is there an alternative to statins?

[lostdomain]

DF has type 1 diabetes and is on lots of different tablets, one of which is statins for his blood. He is very overweight now as the statins give him shooting pains in his legs and also muscle weakness and what he calls jelly legs. he hobbles about like an unsteady toddler.

He used to love long walks. I'm very worried about his weight. He over eats a lot and is a very strong willed dogmatic man so I can't win on that one, but would love to see him come off statins so he can get more exercise and be in less pain. He goes to bed now for days on end due to the pain, whereas before he was very sociable. His mind is fine and his diabetic control is very good despite his weight.

Has anyone successfully helped a parent off statins onto something else - diet change or similar?

My mum has been following a low fat diet for a few months to try to avoid needing statins. Must ask if he has seen doctor or results of blood test. It has been very strict though so may b difficult for your father to stick to if he enjoys his food!

If he's diabetic the studies show he needs a cholesterol less than 4 and statins are really the only way to get there.

Why not suggest a chat about a "drug holiday" say for a month with his Gp? Find out if he really is that much better without the tablets. Lots of things- including diabetic neuropathy cause shooting leg pains and " jelly legs" certainly the Wobbliness doesn't sound like statins at all.

If he's suddenly 100% when off statins maybe he could see a lipid clinic for clever possibly unlicensed drug advice. Sadly I bet he'll feel a bit better to start with ( placebo effect is a strong thing)and then be just the same - and he may as well get the cardiovascular benefits of having them.

Ultimately your DF can choose not to have the statin but his risk of heart attacks or strokes will be substantially higher.

I would get his blood pressure checked again.
I know they probably do this regularly but it can change quite quickly.

Morethan statins are to lower cholesterol . Blood pressure, whilst important is a bit of a red herring here I'm afraid.

Littone I'm afraid diabetics need, to get the proven reduction in risk, what usually a huge reduction in cholesterol. The effect of diet is modest at best ( and they should already be on the correct diet, though it sounds like this DF isn't following his diet properly).

Theas

When I was wobbly with jelly legs, it did turn out to be blood pressure.
The effects of statins were gone as I was used to them.

There are different kinds of statins, some are worse than others for muscle pain. It s a bit obvious I know but has he chated to his GP and asked about trying a different one?