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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

@my44

Why does your doctor want to take you off the statins? Are your numbers in range now? Some doctors will put/keep a patient on statins as a preventative measure because of a family history of heart attacks and strokes.

Jump to this post

It was my stem cell transplant doctor who mentioned decreasing statins in passing when sh was reviewing my meds. We had more important issues to focus on during the appointment and I didn’t ask her any follow up questions. She is always focused on decreasing my meds when I don’t have any signs of GVHD. I will have my yearly appointment with my family doctor in the beginning of the year and will discuss statins with him.

I don’t remember what my cholesterol numbers were last time it was checked. My usual blood work panel for hematology doesn’t include cholesterol levels.

REPLY
@alive

It was my stem cell transplant doctor who mentioned decreasing statins in passing when sh was reviewing my meds. We had more important issues to focus on during the appointment and I didn’t ask her any follow up questions. She is always focused on decreasing my meds when I don’t have any signs of GVHD. I will have my yearly appointment with my family doctor in the beginning of the year and will discuss statins with him.

I don’t remember what my cholesterol numbers were last time it was checked. My usual blood work panel for hematology doesn’t include cholesterol levels.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the background info. I definitely understand that when we're dealing with multiple conditions, we have to focus on the most pressing at the time. If your stem cell transplant doctor mentioned discontinuing the statin I presume, then, that she reviewed your lab numbers and feel it's okay for you to stop taking it. I, for one, always appreciate a doctor who tries to get patients off of medications when feasible. So, kudos to your doctor. I feel that we are sometimes overmedicated and no one does a review of our meds to determine which ones, if any, we no longer need. All the best to you!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.