1. < Heart & Blood Health

Side-effects of statins: Have you experienced changes in blood sugar?

Posted by naiviv @naiviv, Nov 7 8:22pm

Hello. I am taking Metformin for pre-diabetes which has my blood sugar in normal levels and my cardiologist recommended me to start a statin because it was found I have a Lipoprotein A high (268). I have to confess that I have heard so much of statins causing problems with muscle pain and high blood sugar, that I am hesitant to take any of them. He told me he could start with low dose statin but that it was up to me to do it. My lipids are normal except my LDL is 116 (best results are less than 100). Has anyone have ever had side effects with statins? How about blood sugar levels while using statins? I know that I have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease because of the LipoA and my genes (both parents had heart issues). Let me know if someone wants to share experience with statins. Thank you

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lilylarson | @lilylarson | Nov 8 10:25pm
In reply to @njx58 "I just started taking a 5 mg statin a few weeks ago, and I haven't noticed..." + (show)
@njx58

I just started taking a 5 mg statin a few weeks ago, and I haven't noticed any side effects. 5 mg is a very low dose and is unlikely to cause issues.

P.S. I had to laugh when I got the prescription because the 5 mg pill is the tiniest pill I've ever seen. It was actually hard to pick up.

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I’m on 80 mg of statin I experienced no side effects. Statin is a miracle drug keeps the plaque at bay. Unfortunately, I have to take it everyday. However, I did have a caregiver that took my statin away for 17 days. I ended up getting two clots which in cardiovascular they call it plaque. I ended up getting a 78% clot two on the left ventricle main chamber. Within 17 days without this medication I have 2 clots on heart, After, vascular surgery, you must take statin for the rest of your life. It’s one of the best drugs on the market that actually save your life.

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3 replies
lilylarson | @lilylarson | Nov 8 10:27pm
In reply to @lilylarson "I’m on 80 mg of statin I experienced no side effects. Statin is a miracle drug..." + (show)
@lilylarson

I’m on 80 mg of statin I experienced no side effects. Statin is a miracle drug keeps the plaque at bay. Unfortunately, I have to take it everyday. However, I did have a caregiver that took my statin away for 17 days. I ended up getting two clots which in cardiovascular they call it plaque. I ended up getting a 78% clot two on the left ventricle main chamber. Within 17 days without this medication I have 2 clots on heart, After, vascular surgery, you must take statin for the rest of your life. It’s one of the best drugs on the market that actually save your life.

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I have aphasia so sometimes my sentences make zero sense. Siri never understands a word I say. I’m hoping my comment made sense or hopefully you can make it out of one of us trying to say

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HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Nov 9 6:15am

I tried various statins at various levels and couldn’t tolerate any. At all. Extreme side effects to the point of becoming disabled. Also, tried co-q-10. Didn’t help. Quit. Now I’m on Repatha that I tolerate better but I am not feeling as good as I did before starting it and Repatha can cause diabetes, a problem I have never had. My bad numbers have come down, but I’m a skeptic about numbers and more a believer of life style. So many people on statins are over weight, don’t exercise and eat unhealthy. I don’t know how much longer I will stay on Reparha. If my blood sugar goes up I will stop immediately.

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1 reply
naiviv | @naiviv | Nov 9 6:50am
In reply to @llynch17056 "I tried various statins at various levels and couldn’t tolerate any. At all. Extreme side effects..." + (show)
@llynch17056

I tried various statins at various levels and couldn’t tolerate any. At all. Extreme side effects to the point of becoming disabled. Also, tried co-q-10. Didn’t help. Quit. Now I’m on Repatha that I tolerate better but I am not feeling as good as I did before starting it and Repatha can cause diabetes, a problem I have never had. My bad numbers have come down, but I’m a skeptic about numbers and more a believer of life style. So many people on statins are over weight, don’t exercise and eat unhealthy. I don’t know how much longer I will stay on Reparha. If my blood sugar goes up I will stop immediately.

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My husband didn’t tolerate Repatha as a matter of fact he had a bad reaction to the first dose that ended up in going to the ER. Since has a stent his cardiologist told him to get a low intensity statin (Livalo) 2mg + CoQ10. So far he has been tolerating it well. I hope you get better. Thanks for your input. Stay safe and healthy.

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naiviv | @naiviv | Nov 9 6:54am
In reply to @lilylarson "I’m on 80 mg of statin I experienced no side effects. Statin is a miracle drug..." + (show)
@lilylarson

I’m on 80 mg of statin I experienced no side effects. Statin is a miracle drug keeps the plaque at bay. Unfortunately, I have to take it everyday. However, I did have a caregiver that took my statin away for 17 days. I ended up getting two clots which in cardiovascular they call it plaque. I ended up getting a 78% clot two on the left ventricle main chamber. Within 17 days without this medication I have 2 clots on heart, After, vascular surgery, you must take statin for the rest of your life. It’s one of the best drugs on the market that actually save your life.

