Statin's causing erratic sugar levels

[VsUK]

My sugars have been largely controlled & perfect from my blood tests I have every 6 month. But for around a year I stopped taking my pills which include Simvastatin's. Then I had a blood test 4 months ago & my cholesterol levels were high but my sugars under control to a T. I know if I eat what I've already recorded in my note pad with x insulin. It's always been perfect, no issues at all. But Since then I was told off by the GP that I need to take my meds, especially my statins. Anyways, when I take them. I find it difficult to control my sugar levels. Even eating what I always have with x amount of insulin. It goes way off the scales at times. I read up on statins & I experienced a few of the side effects. Like increased sugar levels, joint pain, especially in my hands. I find I ache & then feels like cramp in my hands when I'm carrying anything or weight or tightening screws manually. I also have an increase in tiredness & I find it difficult to sit & read. My eye's have no damage & prescription is what it should be. But when I sit & read, It's fine for a minute or so then It sorta becomes uncomfortable & fuzzy. So I either squint, rub my eyes or look away to continue which lasts even less.

But basically, Statin's side effects are also those that persistent high sugar levels cause! So basically if your diabetic. You're trying your best to control bloods. But that's undermined by being told to take statins. Cant win really!

 

[Daphne917]

When I started taking statins my hba1c rise from 48 to 54 and I suffered from dizzy spells. I stopped taking them (with my GP's consent) and my hba1c is now 36. I still have the 'statins' conversation with my DN but refuse her offer!

 

[JTL]

I suspect statins caused my t2. I no longer take them and since being on a LCHF lifestyle my bad cholesterol is down and good up. Porridge every morning whatever the weather with a large dollop of coconut oil is what helps mostly I'm thinking.

 

[daisyduck]

I was tried on 4 types of statin and they all made my muscles and joints ache dreadfully.
I don't take any now, my cholesterol is a little higher than the GP would like at 6.8 but the good part has risen with my LCHF lifestyle, so I'm content to carry on without them

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

But Since then I was told off by the GP that I need to take my meds, especially my statins.

It might be worth reading the guidelines that he's following, if he's actually bothered to read them. He shouldn't be bullying you and the last bit of the guidelines says that patient preference should be taken into account.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/02February/Pages/NICE-publishes-new-draft-guidelines-on-statins-use.aspx

But basically, Statin's side effects are also those that persistent high sugar levels cause!

It's possible your blood glucose level may increase when you take a statin, which may lead to developing type 2 diabetes. Source - Mayo Clinic.

The risk may be small but in the U.S. it was important enough for the Food and Drug Administration to issue a warning on statin labels regarding blood glucose levels and diabetes. I'm not sure if the same has been done in the U.K.

The whole thing about statins is a nightmare because most of us aren't scientists, there's so much been written, pros and cons, we don't have a chance to make an informed decision about a drug that quite clearly has physical affects on some yet no noticeable effects on others.

Merck's patent application of 1990 makes it clear that statins prevent the uptake of CoQ10 and my body is still low on CoQ10 after giving statins up 4 years ago (total cholesterol still only 4). So, although some may not have noticeable signs who knows about other side effects.

I was lucky to have been advised to lower carbs and that my present GP didn't kick up a fuss (previous GP made is quite clear that I should not reduce carbs) because apart from lowering BG enough to dispose of Gliclazide and Januvia my cholesterol dropped enough to finally ditch the statin.

Maybe you should ask your GP if he would prescribe a statin for himself or a family member. There was a straw poll done in either the Lancet or BMJ where 60% of the 500 GPs asked said they would not prescribe statins for themselves or a family member.

I may have very negative views on statins due to personal experience and that of my old dad who literally couldn't walk to the local shops when he was put on them at 85 years of age. There has to be a question mark over the wisdom of prescribing a skinny person who's got to 85 without any CV problems and can't walk to the shops because taking a statin will prevent CVD.

I can't advise, it's a big topic, but for a young man of your age, look into the issue as much as you can. Moving about in a pain free manner is in my mind much more important than taking a pill.