Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

[Miss Muddled]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

Sorry to hear lots having problems with Statins...don't know a lot about them but I am sure there was a Panorama type programme on about them few months ago....and if I remember correctly didn't have much good to say about them.

As for the GGT levels Elsa is talking about, my Hubby has this test frequently as his levels are high, and has never touched a drop of alcohol for many years since his accident, but they still insist it must be alcohol.

The Docs never mention anything about all the other medication that he has, which is the most likely the cause for damaging his organs.i.e Pain Killers, Anti Depressants, Morphine, Oxycodene etc...over the years, luckily he has not had to take Statins (touch Wood).

Hope Tonic Water and Stat Guard help Hubby Elsa .

Its just a Merry Go Round take meds for one thing and they end up causing another ailment

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

Thanks Vint and CA. Have started him on the Stat Guard, which contains CoQ10 plus extra vitamins, and he had a tonic water last night.
Fingers crossed it might help, as the cramping muscles are pulling at the gout in his ankle, making that worse, so he has to take more Indometacin, which puts his blood pressure up...etc etc

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may elevate blood presssure and increase the risk for the initiation of antihypertensive therapy. Furthermore, NSAIDs may antagonize the blood-pressure lowering effect of antihypertensive medications in patients already being treated with antihypertensive drugs.Cardiovascular side effects include peripheral edema, cerebral insufficiency, hyperventilation, and worsening of heart failure. Blood pressure may be elevated by indomethacin which may have clinical relevance in patients with co-morbid illnesses.
Hepatic side effects have included reports of elevation in liver function tests in up to 15% of patients. Rare cases of indomethacin induced hepatitis, cholestasis and jaundice have been reported.

I feel like saying come off the whole bloody lot and control it with diet, but we'll persevere for now.
I'm annoyed with the Dr for not making the connection with the gout meds and the high BP/liver test result. He needs to look at addressing the gout properly instead of dishing out painkillers. I'll have a "word" at his appointment next week.

[cardiac arrest]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

looks like gin and tonic then...

I've read about CoQ10, supposed to be v good...

[vint1954]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

Any form of statin makes my leg and ankle cramps worse.

Trouble is they throw so many medicines at you for sometimes no reason. My Dr started me on 40mg of Simvastatin along with a cocktail of BP and Diabetes drugs. He dropped the statins to 20mg due to cramps then changed to Atorvastatin. All of the changes seem to help at first, but the cramps come back. Now on 10mg, which I have not taken now for a few weeks. The cramps go away instantly, but do return now and again.

I have to say that a few glasses of wine at night, does make the cramps worse, but I am sure it is a reaction with other Meds.

[vint1954]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

Sorry to hijack your thread Di but I've hunted it down as my OH went to see the Dr about his gout and was found to have high blood pressure which triggered further blood tests and a 24 hour BP monitor.
He saw the doctor for his results last week and his average BP is 185/125 and his cholesterol 6.2.

He's very fit apart from the gout, not an ounce of excess fat on him and gets lots of excercise in his job (and my DIY lists )

He prescribed Pravastin 40mg at night for the cholesterol and Amlodipine 5mg in the mornings for his blood pressure.
He's not started the Amlodipine yet as I wanted him to wait till his day off tomorrow to check for adverse effects, as he has a long drive to work each morning.

After only the 2nd dose of Pravastin he's had a bad night with leg cramps.
Reading through the thread I'll get him some tonic water to see if that helps, and have just ordered some Stat-Guard from Amazon. He has to go for an ECG tomorrow so I'll make sure he mentions the cramps when he goes.

I'm currently working on a diet for him that takes in the Gout, BP and Cholesterol. That's mainly tomatoes and cherries then


There was also an odd liver function result which I need to get to the bottom of as the Dr's English wasn't too good. I think it may have been the GGT which he said was very high and practically accused my OH of being alcoholic!
Now he (we) do like a drink in the evening, but not in excess. He has a couple of bottles of beer sometimes followed by a glass of wine with dinner.

