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Hi, ok so I've been prescribed statins following a heart scan. I'm dubious about taking these as everything that I'm reading seems to be negative with regard to strenuous excercise ie riding. So can anyone cheer me up and honestly say that theyre on statins and they havent ruined their riding ?
How strenuous? Have noticed more issues with my extra 2.5 stone I put on due to laziness.
I ride on Exmoor, typically between 80 - 100 k over 3 days with between 2000 and 3000 m of climbing.
You are reading the wrong stuff. Statins have have relatively few side effects. The only effect statins have had is to lower my cholesterol.
I've been on them over 2 months. Absolutely no side effects for me and I'm on the same as my parents (who would guess it's genetic).
My diet is good, bit too much wine and too much dairy but it was 7.5, and the docs said nothing would change the level - then I asked my parents - oh been on them years they said.
Better off on them and catch it early, rather than later. If you get sore muscles, then switch brand.
Not been back for a test yet, but I'm actually going a bit quicker on the bike - might be some weight loss as well.....
Only thing it's done is altered my loo trips. I used to go in the morning for a dump, and that would be it, like clockwork. Now I might go a couple more times, but that's the statin's effect on cholesterol.
Try them, if they cause you issues switch. But they do work. I hate taking drugs, but only positive results here.
I was put on them in 2000 at 25 - apparently they do some good stuff for diabetics (which is why I was put on them)...so been on them since and not noticed any difference. Cholesterol was 4.5 then and it is 3.8 now, diet has improved but less exercise.
Horrendous side effects here, though they were combined with beta blockers at the same time. Could hardly function never mind ride.
Was put on them as a precaution before ct angiogram and other heart testing. Thankfully a calcium score of zero returned and no signs of stenosis and they're in the bin.
I’ll bet any amount of money / professional credibility that those side effects were related to the beta blocker and not the statin.
I'm on them and had no side effects at all: in fact I think I feel better overall as I got a kick up the arse to be more active and do more exercise including flat out stuff. Never felt better 🙂
Too late for this advice ..but it would have been ..don't read anything with regard to side effects and just get on with your life ..
I've been on them for about 10 years and just carried on as normal ..
I wouldn't have a clue what the side effects of these and the other prescribed medication I take are supposed to be ..and don't want to...based on the fact that it's too easy to " play up to " what's supposed to go wrong ..
@superficial the beta blockers were certainly an issue too, but as soon as I stopped the statins (tried two types) I felt loads better.
Good to hear others have had good experiences, hopefully the OP will too.
Thanks for the replies, very reassuring.
Been on them, plus daily aspirin, for about 6 months for early diagnosed non obstructive coronary artery disease. No side effects whatsoever. Age 53, fairly fit, LDL cholesterol was 3.2, now 1.7. Not supposed to go into VO2 max so ride to lower end of threshold. Doing lots of road and gravel and have sold FS and awaiting eMTB delivery 😜
Been on them for years too..No problems at all.
Been on them for five years now. As above its a genetic issue not lifestyle. I ride 4 times a week, swim, weightlift, spin and do HIIT classes. Body can sometimes ache like mad but I don't think it's the statins.
Supposed to take them daily but take them every second day.
Put on them in March after Well man check spotted 7.8 cholesterol and also ramipril for high blood pressure. They worked wonders for the cholesterol level, dropping it to 4.5 in two months.
Not sure if its the Ramipril or the Statin, however my overall strength / stamina on the bike has taken a dive since. Cant put my finger on it but I tire much earlier / easily now and generally feel a lot weaker. Only on the bike, although that is pretty much the only exercise I get.
Maybe I'm just getting old, but I started feeling like this literally a few weeks after starting them.
Cant put my finger on it but I tire much earlier / easily now and generally feel a lot weaker.
Have you been dieting hard as well?
Speak to your GP - the last thing he or she would want is to place an obstacle or disincentive towards exercise, and given that your cholesterol levels should now be on target at 4.5, there may be another type or dosage that might reduce whatever side-effects you're feeling.
Have you been dieting hard as well?
