I have given in. Finally, I am taking Statins to help lower my cholesterol. Since menopause, my cholesterol has been elevated. But now it has gone through the roof!
Fifteen years ago, my then doctor tried to put me on statins. I resisted. But since giving up tennis (because of back-related problems), it has risen even higher. I cannot do intense exercise any more.
And when I had my Transient Global Amnesia episode a few months ago, I seemingly thought I was having a stroke. I kept asking my husband and elder daughter if I was having it because I would not take statins.
So, it has been preying on my mind obviously.
WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL? THE SCIENCE
Your body uses cholesterol to make hormones and vitamin D, and support digestion. Your liver generates enough cholesterol to handle these tasks, but your body doesn’t just get cholesterol from your liver. It also gets it from foods.
There are two main types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Lipoproteins are made of fat and proteins. Cholesterol moves through your body while inside lipoproteins.
HDL is known as “good cholesterol” because it transports cholesterol to your liver to be expelled from your body. HDL helps rid your body of excess cholesterol so it’s less likely to end up in your arteries.
LDL is called “bad cholesterol” because it takes cholesterol to your arteries, where it may collect in artery walls. This can increase the risk of blood clots in your arteries. If a blood clot breaks away and blocks an artery in your heart or brain, you may have a stroke or a heart attack.
MY BLOOD RESULTS FOR MY CHOLESTEROL
ME RECOMMENDED
Cholesterol (total) 8.0 <5.0 Total should be less than 5mm/
Fasting Triglyceride 1.25 <1.70 should be less than 2 mmol/L
Cholesterol (HDL) 1.91 >1.00 the higher the better
Cholesterol (LDL) 5.5 <3.00 should be less than 3 mmol/L
Non HDL-C: 6.1 <3.8
WHY I DID NOT WANT TO TAKE STATINS
There are side-effects associated with statins.
My mother, who took statins for years, developed fybermyalgia. She had severe muscle pain all over her body, particularly in her legs. Eventually, her doctor took her off statins and the pains went away. She is not taking any now, but she has had several TIAs which showed up in a recent scan.
Some research indicates that taking statins for years can cause dementia. My memory is bad enough already.
Other possible side-effects according to the leaflet with my prescription:
These affect 1 person in 10. That seems high to me. What do you think?
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR CHOLESTEROL WITHOUT DRUGS
- If you smoke, give up
- Eat a healthy diet… cut down on red meat, full-fat dairy products and processed foods (some research includes poultry in this).
- Ditch all trans fats.
- Increase intake of fish, nuts, high-fibre foods
- Take regular exercise
- Reduce stress
- Losing weight if you are overweight can help
- Take fish oil supplements which help lower triglycerides
MY HEALTH ANALYSED
My diet is pretty healthy. I eat very little dairy except for a yogurt daily. Plus, I eat lots of fruit and vegetables and nuts. Olive and rapeseed oils are regulars on my shopping lists. Smoking is abhorred by me. I am relatively fit and I am not overweight. Yes, I do like a drink! Taking fish oils has been a good habit for years and now I take omega 3 fish oils from Irish company Somega.
So the doctor concluded that my high cholesterol is genetic. However, she did an absolute risk score to calculate my chance of suffering a stroke in the next five years.
Factors including;
- blood pressure
- age
- cholesterol levels
- gender
- whether you have diabetes
- whether you smoke
- your weight
- family history
- irregular heartbeat
My risk was just under 10% so I am borderline as to whether I should take statins or not. However, my lovely new doctor recommended I did as I was obviously concerned and possibly stressed about it. I am a quiet worrier. Yes, there is such a condition!
Blood tests are scheduled again in September so I will report back then. Do you take statins? Am I being overly concerned about the bad press they get?
I would love to hear from you.
OTHER REASONS I AM ‘PISSED OFF’
The weather has really improved and we have had some lovely sunny days particularly in the East of the country. So that has been lovely.
I am wearing a lovely top bought in Studio 124 in Malahide and my jeans from Paula’s (Malahide) must be the most worn item in my wardrobe. So I should not be complaining.
However, I have been having difficulty with my pelvis for a few months and it has affected my ability to walk and play golf. I also had to limit my yoga and pilates so am feeling pretty unfit. But, I think that it is sorted now. Fingers crossed anyway. I must say that I was getting depressed about it. But I am back walking (albeit at a slower pace) and hope to return to playing bad golf soon too.
Thank God for physical therapists.
So enough about my cholesterol problems, my back problems and I won’t mention the fact that I have five younger sisters who are all fully vaccinated and I have only had one jab of Astra Zeneca.