I'm wondering whether his gout medication (Indometacin) may have affected the results as he's been taking a lot lately, so more research needed. (I'm a retired nurse so I like to know all the fine details, but things have moved on since I left, and there's nothing like personal experience for real knowledge.)

How are you getting on now with this Di? Did you get the cramps under control?

Elsa x

Hi Elsa,

The tonic water can work. It's the quinine that does it.

You can also try CoQ10. That helps with the effects of Statins also reduces swelling to ankles and such.

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

I found this excellent article about alternative ways to reduce cholesterol:

Help for your cholesterol when the statins won't do - Harvard Health Publications

Foods that lower cholesterol

A heart-healthy diet means more than simply avoiding harmful fats, simple sugars, and excess calories; it also means eating lots of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish that provide vitamins, fiber, and omega-3 fats. But some foods can provide extra help by actually lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels — and they work best in people with high cholesterol levels.
Soluble fiber can lower cholesterol levels substantially. Oat bran is the best-known example; 1–2 ounces a day should reduce your cholesterol by 10%–15%. Other excellent sources include beans, barley, prunes, citrus fruits, apples, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and apricots. Psyllium, a natural grain from India, is also rich in soluble fiber. It is not part of the American diet, but you can get it in supplements such as Metamucil or Perdiem Fiber. On average, 3 teaspoons a day will drop cholesterol levels by 15% within 4 months.
Soy protein has a similar effect, but it takes quite a lot of soy to do the job; 1–2 ounces a day will lower LDL cholesterol levels by about 12%. Soy may have other health benefits as well. Try tofu, soy milk, soy flour, or soy-based meat substitutes to see if soy is right for you.
Plant stanols sound exotic, but they are widely available in margarines such as Benecol and Take Control. They are more expensive than traditional spreads, but people who consume about 2 tablespoons a day can lower their LDL levels by up to 14%.
Several other foods may also help. Health nuts will be glad to know that nuts may help lower cholesterol levels, but it takes quite a lot of nuts to have an impact, and that means a lot of calories. Despite wide popularity, garlic has had mixed results in clinical trials. And although none of these foods will boost HDL cholesterol levels, one liquid food will do just that. It’s alcohol — but like cholesterol-lowering drugs, it can have major side effects. Think over the risks and benefits of alcohol, and if you choose to drink, do so responsibly and keep your dose low. For men, that means 1–2 drinks a day, counting 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1 1/2 ounces of spirits as one drink.
When it comes to lower cholesterol, foods may not rival medications — but they cost less, taste better, and are safer. Best of all, people who eat right may not need drugs at all.

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

Thanks Di,
I hope they let you come off the statins, particularly as you have all the other issues and it does seem to complicate matters. You must be an expert on the diet aspect by now, in order to keep it as low as possible.

My OH hates anything but butter, so I'll have to put my Matron hat on and sneak Flora Proactive into his mashed potato I think

He didn't have cramp last night but he thinks it's making his gout worse.
Just taken his first BP tab at 7am without ill effect.

They're checking his urine too, for microalbumin, so it seems he's jumped on your roundabout Di.

I did him a vegetarian pasta dish last night. Didn't tell him there was no eat in it and he never noticed...

Jon...I've checked his units and he's definitely OK on that score, or only slightly above some nights.

[di30]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

I remember being asked that question at one time Jon and I've not had a drink for almost 18 years lol, maybe a sip of my son's baileys on new year, and as said one little sip (that was the new year before last lol).

[The Tech Clerk]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

I just had my 6 monthly blood test results last week...BP is good, cholesterol was 5.7...which they called me back in to lecture me about. I stopped taking the statins 3 months ago due to cramps, so the nurse advised to start again...thing about cholesterol tabs, it takes 3 months to work and doesn't recover what is already stuck in your veins/arteries..apparently ? Nurse said up to me of course, if I want another heart attack, or a stroke even....No pressure then..

