noticed any side effects but then I didn't notice the stroke either! Only take paracetamol in desperation so this new regime is decidedly alien.0 -
I was put on Clopidogrel after a suspected TIA early this year. It seems likely however that the blurred vision that I suffered for around 7 hours but which had cleared after a futher 5 hours whilst I was asleep might well have been due to a doubling
of dosage with one of my blood pressure tablets as this was a known side effect as I discovered later by checking out NHS info. On that occasion the person that completed the discharge form mentioned tha tI had been advised not to drive for a month. I had
not, I had a telepone consultation with the consultant that I had seen and he believed that it was not a TIA. I still refrained from driving for a month as that was no inconvenience. Must have been mid Feb as the caravan was due for a service 1st April and
we were away from 7th.0 -
I think it was Val that mentioned that doctors are paid to issue these drugs. I think that is a bit of a simplification of the situation. Surgeries got extra money for setting up monitioring programs, especially for people of a certain age in order to reduce
the risks of early strokes and heart attacks. That monitoring involved blood pressure, sugar levels and cholesterol all of which impact on those problems. The trouble is that if people take themselves off such medication without discussing it with their
doctors they could be putting themselves at risk so think carefully about it.David
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I think it was Val that mentioned that doctors are paid to issue these drugs. I think that is a bit of a simplification of the situation. Surgeries got extra money for setting up monitioring programs, especially for people of a certain age in order to reduce
the risks of early strokes and heart attacks. That monitoring involved blood pressure, sugar levels and cholesterol all of which impact on those problems. The trouble is that if people take themselves off such medication without discussing it with their
doctors they could be putting themselves at risk so think carefully about it.David
Agreed David, however if the drug is crippling one then time to speak to the doctor. The hospital would initially have prefered me to be on statins as I have a partially blocked artery in my neck even though my statin level is 4.
However they say that it does not require action. When I discussed the effects they had they agreed to my not taking them.If I cannot walk without stopping every 100 yards then that is unnaceptable to me as is increased sugar leel and diabetes. Yes I have discussed with the doctors.
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Lucky you, MM!
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We have both done a lot of reading today! There seems to have been a lot of research regarding the effects of statins which we were unaware of
OH has decided that he will no longer take statins until his GP can assure him that taking this drug is not the cause of his current health problem. He is going to phone his GP first thing tomorrow.
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Great that this thread has caused so much discussion. My OH put on them and blood pressure pills as well as asprin after heart attack 22 years ago. Told it was precautionary. For first years took them but got worse and worse remembering, then when he did
similar to others side effects. On one of his check ups he spoke to our, now retired GP, he said he wasn't going to take them any more. 10 years or so on all seems fine, fingers crossed. Really GP should diuscuss trouble giving them out or not, the biggest
thing is a GP who will discuss and except we can understand our own bodies too. Definitely a regular annual check up, or more frequent if any changes in meds seems reasonable.0 -
Great thread - I notice no one has mentioned adding CoEnzymeQ10 to their regime - it is supposed to offset a lot of the side effects of Statins. A search of the net should give some pointers. Like one or two others I wouldn't take Statins either. I prefer
the natural approach - including natural medication for Low Thyroid Function - much to the consternation of my GP but he has to admit what I am doing is working! Thankfully he is happy to monitor what I am doing.0 -
What an unhealthy lot we are
. I hope CC Ltd's first aid training for wardens is good. I wore a 24 hour heart monitor earlier this month. Subsequent review with at the stroke clinic 'Monitor results fine' we will try a 7 day monitor next'
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GP's have a limited time to really think about what they are prescribing and no one will ever criticise them for prescribing an 'accepted' drug for a particular condition. I do worry when I read about cash incentives for diagnosing certain conditions and
prescribing certain drugs and I wonder how far this comes into the decision-making process.Also, some patients seem to feel 'short changed' if they aren't prescribed something during a visit to their doctor.
I meet a lot of people with varying degrees of disability. I have to say that some seem to see the length of their prescription list as some sort of 'badge of honour'. Some cannot even remember why they are taking some of their tablets.
For myself, I take nothing and have several times refused even pain killers after an injury (I prefer to be able to tell whether I'm getting better from how it feels). I would never have a flu jab. I believe there are natural ways to improve cholesterol
levels.Please do always question your GP and ask whether there are alternatives to pouring chemicals into your body.
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Great thread - I notice no one has mentioned adding CoEnzymeQ10 to their regime - it is supposed to offset a lot of the side effects of Statins. A search of the net should give some pointers. Like one or two others I wouldn't take Statins either. I prefer
the natural approach - including natural medication for Low Thyroid Function - much to the consternation of my GP but he has to admit what I am doing is working! Thankfully he is happy to monitor what I am doing.Pippah45 very interested in low thyroxine natural medication. My GP, who specialized in thyroid function, now retired I function better on the higher side of normal levels for tsh and t4 she happy to keep me in slightly higher dosage to maintain. I fear
when I get my annual check in January I may well have to plead my case, so anything else in my arsenal us a bonus. Sorry to take it off track.0 -
GP's have a limited time to really think about what they are prescribing and no one will ever criticise them for prescribing an 'accepted' drug for a particular condition. I do worry when I read about cash incentives for diagnosing certain conditions and
prescribing certain drugs and I wonder how far this comes into the decision-making process.Also, some patients seem to feel 'short changed' if they aren't prescribed something during a visit to their doctor.
