Statins

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  • crissy
    crissy Forum Participant Posts: 154
    edited November 2016 #62

    I too suffered side effects from Atorvastatin. Only after I refused to take it any more was I taken seriously at a review. My size was halved but symptoms continued so I was put on another type. (Can't remember which one but it hasn't been mentioned.) A
    low dose, 10mg. Symptoms returned within a week! 

    To be continued .....

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #63

    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 

    With my feet David I might have thought my feet had a numbness. However when I thought about it and described it to my doctor I described as a sensation as though standing on a soft sandy beach. Not so much a numbness as being aware of my feet. Normally
    folk would not be aware of feet and hands - they just 'are'. I don't know how to better describe the sensation. 

    The doctor tested my feet with some long narrow strands of cotton wool. I laid down with eyes closed and told him when and where he touched my feet. I had no problem detecting. 

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited November 2016 #64



    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' h bang

    I had a phone call from the hospital last week to go in for an ultrasound on my heart. This is in addition to a 24 hour ECG that I'm booked in for in a couple of weeks. The ECG they did on me a couple of weeks back at the stroke clinic was normal so I'm
    a bit puzzled by their apparent obsession with me. The nurse said my notes were the thinnest she had ever come across and I want to keep it that way. ATM they seem to be operating a bit like the Readers Digest. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #65

    My notes need two hands to lift Winking

    They used to reckon that the only way to escape Reader's Digest was to move home

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #66

    I posted earlier that I sort of accepted about 10 years ago that Statins were a good thing, and have gone along with that thinking. I don't have anything of interest wrong with me (that I know of) and today looked at my dosage, it's 80mg and researching says it is a fairly high dose so booked online for a 10.00am appointment to discuss.

    At least this thread will prompt people to question the 'usefulness' of statins and the dosage.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #67
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #68

    I have read all this thread with interest. Neither of us has high cholesterol or high blood pressure but it has been very interesting and enlightening to read about the issues that some of you have had using statins. 

    Just an aside, my OH had problems earlier this year with  kidney stones, the anti-inflammatories they prescribed caused him to have terrible back pain behind the left kidney. The doctors wouldn't believe that it was the anti-inflammatories that did it. However
    the pharmacist was adamant that OH should stop taking them.  Within 24 hours the pain lessened and within a few more days had gone. This is all documented in his notes, yet the other day he was at the doctors for his shoulder problem and the doc prescribed
    something that should not be taken by anyone with kidney problems Surprised needless to say OH hasn't taken them.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #69

    I posted earlier that I sort of accepted about 10 years ago that Statins were a good thing, and have gone along with that thinking. I don't have anything of interest wrong with me (that I know of) and today looked at my dosage, it's 80mg and researching says it is a fairly high dose so booked online for a 10.00am appointment to discuss.

    At least this thread will prompt people to question the 'usefulness' of statins and the dosage.

    In reply to my own post,

    I saw the Doctor and expressed my concerns that 80mg is a high dosage continuously for 10 years, she looked at my previous blood tests and the latest cholesterol figure was 5.1 which is good, she also told me that 10 years ago my reading was 7.4 so whether it has been a change in diet/lifestyle/exercise or statins remain to be seen.

    So she decided to cut my dosage by half to 40mg and to have a blood test in 8 weeks time, to see if my cholesterol levels have raised due to the reduction in dosage.

    Happy with that.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #70
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #71

    I have read all this thread with interest. Neither of us has high cholesterol or high blood pressure but it has been very interesting and enlightening to read about the issues that some of you have had using statins. 

    Just an aside, my OH had problems earlier this year with  kidney stones, the anti-inflammatories they prescribed caused him to have terrible back pain behind the left kidney. The doctors wouldn't believe that it was the anti-inflammatories that did it. However the pharmacist was adamant that OH should stop taking them.  Within 24 hours the pain lessened and within a few more days had gone. This is all documented in his notes, yet the other day he was at the doctors for his shoulder problem and the doc prescribed something that should not be taken by anyone with kidney problems Surprised needless to say OH hasn't taken them.

    TG

    I think most medication is a necessary evil and few of them are neutral on the affect it has on our bodies. I was taking Naproxen for my knee which caused me to suffer Atrial fibrillation and the cardiolgist was convinced the pain killer was to blame. People who take medication for common ailments on a long term basis should always insist on annual blood test to check the performance of their major organs like kidneys and liver.

