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Statins and diabetes

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diabeticmum

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I have just been for my six month annual review, my cholestrol readings have always been normal, usually on 4. This time it was 4.7, so my doctor has put me straight on to statins. He has given me a perscription for 40mg of simvastatin, which seem pretty high to me. I don't really want to take them, my husband used to take these, and he was constantly tired, and had muscle aches. He is now on a different brand. Just because I am type 1 diabetic, I have to automatically go on to statins, I have been told its a preventive measure, just to be on the safe side were the doctor's words. Statins do have side effects, and simvastatin has had a lot of bad press. I have a good diet, and apart from my diabetes have no other health problems. Is this justified?

Any replies much appreicated.
 
I was told that although the cut-off point was 5 for 'normal' people, those with diabetes are better of with tighter contol. So when I presented @ 4.9 I was put straight onto Simvastatin and within a few weeks I was full of muscle aches & pains. Then I was tried with Atorvaststin (Lipitor) and slightly recovered but slipped back after a further 6 months. I was refered to the muscoskeletal unit and after many checks & tests they substituted Rosuvaststin (Crestor) and also advised adding the suppliment Co-Enzime Q10. The CoQ10 is not prescribed so I buy my own from Healthspan and have not suffered any side effects since. My last four blood tests over the past 2yrs all came back @ 3.9 and as the figure is under 4 my dose of Crestor stays @ 10mg.

If you are not 100% happy about your 40mgs of Simvaststin (Zocor) then my advice is to go back and challenge your GP about dose or type or both. Simvatstatin is always prescribed first as it only costs from 95p per month for the 10mg pack and £1.40 for the 40mg pack.
My Crestor (Rosuvaststin) costs £18.03 per month and that is probably why I was tried on the Simvaststin first.
 
I also take 10mg of rosuvastatin Crestor and havent had the muscle aches that I had with other types and it has lowered my cholesterol to 3.2 from 5.8 within a very short time . I would always advise speaking to your Doctor is you feel unhappy about any prescribed drug, good luck
 
Hi diabeticmum,
Statins are controversial as some suffer bad side effects and some sail through with no problems.

The current standard advice is based on the levels of a healthy young male. I really do feel it is time that this criteria was revised and guidelines for all age groups and genders was defined.

Knowing how your husband suffered is obviously going to make you reluctant to try this medication. How about going back to the Dr. and voicing your concerns and asking if you can have a breakdown of your results to see if there is a problem and asking, if need be, that you can try using cholesterol lowering foods for a while.

I was full of aches and pains and found them most debilitating and use foods and cholesterol lowering drinks as opposed to medication.

Catherine.
 
Thanks for the replies, I am reluctant to take the statins because of the possible side effects. I might try adjusting my diet, and using fish oils which I know can be beneficial. As its been mentioned there are other ways of lowering your cholestrol without resorting to statins. I think the doctors are too quick to reach for the prescription pad with us diabetics. As I said I do not have any other problems, I'm not overweight, I don't smoke or drink, and my blood pressure is really good. If when I have my next blood test done, it is still higher than usual, I might consider the statins then?
 
Before diag with T2, the Dr wasn't worried about a chol of 6.4 (15 years ago)
At diag my chol was 7.6, (10 years ago) & I was given diet advice, not statins, & adding oat bran & benecol/flora pro-activ together with the NHS/DUK diet reduced it to 5-5.5

About 5 years ago, the recommendation for diabs to be below 4 came in & I was given 10 mg simv, which caused intense muscle pain (though I did not realise the cause until I read a letter in Balance.) The pain stopped when I stopped simv, & the Dr did not think I should try other statins.
He tried me on niacin, which raised my BG & still caused muscle pain.

About 2 years ago, crippling neuropathy set in - I joined this forum & followed the advice of some to reduce carbs. That reduced my BG, restored my activity & also reduced my chol from 5.4 to 4.3. Its now between 4.5 & 4.8, & I am content to live with that. I have to weigh the daily benefits of a pain free active life against the possible risks from slightly raised chol.

That reduction from 7.6 to 4.7 (40%) is by diet alone, as they don't claim metf has any effect on chol.
 
I have been put on simvastatin at time of diabetes diagnosis. I take 40mg and suffer no side effects at all. my cholestrol is down from 7.5 to 3.0. I can't say about the side effects in other people, but my mother and three brother all take simvastatin without ill effect.
 
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