Statins
Comments
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I think statins have saved millions of lives worldwide. There will always be people with side affects with any medication but I think if your doctor suggests statins then you’d be foolish to refuse.1
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I have taken Atorvastatin 100mg for 5 years now since a heart attack and have had no issues.
Whatever you do please consult your doctor first.
I am on a cocktail of tablets and, as I understand it, they work as a team so stopping one may upset the rhythm of the others.1 -
I also take Atorvastatin for high cholesterol as well as a cocktail of other drugs for my diabetes, thankfully without any side affects ( my diabetes drugs have other side effects, which are a pain!).iaitch said:I was on Simvastatin until the pharmacist in Boots told me that he'd contacted my GP as it was impacting on the diabetic drug Metformin that I was taking, I was then moved onto Atorvastatin. So the advice above is good, talk to your pharmacist.0 -
My doctor put me Atorvastatin six months ago, as my cholesterol was creeping up. I was worried about the side effects , but he was very convinced that they were extremely rare. I did a bit of research ( medical journals only, and just the conclusion as I’m no doctor/statistician). All the tests seem to show no significant difference in muscle pain between the statin and a placebo. One suggested that the warning given to people taking the statin about possible muscle pain actually got them to ascribe all muscle pain to the statin. As I’m pretty active, I know my muscle pains well, and they haven’t changed since I went on the statin, but they’ve definitely improved since I started Pilates.
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I was prescribed statins about 20 years ago with moderately high cholesterol. I felt uncomfortable about it though so I tried to lower it naturally. That has been working for me. Porridge almost every day, plenty of exercise (which I like), mainly chicken or fish when I eat meat and generally a low fat diet (without going overboard). I have regular checkups with the doctor and my numbers are in the normal range. I’ve been happy with this approach. I believe it was the porridge that made the main difference.1
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Had a major stroke 3 years back (made a decent recovery fortunately) and was put on Atorvastatin amongst other things. 6 tablets a day since then having taken nothing for years.0
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Glad you made a good recovery...any side effects Len?LenGlover said:Had a major stroke 3 years back (made a decent recovery fortunately) and was put on Atorvastatin amongst other things. 6 tablets a day since then having taken nothing for years.0 -
Are you saying you take nothing now? Or that prior to your stroke you’d taken no medication 💊? @lengloverLenGlover said:Had a major stroke 3 years back (made a decent recovery fortunately) and was put on Atorvastatin amongst other things. 6 tablets a day since then having taken nothing for years.0 -
razil said:What is a nutribullet? My dads on Statins and I'm worried it's giving him side effects which appear like arthritis, but also muscle strains. I got my cholesterol right down via the fit bit route, was 6 something but halved it or more
Yes, been able to reduce mine down to 4, mainly by diet, but it does fluctuate From Summer to winter, especially at this time of year, really find it hard to eat salads in winter!. So`I am pre-diabetic's as the GP tells me, personally at 72 I am more worried about the uncontrolled Hypertension!, but since retiring, ( and not going to Charlton regularly) my blood pressure is far more stable, and lower.The bad side is Arthritis, full knee replacement 18 months ago, the right knee, well that is buggered as well, and right elbow..... all down to football and playing tennis, avoided 'Statins' as they really affect your travel Insurance, and was put of when I worked at the BMA , albeit 18 year's ago, so I may have to revise my opinion!....... but never been convinced with 'taking long term' prescription drugs, often an opt out for GP's.0 -
Get your boots out. You're A.S.'s next signing
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Not really apart from a lack of confidence going down stairs and steps which is slowly improving.HastingsRed said:
Glad you made a good recovery...any side effects Len?LenGlover said:Had a major stroke 3 years back (made a decent recovery fortunately) and was put on Atorvastatin amongst other things. 6 tablets a day since then having taken nothing for years.1 -
Prior to the stroke I took no regular medication.sillav nitram said:
Are you saying you take nothing now? Or that prior to your stroke you’d taken no medication 💊? @lengloverLenGlover said:Had a major stroke 3 years back (made a decent recovery fortunately) and was put on Atorvastatin amongst other things. 6 tablets a day since then having taken nothing for years.0 -
I’ve had a message from my doctors about my cholesterol level at the last blood test. A months wait to see them but I expect it’s the statin route.Strangely I appear to have high ‘good cholesterol’ - does anyone understand this?0
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This explains the 2 types of cholesterolArsenetatters said:I’ve had a message from my doctors about my cholesterol level at the last blood test. A months wait to see them but I expect it’s the statin route.Strangely I appear to have high ‘good cholesterol’ - does anyone understand this?
