Do you take statins?

[Meruem]

I’m early 50s, have had lots of varying symptoms so GP ordered blood tests. Apparently my folic acid is low so she’s prescribed medication. But also my cholesterol was 7.5 and she’s mentioned taking statins. She enclosed a leaflet to help me decide (I got my results via post) but I’m not sure it helps much. Google just throws up many arguments around statin use. And I’m really not sure what to do. I know I need to make some lifestyle changes but, and I’m being brutally honest here, I don’t think I can make all the changes that would significantly lower my cholesterol. So just wanted to hear about anyone else’s experiences.

Some high cholesterol cannot be reduced by life style changes as it's a familial condition. I've been on statins for about 10 years and had to try 3 before I found one that I could bear to live with. If your doc recommends you take them then perhaps it's a good idea?

I am leaning more towards taking them than not. I guess I just want to be sure as in her letter the GP said I’d be taking it for the rest of my life which sounds quite dramatic!

I take them , haven’t had any side effects - I had small stroke last summer at 48

I take statins, Dm found out her 'dyslipidaemia is likely genetic in origin and would be advisable for her children to have their cholesterol measured. Also her adult grandchildren'. Her Dad died at a youngish age (45) and so did my brother (60). If you have a similar family history I would take them.

I had them a prescription for them forced on me by the practice nurse with no discussion. She told mee that I probabIy a family history or high cholesterol and there was no point trying anything else because it wouldn't work.

I didn't take them and went back to being a vegetarian. My cholesterol came right down and after nine months the doctor removed them from my medication list.

I have taken 5mg for 15 yrs
Last blood tests recommended 20 mg as it was 4.1 which i thought was low. Review in 6 months.

I do. I'm only 42 and normal weight etc but do have an underlying health condition which puts me at risk.

I haven't noticed any side effects whatsoever and it's brought cholesterol down beautifully.

Thank you for the responses. The doctor has said to arrange a phone appointment if I want to discuss it further so I shall do that.

I tried lowering my levels myself with diet and exercise but with no success, so have been on 10 mg for about 10 years (age 60 now). No problems. Recommended as DF had heart problems and DM had a stroke. My DH had levels of over 5 a month before he had mild heart attack needed a triple heart bypass, but it wasn’t recommended that he took statins beforehand, he was on 80 mg daily after operation, but now on 40 mg one year later.