    David

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #72

    I have read all this thread with interest. Neither of us has high cholesterol or high blood pressure but it has been very interesting and enlightening to read about the issues that some of you have had using statins. 

    Just an aside, my OH had problems earlier this year with  kidney stones, the anti-inflammatories they prescribed caused him to have terrible back pain behind the left kidney. The doctors wouldn't believe that it was the anti-inflammatories that did it. However the pharmacist was adamant that OH should stop taking them.  Within 24 hours the pain lessened and within a few more days had gone. This is all documented in his notes, yet the other day he was at the doctors for his shoulder problem and the doc prescribed something that should not be taken by anyone with kidney problems Surprised needless to say OH hasn't taken them.

    TG

    I think most medication is a necessary evil and few of them are neutral on the affect it has on our bodies. I was taking Naproxen for my knee which caused me to suffer Atrial fibrillation and the cardiolgist was convinced the pain killer was to blame. People who take medication for common ailments on a long term basis should always insist on annual blood test to check the performance of their major organs like kidneys and liver.

    David

    funny you should mention Naproxen because that is what I take. The doctor took me off Diclofenac saying it was no longer recommended by our NHS trust. In the begining I wasn't best pleased because Diclofenac works fine for me, no side effects from it, unlike Ibuprofen which I can't take. Naproxen is working ok but not as good as Diclofenac, the problem will come in 18mths when I reach 65 as its not recommended for above that age. Pain killers like Paracetamol don't touch the pain I get, so it would have to be co-codamol or stronger but I don't like the idea of being on them long term. 

     

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited November 2016 #73

    OH phoned our surgery this morning, but his GP is not available today.  He is on the list for the duty doctor to call him back to discuss what we now think may be side effects from the statins.  I will update later.

     

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited November 2016 #74

    Strange that Naproxen has been mentioned.  OH had been taking it for over a year when a blood test revealed a raised liver enzyme (I think!) His GP sent him for an abdominal ultra sound to check his liver.  His liver was fine BUT it was discovered that he
    had an AAA Surprised  This was just over 2 years ago.  

    He had the Aneurysm repair operation last December.  So you could say that Naproxen potentially saved his life in a round about way Laughing

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #75

    Strange that Naproxen has been mentioned.  OH had been taking it for over a year when a blood test revealed a raised liver enzyme (I think!) His GP sent him for an abdominal ultra sound to check his liver.  His liver was fine BUT it was discovered that he
    had an AAA Surprised  This was just over 2 years ago.  

    He had the Aneurysm repair operation last December.  So you could say that Naproxen potentially saved his life in a round about way Laughing

    Glad to hear OH is ok after his AAA. My OH had his test for that last week and all is well thank goodness, not something to mess with.

    Hope you get answers re the statins.

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited November 2016 #76

    Update .... The duty doctor has called back.  She is one of the senior partners at our doctor's surgery who we have known for years and we trust her judgement.  

    She said to stop taking the statins immediately!  She has made an appointment for him for next Monday afternoon.  

  • Doug n San
    Doug n San Forum Participant Posts: 92
    edited November 2016 #77

    I believe that there is or was a financil incentive to GP's to get as many people on satins ASAP?

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited November 2016 #78

    Strange that Naproxen has been mentioned.  OH had been taking it for over a year when a blood test revealed a raised liver enzyme (I think!) His GP sent him for an abdominal ultra sound to check his liver.  His liver was fine BUT it was discovered that he
    had an AAA Surprised  This was just over 2 years ago.  

    He had the Aneurysm repair operation last December.  So you could say that Naproxen potentially saved his life in a round about way Laughing

    Glad to hear OH is ok after his AAA. My OH had his test for that last week and all is well thank goodness, not something to mess with.

    Hope you get answers re the statins.

    Thanks Tammy Smile  He is still having check ups.  He has a one year CT scan and abdominal X ray next week to make sure that all is well.  

  • neveramsure
    neveramsure Forum Participant Posts: 712
    500 Comments
    edited November 2016 #79

    Update .... The duty doctor has called back.  She is one of the senior partners at our doctor's surgery who we have known for years and we trust her judgement.  

    She said to stop taking the statins immediately!  She has made an appointment for him for next Monday afternoon.  

    I hope it works out for him LR.

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited November 2016 #80

    Update .... The duty doctor has called back.  She is one of the senior partners at our doctor's surgery who we have known for years and we trust her judgement.  

    She said to stop taking the statins immediately!  She has made an appointment for him for next Monday afternoon.  

