Statins and depression weakness

[lasttimeround]

I have genetically high cholesterol and really need to be on statins. But I'm just trying my second type and again huge lethargy weepiness etc. The first time I persevered for ages hoping the cause was something external but eventually gave up. I'm now on a different statin and 10 days in same symptoms even tho I'm on half the usual dose. I've stopped the pills as it's easier to spot now that it's the medication causing this.
I understand there's another 4 statins I csn try in the hope I can find something I tolerate. Anyone had similar experience?

Low mood and weepiness are common. Taking statins is common. Sometimes both happen at the same time. In studies where people don't know if they are taking statins or a dummy pill there seems to be no difference in the number of side effects reported. But when folks know they are taking the statin they report more side effects.

thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31163-7/abstract

Are you overweight, a smoker, drinker? What's your activity levels and diet like? Has someone in your direct family had a heart attack or stroke under age 60? Statins are massively over prescribed, are you sure you NEED them?

My DH has Familial Hypercholesterolaemia, I am guessing that's what you have? He is not on statins, he doesn't get the side effects that you mention, but statins are not a good idea. Have you looked into alternatives? Read up on Uffe Ravnskov, Zoe Harcombe and other critics of statins. You need to educate yourself about cholesterol and statins. We are quite terrified that DH will drop dead, but we don't believe that statins will prevent this. DH is trying to manage it with diet (and we are not talking low-fat) and fasting (again, research this).

Agree with misscph which is why I was trying to better understand your history. Having high cholesterol in itself is not reason enough to justify statins. When I was training as a nurse we did a whole unit on statins, the over-prescribing of them, and the dangers. Did you know GP's get £50 per prescription they write?? Even if the prescription is never used!

Yes, MissBax - I have high cholesterol myself, but I was not advised to take statins (thankfully). The limit for high cholesterol is also lower than it used to be.

Do GPs get £50 for a statin prescriotion? Who from? NHS or big pharma?

I had no idea that a side effect of statins causes depression which I suffer from and even with AD's it flares up extemely badly sometimes. I had to go onto a higher dosage statin and cholesterol reading is still higher than GP would like it to be.

I think it's from NICE, but most likely funded for whichever pharma conglomerate has their fingers in the pie at that time! 😡

Please read 'The Great Cholesterol Con' to be more informed.

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_16?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+great+cholesterol+con&sprefix=the+great+choles%2Caps%2C467&crid=KMYASGQ75NLK&tag=mumsnetforum-21

Women should never be on statins.

rizlett when I came off them or a while my cholesterol shot right up :(

High cholesterol is not the problem sun - it's the big pharma companies that have made us think it is.

Cholesterol is raised when you have a heart attack because its repairing the damage not doing anything bad and certainly not the cause. In fact it might be that having too low cholesterol gives you an increased risk.

High cholesterol is a marker, a symptom. Lowering cholesterol is symptom treating. But it's much easier to pop a pill than make lifestyle and dietary changes.

Current health guide lines will not fix your cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol (like in eggs) does not affect blood cholesterol. Your GP will tell you to cut down on saturated fats, but that won't have any effect. My mum eats mainly fish and greens, and she still has high cholesterol.

Read this:

intensivedietarymanagement.com/fasting-lowers-cholesterol-fasting-16/

The entire site is very interesting.

I've just had another 5 months on them. I can't bear it. Sleep disturbance and horrid oppressive dreams. Also craving carbs and feeling sad.
It goes very high, like 8, if I don't take them, but does it matter? Search me. Done all the homework. I just get nervous sometimes and start taking them again.