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Statins

Started by: priscus (inactive)

I have put on this post, after noting I am constantly getting a banner on 'HOME' screen on this site, to do with side effects.

My GP has strongly advised that I take them in spite of these concerns. I have CKD, so at increased risk.

If you take them, or have decided against, what has been your experience of them?


Started: 2nd Apr 2017 at 15:43

Posted by: gideonfel (343)

Priscus, ~I've taken Simvastatin for years to lower my cholesterol. I've had no problems with it at all.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 15:59

Posted by: broady (inactive)

I have taken them for years. Am currently on Lipitor. No side effects at all for me.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 15:59

Posted by: lectriclegs (5712)

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 16:08

Posted by: gaffer (7929) 

The statin with the fewest adverse effects, Rosuvastatin (Crestor), is due off it's extended UK patent expiry date shortly.
NHS buying prices are just under £1 for 28 x 20 mg tablets of Simvastatin. The disadvantage is that it has to be taken in the evening which exacerbates the sleep disturbance side effect.
Atorvastatin costs around £1.35 for 28 x 20 mg tablets and can be taken in the morning.
Crestor costs £18 for a month's supply and at this cost is only normallly prescribed to patients who can't tolerate the cheaper alternatives.
Generic versions are available in countries where Crestor is off patent and reflect a dramatic reduction in price.
Keep an eye out for the generic Crestor availability on the NHS and then ask your GP to prescribe it for you.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 17:13

Posted by: cordyline (5350) 

About 10 years ago I was advised to start with Statins

I declined the offer; never haver winter flu jab either

So far so good

just had a short bike ride via Moss Bridge - millions of midges

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 17:29

Posted by: broady (inactive)

Gaffer,
My cardiologist switched me to Lipitor earlier in the year and I am sure he said that not only did it prevent a build up of cholesterol but it could also reduce some of the existing build up. As it is quite expensive he gave me a card which reduces the cost considerably. My provincial health care will not cover any of the cost as they are pushing generics. I have just paid $32 for three months supply. Around £20.00.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 17:42

Posted by: priscus (inactive)

I'm on Atorvastatin, but I have to rely on my GP to find me the option with low risk to my kidney function, which has to be monitored following any new, or change of prescription.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 17:52

Posted by: gaffer (7929) 

Broady

That's expensive. It's an example of the excessive mark up by chemists.
When you go from 10 to 20 mg or above the statin forms an anchor around existing cholesterol deposits to stop them breaking off and getting into the blood stream.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 18:01

Posted by: momac (12409) 

Cordyline,I was also advised to take them,I declined them..my hubby is
type two diabetes and takes them..but I just didn't think I needed them...

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 18:08

Posted by: Pennywise (inactive)

It's more than that in the UK for Statins.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 18:21

Posted by: spud1 (inactive)

I stopped taking them a few years ago,I was ok for a quite a long time,and then the side effects started.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 18:32

Posted by: cordyline (5350) 

Momac
I went for a check; we've been eating the same food for many many years

I got the all clear -- it must be the St Joseph's school dinners wot did it

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 18:39
Last edited by cordyline: 2nd Apr 2017 at 22:26:14

Posted by: --oy-- (1004)

I took Simvastatin for about a year but then stopped due to leg cramps at night.

I've been on Lipitor (A brand name for Atorvastatin) for a couple of years now with no ill effects.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 18:40

Posted by: PeterP (11223)

I am on Atorvastatin 20mg and normally take one per night. I have been taking them for about 10yrs and wonder if they are causing my stiff joints and I am also type 2 diabetic. Will have a chat with the nurse on my next visit.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 18:41

Posted by: momac (12409) 

Cordy..it's definitely St Joseph's dinners.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 18:52

Posted by: Tommy Two Stroke (15202)

priscus

If you are signed in to Google, then Google watches what you are searching for in it's search engine and puts a cookie in your browser jar and then when you go on to a site displaying Google Adverts, the adverts then target yoo, with whatever you have been searching for and to stop it doing that, sign out of Google and clear your cookies and that should stop it

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 20:05

Posted by: berylh (2168)

I initially had simvastatin but it didn't work for me, although no side effects. Now on Atovastatin with better results, it doesn't matter when you take these unlike Simvastatin which need to be taken at night.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 20:12

Posted by: ayrefield (4465)

Atorvastatin 80mg and no side effects, been on them for over two years after bypass op and prescribed by cardiologist, I was on Simvastatin before and did have joint and muscle problems, though doctor wouldn't say, or admit, it was those that caused the problems.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 20:30

Posted by: priscus (inactive)

TTS No, I know how Google works, but the banner about Statins was cropping up first, and has been for some time. I haven't ever searched on line for Statins, nor for any related topic. This thread is first time that I have posted any such thing on line. Just like Rebecca, who is only two miles from me, wherever I may be, she stalks me bowt me having to do anything to initiate the action.

I think we have had threads in the past about the adverts which WW throws at us.

I also get bad night cramps, but I was doing so before the Statins were prescribed, so I guess I can't blame it on their side effects.

