Talk to me about statins...

[Inextremis]

I have (always have had) high cholesterol. Diet, exercise, stopping smoking, stopping drinking - none of that seems to make a difference, it just remains high. No idea about the hereditary aspect, as I'm adopted.

Anyway, I'm in my 60s now, and my doctor is pushing statins at me. She's sent through a risk assessment which shows that I'm at a 10% risk of having a stroke or similar in the next 10 years.

If you were me, would you choose to go on statins for the rest of your life, or take your chances without them? I'm having trouble deciding (I prefer not to medicate myself unless I'm actually ill), so would appreciate hearing from anyone who's had a similar choice to make, what you decided, and whether you feel you made the right decision.

I'm not after advice as such, just your personal experience - I'm reading a lot around the topic, and don't have to make a decision right now - I'll be thinking about it for a while, and deciding in the new year. Many thanks if you can share your experience!

You might like to have a read of this - drhyman.com/blog/2012/01/19/why-women-should-stop-their-cholesterol-lowering-medication/

I’m 74, and my cholesterol is higher than NICE recommendations. I was prescribed simvastatin at 60, but within a week had awful side effects, (muscle pain and stomach problems), that I promptly stopped taking them, and advised my GP why.

My own personal opinion is that unless there is a very good reason to be on statins (previous cardiac event for example) I do not wish to be on such medication for the rest of my life.

Statin side-effects have been much under-reported, thanks to Big Pharma, but are quite common. There has been much debate in the past from both sides as to whether they are beneficial or not, so the bottom line is personal choice, really. Mine is not to take statins.

@NanTheWiser Many thanks for your reply, I'll take a look at that link. I hope you're doing OK now :)

@Inextremis, I’m fine, thanks for asking. Another link, this time from Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a highly regarded cardiologist, who I have a lot of respect for, with his opinions on statins - doctoraseem.com/the-great-statins-divide/
Admittedly I am biased against statins, and read quite a lot about the debate in the past (there was a good program on TV a few years ago from both sides of the argument). Dr. Malhotra is also an advocate for the Mediterranean diet, and low carb, which I have been following for nearly 5 years, which resulted in me losing nearly two stone, and feeling much better health-wise. He seems to talk a lot of sense.

OP you might find this article interesting
www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/research/statin-side-effects

Husband an academic cardiologist. All his pals take a statin as soon as they hit 50. They all have a very "evidence based" way of thinking.
You HAVE hyperlipidaemia and have decided not to treat. Fair enough but waiting for the first event is too late as far as I'm concerned.

I think if you take them just keep an eye open for side effects.

I have high cholesterol too, most of my family have it. I take the statins and don't think about it after that.

Lots of people drink alcohol, that's a known carcinogenic but there's very few people bashing 'Big Evil Alchohol Manufacturers' on the internet I find.

I know you aren’t asking for advice, but have you tried a plant based diet? If this was me (and I’m currently waiting on repeat bloods as my cholesterol was high), I would want to have tried all the avenues I could to lower it myself first before taking statins.

My husband had high cholesterol. He was given statins. They made him really ill. He has IBS and this made it flare up terribly. He had to come off them.
We started buying benevolent drinks and spreads. He was down to a normal cholesterol reading in a couple of months. It worked for him.

I have high Cholesterol,my Consultant says it hereditary,I eat healthily,exercise,no Alcohol or cigarettes and I am not overweight.

I have been taking Statins for 17years and never give it a second thought,they have been changed several times over the years and I have never had any side effects.

I prefer to take them than worry continually about having a stroke or heart attack.

@Inextremis, there was a thread about statins on Gransnet last week, you might be interested to read. Variable answers from posters, ranging from no problems, to those who did have side effects:

www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1288624-Cholesterol-lowering-medication?msgid=28353354

Many thanks again for all the input - it's really helping to read about other peoples experiences and opinions - lots of food (no pun intended) for thought. I'll happily consider a plant-based diet in the new year - but not before Christmas as all the meals have been planned now! Off to have a read of Gransnet now! Thanks again!