Statins and type 1

[Juicyj]

I’ve received a letter and prescription for statins from my local GP stating that because I have diabetes the current recommendation is that I should start taking a statin - question is should I and what are people’s thoughts on this ?

 

[becca59]

I think it’s a personal opinion. I did lots of research and decided they were not for me. It is on my notes to not mention it again. My consultant wasn’t at all perturbed my GP was. But I am suspicious about the way GPs are in Cahoots with the pharmaceutical reps.

 

[sleepster]

My GP started me on statins last week I have a months-worth to see how I get on with them and so far, no problems, but in all honesty I don't know how I feel about taking them. The reasoning behind me starting them was because I have had diabetes for more than 10 years and apparently am nearing middle-age (I've just turned 32)

 

[Juicyj]

Thanks both, I haven’t really tuned into the reasoning behind whether they are beneficial for my health yet, not sure if I am just a number to my practise or if there is a real health benefit there so will need to do some research but don’t feel happy about being told I have to take them because of my diabetes.

 

[EllsKBells]

@Juicyj a good place to start for research is the work of Dr Ben Goldacre, who has been part of various medical advisory committees on statins, and does a lot of work on systematic reviews, basically looking at the overall picture rather than cherrypicking individual studies. Spoiler alert, he doesn't like them, but he does also really go into the data and point out where to find it so you can make your own mind up.

 

[Daphne917]

I’ve received a letter and prescription for statins from my local GP stating that because I have diabetes the current recommendation is that I should start taking a statin - question is should I and what are people’s thoughts on this ?

I’m T2 but when I started taking Statins “because all diabetics should take them” my hba1c rose from 48 to 54 and I suffered from dizzy spells and sleep disturbance. After being on them for approx 6 months I decided I’d had enough and, with my GP’s consent, came off them. My hba1c reduced to non diabetic levels. The decision is ultimately yours but I should research them first so that you can make an informed decision.

 

[bulkbiker]

I’ve received a letter and prescription for statins from my local GP stating that because I have diabetes the current recommendation is that I should start taking a statin - question is should I and what are people’s thoughts on this ?

If you want to know more than you ever thought you might....

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/cholesterol-and-statins.156985/

Did they give T1 as the only reason?
If your HbA1c is fairly ok then there's no reason I have ever seen for taking them.
Maybe with very high blood sugar levels but if not then...

 

[Rachox]

@Juicyj regardless on my personal opinion of statins, what a horrible way to tell you. No face to face discussion! Health care is supposed to be a two way conversation, Drs are not there to dictate but to advise

 

[Emily95]

I was told they give statins to all type 1’s who’ve had it for 10 years even if their cholesterol is fine.

The old advice used to be to offer statins to ‘middle aged diabetics’ but this no longer the case.

I asked if that meant giving them to a child who was now 12 having been diagnosed at 2 and my endocrinologist said yes.

 

[bulkbiker]

I was told they give statins to all type 1’s who’ve had it for 10 years even if their cholesterol is fine.

The old advice used to be to offer statins to ‘middle aged diabetics’ but this no longer the case.

I asked if that meant giving them to a child who was now 12 having been diagnosed at 2 and my endocrinologist said yes.

What kind of like "you've made it to 10 years so you deserve some drugs that may mess up your blood sugar and give you muscle pain (amongst other things)" ....sounds like a real booby prize.

 

[Juicyj]

@Juicyj regardless on my personal opinion of statins, what a horrible way to tell you. No face to face discussion! Health care is supposed to be a two way conversation, Drs are not there to dictate but to advise

Agree surely some justification behind the letter and a face to face could of explained this better than a letter, I was of a negative mindset towards them before getting this letter but their approach has just re enforced this view, am still going to read up more but despite taking insulin I am anti medication unless it has the potential to help.

 

[Antje77]

I was prescribed them at 'diabetes' diagnosis and took them for a short while. In hindsight, my lipids were borderline (according to current beliefs) when diagnosed and improved fast. No way to tell if they improved because of the statins or because of much better bg on insulin. After a short while I told my practice nurse I wanted to see what would happen if I stopped the statins, and I stayed well within accepted numbers, so no reason to start them again.
Should my numbers change to levels that worry my specialist, I'll start by reading up on it, but as things stand now, I don't see why I should take pills for normal numbers.