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 20:38

Posted by: PeterP (11223)

Install Add blocker plus stops 99.9% of pop ups/adverts

Replied: 2nd Apr 2017 at 23:45

Posted by: priscus (inactive)

Not pop ups.

If I block the ads on here, and disallow cookies, then I can read the threads, but it will not let me post.

I do clear cookies every day. WW seems to be particularly bad: a brief visit to the site plonks over 700 tracking cookies on my machine, and an extended visit over 1500.

This volume significantly detracts from performance on the very slow internet available to me, and they are persistent, resisting simple clearing.

'Superantispyware' does get rid of them though.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 00:00

Posted by: jarvo (30250) 

Drink mineral water. At least 2L per day.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 00:02

Posted by: jamse (4118)

Priscus
Try Fair Ad blocker by STANDS.

You'll have none of those problems that you state above.

Although it won't cure your cholesterol :-)

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 00:12

Posted by: cordyline (5350) 

I got the all clear -- it must be the St Joseph's school dinners wot did it

Forgot to add
I think being Teetotal helps too

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 13:05

Posted by: priscus (inactive)

I am certainly pleased that my alcohol consumption has declined, quite bowt any effort on my behalf, as I have aged.

It is not something which I had planned or intended, but simply a reflection of changes in taste and lifestyle.

I think alcohol has taken quite a toll on friends and family.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 13:18

Posted by: cordyline (5350) 

Amen to that

When returning from Liverpool recently [on train] I was sat next to a Police Sargent - works on Mersey-side

Me 'What's your most regular call-out ?'

P/S 'Domestic violence, fuelled by Alcohol'

Made me feel quite maudlin

I'll never speak to a stranger again

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 14:02

Posted by: broady (inactive)

Research has shown that drinking MODERATE levels of alcohol can raise the levels of GOOD cholesterol in the body.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 15:23

Posted by: spud1 (inactive)

High cholesterol isn't the biggest problem,smoking,overweight,too much alcohol and family history of heart problems are all worse.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 16:34
Last edited by spud1: 3rd Apr 2017 at 18:21:26

Posted by: priscus (inactive)

On mid day TV news today, said North West England is worst region for people not getting sufficient physical exercise.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 17:45

Posted by: raymyjamie (6857)

I have been taking Atorvastatin for 6 years.
I was told about possible side effects in the classes I attended after my heart attack.
Initially I was fine, but the chemist kept changing to different manufacturers, I suspect to pick the cheapest, an issue which has been discussed on this thread.
One particular brand gave me muscle spasms in my arms, most unsettling as they would just come on at anytime.
I asked the Doctor if I could stop taking them since my cholesterol level is very good.
He compromise and reduced my dosage from 80mg to 40mg.
I seem to have been OK this last 12 months and my cholesterol has remained the same.

Berylh posted “Now on Atovastatin with better results, it doesn't matter when you take these unlike Simvastatin which need to be taken at night.”
I was always told to take my statins at night, because that is when your liver produces cholesterol.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 18:28
Last edited by raymyjamie: 3rd Apr 2017 at 18:29:21

Posted by: berylh (2168)

atorvastatin is the exception to the usual rule, I don't know why this is so but it is. I recently had my med review with the pharmacist and checked with her just in case I had mixed up the instruction - she confirmed that with this particular statin that it doesn't have to be taken at night.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 21:13

Posted by: raymyjamie (6857)

Thanks for that info Beryl

Good to know.

It gives me a bit more flexibility, as I take 2 other pills at night as well.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 21:53

Posted by: berylh (2168)

Your very welcome raymyjamie - pleased to be of help

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 22:14

Posted by: baker boy (15718)

i was prescribed statins years ago,felt 90 after a couple of weeks on them,crippled with arthur like pain.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 22:26

Posted by: berylh (2168)

Yes the muscle pains can be really bad, fortunately there are now a wider range of statins on the market so one can try out some of the others to find one that suits better.
I have the familial form of hypercholestrolaemia and some statins do not work well with it as they only reduce the cholesterol in the blood from food that is ingested. The familial form of high cholesterol involved the cholesterol produced by the liver and needs a different approach so for a while I needed a dual purpose medication which worked a treat and brought down my levels to normal within weeks.

Replied: 3rd Apr 2017 at 23:02

Posted by: priscus (inactive)

At present, (presumably because of the content we are discussing within this thread) the sidebar in the space - upper left, and at beginning - of this text has repeatedly floated cardiac/heart attack signs and symptoms.

Important, yes, but sheer 'clickbait'

Tried it a couple of times, but after a while left the link having seen NOTHING related to the topic, but lots of other garbage thrown at me.

IS it only me, then, or are you also getting this on the sidebar?

Replied: 4th Apr 2017 at 12:43

Posted by: berylh (2168)

I'm not seeing anything like that on mine priscus

Replied: 4th Apr 2017 at 14:25

Posted by: cordyline (5350) 

My sidebar is trying to sell me

Avon True Colour Supreme Nourishing Lipstick

Replied: 4th Apr 2017 at 14:36

Posted by: priscus (inactive)

I wonder what happened to Rebecca?

Replied: 4th Apr 2017 at 14:45

 

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