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cardiovascular-disease/risk-factors-for-cardiovascular-disease/high-cholesterol/
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I’m not a doctor, but I have an interest in nutrition. Potentially you have a 4-week window to improve your cholesterol blood pressure and general health before your appointment.
Here is what the research (specifically from Dr. Michael Greger / nutrition facts.org - this is a free not for profit website) shows:
- High 'good' cholesterol isn't a free pass: It doesn't cancel out the risks of high 'bad' cholesterol.
- Diet can beat statins: A Whole Food, Plant-Based diet can lower cholesterol just as effectively as medication.
- Diet change: Avoid saturated fats (meat, dairy, oils) and eat more oatmeal, beans, and ground flaxseeds. • They act like a sponge to pull cholesterol out. [1, 2]
My experience: 10 years ago, I had high cholesterol, arthritis, and faced gallbladder removal. I researched a change in diet and switched to whole plant foods. Today, my cholesterol is low, my joints are pain-free, and I kept my gallbladder.
If you are prepared to modify your diet you will lower your cholesterol and be generally more healthy.
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If you are under 5 that is good. This little I do know.Arsenetatters said:I’ve had a message from my doctors about my cholesterol level at the last blood test. A months wait to see them but I expect it’s the statin route.Strangely I appear to have high ‘good cholesterol’ - does anyone understand this?0 -
One of my friends has recently achieved something similar through diet and lifestyle changes. He was recommended statins but resolved to get his cholesterol down naturally first, and he managed it comfortably.68/9er said:I’m not a doctor, but I have an interest in nutrition. Potentially you have a 4-week window to improve your cholesterol blood pressure and general health before your appointment.
Here is what the research (specifically from Dr. Michael Greger / nutrition facts.org - this is a free not for profit website) shows:
- High 'good' cholesterol isn't a free pass: It doesn't cancel out the risks of high 'bad' cholesterol.
- Diet can beat statins: A Whole Food, Plant-Based diet can lower cholesterol just as effectively as medication.
- Diet change: Avoid saturated fats (meat, dairy, oils) and eat more oatmeal, beans, and ground flaxseeds. • They act like a sponge to pull cholesterol out. [1, 2]
My experience: 10 years ago, I had high cholesterol, arthritis, and faced gallbladder removal. I researched a change in diet and switched to whole plant foods. Today, my cholesterol is low, my joints are pain-free, and I kept my gallbladder.
If you are prepared to modify your diet you will lower your cholesterol and be generally more healthy.
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Said the man with two heads.Bedsaddick said:I've been taking statins for 10 years and as far as I know I have had no side affects.2 -
I think Arsene is a good bit older than thatElfsborgAddick said:
If you are under 5 that is good. This little I do know.Arsenetatters said:I’ve had a message from my doctors about my cholesterol level at the last blood test. A months wait to see them but I expect it’s the statin route.Strangely I appear to have high ‘good cholesterol’ - does anyone understand this?4 -
I eat a plant based diet but my downfall is sweet stuff. I’m not overweight, BMI 23 but I absolutely love cake and now I’m retired its intake has increased. I’m also not a great eater and skip meals if I’m busy spending my whole diet needs a look at.68/9er said:I’m not a doctor, but I have an interest in nutrition. Potentially you have a 4-week window to improve your cholesterol blood pressure and general health before your appointment.
Here is what the research (specifically from Dr. Michael Greger / nutrition facts.org - this is a free not for profit website) shows:
- High 'good' cholesterol isn't a free pass: It doesn't cancel out the risks of high 'bad' cholesterol.
- Diet can beat statins: A Whole Food, Plant-Based diet can lower cholesterol just as effectively as medication.
- Diet change: Avoid saturated fats (meat, dairy, oils) and eat more oatmeal, beans, and ground flaxseeds. • They act like a sponge to pull cholesterol out. [1, 2]
My experience: 10 years ago, I had high cholesterol, arthritis, and faced gallbladder removal. I researched a change in diet and switched to whole plant foods. Today, my cholesterol is low, my joints are pain-free, and I kept my gallbladder.
If you are prepared to modify your diet you will lower your cholesterol and be generally more healthy.