I don't think 5.7 is that far out of the range, but it's my metabolism not my diet that's causing this (inherited from my Mum).

2.5 out of range it seems I take Simvastatin every night and it stays aroung 3.5. and also odd cramp.

[cardiac arrest]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

I think it just stops them furring up more. I agree, 5.7 isn't desperate, especially if your BP's normal, but in view of your past history she's just being cautious.
Do you use Flora Pro-Active or similar?

Flora Lite...

They can check your Glycerol (have I said that right?) in your blood which tells them if your diet is good, she said..and mine was good..I'm carefull what I eat/drink tho'...always.

I have ramped up my exercise though...which helps, including using a heart rate monitor to ensure I workout in the right 'zones'...this is really useful as when I run I stop at 135 bpm regardless of whether I am tired or not, then I walk until it drops to 95 bpm, then start again..

[jon1965]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

Hi Elsa.
Greetings from Klaipeda.

My wife used to get asked how much she drank because of her blood results yet she didn't drink.
I can hardly preach but just get your OH. to do a drink diary for 1 week. I was shocked at just how many units i had.
I large glass of wine a night can take you to the weekly limit. Scarey i know.

[di30]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

Aww so sorry to hear that Elsa!

I had terrible cramps with the first one's they prescribed me last November, called Simvastastins @ 40mg, so my Dr said to leave them until my app in Feb, so in Feb appointment although there was improvement in my cholesterol (mainly diet controlled because of not taking all the said statins), my Dr wanted to put me back on them, and changed them to Pravastastins @ 40MG.

However, I must say, I've not once had cramp issues with these. So far so good and another good reading last week on the result for this particular lab.

In regards of Blood pressure, I was on 2 lots, Adizem 180mg since 2002, then just over 2 years ago they gave me an addiitonal tab to take on top called Perindropril 2mg.
But..........in Feb I had slight potassium elavated levels, so my Dr now taken me off that one.

I shall be speaking to my Dr again sometime this week, because originally she did say in time I may come off the statins if happy, so whether or not this will happen I'm not sure.
As you know as I have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) as well, I have also read that in this case the statins should be reduced, so another reason I need to speak to my Dr.

I do hope they find the right solution for your O/H, I think at first it's like trial and error, makes us feel like guinea pigs doesnt it?

I hope things improve hun x

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

I think it just stops them furring up more. I agree, 5.7 isn't desperate, especially if your BP's normal, but in view of your past history she's just being cautious.
Do you use Flora Pro-Active or similar?

[cardiac arrest]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

I just had my 6 monthly blood test results last week...BP is good, cholesterol was 5.7...which they called me back in to lecture me about. I stopped taking the statins 3 months ago due to cramps, so the nurse advised to start again...thing about cholesterol tabs, it takes 3 months to work and doesn't recover what is already stuck in your veins/arteries..apparently ? Nurse said up to me of course, if I want another heart attack, or a stroke even....No pressure then..

I don't think 5.7 is that far out of the range, but it's my metabolism not my diet that's causing this (inherited from my Mum).

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

Hmmm. It seems that Indometacin (a NSAID) can affect the Liver function tests. As can having an alcoholic drink the night before. He's also on acid inhibitors because of the effects of the indometacin

Even small amounts of alcohol within 24 hours of your GGT test may cause a temporary increase in the GGT. If this occurs, your doctor may want to repeat the test.......
...Drugs that may cause an elevated GGT level include phenytoin, carbamazepine, and barbiturates such as phenobarbital. Use of many other prescription and non-prescription drugs, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lipid-lowering drugs, antibiotics, histamine receptor blockers (used to treat excess stomach acid production), antifungal agents, antidepressants, and hormones such as testosterone, can increase GGT levels. Clofibrate and oral contraceptives can decrease GGT levels.

GGT Levels - Liver Disorders - MedHelp