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Important information about statins that I’m going to ask my doc about

Posted by Barb @amberpep, Aug 10, 2020

Just a bit of information I discovered last week. One of the side effects of taking "simvistatin" is temporary memory loss. It is the only statin that has this effect. I am going to talk to my .doctor about stopping it, with his guidance of course. I have had some short lapses in memory .... forgetting part of my phone number, etc.

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Barb | @amberpep | Aug 14, 2020

Definitely talk to your doctor first, @elwood .... don't do this on your own. abby

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Barb | @amberpep | Aug 14, 2020
In reply to @danab "@amberpep Thats interesting I used to take simvastatin year's ago and it might explain my memory..." + (show)
@danab

@amberpep Thats interesting I used to take simvastatin year's ago and it might explain my memory issues I've had. I take Atorvastatin now and my numbers are much better, actually better than they have been in years. Thanks for the information. I wonder if the memory issues recover. I can say that I had one issue back then that bothered me I could not remember one of my grandchildren's names. It did come back to me but maybe it was when I was on the other statin.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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Hi Dana .... It is nerve wracking and scary when you can't remember things like that .... my most difficult seems to be the last 4 numbers of my phone number, which I've had for over 18 years! I see my doctor this coming Friday and I'm going to tell him that I want to get off of them. The article I read said to reduce it with your doctors guidance, so I'll do that. If it were any longer than another week, I'd call him and get his advice over the phone. I want to try this without statins first, just by eating differently. I admit I have a sweet tooth, and I know all that has fat, etc. in it.
harp player .... i.e. abby

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elwood | @elwood | Aug 11, 2020
In reply to @danab "@amberpep Thats interesting I used to take simvastatin year's ago and it might explain my memory..." + (show)
@danab

@amberpep Thats interesting I used to take simvastatin year's ago and it might explain my memory issues I've had. I take Atorvastatin now and my numbers are much better, actually better than they have been in years. Thanks for the information. I wonder if the memory issues recover. I can say that I had one issue back then that bothered me I could not remember one of my grandchildren's names. It did come back to me but maybe it was when I was on the other statin.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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Interesting discussion. I am on an anticoagulant & Astrovastin.
Since both are prescribed to reduce stroke & heart attack, why take both? With all the downside on satins, could one just drop it, rely on Xarelto for adequate protection?

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Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Aug 10, 2020

@amberpep Thats interesting I used to take simvastatin year's ago and it might explain my memory issues I've had. I take Atorvastatin now and my numbers are much better, actually better than they have been in years. Thanks for the information. I wonder if the memory issues recover. I can say that I had one issue back then that bothered me I could not remember one of my grandchildren's names. It did come back to me but maybe it was when I was on the other statin.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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2 replies
Barb | @amberpep | Aug 10, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@amberpep- My sister and I use to take Lipitor and we both had what appeared to..." + (show)
@merpreb

@amberpep- My sister and I use to take Lipitor and we both had what appeared to memory loss. After we stopped it and went on to something else that loss returned. It's not permanent.
Where did you find the information that you stated?

Here is up to date information on Statins.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013

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Merry ..... actually, the first hint I had of it (not thinking of meds.) I was talking to my therapist and he was updating his medication records on me. When I mentioned simvistatin, he looked at me and said, "really? hmmmm" ..... well, not being one to let anything slide, I immediately got on line and just typed in simvistatin. Up popped several sites, with Mayo and Cleveland Clinic being the ones I rely on.
harp player

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Aug 10, 2020

@amberpep- My sister and I use to take Lipitor and we both had what appeared to memory loss. After we stopped it and went on to something else that loss returned. It's not permanent.
Where did you find the information that you stated?

Here is up to date information on Statins.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013

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