Statin & AI - Side effects

cb123

Hi guys,

Just 2 days ago, I added a statin to the daily doses. Specifically Atorvastatin/Lipitor. I hated it in the past, pre-cancer. I had mild SEs. I stopped taking it after 3 years but because of the cancer, I'm on it again. I feel like CRAP! I'm dealing with some pretty substantial SEs today.

I'm headed for the doctor tomorrow but I like to be ready for him.

Is this a thing? Do statins react badly with AIs?

Thanks in advance guys. I'm headed back to bed and won't respond to your posts tonight, but I'd really appreciate your input.

cb

ruthbru

I don't understand why you would be taking a statin because of cancer. Am I missing something?

cb123

This article, posted yesterday, explains the correlation. I read a similar article several months ago.

Breast cancer and cholesterol

Here's another:

High cholesterol fuels the growth and spread of breast cancer

I feel better now, the SEs have subsided but it was a really rough day.

It began with mild dizziness and progressed to a "woozy" head that hurt when I moved. I had to lie down and soon fell asleep. Heavy sweating, woozy head and weird dreams for hours. I awoke with extra dry mouth, though I drank a gallon of water today, as I always do.

It's 9pm and I finally feel better, just a little light headed.

I hate taking the statins out of the mix because I believe them to be just as essential as the AI.

Does anyone have experience here and can help me out? Maybe a different statin?

Thanks for looking,

cb

cb123

Done and done.

I'm going to stop the Lipitor immediately and try Metformin in about a week, after my next blood test.

Here's the link: metformin prevents cancer progression

Thanks for looking,

cb

ChiSandy

Three years ago when I was trying to lose weight between knee replacement surgeries, blood tests showed my LDL and triglycerides were way too high (though I did have very high HDL to balance it out). My PCP (to the delight of my husband, a cardiologist who jokes that statins should be put in the drinking water for anyone over 50) put me on Lipitor. After 6 weeks, my lipid numbers were great....but my thighs ached, my blood sugar was over 120 and my a1c over 6. So my PCP & I agreed to ditch the statin.

But now the thought of having to not only put up with LE in my dominant side arm, AI side effects (including return of obesity, sweats and trigger thumb on my guitar-picking hand), depriving myself of the low-carb animal protein I love as well as drastically cutting back on wine, but now also adding back aching thighs and prediabetes? Shoot me now. My life pleasures are making music, traveling and eating and drinking well. My husband shares those passions as well. If I have to go vegan, fat-free, sugar-free, starch-free, alcohol-free, and caffeine-free (therefore, enjoyment-free) you might as well just hook me up to a feeding tube.

cb123

"If I have to go vegan, fat-free, sugar-free, starch-free, alcohol-free, and caffeine-free (therefore, enjoyment-free) you might as well just hook me up to a feeding tube."

I am right there with you. Life's too short to change the tasty diet that helps cancer kill me. If I was a young woman, knowing all I know now, I would definitely eat a more healthy, home grown diet. But I'm not. I'm an old woman with a congenital cancer that's decided to show itself. So PARTY ON!

WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Warning
by Jenny Joseph

cb

cive

My PCP and I are going round and round about a statin. I took Atorvastatin several years ago and had bad side effects, chronic fatigue, dreams that were so crazy and vivid it was like I was working all night rather than sleeping. My HGL is quite high (good stuff) and my triglycerides are close to normal but total cholesterol and calculated LDL are high since starting on Femara. Unless total cholesterol goes fairly high, I'm done with statins. My pulmonologist and MO agree with me.

Smurfette26

I've been on both Metformin and a statin, Crestor for many years but still ended up with breast cancer.

It's just a crap shoot.

I don't remember experiencing any side effects when I started Crestor though it was a long time ago.