 

[Zinadane]

Reading this now. I've been on them for 10years. My levels have always been very good, I eat healthy and keep fit, with good hba1c. I suffer some sleeplessness and ibs occasionally. Which tbf is on the smallprint for most medicines.
Wondering though what the guidelines maybe for coming of them after so long, just as a trial really, would anyone know what the gp may suggest?

 

[Daibell]

They should only be prescribed if lipids measurements and family history indicate. They should not be prescribed just because you have diabetes; this is the NHS being at it's worst. Do your own research and make your own decision and I'm afraid don't automatically trust the experts - challenge their reasoning and evidence

 

[KK123]

It's one thing being advised to take them based on your actual cholesterol levels and ratios etc, but a letter simply saying 'take 'em' just because you have diabetes is wrong. There are many variations of diabetes for a start and massive differences in how people manage their diabetes, what other health conditions they may have, whether they exercise or don't, smoke or don't, take illegal drugs or don't, eat well or don't and on and on and on. I have never believed in this 'one size fits all' approach. It is lazy and makes all this 'change your lifestyle' advice moot if none of it makes any difference to your future health. Also, what kind of GP decides this without so much as discussing it with you?, my GP said statins are a very strong drug so at the very least they should discuss it with you fully not prescribe it like a smartie.

 

[Robinredbreast]

We are all individual's with individual needs, medical professionals need to remember this, so receiving a letter like that,out of the blue is wrong, it's so impersonal, as we are not on a conveyor belt..............
@Juicyj weigh up the pro's and con's of taking statins to help you make the right decision for you.

 

[Marie 2]

There was a study released (don't ask me to find it) that said diabetics are less likely to die if they are taking a statin. So a couple of years ago doctors started prescribing them for everyone that is diabetic in the US no matter their cholesterol profile.

My last endo did a complete screening of all the cholesterol levels (HDL, LDL, VLDL and a few other tests I had never heard of before) and said I had no issues at all and said I won't be dying of a heart attack any time soon even though my family has a huge history of heart disease. My old GP never tried to get me to take it either. My new endo has never said a word that I should take them.

However my newly graduated and new GP, who is an internist , when I first saw her, she was really pushy that no matter your levels every diabetic should be on a statin. I said no and we came to an agreement she will be asking me every time and I will be saying no every time.......................

But I really do have excellent cholesterol, nice high HDL and low LDL and VLDL levels so I feel safe in not worrying about it anyway.

 

[Seacrow]

C'mon JuicyJ, you're a moderator and a staff member, you're good, you know your own answer here.

In my opinion? Never take anything the doc says is ' the current recommendation' unless the doctor also recommends it, personally, for you, and can provide a logical reason. Sometimes we forget that the doctors are also being pressured to get all their patients to fit into neat condition:treatment:medication boxes and may need to be able to report, for example, 'we have recommended and prescribed statins for all our diabetics'.

Personally, I was recommended statins by a doc who went through my lipid panel with me. And they did actually produce an improvement. The side effect of frequent muscle cramps though was not worth the tiny improvement (IMO) so I quit. My GP, OTOH, keeps pushing blood pressure meds at me (also 'recommended' for all type 2), and I keep telling her I'll take them when my bp is above normal, not before.

If I were you? Research, double check your lipid panel, and make your own decision. Is your cholesterol out of control, or are you ticking along nicely?

 

[JMK1954]

To me, one of the biggest dangers of statins is that GPs only know they may cause muscle/joint aches and pains. I reported a string of what I am now aware of as 'known' side-effects over a couple of years. Nobody took me seriously. No GP and no doctor at the hospital diabetic clinic I attend ever realised that acute loss of appetite, depression, memory problems and a resultant complete loss of confidence added up to statin intolerance. If you suffer any side-effects, they will not be recognised as such and you will be offered a string of other drugs to deal with the symptoms you report. It took me years of arguing before I got my hospital records marked 'Intolerant of Statins'. They destroyed my life, lost me my job - which I loved - and almost lost me my husband. He said they changed my personality and only admitted this when I stopped them. After about a fortnight he said the woman he married was back.

Please think seriously and if you take them, keep a log of any changes in your health/well-being that occur. Review it regularly and record which drug you take, at what strength. If you develop any new symptoms be suspicious.

 

[Hotpepper20000]

We know statins lower Cholesterol. I remain unconvinced that lower cholesterol equals a longer healthier life. Regardless if a person has type one or two diabetes.
I however, am open to being corrected.