Statins

[floo]

How many posters are on statins? There is so much confusing information about them, one minute they are the wonder drug of the age, the next they are bad for you, which is it?

I was put on statins a few years ago as I have inherited a familial very high cholesterol level. I was taken off them when tests showed they weren't doing my poor old liver any good at all! My siblings and two of my daughters have also inherited this condition from my Father, they have refused to be put on statins. Funnily enough in spite of the high cholesterol levels none of my Father's family have died of heart attacks or strokes.

My husband is on statins as a precaution, although his cholesterol level in within the normal range. I can't say I am very happy about this as he already take five other drugs daily.

What do others think?

[Udayana]

Discussed with GP as they have been recommended to prescribe statins as a precaution for people in certain groups - those at statistical risk threshold of 10% over 10 years, mainly based on age.

I don't feel that it can be "harmless" to take any drugs when you are not actually at risk without them.

[john]

I was put on Statins by my GP in 1995 after I had a triple heart by pass, been taking them daily ever since. I also take other drugs for blood pressure etc.

Some 10 years ago I became diabetic too and over time my medication for this has increased, apart from Metformin I also inject insulin (as a booster) every day.

My Doctor is a nice lady and much more cleverer than wot I am. So I do what she tells me.

So far I'm okay at 69 years old but I've had to give up playing rugby.

I also volunteered to go on a drug trial for people with Diabetes and known heart problems, I may or may not be on a drug for that too. It is a five year programme and I am 2 years into it. They only tell you whether you actually have been given the drug or a placebo at the end of the 5 years. Whilst on this programme I attend a clinic at Birmingham University every 6 weeks and get a full check up. (blood pressure, angiogram, blood tests, etc). It is reassuring cos it would show any problems early. If these check ups disclose a problem you get taken off the programme and put back into the NHS system with a full report.

So I feel I am being well monitored and do not worry about my health at all. I just take what the docs tell me to and get on with life.

[Brownie]

A lot depends on how high your cholesterol is, it may only be a bit over the usual level.  It isn't difficult, for most people, to control the LDL with a decent diet and moderate exercise.  Some foods are particularly good for lowering the LDL level and there are things you can take which help to keep it low and are very good for the liver.  A milk thistle compound is just one.

Cholesterol levels really should not be looked at in isolation from other blood tests and, indeed, other indications such as general health, lifestyle and habits.

GPs seem to prescribe statins at the drop of a hat.  The drug companies do a hard sell.  Obviously there are some people who need to have them but many don't. An awful lot of drugs are prescribed unnecessarily.  However I am not knocking GPs who are between the devil and the deep blue;  patients go to them wanting a magic pill.

Statins often have unpleasant side effects.  Floo mentioned her raised liver function levels which is very, very common but there are also side effects which make people feel quite ill.  I wouldn't touch them.

[Harrowby Hall]

Brownie

I know it is fashionable to blame drug companies for health fads - but not this time.

There is no money in statins - they are generic. They are not made by large companies (well mine, simvastatin isn't). I think that you'll find that the government "encourages" GPs  to prescribe them - possibly for cost accounting reasons.

I get cramps in the lower part of my legs.

[Brownie]

Simv is the most commonly prescribed drug and that it its generic name but there are other names for the same, Z-o-c-o-r being one.  A well known pharmaceutical company produces simv.  I didn't know it was fashionable to blame drug companies for health fads, honestly.  I wouldn't have called lipid lowering drugs a health fad, they've been prescribed for years.

They are supposed to be prescribed alongside advice on diet, lifestyle, exercise, etc but many patients don't get that and are not even encouraged to change anything in their life before trying the stats.  That seems wrong to me.

I'm sorry you get pains in your legs, I know muscular pain is a quite common side effect, mild for some and debilitating for others.

Anyway I've given my opinion on stats so over to all others.

(I've abbreviated the drug names because I couldn't post otherwise -"Forbidden" and all that.)

[Aruntraveller]

Both myself and partner are on them - and for us they have done a remarkable job of lowering our cholesterol levels. I tolerate them better than he does but he gets sensations in his legs - not exactly cramps apparently.

I am not convinced by the anti-brigade - it all sounds a bit to close to the anti-vaccers to me.

Statins work very well for lots of people and are but one strategy to help combat heart disease - but an important one.

[BashfulAnthony]

Both myself and partner are on them - and for us they have done a remarkable job of lowering our cholesterol levels. I tolerate them better than he does but he gets sensations in his legs - not exactly cramps apparently.

I am not convinced by the anti-brigade - it all sounds a bit to close to the anti-vaccers to me.

Statins work very well for lots of people and are but one strategy to help combat heart disease - but an important one.

I was put on them a fortnight ago, and haven't reacted well.  So I'm off them for a fortnight, and than I have to give them another go.  It's been the stomach where I've not reacted well.