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Sorry to hear that you went through so much. Stay safe and healthy. I just wonder why did your caregiver take your medication away for so long?

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mikaylar | @mikaylar | Nov 9 8:55am
In reply to @swilkins1974 "https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-brazil-nuts Reduced risk of heart disease Brazil nuts contain high levels of monounsaturated fats, which are..." + (show)
@swilkins1974

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-brazil-nuts
Reduced risk of heart disease

Brazil nuts contain high levels of monounsaturated fats, which are healthy fats. Incorporating monounsaturated fat into your diet can help to improve your cholesterol levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. The dietary fiber in Brazil nuts can also help to lower blood cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

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Brazil nuts are good for thyroid too, but not more than 2 or 3 daily. Read up on them; they can be harmful if you take too many.

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swilkins1974 | @swilkins1974 | Nov 9 10:56am

I talked to a naturopath and they said 2-4

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joaf37 | @joaf37 | Nov 9 11:10am
In reply to @jc76 "@naiviv From my cardiologist at Mayo Clinic the benefits of taking a statin if you have..." + (show)
@jc76

@naiviv
From my cardiologist at Mayo Clinic the benefits of taking a statin if you have high cholesterol especially LDL outweighs the cons.

Your LDL is high but not really high. As you did mention below 100 is a goal. I take 40 mg of Astorvastatin (spell). It is the highest dose as when they did a catherization of me they did find plaque.

Statins have been out there now for decades. So a lot of research on them is available. One of the most common side affects is muscle soreness. This happens as the statins remove co-Q-10 from muscles. So to counteract that most cardiologist recommend taking co-q-10. I take a product called ubiqunol which is a better form of co-q-10 that is absorb better. I did this prior to taking statin and did not have any muscle pains.

My wife was also put on a statin and had muscle pains. I had her check with her doctors about co-q-10 and they approved it. She started taking co-q-10 and the muscle pains went away. Now of course this is indviduals not you so not saying this will work but something to asked your doctors about.

Every year my HF does a complete blood work on me. My LDL is around 60 and HDL (good time) around 60. He is very pleased with that and so am I.
Good Luck!!

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This is very timely for me and much appreciated. First, I've noticed several Rx that are known for affecting blood sugar. I've wondered when does that become it's own challenge ler alone if taking more than one. I also have been wondering over time if there are any medical professional categories (if that's even an applicable word) with qualified people that work with patients on the Rx's they are taking in total, their impacts and interactions. I know there was at one time but I've never seen it mentioned any time recently.

I've seen several physicians in several locations over time per numerous employer moves. They seem in total to resent a patent questioning their Rx decisions and discussing the issues in any depth. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

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2 replies
jc76 | @jc76 | Nov 9 4:48pm
In reply to @joaf37 "This is very timely for me and much appreciated. First, I've noticed several Rx that are..." + (show)
@joaf37

This is very timely for me and much appreciated. First, I've noticed several Rx that are known for affecting blood sugar. I've wondered when does that become it's own challenge ler alone if taking more than one. I also have been wondering over time if there are any medical professional categories (if that's even an applicable word) with qualified people that work with patients on the Rx's they are taking in total, their impacts and interactions. I know there was at one time but I've never seen it mentioned any time recently.

I've seen several physicians in several locations over time per numerous employer moves. They seem in total to resent a patent questioning their Rx decisions and discussing the issues in any depth. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

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@joaf37
I am not sure if you have access to a Mayo Clinic but they offer a review of your medication looking for side effects and contradictions.

Most pharmacies also offer this as a one on one consultation. I know CVS where I live in Florida does. Many times I have had the pharmicist say this medication you have been prescribed is in contradiction to this or that medication.

Even my PCP (Mayo) caught a contradiction when I went in for treatment at a walk in clinic on weekend calling me at home saying the COVID medication I was prescribed at walk in clinic would have drastic impact on two of my medications and not to take it.

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1 reply
johnsonje62 | @johnsonje62 | Nov 10 9:17am
In reply to @swilkins1974 "https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-brazil-nuts Reduced risk of heart disease Brazil nuts contain high levels of monounsaturated fats, which are..." + (show)
@swilkins1974

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-brazil-nuts
Reduced risk of heart disease

Brazil nuts contain high levels of monounsaturated fats, which are healthy fats. Incorporating monounsaturated fat into your diet can help to improve your cholesterol levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. The dietary fiber in Brazil nuts can also help to lower blood cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

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I eat Brazil nuts for that very reason. You don't need to eat more than 1 per day.

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