Statins

[HarriHarriett]

I’ve been advised to go on them due to high cholesterol (it’s in the family).

As I’m 55 I’m feeling young but guess it’s the right thing to do.

I’ve read all sorts, can anyone calm my nerves? Also do they put weight on you?

Hi @HarriHarriett. I'm younger than you but was diagnosed a few months back with heart disease - my mother was also diagnosed young, younger than me! My blood tests showed a spike in cholsterol from last year to this, but multiple ECGs were clear. It was only when a cardiologist suggested a CT scan "to put my fears to rest", that the heart disease was identified. So, are you sure that your high cholesterol is just that?

My initial conversation with the GP about statins resulted in her suggestion that I take aspirin and benecol, do a low fat diet, exercise (I'm woefully lazy). So I've been doing all of that, but then cardiologist sent a strongly worded letter to GP saying I needed statins. I'm really just going with what the professionals suggestion, so I started 20mg artorvostatin 6 weeks ago. This is a low dose but I developed a kidney infection about 4 weeks in. It took me a while to acknowledge this - there's been so much going on this year I just got fed up with yet another problem! Anyway, at 6 weeks I stopped taking them, and I have an appt this week for blood work and to look at alternatives. My hope is that my efforts had lowered my cholesterol and that I can just take benecol.

So that's too short of a window to say whether it would have led to weight gain, but also not a story to allay your fears! What are your fears?

I've been on statins for 3 years - no side effects, weight gain yes but doubtful that's down to the statins - it's more because I drink and eat too much and don't move enough which is quite often the case when people thinks meds make them gain weight. Cholesterol went from 5.2 to 3.4. I didn't have high, I had average but I have them as a preventative measure.

Why are you concerned about taking them?
(Not meant in any kind of goady, ‘you must be completely stupid to even question it’ type of way! )

I am the same age as you and have slightly high ‘bad’ cholesterol levels but also good ‘good’ cholesterol levels and have been advised that statins might be something to consider in the future.
I am slightly reluctant tbh.

I think part of it is an illogical association of having to take medication every day with being old, but also because I can’t really make any changes to my lifestyle that could improve things - I’m vegetarian, don’t eat junk food or lots of dairy, have minimal UHP foods, don’t drink, do lots of vigorous exercise and am not overweight.

I did read some reputable information about why statins are not the best thing since sliced bread, but annoyingly can’t find it again.

I’m 42 and have today been told that I need to go on them. My cholesterol is at 7.3 after doing a fasting blood sample. I’ve read all sorts too. Have you began on them and how are you feeling? They’ve sent my prescription through and I’m due to collect at the end of the week but some of the reviews are awful! They’ve prescribed me Lipitor.

There is evidence to suggest that most adverse effects from statins are due to the nocebo effect. Meaning people experience side effects due to negative associations rather than the drug itself.

I'm on statins and started them seven months ago. I'm nearly 50 and my cholesterol which had always been between 5 and 6 went up and stayed at 8 when tested twice, months apart. Good cholesterol was fine. Diet good and exercise reasonable. My mother is on statins. Doctor suggested it's genetic. I'm on a low dose (10mg). I had a recent blood test and the results showed that my cholesterol is now within normal range. I don't mind taking a statin. I've no side effects and I think it's good for my peace of mind. I've been hearing that it had been high for so long and felt nothing I did made a difference whether diet, benecol or other supplements.