Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[cardiac arrest]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

looks like gin and tonic then...

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

[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.

[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

[cardiac arrest]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

'Nature's Best' doing 60 x 200mg of CoQ10, free postage , at £21.95.

Anyone find it cheaper ?

[vint1954]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

200mg is a high dose. 50mg should be fine. I started taking 3 x 50mg a day for a week, then just one a day after that.

Boots do 30 for about £6 and you get 3 for 2, so about £12 for 90. You need to try and get the gel capsules though.

[evilcartman]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

I've been on Simvastatin (40mg) for about a month now and haven't noticed any side effects so far. My blood pressure is normal (always has been - I've never had an issue with that) and I'm slightly chubby but not technically obese. I do have type 2 diabetes, though, and I've not been very good at controlling the blood sugar. This seems to be the reason they were keen to put me on them.

The doctor had been trying to put me onto them for months but I had resisted up until now because I'd heard a lot of bad things about them, plus I like grapefruit juice so wasn't too keen on a drug that is incompatible with that.

But after words with my GP at the last appointment, I've been assured that the occasional drink of grapefruit juice won't be harmful and that most of the negative stories about satins come from the US, where they use higher doses. I haven't gone into the medical literature about this in any kind of depth though.

[vint1954]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

I've been on Simvastatin (40mg) for about a month now and haven't noticed any side effects so far. My blood pressure is normal (always has been - I've never had an issue with that) and I'm slightly chubby but not technically obese. I do have type 2 diabetes, though, and I've not been very good at controlling the blood sugar. This seems to be the reason they were keen to put me on them.

The doctor had been trying to put me onto them for months but I had resisted up until now because I'd heard a lot of bad things about them, plus I like grapefruit juice so wasn't too keen on a drug that is incompatible with that.

But after words with my GP at the last appointment, I've been assured that the occasional drink of grapefruit juice won't be harmful and that most of the negative stories about satins come from the US, where they use higher doses. I haven't gone into the medical literature about this in any kind of depth though.

I think it depends on if you can tolerate them or not.

I think grapefruit is ok if you have it in the morning and the statin in the evening.

[The Tech Clerk]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

Have been warned not to take grapefruit juice anytime with tablets by Doctor & Hospital!

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

Our doctor said that too.

After only a few days on the Pravastatin OH has got gout in every place he ever had gout before and a foot like a football. He's had to increase his Indometacin just to be able to get to work...which no doubt will be putting his blood pressure up. I'll check it tonight.
He's refused to take any more statins, so I'm mixing Benecol in his food and giving him Omega 3 supplements and a low animal fat diet.

[di30]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

I do hope they come to the bottom of this with your OH Elsa, good luck and please keep us posted.

I did use to take Co Q10, but due to my Kidney Disease my Dr says no.

However, I have been informed that my Neph (kidney specialist) appointment is at the end of June (next month), so it's brought forward by many months, just waiting for the letter to come through now, as I spoken to the hospital on Tuesday.

The clinic I will be attending is based at my local hospital, well the most local hospital about 7 miles away, the neph uses the Urology clinic as a satelite clinie because the main neph dept are based further afield in Cardiff university hospital of Wales.
This is going to bring back memories of when I used to take dad to Urology due to prostate cancer he had back 10 years ago.

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Simvastatins (40MG) side affects.

It's amazing, after not taking the Pravastatin last night the swelling and pain have gone from his foot today!

Ohhh I'm glad they've brought that appointment forward for you Di, the sooner you get sorted out the better...and less time to be worrying.

I know what you mean about the deja vu..going through the same taking my son for the same tests his dad had.

Do you take Omega3?