Statins?

escturtle · Oct 18, 2022

Hi! So I'm 50 years old and have had type 1 since age 12. For the past 25 years, my HbA1c has averaged 6.4 (sorry, don't know what that is in UK!). My cholesterol is low/normal for a nondiabetic, but standards say it should be a tad lower for someone with type 1.

That's the background! Now, just as a preventive drug, my doctor had me start on a statin a few weeks ago. Since then, I've had crazy insulin resistance needing huge boluses of 15 or more units to lower my BG, without eating any food. It's been a nightmare.

I thought my pump sites were going bad, so I kept changing them, but it didn't help. Now I realized that maybe it's the statin!?

My doctor is skeptical though becuz he said most patients tolerate it well. Anyone have any experience like this? Or do you know which statins have less of an effect on blood glucose?

I'm inclined to refuse taking it , brlecause I hate taking so many drugs. But how risky is it?

Looking to hear all your thoughts! Thank you

bulkbiker · Oct 18, 2022

Statins are fairly well known to raise blood glucose levels in some people.

Not taking a drug with dubious benefits would seem to be sensible but it should be your call.

Personally I always refuse them and always will. Your risk levels would seem to be pretty low anyway...

escturtle said:
My cholesterol is low/normal for a nondiabetic

JMK1954 · Oct 18, 2022

We are not all the same. Your doctor will know that, but they always say statins are well-tolerated by most people. What they carefully don't say, is that statins can have serious side-effects, aside from the usual muscular and pains. These are not acknowledged by most HCPs. Statins certainly increased my blood glucose levels, so I had to increase my insulin to counteract their effect. (I had been warned about that possibility by the consultant who prescribed them.) I had muscle aches which meant I couldn't walk as far or as fast, but I was prepared to put up with that, having been lectured about heart attacks etc. However, over time, statins destroyed my short term memory, to the point where I was unable to string together the strands of a logical argument and was made redundant from the job I loved. If you run a search on this forum, by typing into the search box (top right of screen), you can look at what people have said for yourself. It seems some people suffer no or only minor ill effects, but for others, the side effects of statins are devastating and very real.

escturtle · Oct 18, 2022

JMK1954 said:
We are not all the same. Your doctor will know that, but they always say statins are well-tolerated by most people. What they carefully don't say, is that statins can have serious side-effects, aside from the usual muscular and pains. These are not acknowledged by most HCPs. Statins certainly increased my blood glucose levels, so I had to increase my insulin to counteract their effect. (I had been warned about that possibility by the consultant who prescribed them.) I had muscle aches which meant I couldn't walk as far or as fast, but I was prepared to put up with that, having been lectured about heart attacks etc. However, over time, statins destroyed my short term memory, to the point where I was unable to string together the strands of a logical argument and was made redundant from the job I loved. If you run a search on this forum, by typing into the search box (top right of screen), you can look at what people have said for yourself. It seems some people suffer no or only minor ill effects, but for others, the side effects of statins are devastating and very real.

escturtle · Oct 18, 2022

Your response is very helpful! I will search the forum also.
I felt so atypical after speaking with my doctor, but I feel more validated now.

Sometimes I feel so tired of being told about all the risks of being type 1. I've been in stable control and I really hate taking so many drugs just for precautionary reasons....

Kerry48 · Oct 18, 2022

I was put on them about for the same reasons. I have had some issues, but weather this is due to statins, or just getting older, I have no idea.
the only thing I can tell you is that I watched my father slowly die after having a stroke, he was a diabetic (T1) for 52 years. All any nurses or doctors said when they walked in was “Oh, he’s type1 diabetic, ok”, but it’s not ok.
I have been type 1 for 48 years and on statins for the last 15 years, My father had a constant low cholesterol reading, he didn’t drink, didn’t smoke and was religious about his diet and fitness. However, he decided NOT to take the statins because a friend who was a nurse told him there were side effects.
yes, there may be side effects, some worse than others, it is your choice, but remember, type 1 will put you on a back foot no matter what.

escturtle · Oct 18, 2022

JMK1954 said:
We are not all the same. Your doctor will know that, but they always say statins are well-tolerated by most people. What they carefully don't say, is that statins can have serious side-effects, aside from the usual muscular and pains. These are not acknowledged by most HCPs. Statins certainly increased my blood glucose levels, so I had to increase my insulin to counteract their effect. (I had been warned about that possibility by the consultant who prescribed them.) I had muscle aches which meant I couldn't walk as far or as fast, but I was prepared to put up with that, having been lectured about heart attacks etc. However, over time, statins destroyed my short term memory, to the point where I was unable to string together the strands of a logical argument and was made redundant from the job I loved. If you run a search on this forum, by typing into the search box (top right of screen), you can look at what people have said for yourself. It seems some people suffer no or only minor ill effects, but for others, the side effects of statins are devastating and very real.

