Do you have access to your actual lab results on a full lipid panel?
Having reached a certain age wouldn't be a reason for me to take lifelong medication, lab results could be.
Do you have access to your actual lab results on a full lipid panel?I then get into an age bracket where statistics suggest I should be taking Statins.
I was prescribed Metformin and Atorvastatin at diagnosis. I was lucky to survive, as I became suicidal - and a lot of other unpleasant things too, but I stopped taking the tablets after 5 weeks, and 5 years later I decided that I was probably past the worst of the side effects.No I was referring to the reduction of carbohydrates to lower blood sugar, not statin intake. but very true it read wrongly and thank you I have now edited it!
That is a very fortunate result with your increase in saturated fat. I would be looking to increase my healthy fats from plant sources instead. But we all react differently!
One thing I have realised in subsequent years is that there was nothing added to my notes when I reported my reasons for stopping taking the tablets, no thought of making a report about it. That could give the impression of a 'rare' reaction which is actually not all that rare.@Resurgam your extreme reaction to statin use is very unusual as studies have shown that certain types of statin can actually have a protective effect on depressive episodes. I'm in no way doubting you as drugs can throw up unusual reactions.
@richf by far the most common side effect of statin use reported is aching muscles.
See the link on "Associations between statin use and suicidality, depression, anxiety, and seizures: a Swedish total-population cohort study.
Associations between statin use and suicidality, depression, anxiety, and seizures: a Swedish total-population cohort study - PMC
Statins have shown both protective and adverse associations with neuropsychiatric outcomes. We aimed to examine the possible associations between statins and suicidality, depression, anxiety, and seizures. Using Swedish national registers, we linked ...pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
I understanding there is a UK number you can report adverse drug reactions.One thing I have realised in subsequent years is that there was nothing added to my notes when I reported my reasons for stopping taking the tablets, no thought of making a report about it. That could give the impression of a 'rare' reaction which is actually not all that rare.
It has to do with medical risk @TreboroughLiz . The risk to the heart and vascular system outweighs the risk of elevated blood sugars.Until this discussion I had not realised that statins included a risk of raising blood sugar levels but do now vaguely recall having my metformin dose upped when I was prescribed a statin. My cholesterol levels are now well within healthy ranges so I am thinking of asking my GP about coming off them at least for a trial period. Sometimes the way the side effects of one medication seem to require prescription of another make me feel like the woman who swallowed a fly ....
I was told that as I had taken two drugs at the same time there was no way to report my reaction, as it could not be ascribed to just one - perhaps I was still just a little too trusting - it has been detrimental to my well being for half a century but hope springs eternal.I understanding there is a UK number you can report adverse drug reactions.
Although I would mention a drug reaction to my GP, just so it's on my medical record, I would not rely on that information making it's way onto the adverse drug site. I would go down the official report process, especially if it's serious. There is a adverse drug report system here in Canada. I found a similar system for the UK.
Suspect an adverse reaction? Yellow Card it!
Any healthcare professional can submit a Yellow Card, including students. When submitting a report about a medicine via the Yellow Card website, if your occupation is not available in our drop-down list, you can now select ‘Other healthcare professional’ from the drop-down list and provide more...www.gov.uk
Thanks for the reference to the above post. I found it very interesting, as I have with all the other comments here.A few years ago, we had a long thread on Cholesterol and Statins this forum. I posted this long entry,
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/cholesterol-and-statins.156985/post-2553796.
If you are curious have a read of this and other posts. Spoiler: I decided against statins, despite my GP's advice.
Caveat: the original poster of the thread, @bulkbiker, is now banned.
Good luck. My doctor was well versed about Berberine and had no issues with me trying it. It’s readily available at Costco here in Canada. I will tell you though that I took me several trials for my body to get used to the full dosage (three 500mg pills). It did irritate my intestines, if you choose to try it, dose up slowly.Thanks for the reference to the above post. I found it very interesting, as I have with all the other comments here.
@Bcgirl commented on her use of Berberine, which I thought was very positive I had hoped there would have been more feed back from other users of it.
There is a lot of info out there, but I felt I had run in to a brick wall when the Pharmacist said - never heard of it.
When I have my review I feel I have to be more positive and proactive - I would like to try the Berberine for a few months without the statin and metformin and then have tests and reassess my levels.
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