Back on the statins :-(

[boxtops]

Much to my dismay, the GP told me today the result of my 6-month blood test, and the cholesterol reading has soared to 9.3

Not good - this apparently means that I have a 28% risk of a "significant incident" in the next 10 years.

So - a different statin, and only 20mg dose, with the caveat that if I start to experience any of the previous muscle pains I'll be round there like a shot. I looked up rhabdomyolysis when I got back - scary stuff.

I'll diet, too, this time. This will be me grr-ing at nibble eating all the pies, and so forth, while I eat my plain fish.... :-)

[Sqad]

You are a sensible and highly respected NHS employee and a valued, but at times hysterical, member of AB

What have i told you, and others, never Google your medical history.

Rhabdomyolosis is EXTREMELY rare.

[wolf63]

sqad - the caring face of the NHS doctor :-)

[boxtops]

I know, sqad - it was only that the GP's finger hovered over it when he was looking up side effects in the BNF before he wrote the script.... and I'd never heard of it, so I looked it up :-)

I'd rather look that one up, than the other option "fulminant liver failure"....

I don't think I've ever been hysterical in my life, sqad, so there is no way I'm actually making a meal of what I read - only that it doesn't sound particularly savoury if you are in the weeny percentage who MIGHT get it!

[jno]

boxtops hysterical?

[Sqad]

I give up........

[boxtops]

I know, sqaddie :-) I won't be hysterical, if you don't pontificate :-)

[tinkerbell23]

Box have you got a smartphone by chance? Or ipad etc - im using an app now that counts calories its brilliant xx

[percypineapple]

why " a different statin" ? My statins have just been changed owing to cost by my health centre, apparantly these are just as good as the more expensive ones, so why are yours different, or is it only the dosage?
Percy.

[boxtops]

There are different manufacturers, percy, and according to the BNF, different ones may have different side-effects. Our GP can prescribe at least 5 - I was on Simvastatin 40mg to start off with, then went to Atorvastatin 20mg when I starting having muscle problems - this time (after a long break with no meds) he's put me on 20mg Fluvastatin.

No tinks, I don't have those techie things, I just write it down :-)

[percypineapple]

thanks boxtops,
Strange, we were on simvastin, now given those other ones and the o.h. is complaining of muscle pains, i have them also, but suffered all my life with joint/back pains so can't blame any tablet on that, but a pharmacist said that simvastin was the best and most expensive (pharmacist in boots the chemist)
but, if they can prevent stroke etc, then for me anything will do. i had a mini stroke, paralysed down one side for 20 odd minutes and never ever want that again, muscle pains or not.
percy

[boxtops]

Percy, I do believe simvastatin is good (I was on it for 2 years before I started to have problems) - but your wife needs to report the muscle pains, they are a known side-effect of statins and her GP needs to know about it.

I agree with you, I don't want a stroke or worse, but the pains in my arms inhibited me from normal daily activities at one point.

[askyourgran]

I was taken off statins and put on Ezetimbe, or Ezetrol instead. I havent had any muscle pains at all with this tablet, although I'm on a low dosage at present. I vowed not to take statins again, I'd diet instead but there are times the diet goes through the window (as now) and the next time I go for a checkup my dosage will probably be increased.

[wolf63]

I'm on Simvastatin and have been for a couple of years - they have caused problems from the start. My muscles are sore all the time - if it was just my leg muscles I could accept that my weight is to blame, but my arms hurt.

I sometimes think that the cure is worse than the ailment.

[seadogg]

My much respected doc agrees with that wolf. When i was routinely given them at 75 he was quite cross and said my exercise regime was enough.

[percypineapple]

I must just say again, that if statins stop you from having a stroke, then any muscle/joint pain is worth it, i can assure you, one hundred percent. it just worries me that the cost is involved, if a person needs simvastin,and they have had no side effects, why give them a cheaper alternative? i thought the idea was to keep the patient fit and well. I know MR. Cameron is trying to save money, and after giving it some thought, it's probably only the pensioners that are on statins, so if they are in pain or die, who cares,money saved.
Percy

[rowanwitch]

Fulminant liver failure is probably even rarer