Sudden super high cholesterol - do you take statins?

[GreenAlien]

I saw a private specialist as I have been really struggling with long covid and they ran a series of blood tests which were all normal apart from the fact that my cholesterol has gone sky high. I know at the start of 2023 it was 5 and fine but it's suddenly now 8.1 and the doctor says at this level it will require treatment. My triglycerides are fine.

Funnily enough there is a trial at the moment for statins and long Covid but I wonder what your experience is with statins

My main concern is muscle weakness as I see it's a side effect as my main long Covid symptom is fatigue and severe muscle weakness in my arms.

I have long covid and am on statins now. Tried atorvastatin but had headaches etc so asked to change and am now on pravastatin with no problems.

Don’t be afraid to ask to change as different meds suit different people.

I don’t think statins made any difference to my long covid but my cholesterol is now back in the normal range with medication.

The only thing I think has helped is time and learning to pace . I am not what I was but looking back year on year there is some improvement ,

I have long covid and my cholesterol was high (7 point something) but my GP seems to have basically ignored it. I've been doing the lifestyle bits I can do (eating healthily, reduced/no alcohol, tried the Benecol type stuff) but can't exercise like I used to. Probably need a re-test to see how things are going now. If it's not reduced I'm not averse to trying statins. There's a number of different ones so if the first one you try doesn't work for you there are still options.

Thanks

Yes I suspect mine has gone up because I can't exercise at all and I used to run loads :(

Nothing I can do though so I guess I'm stuck with it!

@Lollygaggle glad to hear you are seeing some improvement. I am definitely better than when I was at my worst but still nowhere near recovered

No , I suspect it will be a very long game . Strangely enough I have started cold water dipping/swimming which I think is helping , it is supposed to reduce inflammation , which I think is a key factor in long covid.
However it’s the unpredicability of energy levels which is the worst. Fortunately friend and relatives are mindful that I might have to cancel arrangements if energy levels are not good that day.

I have exactly the same issue. It's so frustrating isn't it.

I've taken statins for about six years, never had any side effects. My cholesterol level started creeping up again last year so my medication was doubled and it's now back down to below 4. My cholesterol is high due to genes, so no amount of exercise or diet was going to do the job as well as a statin does.

So, in my cases statins are absolutely the best option and I've had zero side effects from day one. I take 40mg of Atorvastatin.

I started taking statins 6 weeks ago. My cholesterol has crept up over the last 18 months after being normal until then. Both my parents were on statins so I've decided it's probably genetic and I would rather take the meds than risk a cardiac episode. My dad had several heart attacks and a 4way bypass despite losing weight and cutting out fat and red meat from his diet.

I take statins for what is probably familial high cholesterol. I have no side effects and they seem to be working.