Cycling UK Forum

NICE Guidance for one of the PCSK9 inhibitors. It's 2016 so there may be updates.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA393/ ... mendations

All I can say are two things.

One, I took huge 80mg Atorvastatin for ten years, and had more and more issues with it as the years went by. Aches, pains, awful debilitating headaches. Got worser and worser and worser as time went on.

Two, since refusing to take Atorvastatin was prescribed a lower dose and then another two sorts - Simvastatin and another one. Symptoms returned within a week.

During my time with statins, my cholesterol levels were reduced from the astronomically high 11.4 down to 6point something. I was on the maximum dose they would give me.

Since injecting myself with Repatha for the last seven years every fortnight - next injection is tomorrow - and having annual blood tests, they don't even get back to me with any concern at all. Dunno what it is, but it's fine and "normal" and I'm fine and completely symptom-free.

It works, so who cares?
Not me.

Stuff your statins to where the sun doesn't shine.

Mick F wrote: ↑15 Jun 2023, 7:47pm Stuff your statins to where the sun doesn't shine.

Better taken as a suppository?

Yeah, stuff 'em!

So after being on hold for an hour I eventually got hold of someone to talk to at my surgery regarding my recent blood test, which was to see if I have high cholesterol levels, the results were normal.
As I didn’t understand any of the jargon used a doctor is going to talk to me (via phone) to explain it to me.
So as fas as I can see I probably don’t need statins. What hasn’t changed is that I am still rated 33, whatever that means so have no idea where that takes me, it’s very confusing for someone with little medical knowledge. Hopefully I will be a little more informed on Monday when the doctor calls.

As I understand it, the decision to offer statins is based on our personal & family history, where a number of circumstances are taken into account, eg family history, personal lifestyle, age / weight etc.. And if you get enough ticks across the matrix your GP may conclude that statins might help in potential prevention of what used to be referred to as hardening of the arteries (now cvd, or cardiovascular disease).
When I started, my GP reminded me that there are several type of statins and that if one didn't suit, another might and that I was to tell her about any unwanted side effects, but so far, that hasn't been necessary. I have noticed one or two very minor changes that have come about since I started taking the single daily pill, but a) the changes aren't in any way problematic and b) just 'cos they became noticeable since the start date doesn't necessarily mean that's the cause.
Hope your experience is hassle-free

Thanks Simon, I guess I have ticked too many boxes then, will see what the doc has to say.
I know a lot of people here have had problems with statins but I know quite a few personally that are fine with them, fingers crossed I may be one of them if i

A way to see if you think you need statins is get your blood test result. Plenty of sites on the internet which will help you interpret the readings with regards to your cholesterol level.
Friends, who had been advised by their doctors to start on statins , were never questioned on their lifestyle and alterations to it that could improve the test results.In fact,one of them had no family history of heart attacks or strokes and did not suffer from high blood pressure or cholesterol.
A close friend,who is a medical professor,stopped taking statins due to the side effects. He couldn't exercise due to muscle inflammation and felt that exercising was more beneficial than the statins.

531colin wrote: ↑15 Jun 2023, 1:32pm 2. if you don't have FH but fall foul of one of the various "scoring systems" and you complain of statin side effects you are unlikely to be offered "non-statin" medication. Instead you may be browbeaten into persisting with statins (and side-effects) or refused cholesterol testing.

Not unlikely,but probably less likely simply because there are fewer meds approved and the thresholds are higher.

And everyone gets browbeaten AFAICT

joeegg wrote: ↑21 Jun 2023, 7:50pm A way to see if you think you need statins is get your blood test result. Plenty of sites on the internet which will help you interpret the readings with regards to your cholesterol level.
Friends, who had been advised by their doctors to start on statins , were never questioned on their lifestyle and alterations to it that could improve the test results.In fact,one of them had no family history of heart attacks or strokes and did not suffer from high blood pressure or cholesterol.
A close friend,who is a medical professor,stopped taking statins due to the side effects. He couldn't exercise due to muscle inflammation and felt that exercising was more beneficial than the statins.

I shall certainly let my doctor know that I am fairly active, I usually have only one day a week I am not active and probably cycle 100 miles a week, walk five k or so when I am not cycling and try to fit in at least one gym visit. No one has asked me about my lifestyle.

There is good evidence that many, perhaps nearly all reported side effects from statins are due to the nocebo effect - the same side effects are reported from placebo.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying- ... ebo-effect

Vetus Ossa wrote: ↑21 Jun 2023, 5:46pm So after being on hold for an hour I eventually got hold of someone to talk to at my surgery regarding my recent blood test, which was to see if I have high cholesterol levels, the results were normal.
As I didn’t understand any of the jargon used a doctor is going to talk to me (via phone) to explain it to me.
So as fas as I can see I probably don’t need statins. What hasn’t changed is that I am still rated 33, whatever that means so have no idea where that takes me, it’s very confusing for someone with little medical knowledge. Hopefully I will be a little more informed on Monday when the doctor calls.

I'm sorry that people have suffered side effects but there's some very misleading advice in this thread, and following some of it would result in avoidable strokes and heart attacks.

Please feel free to send me a Private Message and I'll do my best to explain the jargon and the process.

Jonathan

Jdsk wrote: ↑21 Jun 2023, 8:56pm

Vetus Ossa wrote: ↑21 Jun 2023, 5:46pm So after being on hold for an hour I eventually got hold of someone to talk to at my surgery regarding my recent blood test, which was to see if I have high cholesterol levels, the results were normal.
As I didn’t understand any of the jargon used a doctor is going to talk to me (via phone) to explain it to me.
So as fas as I can see I probably don’t need statins. What hasn’t changed is that I am still rated 33, whatever that means so have no idea where that takes me, it’s very confusing for someone with little medical knowledge. Hopefully I will be a little more informed on Monday when the doctor calls.

I'm sorry that people have suffered side effects but there's some very misleading advice in this thread, and following some of it would result in avoidable strokes and heart attacks.

Please feel free to send me a Private Message and I'll do my best to explain the jargon and the process.

Jonathan

Thank you Jonathan.

Thanks Jonathan.

roubaixtuesday wrote: ↑21 Jun 2023, 8:43pm There is good evidence that many, perhaps nearly all reported side effects from statins are due to the nocebo effect - the same side effects are reported from placebo.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying- ... ebo-effect

The zombie study rises again! Previously discussed around viewtopic.php?p=1550383&hilit=Nocebo#p1550383 Only 60 subjects used from a pool of 300, selected in a way that excluded those most likely to suffer real side effects and with no attempt to accommodate memory side effects. It is not good evidence of what you say.

But it is excellent browbeating fodder.