General Chat

Could statins also be responsible in some way for shoulder joint and arm muscle pain?
Bob

I saw a different gp at our practice when i went to update my repeat prescription form, when he looked at the items he said why am i not on statins as i'm over 50 & have high blood presure, didn't know i was supposed to be says i, he then told me that it was a directive from government that gp's must put over 50's with high bp on these as a prevention & that they cost pennies to produce, were perfectly safe, well i ain't taking anymore, i feel much better without them.

I have high blood pressure usually around 146/96 and a cholesterol of 6.5 and my Gp wont put me on statins. At our surgery you have to have 3 high risk factors before they perscribe Statins. These include high blood pressure, lack of exercise /over weight, drink a lot of alcohol, bad diet and smoke. As i dont smoke, drink a lot of alcohol, i exercise a lot, i have a good diet they said there was no need to put me on statins. I have to drink cholesterol lowering drinks instead and try and improve my diet by eating more fish.

Jane

Jane,I too have a very healthy life style,I don't smoke, drink in moderation and exercise everyday,I do cardio workouts and yoga and Pilate's plus i walk my dog for 2 hours a day.
My Cholesterol has always been borderline (around 5.4) I have excellent blood pressure 100/ 60 and my heart beat is 50 beats a minute,My doctor said that I am extremely healthy. but he said cholesterol is a silent killer and that because my life style is so good that it must be genetic,there have been several people in my family who have died from heart problems.
He advised I take statins I only take 10mg a day but already my cholesterol has been reduced.
High cholesterol does kill,your lifestyle does have a lot to do with it but genes are a huge part too.

In Spain they seem to Think that prevention is better than a cure,I would be seriously asking questions from your G.P ,Jane

I have been taking statin tablets for 2 years. My chloresterol level is down to 4 ish and the doc is happy with my health. My only regret is that when you take statins you must not have grapefruit. I loved grapefruit and really miss it but heyho, that's life, (I hope).

I too had joint pain and cramps taking simvastatin and another one added to this too I have heard a lot of people have muscle problems.

If you have muscle problems with one statin it doesn't follow that you'd have the same if you changed. Half the problem is that people don't go back to their doctor after a reasonable time and tell him/her the problem. Also as mostly people are put on statins over a 'certain age' it is difficult to know if the aches and pains are due to age or drug.

Keith you have to inform your travel insurance firm of any drugs you are on and also your recent medical history or you will invalidate any claim put in, not just a claim related to the drug. And statins didn't put my premium up, as long as they have controlled the high cholestrol. It is high cholestrol that will increase the premium. And that, according to my doctor is over 4.

Ann, the level varies from doctor to doctor. According to the Cardiac Unit at my local hospital, the high level is over 5. BCXX

My doc agrees with you Buttercup, anything under five he says is fine. If the level reaches six he would increases the statin dose.