I have been taking Statins and have had the associated problems with this medication for over 20 years. My cholesterol was just under the the normal designated level and I was advised by my endocrinologist to take the little pink tablet and ever since my cholesterol has remained unchanged for all this time.
In fact, statins are one of the most prescribed medications in the world due to their stated effectiveness in lowering cholesterol.It seems that many Type1's in Australia and on this discussion forum are given statins to lower cholesterol, yet the statistics on exactly how many are very hard to find. Are statins for Type1's the normal practice by the medical fraternity?
I initially started on a 20mg dose tablet of Lipitor and then changed to Crestor, however found that there were continual muscle aches. After years of deliberation my dose was cut back to 10mg however the muscle aching returned, especially throughout the night until I recommence walking.
The medication information leaflet clearly states that statins can lead to muscle aching and I have always thought this is the least of my problems.
I know that Type1's can have a multitude of leg complications such as neuropathy, circulation and muscular problems. Add on top of that the effects of statins on muscles it becomes very difficult to ascertain the cause of the problems. Also, I used to ride a bike and my legs became very tired and aching at night. I could never ascertain what is the cause, statins, exercise or something else.
I have tried vitamins such as magnesium and
CoQ10 for my muscle aches, however could never determine their effectiveness. This reflects current research highlighting inconclusive results for these supplements and the placebo effects.
I eat oats to bring down my cholesterol however cannot state how effective it is due to taking concurrently the statin medications prescribed by my endocrinologist.
I would be very interested in what others do or think about the effects of statins on their body. I will be having another chat/review with my endocrinologist for some answers.
See articles below:
"Statin is a class of prescription drugs that can lower blood fat and LDL-C levels or prevent the increase of LDL-C levels.
It is currently recommended for people with T1D who are in one of the following situations to take statin.
- People over the age of 40.
- People with a history of cardiovascular complications (all ages).
- People with one of the following complications (all ages): retinopathy (eye damage), nephropathy (kidney damage) or neuropathy (nerve damage).
- People over the age of 30 who have been living with T1D for more than 15 years.
Even though studies have found that statin helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by about 21%, close to 40% of adults aged 40 and over who live with T1D don't use this medication." (Canadian Institutes of Health Research 10/02/22)
Statin therapy offers life-long benefit against cardiovascular disease
A modelling study indicates how statin therapy gives life-long protection against CVD with much of the benefit occurring in later life
The benefits of statin therapy against cardiovascular disease (CVD) are life-long because a large share of that benefit occurs later in life according to the results of a modelling study by researchers from Queen Mary University of London, UK and presented at European Society of Cardiology congress in Barcelona, Spain.
The 2021 ESC Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice, highlight how the causal role of LDL-C, and other apo-B containing lipoproteins, in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, is demonstrated beyond any doubt by genetic, observational, and interventional studies. Statin therapy is designed to lower LDL-C cholesterol and a 2016 meta-analysis of 26 randomised controlled trials with over 170,000 patients, found that all-cause mortality was reduced by 10% per 1·0 mmol/L LDL reduction, largely reflecting significant reductions in deaths due to coronary heart disease and other cardiac causes.
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Michael
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