To Statin or not to Statin?

G

Geezah

Senior member
 Monifieth
There seems to be a hell of a lot in the media about using statins as a preventative method for people over 50 to maintain good health.

Through a combination of luck and design, my health is good. So why would someone like me want to fill themselves up with chemicals on a daily basis?

I even avoid aspirin if I have a headache. I just don't trust pharmaceutical companies, theyd have us all popping pills of all sorts everyday of our lives and turn us into cash cows. Of course if I was ill, I'd be popping whatever can save me.

I was wondering what other members of the 'Downhill Club' feel about them?
 
I guess that if your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are within limits - no reason. Dr. Ruby would know. :wink:
 
As an initial reluctant member of the downhill club, I have to say I'm blown away how medication can support you.

Never ever imagined or wanted to be taking pills each day and was quite proud of the fact that I'd never had to, I was fit (martial arts for half my adult life, keen jogger, so quite active) but when I hit 50 a totally unexpected and undiagnosed heart condition struck. . . .

Now I'm amazed that my blood pressure is spot on every time it's taken, my cholesterol level is in the healthy zone and I can enjoy life - yet I've put ON weight and am less active than I used to be. I do have a healthy diet but I'm certain it's the pills that keep everything managed (could be early retirement too . . . .)

So, other than feeling like an old codger having to take tablets once a day, I'm a great advocate of the over 50, pop the pills health care system!

PS - Also, be prepared, It seems when you hit 50, whatever your symptoms, it involves inserting a camera somewhere. . . .that's ok, it's the lighting crew that makes your eyes smart! :D The colour pictures are incredible. :o

Welcome to the second half of your life. . . .

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
I have to take the damned things after a hefty heart attack a couple of years ago where they found I was bunged up quite badly (life of too many excesses I'm afraid) and needed a triple by-pass. Long story but they couldn't do the triple by pass I needed so they stented one pipe and put me on massive doses of Statin and various pills to clear the the others. I was on 80mg a day of Atorvastatin (sp?) for over 12 months and in so much pain in my muscles and joints it wasn't funny. Riding the bike was out of the question and even just walking the dog was painful.

Eventually I got them down to the present level of 40mg and have to watch what I eat, I get checked every 6 months but given the choice I'd stop taking them them today. I certainly wouldn't take them without good reason that's for sure. I often question the reasons for them wanting everyone to take them, the cynic in me says the medical profession are, "encouraged" to push them by the drug companies - it's a huge business
 
exdos said:
Just to add a little balance to the widespread claim that dietary cholesterol is bad for health and that statins are the cure:
http://www.thincs.org/Malcolm.choltheory.htm
http://drmalcolmkendrick.org/the-great-cholesterol-con/
Click to expand...


I suppose some kind of illustration of that is my old dad. He drank like a fish, smoked like chimney and ate so much fatty food it was disgusting, fry ups most days with the fat from the pan poured over what he was eating. He lived 'til he was 86, was thin and wiry & still working 'til few weeks before he died. Cause of death? A car crash!
 
I work for a pharmaceutical company, but really only take drugs when I'm in hospital (last time was about 20 years ago).

I do take the odd throat lozenge when I've got a tonsillitis flare up, but they're just over the counter mild antiseptic/local anaesthetic.

Last prescribed medicine I had was for an ear infection (both ears) which hadn't gone by itself in about a week. Two weeks of drops and I could hear again.
 
Have a discussion with your GP about your "Q risk" and the pros and cons of taking statins yourself. That should help you make a decision.
 
my mother is 83 and in good health, well till 5 months ago had what they thought was minin stokes .done every check possible every thing was fine heart head scan blood pressure .put her on statins she now can hardly walk this week been back to the consultant and he has took her off her blood pressure tablets .time will tell
 
RubyBlueZ4MC said:
Have a discussion with your GP about your "Q risk" and the pros and cons of taking statins yourself. That should help you make a decision.
Click to expand...

I've just completed the online test here: http://www.qrisk.org/lifetime/index.php

I presently weigh 80kgs and my risk is 42.1% to age 95. That calculator suggests that if I were to lose 10kgs then my risk would go down to 39.7%. I don't think I'll even attempt to shed that weight to improve my lot by 2.4%. In any event, actuaries calculate my life expectancy as being to 84 years, so another 11years will be a bonus, provided that I'm in a fit enough state to enjoy those years and if I'm not, I don't want them.
 
I take statins and my bloods are fine for cholesterol. I have them taken every two or three months. Preventative medicine is a minefield, and when you have hindsight its often too late.
 
I had a heart attack when just 42 and was amazed at how many other quite young people were in hospital with the same condition. Started to to some reading around the subject and found that in the USA statins had been prescribed for patients at even low risk for many years. The outcome of this preventative prescribing is that heart attack rates reduced by more than 50% within 10-years. The evidence appeared sound and some medics in the UK were suggesting we should follow suit. I'm 65 tomorrow and take a handful of pills every morning and night - feel pretty good and will continue to pop the pills. I think we are pretty anti-pill in the UK hence our stiff-upper-lip reputation. Mind, agree with what folk say about the pharmaceutical companies.
 
No point in statins if you're fit & well i.e.Cholesterol/HDL ratio less than 5, BP normal and BMI less than 30 - all you need is a good diet and 2-3 hours of exercise/ week. If in doubt arrange for a fasting bloods analysis and discuss the results with your GP.
 
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