Statins-Simvastatin

[watkins247]

I was put on simvastatin 18 months ago, everything was fine until christmas when I started to loose weight,became very restless,could not concentrate on anything,feeling hot ,not sleeping,stomach/bowel upsets,muscle cramps, etc.

My Gp initially thought I had hyperthyroid as I had all the symptoms but blood test showed nothing, the only thing that showed up was high blood glucose levels but decided it was controlable with diet.A couple of months when by with little change,I then saw a locum GP who on reading my notes told me to come off the statins said these were all possible although rare side effects.

I have now been off them for nearly four months and glucose levels have now dropped to normal and all other symptoms have gone except for muscle cramps in my legs, which are gradually improving.

I certainly do not agree with this current fashion on giving statins to everyone over 40 unless they are closely monitored. My problems could have been prevented or treated earlier had I had regular checks ups not routine repeat prescriptions.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Agreed...put o them twice..first time needlessly. Chronic pains, forgetfulness, and every basic side effect....GP's would not listen to the fact it could be statins with me.
Put back on another different type few weeks ago, and same problems started off again. Saw consultant this time and she immediately took me off them.....

 

[cathy m]

hi watkins...did gp say that you were diabetic..or was it just the statins raising your blood sugar levels

 

[xMenace]

I've heard and read some say CoQ10 should be prescribed alongside any statin, and yes, I agree a thorough follow up should be performed regularly. IMHO these drugs are dangerous to my long term health. It makes no sense to me to take a drug that reduces an element vital to health and in the hope of protecting the biggest muscle in our bodies, damages muscle. Zero science showing cause of saturated fat and cholesterol as bad. Insanity at it's worst.

 

[youngmanfrank]

I was put on Simvastatin when first diagnosed with diabetes.After two weeks I became insomniac,and research showed this to be a common problem with fat soluble statins.I stopped taking them when I started to get muscle pains in my thighs.There are some real horror stories out there concerning the side effects of statins which seem to show that some people can suffer permanent damage from them.

On another note I was put on an aspirin a day at the same time.After several months I developed tinnitus in both ears.This faded away over time once I had stopped taking the aspirin.

Having concluded my version of the Newcastle diet last year,I now have normal blood sugar levels,my blood pressure averages 120/60 and my last cholestorol came back at 4.0,down from 5.5.All this leaves me to conclude that tackling the basics of diet and exercise is far better than swallowing pills.