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Posted

Statin taker now for years,no ill effects,can take anything,simastatin etc ,now take Crestor as I get it way cheaper than Thai prices. Was not originally overly outside the cholesterol guidelines set ,but my triglyceride's were out in orbit.

Thing is my latest reading of the subject of statin taking suggests diabetes and weight problems are associated with them.Can vouch for weight as I find it virtually impossible to lose weight.

I have inherited blood condition called Gilbert's Syndrome,jaundice,but reading of its positive side effects ,heart problems are kept at bay.

Has anybody got any thoughts on the matter. Coming off them anyway for a spell,get some blood tests done ,see how it affects weight

Posted (edited)

OP -- I recommend some natural remedies and preventatives such as garlic, turmeric (curcumin) and orange juice (vitamin C) to control cholesterol levels (plus get into a reasonable diet and exercise routine) ..

There are other natural remedies and preventatives - just do some research... Garlic and turmeric can easily be added to cooking your food ... but most opt for just taking the supplement capsules available all over Thailand. Drinking Real orange juice is an easy addition to your diet. Or just add Vitamin C tablets to your daily routine.. Garlic, Turmeric and Vitamin C are easy to add to your daily intake...via food sources or by taking supplements.

I do not necessarily recommend to not take statins - that is up to you and your doctor ... However, if it were me - I would not take them. Rather, I highly recommend what I just detailed above... because bottom line - you are responsible for yourself and your health... Get Educated is my recommendation.

However OP - be prepared for several TVF resident 'experts' who will advise you to NEVER do anything on your own to assist your own health condition - instead Bow to Doctors - that you must always defer to a doctor and never go against doctor's advice. Implying that doctors are near supernatural and are the only ones who can understand health and medicine in this modern age ... to which I say - 'bunk'! Intelligent humans can understand science and can find documentation on line to teach themselves how to care for oneself... Plus these same folks will come out quoting studies to downplay the importance of natural remedies and prevention as near being heretical to doctors orders.

Bottom Line OP -- just look out for yourself... natural remedies and preventatives do work...

Edited by JDGRUEN
  • Like 1
Posted (edited)

I wouldn't assume that you personally are having trouble losing weight due to statins.

The vast majority of people who lose weight gain it back and more.

On statins or off statins.

The body has a way of fighting weight loss ... biologically it thinks it is being STARVED and uses food more efficiently.

A vicious cycle for the majority of people with weight issues.

I have read that going off statins can be very medically risky, even fatal. It is recommended to be under medical supervision if going off statins.

I have been taking statins for decades now. I have no idea if this has been a wise choice for me personally.

I do agree before starting statins that people think long and hard about the decision.

Edited by Jingthing
Posted

I don't know what you have been reading but statins have never been linked to weight gain. Weight loss can in some people avert the need to take statins but that is a different matter.

There is an increased risk of type II diabetes on statins, but it is a not a risk of large magnitude. To give you an idea, out of 255 people taking statins for 4 years there would be one additional case of diabetes (additional meaning above the number that would be expected without statins).

The main side effects/risks of statins are (1) liver damage and (2) muscle pain and even muscle damage and (3) memory problems/confusion. This is a good overview of the risks and benefits of statins:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013

It is important to understand that there are different types of dyslipedemias (abnormal elevation of lipids, or fats, in the blood). If you truly had normal cholesterol levels but very elevated triglycerides you may have what is known as Familial hyperglyceridemia (FHTG). If so then statins are an odd choice for treatment, but again I am taking your word for it that the LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were within normal limits. If the LDL choldetrol was also elevated, but the triglyceride more so, then this is more typical of what is called Familial Combined Hyperlipdemia (FCHL).

It makes a big difference treatment wise. Statins would not be the drug of choice for FHTG, rather treatment would be first with lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) and fish oil supplementation, if unsuccessful, then adding a fibrate drug and/or long-acting niacin.

FCHL on the other hand is often treated with statins though an additional drug such as a fibrate is often needed.

My advice would be to get your labs checked if they have not recently been (you did not mention what your triglyceride level now is?) and then go over that, along with the older results and your current meds, with a good endocrinologist who specializes in lipid disorders. The average GP (and most especially the average Thai GP) does not necessarily understand the difference between different types of dyslipedemias.

Some well qualified ones:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Sarat-Sunthornyothin

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Rachanon-Murathanun

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Chorthip-Phattanasri

  • Like 1
Posted

It was the first I heard of statins being linked to weight gain. However I did a quick old google and found some suggestions that some people have a psychological effect thinking that because they take anti-high-cholesterol pills they are free to eat more richer foods, so of course if they did, that would cause weight gain. Similar to people who eat "diet" labelled products just eating bigger portions.

Posted

It was the first I heard of statins being linked to weight gain. However I did a quick old google and found some suggestions that some people have a psychological effect thinking that because they take anti-high-cholesterol pills they are free to eat more richer foods, so of course if they did, that would cause weight gain. Similar to people who eat "diet" labelled products just eating bigger portions.

I thought the same....high cholesterol and no pills: avoiding fat/cholesterol increasing things and try to vegetables and wholeweat products. Taking statins and digging in......

Statins psychological weight gain....

Posted

It was the first I heard of statins being linked to weight gain. However I did a quick old google and found some suggestions that some people have a psychological effect thinking that because they take anti-high-cholesterol pills they are free to eat more richer foods, so of course if they did, that would cause weight gain. Similar to people who eat "diet" labelled products just eating bigger portions.

I thought the same....high cholesterol and no pills: avoiding fat/cholesterol increasing things and try to vegetables and wholeweat products. Taking statins and digging in......

Statins psychological weight gain....

Believe it or not, not once in the decades I have been taking statins have I thought for one moment that gave me the freedom to eat unhealthy foods without consequence. But I can understand that some people would.

Posted

Thanks Sheryl & others for advice.

will be having blood testing in a week or so ,see how life is off statins

But yes the liver damage is one aspect ,I think statins mask the liver results somewhat . MY SGOT and ALT are raised to twice the recommended levels ,and reduce when I have abstained in the past from statin intake.

Forgot about fibrate,will be getting combined statin and fibrate pills if cholesterol levels start rising

Posted (edited)

I shall repeat what I've said previously elsewhere.

Drastic reduction of sugars, bread, and rice counterintuitively caused a very substantial drop in my blood lipids.

I lost weight fast too, and learned that eating a fatty food fills one up so as to hold appetite at bay for much longer.

I tested this twice with similar results and have since read about this effect.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Edited by cheeryble
Posted

The way I understand it, statins reduce cholesterol by blocking the production of coenzyme Q10 (which is essential in cholesterol synthesis) in the liver.

The problem is that CoQ10 is essential for every cell in the body, hence statins in effect rob every cell of an essential enzyme.

My friends who have taken statins for a while show tremors of the hands, a neurological degeneration.

Some suggest CoQ10 dietary supplements to mitigate side effects.

I love my cells and my liver and would NEVER take statins.

  • Like 2
Posted

At one time my doctor knew I was taking CoQ10 and Crestor at the same time, as she prescribed the statins, but had no clue that they counter-acted each other... It wasn't until I researched it and informed her that she became aware... Sad really... I stopped taking the statins as my cholesterol was marginally high and I got it below 200 by juicing and diet modification... The main reason I stopped taking the statins was muscle cramping and acidosis during exercise... I cycle 30k - 40k every day and the statins greatly reduced my strength and stamina on the bike, plus caused cramping...

As the old saying goes, you are what you eat... If you are overweight and have high cholesterol, there is no substitute for diet and exercise...

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