That is really pissing me off!
Love Hilda
So sorry . I am very sympathetic to this as I have always resisted statins too. Though to be fair, mine is not that high,. But it is a family trait. I am now pursuing a 30-plant based foods a week regime. Feel marvellous. It is all to do with your microbiome in the gut. Really interesting if you’re not into this already. I can tell you more! Can you PM me your address as I no longer seem to have it and I will send you a copy of So Many Ways of Loving! There is a lot about health problems as we grow older in that – though not all gloom and doom by any means.
I may need to relook at my diet. Yes I will PM you address. Looking forward to reading it. xx
Midlife health is such a roller coaster isn’t it. I have high blood pressure and cholesterol (but don’t take statins) and I also have low iron, so red meat good for iron, bad for cholesterol 🙄. I hope you get good results quickly and that your body feels better soon too.
Jan you are so right. It is a rollercoaster and it is all about balance. Stay healthy. x
There’s always a trade off with taking medications isn’t there? It’s just weighing up if the benefits outweigh the risks. Hopefully you won’t have any side effects. My mother in law refused to take statins for years and tried to manage it with her diet but I think she relented in the end. I’m surprised you’ve only had one jab so far, my husband had his second one a few weeks ago. Mine is booked for early July – I’m hoping I won’t have such a bad reaction second time.
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Emma thank you. I have tried to educate myself as to why they are necessary. Hubby is getting his second jab in a few days so hopefully I will be in the next two weeks. x
Hilda, I am like you, high cholesterol levels for some time now and really do not want to take statins.
I question all the time why so many people are on them. Also only in the last year the medical profession have started breaking the overall score down (as you have in your article).
My HDL(good cholesterol) is 3.6 and has always been high yet the doctors consistently added the good with the bad to give me an overall score up until last year.’
I had educated myself in the difference and so questioned the scores.
Apparently statins reduce both good and bad cholesterol.
I am still holding off on taking them but, like you it is on my mind that maybe I should just take them!!!🤔
Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 you get your second vaccine soon.😊
Karen I am only borderline so you are probably fine. I think my TGA made me more anxious about a stroke, but I am going to do some more research on having a scan. Will do a follow up.
Don’t worry! Hubby on Restuvostatin for years with no consequence except lower cholesterol levels. Just watch out for the side effects if any arise and they may not. He was told by our retiring doctor that it was his own choice but at least he wouldn’t have to deal with his heart attack or stroke in a few years if he didn’t take them!! It’s a choice but his family history said…..take it.
PS……with one A-Z shot, some of our kids were going to be fully vaccinated on Phyzer before us, until they suddenly changed the weeks. Guess what, got appointment for Monday and we are in the West, carefully planned to be back before mid July as we get no break after that anyway on the farm till maybe October/November! Had to postpone so hope not too long to wait. Typical!! (Son in law took three weeks to get a postponed appointment.)
Cheryl you look so fit. Thank you for the encouragement xx
Thanks Jackie. It is a minefield. But I am on them now so will stick with it. So glad you have your appointment but how annoying that it messes your holiday plans.
Oh gosh Hilda, I hear you! I just go from one thing to another. I can’t run anymore because of a hip (I keep trying), I can’t eat as much or what I used to eat. I had to cut out drinking and I can’t lift things like I used to without bringing on back pain.
I just turned 61 and at this point, life is a dance. I twist and turn and move to the music of my body saying go this way, go that way. But yes like you, I have so much to be grateful for and I try to look at it all as a fun challenge. Will I win, or will my body? Ha ha. I’m thinking of you and you are dong all the right things so hang in there!
Peace!
Cheryl
I hear you, Hilda! Our bodies, and our reactions to everything, changes as we age, but the good news is… We’re still here! And… you look great! xoxox, Brenda
You are right. And the aim is to stay as healthy as possible. x
Dear Hilda,
I understand your frustration at ‘ having’ to take the statins. There’s no doubt that the side effects are very real. But having worked as a nurse I can guarantee you that a severe stroke would be worse than all the side effects. Hope this is helpful.
Deirdre
Thanks Deirdre for taking the trouble to leave a message. I welcome all advice x
First of all, thank you for getting it all out and sharing this with us. You are not alone!!
I wondered if you thought about getting a heart ST Scan? My cholesterol levels are higher than yours and my doctor suggested statins as well. Luckily my cardiologist recommended cardiac CT Scan to determine coronary calcium. He warned me anything above zero meant I would most likely need medication.
My calcium score came back as ZERO!!!
I am so glad I had this test. It is inexpensive and non-invasive and gave me the peace of mind I needed.