    I hope it works out for him LR.

    Thank you Smile

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #81

    TG

    I was taking Diclofenac for about three years before I had my hip replaced. Very effective it was to. Didn't find Naproxen anywhere near as good and have managed without it and now just rely on paracetamol and Ibuprofen, sometimes together as
    recommended by my doctor. Having said that I have been experiementing with avoiding both unless things become really bad. I find with my condition that execise helps and I am generally better when I am away in the motorhome  or is that just in the mind!!!!

    David

  • crissy
    crissy Forum Participant Posts: 154
    edited November 2016 #82

    I'm the same David. I take ibuprofen , I try to manage with one 400 mg daily. This means I can walk a reasonable amount and my back is manageable. The worst thing I can do is sit or even lie around for long periods. I have to get up, walk around and stretch. Journeys are difficult, but generally if away in the caravan I'm in far less pain from arthritis.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #83

    I'm the same David. I take ibuprofen , I try to manage with one 400 mg daily. This means I can walk a reasonable amount and my back is manageable. The worst thing I can do is sit or even lie around for long periods. I have to get up, walk around and stretch.
    Journeys are difficult, but generally if away in the caravan I'm in far less pain from arthritis.

    I too use Ibuprofen to ease my spine but infrequently. At home I rarely take it. About 3 or 4 times a year I suspect. When on holiday for a third of the year I typically take it every fifth day when we tow to a new site. If it is around 1.5 hours or less
    I do not take. As I reach towards 1.5 hours driving the pain and discomfort kicks in and not good if I want to concentrate. More than 1.5 hours drive expected I take 1200mg - just the one dose when I get into the car to tow. 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #84

    Interesting how others manage their pain and conditions. I can't take Ibuprofen it brings on acid reflux yet Diclofenac and Naproxen are fine, I was on Diclofenac for 5 years with no problems at all, my blood pressure is 120 over 70 so no problems there
    and my weight is fine, I don't drink or smoke but the Dr won't let me stay on it. 

    As with others the key is exercise, I have a routine set of exercises that I do (when I'm good) daily. These work well for me.

    Being away in the van I think I am active in differant ways to when I'm at home. I don't have arthritis but I did fracture my coccyx when I was 14 which fused when it healed, this causes referred pain in the whole of the spine.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #85

    Going back to the original subject it seems odd that you might have to take a pain killer to alleviate the effects of the statins!!! Mind you some recent studies have suggested that  ibuprofen is not that safe!!!  

    TG would not something like Lansoprazole or similar not help with the reflux issue  if you needed to take ibuprofen? 

    David

     

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #86

    Going back to the original subject it seems odd that you might have to take a pain killer to alleviate the effects of the statins!!! Mind you some recent studies have suggested that  ibuprofen is not that safe!!!  

    TG would not something like Lansoprazole or similar not help with the reflux issue  if you needed to take ibuprofen? 

    David

     

    Possibly DK, but  5 years ago Dr said try Diclofenac to see how you get on with them. To be honest I would much rather not take anything as they all have contra indications, some of them quite bad ones. I may give it a try as I have Ometprazole on repeat
    from when I was on Diclofenac, but never needed to take it.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #87

    Going back to the original subject it seems odd that you might have to take a pain killer to alleviate the effects of the statins!!! Mind you some recent studies have suggested that  ibuprofen is not that safe!!!  

    TG would not something like Lansoprazole or similar not help with the reflux issue  if you needed to take ibuprofen? 

    David

     

    I take them for my arthritis but I avoid there usage generally. I suspect that I probably take them less than 30 times a year with a dosage of 1200mm. 

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited November 2016 #88

    Perhaps CC stands for Crocs Club rather than Caravan Club.

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited November 2016 #89

    Statins! No thanks. I've read too much about how harmful they are. The only benefactor is 'Big Pharma ' There are sites on the internet that offer much better ways of fighting these problems. Losing weight and eating sensibly can solve many problems. The
    internet is a goldmine for this sort of thing.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #90
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #91

    Quite disturbing to read of the amount of medication that is taken regularly and as a matter of course, by just the small sample of the population represented on this forum.

    Neither my wife nor I are believers in taking medication if there is any other way of dealing with a medical problem. And neither of us do take any medication.

    I do wonder whether people simply take whatever their GP offers them and see it as an easy option?

    Sorry folks, I don't intend to insult anyone, but I do worry about the amount of prescribing that goes on.....