I also have arthritis (psoriatic) and managed to get my information markers down to zero with cherry juice and a more balanced diet but the markers have gone up again.I think I’ve just taken me eye off the ball and need to get back to healthy eating. I’d rather do that than statins.Thank you for this3 -
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6.9 this time. It’s crept up.ElfsborgAddick said:
If you are under 5 that is good. This little I do know.Arsenetatters said:I’ve had a message from my doctors about my cholesterol level at the last blood test. A months wait to see them but I expect it’s the statin route.Strangely I appear to have high ‘good cholesterol’ - does anyone understand this?0 -
You've got this, Wonder Woman !!!!Arsenetatters said:
I eat a plant based diet but my downfall is sweet stuff. I’m not overweight, BMI 23 but I absolutely love cake and now I’m retired its intake has increased. I’m also not a great eater and skip meals if I’m busy spending my whole diet needs a look at.68/9er said:I’m not a doctor, but I have an interest in nutrition. Potentially you have a 4-week window to improve your cholesterol blood pressure and general health before your appointment.
Here is what the research (specifically from Dr. Michael Greger / nutrition facts.org - this is a free not for profit website) shows:
- High 'good' cholesterol isn't a free pass: It doesn't cancel out the risks of high 'bad' cholesterol.
- Diet can beat statins: A Whole Food, Plant-Based diet can lower cholesterol just as effectively as medication.
- Diet change: Avoid saturated fats (meat, dairy, oils) and eat more oatmeal, beans, and ground flaxseeds. • They act like a sponge to pull cholesterol out. [1, 2]
My experience: 10 years ago, I had high cholesterol, arthritis, and faced gallbladder removal. I researched a change in diet and switched to whole plant foods. Today, my cholesterol is low, my joints are pain-free, and I kept my gallbladder.
If you are prepared to modify your diet you will lower your cholesterol and be generally more healthy.
I also have arthritis (psoriatic) and managed to get my information markers down to zero with cherry juice and a more balanced diet but the markers have gone up again.I think I’ve just taken me eye off the ball and need to get back to healthy eating. I’d rather do that than statins.Thank you for this
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I've been taking a very high dose of statins for 14+ years, following an operation to remove a cancer tumor in my colon (2011), and a 'mild' stroke and heart attack (both 2012) .. not sure what side effects they have caused, (if any) as I take a LOT of pills for various complaints, most, like statins of a 'preventative' nature .. thing is, I am told that my cholestorol levels are good .. I am also quite careful about my diet, though like @Arsenetatters, my sweet tooth too often lets me down
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You can get cholesterol lowering drinks from the supermarkets.Arsenetatters said:
I eat a plant based diet but my downfall is sweet stuff. I’m not overweight, BMI 23 but I absolutely love cake and now I’m retired its intake has increased. I’m also not a great eater and skip meals if I’m busy spending my whole diet needs a look at.68/9er said:I’m not a doctor, but I have an interest in nutrition. Potentially you have a 4-week window to improve your cholesterol blood pressure and general health before your appointment.
Here is what the research (specifically from Dr. Michael Greger / nutrition facts.org - this is a free not for profit website) shows:
- High 'good' cholesterol isn't a free pass: It doesn't cancel out the risks of high 'bad' cholesterol.
- Diet can beat statins: A Whole Food, Plant-Based diet can lower cholesterol just as effectively as medication.
- Diet change: Avoid saturated fats (meat, dairy, oils) and eat more oatmeal, beans, and ground flaxseeds. • They act like a sponge to pull cholesterol out. [1, 2]
My experience: 10 years ago, I had high cholesterol, arthritis, and faced gallbladder removal. I researched a change in diet and switched to whole plant foods. Today, my cholesterol is low, my joints are pain-free, and I kept my gallbladder.
If you are prepared to modify your diet you will lower your cholesterol and be generally more healthy.
I also have arthritis (psoriatic) and managed to get my information markers down to zero with cherry juice and a more balanced diet but the markers have gone up again.I think I’ve just taken me eye off the ball and need to get back to healthy eating. I’d rather do that than statins.Thank you for this
They work for me (in as much as my cholesterol definitely lowered when I started taking them and have remained in the ok range for years).
Benecol are expensive, but Tesco or Sainsbury's own makes work for me & appear to be the same product but 30% ? cheaper. I think the supermarket versions are about £3 for a pack of 6.3 -
Is that red wine?Covered End said:
You can get cholesterol lowering drinks from the supermarkets.Arsenetatters said:
I eat a plant based diet but my downfall is sweet stuff. I’m not overweight, BMI 23 but I absolutely love cake and now I’m retired its intake has increased. I’m also not a great eater and skip meals if I’m busy spending my whole diet needs a look at.68/9er said:I’m not a doctor, but I have an interest in nutrition. Potentially you have a 4-week window to improve your cholesterol blood pressure and general health before your appointment.