I meet a lot of people with varying degrees of disability. I have to say that some seem to see the length of their prescription list as some sort of 'badge of honour'. Some cannot even remember why they are taking some of their tablets.
For myself, I take nothing and have several times refused even pain killers after an injury (I prefer to be able to tell whether I'm getting better from how it feels). I would never have a flu jab. I believe there are natural ways to improve cholesterol
levels.Please do always question your GP and ask whether there are alternatives to pouring chemicals into your body.
I'm with you there!
When I took my children I often rejected antibiotics after discussion preferring to know that they ill but not overly threatened. I know I was unusual. I believe in natural remedies where possible.
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What an unhealthy lot we are
. I hope CC Ltd's first aid training for wardens is good. I wore a 24 hour heart monitor earlier this month. Subsequent review with at the stroke clinic 'Monitor results fine' we will try a 7 day monitor next'
Write your comments here...I had a 24hr monitor fitted which did not show any problems ,and then a 7 day monitor that did show some abnomalities but not every day,i kept a record of what i was doing and that tied up with results
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What an unhealthy lot we are
. I hope CC Ltd's first aid training for wardens is good. I wore a 24 hour heart monitor earlier this month. Subsequent review with at the stroke clinic 'Monitor results fine' we will try a 7 day monitor next'
What are they looking for ET? In any event I hope the findings are all good.
It probably stems from me being taken into a stroke ward in Feb with a suspected TIA. I had various blood teats, brain scan, and ECT. Consultant reckoned it was my tablets, others keep checking. I have a retinal photograph, a diabetic eye scan, a further
inspection twice a year and eyes tested every year by optician.When not away in the caravan I seem to spend my time in outpatients, local clinic for x-Ray and blood test and doctors recalls
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Lucky you, MM!
I think I'm one of the sprogs of the forum though at 'only' nearly 55
Lucky you MM you have it all to come
.I'm hoping to copy my Dad. He'll be 80 next year, smoked Capstain Full Strength until they were stupid money & then smoked 'roll your own' ... he packed in completely after his triple by-pass 2 ys ago and pickled himself with booze. He still works a few
day a week.... he'll be the last person that some meet before they're buried/cremated. He's recently started taking a statin for something.0 -
GP's have a limited time to really think about what they are prescribing and no one will ever criticise them for prescribing an 'accepted' drug for a particular condition. I do worry when I read about cash incentives for diagnosing certain conditions and
prescribing certain drugs and I wonder how far this comes into the decision-making process.Ian
With respect that is a misunderstanding of the basis for providing extra money to GP's. They don't get it for prescribing medication. It is there for them to provide extra resources to monitor and combat the illnesses I mentioned, all of which are pretty
serious especially in people over 60. Now that may mean that they end up prescribing medication to more people based on that monitoring. From the evidence available it seems to have had an impact on the statistics. If you take diabetes as an example. If they
can nip it in the bud then the person concerned can be saved a great deal of future heartache. Some would prefer not to know but that is something of a gamble.David
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Is it not the case that NICE told GP's to lower the threshold for people being monitored as being at risk of heart disease? And that GP's are rewarded for meeting government targets? And that by prescribing statins, they achieve their target?
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Thanks’ for the posts everyone, this is a very timely thread for me. A month ago I had what they called a lifestyle health check with the nurse at our local surgery. A couple of days later I had a phone call from my doctor to say my blood cholesterol level
was too high and I should consider going on Statins. I am not keen on taking medication (the OH takes enough for the both of us) and so I questioned the need to take them. I don’t eat much fat, am as thin as a rake and do miles of fast walking with the dog
each day. Now I need to weigh up my options?
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I obviously cannot advise. I would say however that many have been put on statins. I am on a small social forum of 53 (last count) people. All over 50, I suspect most over 0. When I raised the topic on there there were 3, including me, who had experienced
raised sugar levels after taking a statin for a relatively short time. I would recomend pressing for a blood test every 6 months and if there is a significant rise in blood sugar reconsider your options.0 -
I would reiterate the earlier advice to make sure you discuss this with your GP and if prescribed medication DO NOT STOP TAKING IT WITHOUT CONSULTATION.
Those people, like me, who have chosen not to take statins have done so by discussion of their general state of health with their GP and by weighing up what they perceive as the risks and benefits, then making an informed decision. Although my cholesterol levels are normal I do have high blood pressure which would be an indicator to take statins. But it's been high since I was 18 when it was first recorded, and my sister, my brother, and one of my children and both of my sister's children also have high blood pressure). One of my parents, or grandparents probably had too, but none of them died from heart attacks, strokes, or had any heart problems whatsoever.
I wouldn't want anyone to think that I am advising stopping statins or any other treatment without any prior discussion with a GP - and taking on board what they advise.
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Valda, Don't worry I am a stickler for doing what I'm told, but frankly a bit p***** off that Ive been taking the same statin and a cocktail of BP tablets for over 20 years without any formal review. My BP is now "spot on" but I do have an abnormal heart
beat so theyve put me on blood thinning tablets ( Not warfarin). they have given me dreadful nightime cramps!But I am slowly losing my ability to walk properly, my legs feel almost dead, - very much like the OP's description. I really do think that its time for a review.
TF
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This is a really interesting thread. I to am on Simvastatin and experience some unusual numbness in my feet. I haven't spoken to anyone about it but now I think it may be time to. I didn't think to mention it to my consultant a couple of weeks ago, but
as my next hospital appointment is not until next May, I think a visit to the GP or a phoneymoon call to the hospital may be in order.David
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