severe stomach problems caused by Simvastatin?
Posted , 5 users are following.
I was prescribed Simvastatin in March 2016, after an op for a blocked artery in my leg. At this time I was probably about a stone overweight. I then developed problems with my toe which made me immobile for ages, more weight went on. In June 2017 I finally got the all clear to get back to my normal life. I then realised my stomach was not quite right, at first very severe and painful wind, then dreadful tummy ache, and I associated it with food, so watched what I ate. Weight started to fall off me, at an alarming rate, to the extent that as of this morning I am now 9 stone and at 5ft 9" I don't look good at all. The pain strikes at anytime, whether I have eaten or not, It can start in my upper back, my belly or my right hand side and it is crippling. I can't straighten up when it starts and the only relief (and not much relief at that) is a scalding hot water bottle in the most painful area. I find a depression descends on me when this starts, and I have also been suffering hand and feet problems, strange aches and pains. I have told the GP, but I only came across this group this morning out of the blue, so I wouldn;t have known to mention statin side effects to him. I have told him that if I have to suffer one more day of this dreadful pain, or lose any more weight, I will kill myself. I was sent to a specialist unit at the local hospital in October. I saw a nurse practitioner. She informed me that my medication was causing my problem and I needed to speak to my GP. When I asked which drug in particular she told me she was not allowed to give me that information! I spoke to my GP who dismissed it all as nonsense! I recently spoke to another GP, who has now put me on iron and folic acid, as well as the ozepromole, mebeverine, ranitidine I have been taking for my tummy. None of which stops this dreadful pain I hasten to add. I am now gearing myself up to get on the phone to the GP tomorrow morning as soon as they open. I am considering not taking the statin tonight, to hell with it if not taking it kills me, because if I lose any more weight I will die anyway. I am fed up with bad sleep, severe pain, aching muscles, cold hands and feet, odd stabbing pains all over. Sorry for long post, but before I make that call, guys, do you think that this awful stomach problem, and the depression over it, could really be being caused by this drug? I would welcome an opinion. Thank you for reading. I am a 56 year old female, stopped smoking 2014 then developed a problem, walk dogs twice daily, like to garden, so reasonably fit. I love my food, and generally eat healthily enough.
0 likes, 8 replies
carol30634 wayne53526
Posted
why not omit the statin tonight and maybe tomorrow?
there might be some relief and you won’t die if you don’t take a couple of doses. Ie if for some reason you couldn’t take oral meds, you’d miss days then.
that was my justification anyway.
And then hen you can read up on possible side effects and make an informed decision.
ps. There’s a fb page ‘Stopped our Statins’ as well.
winterbaby62 wayne53526
Posted
Statins are poisons, they kill you one cell at a time. I had all of what you describe after just 10 days on Pravastatin. The tide if turning slowly and more and more medical professionals are realising that these drugs are harmful. Added to all of the above I had the most chronic diarrhoea 45 times a day, leading to dramatic weight loss. Was diagnosed with Microscopic Collagenous Colitis in Sept 2017.
My advice would be to stop taking the statin, start to take 375mg magnesium a day, CoQ10 200mg a day, Vit D, B12 and Vit K.
Tell your GP no more statins and ask for a referral to a gastro-enterologist.
Ranitidine is also known to cause gut problems, but this defo sounds like its the statin.
Check out the many FB statin groups.
Hot_Roder wayne53526
Posted
Wayne, this sounds like a complicated issue with symptoms which point in several directions . In spite of me being an anti-statin advocate, this does not appear to be a statin related problem. I am very familiar with all of the major side effects of statins and gastro problems is not one of them. Did your GP run a blood test to see if your iron, rbc (red cell blood count) and folic acid was low? If not, your GP is putting the horse before the cart. If your folic acid is low the last drug that you need to take is ranitidine or any proton inhibitor drug which inhibits the absorption of calcium and folic acid by blocking the stomachs ability to secrete acid . Your GP really needs to have a B12 blood test run on you. If your B12 value is low you could eat a stone of folic acid and not absorb much of it! If your GP does order a B12 test and its low, ask him if he is familiar with L-Methylfolate 10mg. I presently take it for the same reasons, low B12 and folic acid with my GP's recommendation. Start taking B12 asap. Do you have acid reflux or inflammatory bowel disease? I hope that nature will help you recover because sometimes doctors are clueless.
wayne53526 Hot_Roder
Posted
In December 2017, after again telling my GP how ill I was feeling, I had more blood tests done. Having heard nothing back from the surgery I rang back a fortnight later to be told that everything was normal. Well, in desperation, on a day with chronic and unbearable gut and back pain, I rang the GP in hysterics, it was a female GP this time. She looked at my notes, and said "good grief I am prescribing you iron and folic acid and you need to start taking it immediately". I was so desperate I just did what she said and hoped things might change, which they haven't not one jot.
