Simvastatin side effect

"do you think that this medication could be the problem?"

100% YES

Your GP needs his head examining.

The following is a resubmission of my post from above.

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In a study published earlier this year, higher levels of both total cholesterol and LDL-C were found to be associated with a reduced risk of death in individuals aged 85 followed for 10 years.

In another study published last year, researchers assessed the levels of cholesterol and risk of death in almost 120,000 adults living in Denmark. The researchers found that having higher than recommended levels of total cholesterol was associated with a reduced risk of death.

For instance, in men aged 60-70, compared with those of total cholesterol levels of less than 5.0 mmol/l, those with total cholesterol levels of 5.00-5.99 had a 32 per cent reduced risk of death. For those with levels 6.0-7.99 mmol/l, risk of death was 33 per cent lower. Even in individuals with levels with 8.00 mmol/l and above, risk of death was no higher than it was for those with levels less than 5.0 mmol/l.

The results were similar for women too. In women aged 60-70, levels of 5.0-5.99 and 6.0-7.99 were associated with a 43 and 41 per cent reduced risk of death respectively.

In individuals aged 70 and over, the results were similar, except here, levels of total cholesterol of 8.00 mmol/l or more were associated with a reduced risk of death too (in both men and women).

In short, we are misguided if we assumed that higher levels of cholesterol are a sign of increased death risk. In older individuals, there is evidence that the reverse is true.

Why would he prescribe statins for someone of your age?

A friend in America (83) had been on four different statins to control his cholesterol for some years. Last year for the first time he began to get side effects from them.

He had a new doctor and went to see him for the first time. He told of his aches and pains and confessed his love of meat and potato chips.  The doctor said at your age I think you can stop statins and be allowed to enjoy the foods you like. Dick said, I like my new doctor:-)

 

Hi Roy I am still haveing problems I haved stopped takeing simvastatin and as each day passes things seem to be getting better some days better than others but I believe the statins are the couse of this 

thanks for that andy-you have helped  me make my mind up and wil no longer take simvastatin and hope for the best

Hi again roy am glad you have made your mind up you should stop them for a period of time to see if you symtoms go and keep a log as each day passes ans restart the statins to see if you symtoms return then you will know for sure if they are the couse good luck roy keep us posted on how you get on

Im almost 70 years of age and have a similar attitude to the gentleman you mention.  There is a very strong conviction inside of me to (1) not submit myself to a medication that causes me intense physical pain and (2) not submit myself to harsh dietary and exercise demands.  I went off the statins and eat as I want to (within reason) and get moderate walking exercise almost every day.  I think there's something about human nature that, with the aging process, refuses to engage in any kind of strenuous restraints or expectations.  And I call this 'aging gracefully'.  

We have only one life to live and enjoy. We can live out the years we have medicated or as ourselves. It must be our choice.

I prefer to live disgracefully at 80. Be Happy

I agree!  Even without the research which seems to indicate high cholesterol may have no effect on longevity, I've decided I can't live with the side effects of statins or other cholesterol-lowering medication.

 

Porridge, nuts, oily fish and some vegetables all help to lower it.  

For some people, not everyone.  I've been adding 3 tsp of psyllium husks to my porridge every morning, but I don't yet know if it's helping my cholesterol levels.   I already ate porridge, nuts, oily fish and lots of vegetables BEFORE I was disagnosed with high cholesterol.    

It's not really helpful to write "some vegetables" - which ones?

Google, vegetables and cholesterol. I did not want to post a link as the moderator holds them up. Basically all vegetables.

Tonights Six News on BBC had a feature on the benefits of the mediterranean diet.

Thanks, thought you meant specific vegies lower cholesterol.  I already eat heaps of vegies, just about anything, cooked, raw & juiced.

Someone told me recently fresh apple juice is supposed to reduce cholesterol but I haven't checked it out yet