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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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suzcook | @suzcook | Feb 3, 2022

I sat down with a pharmacist in two different hospitals. Then based on what the pills are actually for, I stopped taking the ones I may not need

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disillusioned25 | @disillusioned25 | Feb 4, 2022
In reply to @nla4625 "I've spent the last year learning about functional medicine and food as medicine and knew I..." + (show)
@nla4625

I've spent the last year learning about functional medicine and food as medicine and knew I had become totally out of sync with my conventional PCP. He refused to even discuss taking me off the statin I was on, even though I attributed leg muscle pain and memory problems to it. It took a long search to find a functional medical doctor who believed food is medicine and practiced medicine that way, but I thank my lucky stars every day that I did. When I mentioned at our first videoconference that I wanted to get off my statin, she told me to stop taking it. She tested me for all sorts of vitamin and mineral deficiencies that older people are often missing, did a full thyroid panel (which my former PCP refused to do), and found that I was deficient in D-3 and was overmedicating on the thyroid medication I'd been on for 20 years. These things did not show up on the conventional blood tests my former PCP ordered. We're working to get me off my blood pressure medicine eventually too and changing my diet and sedentary ways. I wasn't willing to quit my statin without medical supervision and would not recommend that. However, if you are unhappy with your doctor, you can probably find one who will help you get off statins.

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My PCP prescribed Pioglitazone several years ago while at the same time referring me to an endocrinologist for treatment of my diabetes. At my visit in January (I go every three months for A1C, etc) the PA discontinued the Pioglitazone because it causes fluid retention & weight gain! I asked her why then had no one taken it away sooner? I've taken it for several years! Very frustrating when even with regular evaluations of medication the physician or his PA aren't sharp enough to stop a medication that wasn't doing me any good & was doing harm. I've told the PA my legs ache. The PA ordered a circulation test which showed the circulation is normal for someone my age. The PA had no solution to offer since the test was "normal." That doesn't mean my legs stop aching though so now I'll ask the PA about the statin. I take Atorvastation and Ezetimbe.

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Feb 5, 2022
In reply to @disillusioned25 "My PCP prescribed Pioglitazone several years ago while at the same time referring me to an..." + (show)
@disillusioned25

My PCP prescribed Pioglitazone several years ago while at the same time referring me to an endocrinologist for treatment of my diabetes. At my visit in January (I go every three months for A1C, etc) the PA discontinued the Pioglitazone because it causes fluid retention & weight gain! I asked her why then had no one taken it away sooner? I've taken it for several years! Very frustrating when even with regular evaluations of medication the physician or his PA aren't sharp enough to stop a medication that wasn't doing me any good & was doing harm. I've told the PA my legs ache. The PA ordered a circulation test which showed the circulation is normal for someone my age. The PA had no solution to offer since the test was "normal." That doesn't mean my legs stop aching though so now I'll ask the PA about the statin. I take Atorvastation and Ezetimbe.

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@dislusioned25 Hi I can tell you why about that med and why the Dr./P.A didn't take it away The Dr.s and Pharmacy work together to fatten there wallets I,ve been a nurse for over 30 yrs seen it happen all the time that's why I research every med I'm on and go see a O.D but am a naturalist for meds .A story I have M.D. and glaucoma Opthmaligist had me on AREDS but research sad I needed more Lutein and Billberry so I was on it along with AREDS when I saw my Dr she was surprised my eyes looked better so I believe in your on research. Dr,s are so busy and have so much they have to learn they can learn from there pts also.⁰

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1 reply
gator123 | @gator123 | Feb 6, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Hello @gator123, it's nice to meet you. Statins are really tough on the body, no doubt..." + (show)
@merpreb

Hello @gator123, it's nice to meet you. Statins are really tough on the body, no doubt about it. I'm not sure if I have tinnitus but I had to stop 2 other statins before I could tolerate Rovastatin because they did make me achy. Have you asked your doctor what is next for you to try?

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If you have a buzzing or ringing in the ears do you have tinnitus ugly thing terrible thing to have

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gator123 | @gator123 | Feb 6, 2022
In reply to @lioness "@dislusioned25 Hi I can tell you why about that med and why the Dr./P.A didn't take..." + (show)
@lioness

@dislusioned25 Hi I can tell you why about that med and why the Dr./P.A didn't take it away The Dr.s and Pharmacy work together to fatten there wallets I,ve been a nurse for over 30 yrs seen it happen all the time that's why I research every med I'm on and go see a O.D but am a naturalist for meds .A story I have M.D. and glaucoma Opthmaligist had me on AREDS but research sad I needed more Lutein and Billberry so I was on it along with AREDS when I saw my Dr she was surprised my eyes looked better so I believe in your on research. Dr,s are so busy and have so much they have to learn they can learn from there pts also.⁰

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Yep even a1c has gone up with statins never had issues before

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gator123 | @gator123 | Feb 6, 2022
In reply to @grammad "Helps t regulate my energy, take Ubiquinol coq10 everyday I no longer take statins but continued..." + (show)
@grammad

Helps t regulate my energy, take Ubiquinol coq10 everyday I no longer take statins but continued w coq10, statins made me feel very weak n tired, couldn't walk up stairs.

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How are your cholesterol numbers

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mari | @mari | Feb 8, 2022
In reply to @disillusioned25 "My PCP prescribed Pioglitazone several years ago while at the same time referring me to an..." + (show)
@disillusioned25

My PCP prescribed Pioglitazone several years ago while at the same time referring me to an endocrinologist for treatment of my diabetes. At my visit in January (I go every three months for A1C, etc) the PA discontinued the Pioglitazone because it causes fluid retention & weight gain! I asked her why then had no one taken it away sooner? I've taken it for several years! Very frustrating when even with regular evaluations of medication the physician or his PA aren't sharp enough to stop a medication that wasn't doing me any good & was doing harm. I've told the PA my legs ache. The PA ordered a circulation test which showed the circulation is normal for someone my age. The PA had no solution to offer since the test was "normal." That doesn't mean my legs stop aching though so now I'll ask the PA about the statin. I take Atorvastation and Ezetimbe.

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My experiences w PA 😫Now I want to see a Real Dr.
Except for Knee Drs. pAs. Who were Excellent!

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mari | @mari | Feb 8, 2022

I have to take darn statins. Had a eye stroke. Darn!

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markdeegan | @markdeegan | Feb 9, 2022

It’s not the only Statin that creates memory loss

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thumperguy | @thumperguy | Feb 11, 2022

Harp Player, how ‘bout really taking charge of your health situation? Unless you have familial elevated cholesterol there’s little likelihood you couldn’t be bragging about a total cholesterol number well below 200, LDL below 100 and HDL around 60 give or take. It would probably rest on altering the food you’re putting in your mouth. Feel free to tell me to butt out. If you’re even a bit curious let me know and I’ll tell ya how to get your numbers into an enviable zone without buying pills to do it. Don

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