I just wanted to share it with you. I hope you are feeling well and send all my love. Xx
Loretta thank you for this. I am going to see if it is possible to get one of those CT scans here without having to go to a cardiologist. Makes sense. And great result for you. Thank you so much for telling me this. xx
Hope your pelvis problems have gone away Hilda, you’re such an active person it must be awful. There seems to be a lot of mixed info about statins. It’s going to be difficult for you to lower your cholesterol levels if it’s genetic so maybe persevere with the statins?
Thanks Gail. My pelvis problems seem sorted TG. And yes I will stick with the statins. No other option… x
FIVE YOUNGER SISTERS!!!!!!!!!!!
THAT IS A GIFT!
YES YOU SHOULD BE PISSED OFF AS I AM…….I JUST POSTED ABOUT MY CORTISOL!
ITS FINE BUT STILL NO ANSWERS……..MRI is NEXT!
MY HUSBAND HAD HIGH C and has taken FISH OIL pills and eats OATMEAL every morning it has gone down and stayed down.His GOOD C. I cant spell that word if my life depended upon it was high too…..but I guess that balances it all out!
YOU LOOK FANTASTIC,……….THANK GOODNESS WE LOOK OKAY !!!CAN YOU IMAGINE IF WE LOST THAT TOO!?
HA!
HANG IN THERE!
XXXX
I do take fish oils and oatmeal and lots of veg. It really is a pain. But at least it is just that. It is so annoying that you have no answers yet. xx
My aunt had really high cholesterol and tried Bennecol. Her cholesterol went down considerably. I don’t know if you have tried that? My diet is very restricted because of my allergies Hilda. I live on butter and meat yet my cholesterol is good. I don’t have much sugar though. I must have really weird insides haha!
I can’t have any vaccine as of yet again due to my allergies, so I’m being as careful as possible but refuse to be a prisoner! I was hoping to have anti-bodies via transfusion but those plans have been scuppered. So I’m pissed off too! xx
Ah Laurie I am so sorry to read about the vaccine. I tried Benecol. Maybe I did not stick with it long enough.
Hi Hilda,
I’ve just started taking statins, I am really pissed off with that too! My cholesterol was very high at 9 too! The doctor thinks it could been inherited from my father, I don’t have much to do with him and he lives in Oz, but do remember vaguely him having H C too! I’m trying to loss weight and increasing my exercise and also I take Benecol too – am having a blood test end of July so will find out more then not happy with the side effects I could have either, although so far only and upset tummy!!! Nice to read this post Hilda. x Jacqui
Thanks Jacqui. I am really tired this past week. And have been a bit headachey. Never get headaches normally.
So sorry to hear about the HC. Hope it reassures you that my husband has been on statins for years and has had no side effects. And I so get the annoyance of one thing happening after another. I had nothing wrong with me whatsoever when I turned 70, a few aches and pains to be expected but nothing. Now things have started to stack up and not helped by a bout of myocarditis after an episode of flu early last year (before covid) which has left me with an irregular heartbeat. So this summer I was going too up my aerobic activity when my hip started paying up – blast! I found going to a physio and doing the exercises has really helped a lot. Glad to hear you also have found physical therapy a boon 🙂
Thanks Penny. As they say ‘Agieng is not for sissies’!
It is constant work on the back and hips and pelvis to keep them pain free….
Hello Hilda,
I am just now reading this post. I’m a fan from California!
I resisted statins for years too. At 65, after losing weight and eating mostly plant based diet, it was still very high. Here the measurements are different, but I found a conversion formula and in your country I would be total of 7.7. Here it is 300! My entire family has the same issue. Even my tiny, extremely athletic younger sister.
After one month on statins, eating oatmeal every day, reducing eggs (those were the only changes I made with diet because I don’t really eat a lot of meat or poultry), I went to 194 or around 5 by your measurements. I do take CoQ10 to help with the side effects. I have been on them for about 7 months with no side effects. My friend has been on double my dose for three years with no side effects.
It’s a tough one. When I was borderline, I didn’t take them because my good cholesterol was really high. But when I hit 300, I thought I better give them a try.
A natural statin is red yeast rice, but it has the same possible side effects. I tried it without any impact.
My doctor recommended taking a Phyosterol supplement and the oatmeal and cutting back eggs.
I am pleased for now, but can understand your concerns.
Good luck with everything and thanks for sharing your fashion and beauty advice! I appreciate it.
Nicole thank you so much. I really appreciate your detailed reply. You are so good. It has helped alleviate my concerns and I will get CoQ10. Stay well in California xx