Did all those negative side effects disappear when you stopped taking the statins?

bulkbiker · Oct 18, 2022

A heart surgeon and a doctor on twitter re statins..

AndBreathe · Oct 18, 2022

Just because others tolerate a drug doesn't mean you will. Do you have any historic records detailing your insulin use you could refer to in discussion with your doctor?

I take meds for my thyroid. I get on with the active ingredients fine, but don't get on with meds made on a specific license. It is almost certainly an exipient part. As a result, my doctor specifies that two particular brands are not dispensed to me.

If you are content to take statins, then ask for a different one.

JMK1954 · Oct 18, 2022

Once I stopped the statins, it was about a fortnight before the aches and pains gradually started to clear up. My memory took about 2 and half years to recover, which was about the same amount of time I had been taking statins. It was a very gradual process. I was aware of an improvement after a year or so, but I still didn't feel that I was back to anything like normal. Then I was pestered about statins at every hospital appointment - until I finally got a consultant to listen and he decided to mark my records 'Intolerant of Statins'.

escturtle · Oct 19, 2022

bulkbiker said:
A heart surgeon and a doctor on twitter re statins..

If cholesterol has such benefits, then why the focus on using statins as a precautionary drug for type 1's (like me) who have had an LDL between 95-115 for the past 20 years, and triglycerides averaging below 100? If that's the science, then I don't understand how statins would really help me just cuz I have type 1 (with my most recent A1c being 5.9). Why reduce my cholesterol to lower than normal? It's somewhat mind-boggling to me!

escturtle · Oct 19, 2022

AndBreathe said:
Just because others tolerate a drug doesn't mean you will. Do you have any historic records detailing your insulin use you could refer to in discussion with your doctor?

I take meds for my thyroid. I get on with the active ingredients fine, but don't get on with meds made on a specific license. It is almost certainly an exipient part. As a result, my doctor specifies that two particular brands are not dispensed to me.

If you are content to take statins, then ask for a different one.

I'm honestly hesitant to take a different statin, but I'm also hesitant to ignore all the medical recommendations. Im not sure what scares me more

Daibell · Oct 19, 2022

In my opinion you should only take statins if your various cholesterol blood test results indicate bad ratios. Just because you have diabetes doesn't mean you should take statins - that's just bad science. I take them without problems but my wife had very bad liver pain within a of couple of days. They should not be treated as sweets.

Buster_ · Oct 19, 2022

It seems likely that statins have caused serious and permanent damage to my leg muscles leaving me with significant mobility problems for the rest of my life.

If you decide to continue taking them be very careful. If you ever develop any muscle weakness, aches or pain see a specialist immediately and don't be fobbed off.

Grant_Vicat · Oct 19, 2022

escturtle said:
I'm honestly hesitant to take a different statin, but I'm also hesitant to ignore all the medical recommendations. Im not sure what scares me more

At the age of 40 (ahem 24 years ago) I was put on statins as a standard for diabetes. I have since been classed as allergic to them. When I had a kidney/pancreas transplant in 2013, the hospital again automatically put me on Le Gateau Anglais (as a Parisian doctor described it) of Statins and Aspirin.
When I pointed out that I couldn't take them, at first there was absolute disbelief and then multiple head-scratching. To this day I haven't taken them and my blood chemistry is spot on! Make of that what you will...
Obviously taking care of diabetes is paramount and sadly things don't work out the same for everybody. But I think you are completely entitled to be hesitant, especially if your results are probably better than a person without diabetes.

bulkbiker · Oct 19, 2022

escturtle said:
why the focus on using statins as a precautionary drug

The most profitable drug ever invented?.. hmm let me think for a minute...

Daphne917 · Oct 22, 2022

I’m T2 diet controlled and when I started taking statins after being told that “all diabetics should take them” I suffered from muscle aches, sleep disturbance and sudden dizzy spells. My hba1c also increased from 48 to 54 within 5 months. Since coming off them, with GPs consent, my hba1c has reduced and remained in the diabetic zone.

escturtle · Oct 23, 2022

I have an appointment today with my doc to discuss. Based on my experience so far, and the experiences and wisdom of many of you, I don't feel comfortable taking this drug. I can't even find scientific literature to strongly support the need for me, as a type 1 with good BG control and normal cholesterol, to take them...

I'll update you! Thanks everyone

escturtle · Oct 27, 2022

Just to follow up with an update - my doc didn't push me to try a different statin. We discussed and he said we will revisit the topic next year, and keep monitoring my blood cholesterol results for any changes. He admitted that there has been minimal, if any, research on the need/benefits of statins for someone with type 1 who has good bg control and normal cholesterol levels.

filly · Oct 27, 2022

I just point blank refuse. I have enough joint and muscle pain without adding to it. Also there are numerous side effects that I do not want to contemplate. I am very funny with drugs and Statins are on my no thank you list.
Although I have a high Cholesterol and they won't do a lipid panel. I am quite happy to avoid. My G.P is too busy to argue.

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