I have never been ill other than appendicitis many years ago. Never had any tummy trouble whatsoever. Never even had to give my stomach a thought until I had this leg op in March 2016, was whacked onto all these drugs, whereas before I had only ever taken the pill and then HRT (this is Wayne's wife Jackie by the way, Wayne does not need HRT as far as I know lol) and an occasional antibiotic over the years. Now as well as this statin which may be causing my problem, I am taking gawd knows what stomach medication, and for all I know its making things worse.
?Today I rang our pharmacist, who has a record of all the medication. She has told me outright that statins can cause the pancreas to inflame, which is agony, and that I must stop taking it immediately, see my GP immediately, and now really insist something is done to help me. She assured me I won't die from missing a few doses until this has been resolved. I'll pop in tomorrow and see about getting this B12, have another chat with her, because I know I'll be able to see her immediately whereas I could be waiting over two weeks for a GP appt.
Thanks for your reply.
Jackie C
Leajayse wayne53526
Posted
Sounds like we have something similar. I've dropped from 13st 9lbs to 9st. I was on simvastatin for a few weeks,was concerned about the deep pains in my arms, did some research and was horrified at what I found and stopped them immediately. That was six years ago. Gradually began to lose weight. I was actually pleased until I lost half a stone in a month then I knew that something was wrong. Doctors said I had IBS. Rubbish! I was losing muscle and had this tight sensation under my boobs. I started reacted badly to all sorts of foods.I would get awful tightening under my boobs, burning in my stomach and up my back, total lethargy and brain fog and breathlessness. Oddly enough for years I suffered with indigestion as a result of being pregnant. I don't now. Instead I get this damn thing!
I finally worked out what was going on. Only took me 5 years!!! It's not food allergy. It's foods which are inclined to make you bunged up not to put too fine a point on it, for example starch.....potatoes etc. Take a look at gluten as well. Anything that makes you bloated. I take magnesium capsules, probiotics, iron tonic. Also take CQ10.
I don't eat any processed food. Eat lots of vegetables in casseroles, add tumeric and thyme etc. Also have chicken soups, homemade with veg and add the same. Make batches and freeze.
The statins you are taking are the cause of your problem. They affect the liver. Does your skin itch? As for the rest of the pills if they aren't helping why are you taking them?
In the end it is your decision. I can only tell you my story and how I dealt with it. Life isn't perfect but at least I have more control over it and I know what causes the problems. I limit my sugar intake as well but give myself treats as the diet can get a bit boring. Problem is if I venture into the unknown with a new food and I react it takes me a week to recover and I'm a bit of a wus so I don't LOL!
Go for it and let me know how you get on. Oh nearly forgot. Stop the milk. If you can get hold of A2 milk then fine if not try goats or coconut milk. Be wary of yoghurt as well.
Good luck
Lea
wayne53526 Leajayse
Posted
A reply to all of you who replied - I spoke to the GP receptionist this morning and told her emphatically that I was not taking that statin anymore, and I told her why. Within 2 hours my GP was on the phone. We have agreed that I will still keep my appt at the gastro place at the end of May this year, but to discontinue the statin for now and see if things improve. I mentioned all the stomach meds I was taking and he was adamant I must take them still, that we should go one step at a time. He is also going to test my cholesteral levels again. So maybe things might change now. I'll keep you posted in case my story can help anyone else. And thank you all once again I feel much better mentally today, a bit more hopeful. Jackie C X
carol30634 wayne53526
Posted
Lots of luck, Jackie.
when you’re ready to have another fight with your GP 😂 and after your gastro appt, where you’ll have expert advice, think about reducing stomach meds by just taking on alternative days. Then maybe every two days.
only cos your gut will have got used to the meds and it’ll neeed time to start acting as it should.
hopefully, you’ll be able to report an improvement in pain symptoms, even only slightly, when you go to see gastroenterologist. Carol xxx
Leajayse wayne53526
Posted
Hi.
There's better advice here than from most doctors!. I would suggest you give the stomach pills a break as well. If they are having no effect then what is the point and they could certainly be adding to the problem.Glad to have helped and pleased that you are feeling more positive, that was the aim! Being proactive helps a lot.
Cheers
Lea