Here is what the research (specifically from Dr. Michael Greger / nutrition facts.org - this is a free not for profit website) shows:
- High 'good' cholesterol isn't a free pass: It doesn't cancel out the risks of high 'bad' cholesterol.
- Diet can beat statins: A Whole Food, Plant-Based diet can lower cholesterol just as effectively as medication.
- Diet change: Avoid saturated fats (meat, dairy, oils) and eat more oatmeal, beans, and ground flaxseeds. • They act like a sponge to pull cholesterol out. [1, 2]
My experience: 10 years ago, I had high cholesterol, arthritis, and faced gallbladder removal. I researched a change in diet and switched to whole plant foods. Today, my cholesterol is low, my joints are pain-free, and I kept my gallbladder.
If you are prepared to modify your diet you will lower your cholesterol and be generally more healthy.
I also have arthritis (psoriatic) and managed to get my information markers down to zero with cherry juice and a more balanced diet but the markers have gone up again.I think I’ve just taken me eye off the ball and need to get back to healthy eating. I’d rather do that than statins.Thank you for this
They work for me (in as much as my cholesterol definitely lowered when I started taking them and have remained in the ok range for years).
Benecol are expensive, but Tesco or Sainsbury's own makes work for me & appear to be the same product but 30% ? cheaper. I think the supermarket versions are about £3 for a pack of 6.5 -
Arsenetatters, I hope this doesn’t come across as “teaching grandmother to suck eggs” (terrible analogy!) but if it helps …
It is good that you are looking to tackle this naturally through food rather than statins. A cholesterol level of 6.9 is high, but since you already eat plant-based, you are moving in the right direction.
From my own experience it seems the issue is likely the difference between a standard 'plant-based' diet and a Whole Food, Plant-Based (WFPB) diet. Vegan cakes are often packed with saturated fat (like coconut oil or palm oil) and ultra-processed food ingredients. According to NutritionFacts.org, these processed elements drive up blood cholesterol and fuel the inflammatory pathways that trigger arthritis flares.
You do not have to give up your sweet tooth, but it is likely to help if you can shift to whole-food alternatives: [1]
- Bake with whole fruit: Swap refined sugar and oils for date sugar or mashed dates. The NutritionFacts.org Sweeteners Guide ranks date sugar as a health-promoting option because it is simply whole, fiber-rich dried fruit ground into a powder. [1]
- Try clean treats: Look for whole-food options like this Oatmeal Cookie Dough Bites Recipe, which uses dates and oats to naturally lower cholesterol.
- Eat regular meals: Skipping meals disrupts your metabolism. Consistent, intact whole grains and legumes keep you full and actively lower your cholesterol numbers. [1]
You have successfully brought your markers down once before, and moving from 'plant-based processed' back to true 'whole plant foods' I sure will help get you back on track.
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It alarms me how routinely awful so many British diets are. Not through choice entirely but say you have to commute for work so can't practically carry food for the day around with you as well as tools, laptop, tablet etc.
All sandwiches and prepared snacks even salads in shops are appalling nutritionally. Ludicrously high in salt and saturated fat, processed foods especially meat which is a fast track to bum cancer which is already prevalent in the UK.
I was one of these, ate from petrol stations, snack wagons etc. A few years ago I changed to really reading ingredient labels and avoiding things with ingredients I couldn't pronounce, anything savoury with sugar added. Its harder than it should be and I wanted to get ahead of being on prescription medication etc. Consequentially from home cooking and preparing near enough everything I eat has made a colossal difference. 30 kilos off, knees and ankles feeling a lot better, knees are fucked anyway but they don't scream at me as much.
After not very long my body and mind almost reject the idea of these quick food solutions but I had to make the time to change shopping habits and cooking habits but I hope it is worth it. Feels like it5 -
Thank you very much for this, it’s really helpful. I’m ashamed to say that I thought all plant fats would be unsaturated! I also didn’t realise how much whole foods worked to lower cholesterol. I am always having quick snacks of white bread toast or microwave a quick bit of white rice. I really like raw vegetables and they don’t take long to prepare so will be getting back into them.68/9er said:Arsenetatters, I hope this doesn’t come across as “teaching grandmother to suck eggs” (terrible analogy!) but if it helps …
It is good that you are looking to tackle this naturally through food rather than statins. A cholesterol level of 6.9 is high, but since you already eat plant-based, you are moving in the right direction.
