Really scared now

Statins are not so bad. It depends on what suits you, so if you do get side effects let the doc know, there are different sorts and one of them will suit you.

I take Simvastatin and don't have any major side effects, just a numbness in my thigh muscle after exercise but it soon goes away.

Cholesterol is manufactured in the body, high saturated fats can make it worse, but not always, so you just have to find out what fats you can eat and keep the number s low.

Fats I consume are:- Rape seed oil, butter, fish oils, and some olive oil. With the Simvastatin my good/bad total cholesterol is OK.

Note the butter, it doesn't seem to alter my Cholesterol levels at all, I always have some on my bread or toast and when I substituted soft margerine ( and yes, I really would believe that the horrible taste was not butter) it made no difference.

So don't panic, you just have to stick with it until things are sorted. You might need a different oral medication or maybe even insulin, but your blood sugars will get sorted eventually. When your BGs are down to good levels you might find that the cholesterol will sort itself out as well. There is a known relationship between high BGs and low "good" chloresterol, and as you may know the "good" chloresterol counters the "bad" stuff and by simple subtraction the doc can work out a figure and tell you you if it's good bad or indifferent.

If you don't understand the figures ask for a Nurse appointment and ask him/her to explain things in more detail.

I have to assume that you are controlling your carbohydrate input and monitoring you BGs after eating?

If not then you need to read the advice for "Newbies", it is important.

Your body will burn fat by turning it into sugars but only if there are no carbs available. Whether this affects or causes DKA or high blood sugars i am not sure, I dont think so, but then I am not a scientist. When fat is burned it can cause Ketones to rise, but this is not usually
a problem, this happens whenever we restrict calories when on a diet for instance.

Your prime goal has to be to get your BGs under control, the I think you will start to see an improvement in your general health and well being. It might take some months so don't be to impatient, anyway, a gradual reduction in BGs is better than rapid changes, your body needs time to adjust.

H

Hi. Don't panic over statins. Whilst they can cause problems, I've been on Simvastatin for many years and have no side effects I'm aware of. Just ensure they prescribe the smallest dose that does the job. Ref Metformin, if you are not on the Slow Release (SR) version and still have some problems do ask to change over to the SR version. Don't forget you can have unsaturated fats such as oily fish to keep the cholesterol down whilist having the calories.

You do not have to take statins. The choice is yours and no one elses.
Have a look at ways to lower it by dietary means as another option.