Worried

[sad old git]

Hi. I need to talk about this if not for my own peace of mind but just to talk to you good people. About four months ago I had a mild stroke, slight slurring of speech and partial use of my right arm.Everything is back to normal and am on various tablets to keep it that way.All the relevent tests came back showing no problems so I assume all is well. If this is the case why do I feel so weak and lethargic all of the time? It takes me an effort to climb the stairs in my house before my knee and hip/back joints hurt.Outside about 100 mtres and my left leg starts to cramp up Ican usually walk through it.All this boils to my worry.My wife wants us to go to southern ireland to visit our son and his family there for about a week.Feeling the way I do I feel that I would be a liability and would rather not go,haven't told her yet. I'm sorry to pour this on you but I needed to ramble.Thanks for reading.S.O.G

[Sqad]

Git.....this is a very common story of a "mild stroke" which has settled and following investigations, all tests were normal.
I assume that your blood levels for cholesterol were normal as was your BP and tests for diabetes.

At a guess, i would assume that the Drs put you on a statin to prevent further attacks and if this is the case, then your symptoms may well be the side effect of these statins.

If my guessing is "wild" then forget my post.

[Buenchico]

Assuming Sqad's guess to be correct, this quote would appear to be relevant:
"If you find certain side effects particularly troublesome, you should talk to the doctor in charge of your care. Your dose may need to be adjusted or you may need a different type of statin".

Source:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cholesterol-lowering-medicines-statins/Pages/Side-effects.aspx

i.e. talk to your your GP about your problems. That's what he/she is there for!

[Cloverjo]

Tell your wife how you feel. You've been through a terrible upheaval but have recovered a lot better than many people do after a stroke. Don't push yourself. You'll get back to yourself in time.

[Sqad]

I have just "wandered" through your past posts and it is clear that your are taking statins and the advice given above to discuss your problems with your GP is sound, as in my opinion the symptoms that you describe are side effects of statins.

Before your appt with the GP, have in mind your opinions on certain points.

1) Do you want to try another statin?
2) would you be prepared to have a lower dose of the same statin?
3) Do you want to discontinue statins altogether?
3) Would your GP be prepared to substitute your statin with Ezetrol which lowers cholesterol but has fewer side effects.

Not as easy as it sounds to decide.

[rosyposy]

Mr Posy had almost the same experience at about the same time too. He had similar side effects after the dr gave him Simvastatin. We talked it over with the doctor and decided to come off the statin and try diet instead to lower his cholesterol, altho'I must say his cholestrol was 5.1 which I don't think is all that high (unless Squad tells me differently ) This was two weeks ago and he does seem to be better,we are getting 'out and about' a bit more each day, altho' the last two days when he woke up his feet felt like lumps of lead but it goes off after a while so that may be a circulation problem so maybe another problem entirely. Hope you feel better soon -rosy

[Sqad]

\\\\o'I must say his cholestrol was 5.1 which I don't think is all that high (unless Squad tells me differently )\\\

I agree rosy, in that reading wouldn't worry me, but i think that Cardiologists might "beat their chests" and puff out their cheeks. The problem is that they, the Cardiologists, keep moving the goalposts, with every study that makes it's way into the medical journals. ;-)

I wouldn't worry.

[rosyposy]

Thank you squad for that info and the re-assurance.While I don't want to hog S.O.G.'s thread I just thought I'd ask if you think the' heavy feet' problem could be circulation? He was fine after about 30mins today and we went strolling in the park for an hour :0) -rosy

[Sqad]

rosy....no it doesn't sound like circulation problem although nothing obvious springs to mend, I would just monitor the situation for a few weeks.

[sad old git]

Thank you all so much for replying,I was beginning to think I was paranoid. You have all helped me in one way or another. Maybe cut out the statins (I never had problems beforehand) so i will give it a go for a week or so. I will talk to my gp when available.channel5 thankyou for your input, somedays I wake up as if a black cloud is over me and i don't want to speak to anyone including my wife or do or go anywhere for several hours until I seem to settle down and the cloud is lifted. I'm sorry to ramble again but I need to talk to people who will listen.Thankyou all again.S.O.G

[ladyalex]

I'm sorry to hear of your stroke, SOG.
I don't think you should mess about with your medications without consulting your GP ...maybe even a telephone consultation if you cannot get an appointment for a week or so?
From my knowledge of friends who have been put on statins your symptoms do sound like their side effects , so don't despair, there may be a quick solution to your troubles.
Good luck!

[sad old git]

worried update. Thank you all once again for reading my tales of woe.today 24th my wife managed to get me a slot to see a gp at my local med centre. The young lady was very attentive and asked a lot of questions while checking up on her computer.I explained that over the last couple of weeks I felt so ill that I thought my statins were to blame and maybe I should stop them.She totally disagreed because all my functions were normal and my cholesterol was well down.So I asked why this awful feeling?She checked me over physically and suggested I may have a viral infection and that a blood test and urine test needs to be carried out which will happen tomorrow. A further appointment next week should give me some results. Meanwhile she has given painkillers and a gel to rub on my aching bits. Thank you all for bearing with me. S.O.G.

[1ozzy]

Fingers crossed everything turns out well Sog.

In the meanwhile, cook a lovely chicken in your halogen oven along with some spuds and enjoy :-)

All the best.

[waterboatman]

Your GP is right SOG, the results should help her to sort you out mate. I wish you all the best. A visit to Southern Ireland is a treat not to be missed if possible, Enjoy time with your family.

[Sqad]

Feedback much appreciated.

[sad old git]

re re worried. Sqad thanks for your continued interest. Blood results arrived friday and was requested to see a gp soonest which I did.The results showed Polymyalgia Rhumatica symptoms and so my GP has given me a weeks course of steroid tablets starting yesterday and have had the first dose. That's as much as I can tell you sqad I just hope I don't turn into the Hulk.Hope this helps.S.O.G

[murraymints]

hope you feel better soon xx

[Sqad]

Thanks for the feedback Git...much appreciated.
I wish more people showed appreciation on AB.

[murraymints]

3 cheers for Sqad..hip pip....

you know how much I lurves ya ! lol

[sad old git]

RE worried update.Sqad I hope this gets to you because of the interest you have shown. Last time I spoke I said my gp had put me on steroids for polymyalgia rhumatica,after one day I felt even worse and had to go back to see my gp and she immediately sent me to hospital.Doctors there said steroids should never have been used and pmr was not the case. I have spent six days in hospital having many many blood tests plus x rays cardiogrammes ultra scans and finally a CT scan from my neck down. The results came back suggesing diverticulitis which is causing the symptoms I am having. They started me on antibiotics thro a canular and am now home to finish the course orally it is called Co-amoxiclav so I hope it works. I hope this helps you sqad and any other ab'rs who may be having problems.S.O.G.