From my own experience it seems the issue is likely the difference between a standard 'plant-based' diet and a Whole Food, Plant-Based (WFPB) diet. Vegan cakes are often packed with saturated fat (like coconut oil or palm oil) and ultra-processed food ingredients. According to NutritionFacts.org, these processed elements drive up blood cholesterol and fuel the inflammatory pathways that trigger arthritis flares.
You do not have to give up your sweet tooth, but it is likely to help if you can shift to whole-food alternatives: [1]
- Bake with whole fruit: Swap refined sugar and oils for date sugar or mashed dates. The NutritionFacts.org Sweeteners Guide ranks date sugar as a health-promoting option because it is simply whole, fiber-rich dried fruit ground into a powder. [1]
- Try clean treats: Look for whole-food options like this Oatmeal Cookie Dough Bites Recipe, which uses dates and oats to naturally lower cholesterol.
- Eat regular meals: Skipping meals disrupts your metabolism. Consistent, intact whole grains and legumes keep you full and actively lower your cholesterol numbers. [1]
You have successfully brought your markers down once before, and moving from 'plant-based processed' back to true 'whole plant foods' I sure will help get you back on track.
I think a big problem has been my vegan neighbour has opened a micro bakery and makes the most fabulous cakes with all sorts of unhealthy sugary stuff. She often gets us to trial them before she adds them to her menu. I can easily work my way though a large amount of cupcakes to help her! Time to relegate them to occasional treats rather than meal replacements. It’s been a bit of a wake up call tbh.1 -
I’ve been a Type 2 diabetic for the past 24 years (diagnosed at 40). My long-term blood-sugar level (Hb1ac) has always been a little higher than expected (here in France 4.5-6.5 is considered a normal level and mine was 7.3) despite all my efforts with diets, medication, etc.68/9er said:I’m not a doctor, but I have an interest in nutrition. Potentially you have a 4-week window to improve your cholesterol blood pressure and general health before your appointment.
Here is what the research (specifically from Dr. Michael Greger / nutrition facts.org - this is a free not for profit website) shows:
- High 'good' cholesterol isn't a free pass: It doesn't cancel out the risks of high 'bad' cholesterol.
- Diet can beat statins: A Whole Food, Plant-Based diet can lower cholesterol just as effectively as medication.
- Diet change: Avoid saturated fats (meat, dairy, oils) and eat more oatmeal, beans, and ground flaxseeds. • They act like a sponge to pull cholesterol out. [1, 2]
My experience: 10 years ago, I had high cholesterol, arthritis, and faced gallbladder removal. I researched a change in diet and switched to whole plant foods. Today, my cholesterol is low, my joints are pain-free, and I kept my gallbladder.
If you are prepared to modify your diet you will lower your cholesterol and be generally more healthy.
My wife has had problems losing weight and she consulted a medical nutritionist and discussed various options.
We now follow a more whole-food plant based diet and eat poultry and fish for protein with a lot of fresh vegetables and have upped our intake of oats.
We have oat days once a week where we eat nothing but oats (with Shia seeds and a little bit of fruit in the morning, savoury ingredients at lunch and in the evening we can choose either fruit or savoury again).
There’s also the option of doing a full 3-day oat cure to start off where you eat nothing but oats in various forms, but at the moment that’s a little extreme for me.
My last Hb1ac blood test in March was 7.3 and immediately afterwards I started the oat- and vegetable-based diet. Last week my follow up test showed that my level had gone down to 6.2.
I’m really happy with that and it has encouraged me to carry on to see if it’s not possible to reach a level where I can reduce the medication needed to keep the diabetes in check!
Oh! And I lost 4kgs in that first 3 months!4 -
Oats and Chia seeds do something mad in your guts. Without being overly graphic they form a gel-like substance and grab and drag all the stuff that clings to your insides and send it arse-wards. Oats really are a good staple to start from. Actual whole Oats, milled Oats to make flour, but ones that haven't been mucked about with as opposed to flavoured and added sugar ones. Little bit of natural, local honey is fine but no sugar, that stuff is bad (you don't say Carter)
Beans, pulses like lentils are also great for bulking up meals and replacing crappy processed meat in meals like chilli, bolognese. I make a lentil dhaal I'd hold up against many restaurant-curries. Turmeric, chilli and pepper is also really good for you4
