Statins

[Nanto2girls]

Daisy, the doctor told me that that he prefers patients on blood pressure tablets to take Atorvastatin instead of simvaststin.

[WeeGranny]

Oma, questioning the three types of diabetes meds is on my list to ask!! He's always gone on his own to his check ups but I've got a legitimate reason to go with him next time!!

Daisy, I think you're right about GPs receiving money for the number of patients they have on certain meds. I seem to recall that when statins were the 'new' drug and lots of people were getting prescribed them unnecessarily.

[Enfys]

I have BP and cholesterol checks every 12 months with the practice nurse. Had one not long ago with a follow up phone call with the doctor. This is quite usual they only see you if there is a problem.

[Daisy]

Daisy, the doctor told me that that he prefers patients on blood pressure tablets to take Atorvastatin instead of simvaststin.

Cynically, I assume our surgery prefers Simvastatin in stead of Atorvastatin because they are cheaper. I don't know if they are or not, but they always start you on the cheapest version of any drug if they can!

I'm beginning to think most of the doctors at our practice are working remotely from the Seychelles.

[Plantaholic]

I think our doctors must have joined them Daisy

[Grauntie Mag]

I was prescribed Atorvastatin just before I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I didn’t start them as I didn’t want to be dealing with side affects too. (My brother took them and had severe joint pain as a result). My diet has changed radically so I have no idea whether they are necessary, but I had an email from our surgery telling me to have a blood test re. Cholesterol, which I did, but have had no communication since and it’s not easy to get through on the phone so I sit and wait until the doctor puts down her pina colada and emails me. 🙄

[Gemini]

Dear god Grauntie, if the statins give me any more joint pain I will be jumping in the river!!
The Anastrozole both OH and both take give you joint pains, I have athritis too, any more will be just too much

[Gemini]

Grauntie, can you not see your test results online? I knew my cholesterol was borderline high a week before they finally phoned me.

[Grauntie Mag]

Ooh where do I look? The website I use for ordering repeat meds says results not available to me.

[Gemini]

Grauntie, that is the right place. All you have to do is ask to be given permission to see your records and results. They have to grant it x

[Daisy]

Gem - my DIL1 has done this so she can see all her medical history. It seems silly that half the world can see your medical history except the patient herself! You definitely don't want any more medications to make matters worse.

Grauntie - I think it's appalling that it's so difficult at some surgeries to get even phone contact with a doctor. And a lot of the time the phone isn't the most appropriate way to diagnose and treat the patient. When I told my OH about my poorly foot he said what he always says "go to the doc's".. I just laughed.

[Grauntie Mag]

Would you believe I had a letter yesterday, yes, a real letter delivered by a real post person, asking me to make a phone appointment with a doctor to discuss results.
Why, oh why couldn’t the receptionist just phone me with this request and make the appointment then? Now I’ll probably have to drive up to the surgery to make a phone appointment as I can never get through on the phone! Madness!!
Back to statins. There is a thread on Statins on Gransnet today. (I’m a lurker). It makes interesting reading too, with some suggestions for meds to take with statins which can, in some cases, help with the side affects.

[Gemini]

Thank Grauntie. I haven't looked at Gransnet for many years but I'll have a look later.

[Daisy]

Grauntie - that's interesting about the suggestions for meds to help with the side effects of statins. I'm inclined to think if anybody is borderline in need of statins (according to the doctor's advice) they'd be better not taking them at all. I've seen so many people on a load of medication which reacts with previously prescribed meds, and then need more meds to counteract the other side effects (are you still with me!) that they positively rattle. And then they need more meds to stop the rattling!

[Grauntie Mag]

I totally agree Daisy. Now I have an idea of what questions to ask but if the reading is not way over the acceptable level I won’t take them.