No, although I've cut right down on the Beer and Wine. Thats probably it 🙂
honestly say that theyre on statins and they havent ruined their riding ?
They've ruined my use of apostophes though 😆
Nah, Statins haven't ruined my riding, my lack of a regular heartbeat has ruined it a bit, but not enough to be that bothered about it.
Just had my beta blocker dosage doubled, I guess from tests they've seen my heart rate goes up pretty high (bloody high compared to what it used to!) so will see what effect that has. fun fun fun.
Been on them for 12 months and the only change I've noticed are my hips are now quite sore after a good ride.
After an MI 3 years ago I've been on a combination of statin, beta blockers and aspirin.
I do more running than riding, but since being on them I've had no side effects or adverse reactions and my running has improved greatly.
Marathon pb of 2:52 prior to MI and now down to 2:36 at London this year. I've also dropped my 5k time into the mid 16's so I would say they've only aided not hindered.
Don't think about side effects, think about benefits.
Wow that's some pace. Good on you.
I was told that there are 2 types of statin, one type is notorious for causing muscle and joint pain in some users. I take Atorvastatin - the other sort, and haven't noticed any side effect. You're supposed to take it at night though, to minimise any possible aching.
I went on statins about 9 years ago, because my doc said I was 40 years old, diabetic and I had to because he said so. I only lasted a few months on them though as I suffered from terrible aches and pains in my legs after cycling....yes, more so than normal. The docs are now pushing me to try again, but are assuring me that there are a lot more brands on the market that shouldn't produce the same side effects. I'll take them when they catch me and make me.
Cant put my finger on it but I tire much earlier / easily now and generally feel a lot weaker.
Have you been dieting hard as well?
Speak to your GP – the last thing he or she would want is to place an obstacle or disincentive towards exercise, and given that your cholesterol levels should now be on target at 4.5, there may be another type or dosage that might reduce whatever side-effects you’re feeling.
This
I take Atorvastatin due to genetics but commute 100miles+ weekly better than having a triple bypass like my dad 🙂
I did noticed tiredness at my initial higher dosage but after the numbers Went down the dosage was dropped.
The initial side effects I suffered was er 2 days diarrhea and a real shits an giggles moment.
I tend use a powermeter to make sure I’m working hard an not slacking as it’s hard to accurately measure this stuff.
If you are genuinely interested in statins, then this will start you down the rabbit hole, if not and you are happy taking them, then don’t read it. Ideally, you need to spend a huge amount of time reading through the research, preferably with some published commentary on the figures to actually look for:
https://drmalcolmkendrick.org/2019/09/07/review-of-statins-needed/
The above website will give lots of interesting information, but also do your own research, especially looking at independent papers wherever possible. Any beneficial action of statins, for a small, select group of patients is likely due to nitric oxide increase and not LDL lowering, once you get into the research you realise how many things are wrong with the whole, commonly accepted premise around LDL. I’m used to reading research, but I had blithely accepted this area and the commonly held beliefs, despite a number of very high profile medics I work with sharing their thoughts on the subject. I’m a type 1 diabetic and after going on a LCHF diet, I realised I am a lean mass hyper responder; every other marker improves except LDL, which rises noticeably. My GP obviously wanted to stick me on statins, just because it’s in his guidelines, not because he understands the research (we discussed it). My endocrinologist on the other hand, who is an active researcher, has the opposite opinion and doesn’t care about LDL. I had to read a huge amount before I changed my mind about this and expect that will be the same for anyone, medic or lay person. As an aside, despite years of textbook perfect lipid profiles, my health, especially mentally has taken a huge turn for the better.
If you are worried about cardiovascular health then spend a bit of money on a CAC scan may well be worth it; Ivor Cummins talks a lot about this and related factors. Definitely worth looking at your insulin resistance and BP too, the former being arguably the most important factor of all, along with the triglyceride:HDL ratio. Lots of reading if you are interested and just going to a few sources won’t cut it, this is an argument that will carry on for a while yet...
Great info above, and good to have a balanced viewpoint before making a decision about taking these meds imo.