Statins

[Daisy]

Grauntie quite a few years ago I remember the doctor in our practice who I'd always ask to see told me that "they" (whoever it is who decides such things) had lowered the readings. I've just Googled and found this from the British Heart Foundation, but can't see any dates on it to qualify the use of "new" cholesterol guidelines.

I got the distinct impression this doctor thought it was getting a bit OTT, but of course she was too professional to say such a thing.

Gem - I've been having a look at this link:

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsu...l/risk-factors

Under item 3 it says you can reduce your cholesterol by

• Taking a statin if your risk of a heart attack or stroke is more than one in 10 over the next 10 years. Statins help reduce your cholesterol level and, as BHF research has shown, reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. If you already have cardiovascular disease, taking a statin will reduce your risk of further events, even if your cholesterol level is low.

[Gemini]

As my BP has been fine during the week I had to take it daily, I have decided to hold fire on the statins.
If the nurse ever gets back to me about this, I will say that given that BP readings are not as they were for my review, I would prefer to have my cholesterol levels, which were only borderline high, tested again in a few months (having hopefully lost some weight) and decide then.

[WeeGranny]

Very sensible Gem!

[Daisy]

I think you're right to go with what you feel comfortable with, Gem, and see how things look in a few months' time. xx

[Shemadee]

It’s twenty years now since I left my job at the surgery but there were drives then to get patients taking statins. My results were fine until they lowered the figures but I declined and so far I’ve not been offered them again. Possibly because I haven’t seen a doctor for over two years. It does make me wonder if, like Gordon Browns brother in law and the triple jab, there is some kind of financial benefit to someone.

They used to to get bonuses for the number of flu jabs they give. That’s why they sometimes offer to do them when you’re there for something else.

There was an an elderly man in the chemist asking why they kept giving him every item on his repeat prescriptions as he was running out of space to keep them. Our Boots use locum pharmacists who don’t want to rock the boat but it’s no wonder there isn’t enough money when so much is wasted.

[Daisy]

Shem - your insider knowledge makes worrying reading. I think automatic repeat prescribing must waste an awful lot of money that could be put to much better us. When my female cousin passed away some years ago her brother took several large black bin bags of prescription meds to the chemists for disposal - big black bin bags full.

[Lizzie48]

Shem, I do agree with you, there is money being made, big time, from all the vaccinations etc. As for the tablets, my BIL's sister has every ailment available and has the medicines to go with them, my sister used to tell me she has a cupboard packed with tablets etc, she is 87 years old now and still complaining.

I have a history of depression, over the years I have been prescribed medicine, I have tried it but not for me, when my boys were very young I was prescribed valium, I was on cloud 9 all day long, it really felt like I was walking on a cloud, not touching the ground , I soon stopped taking them and always try to fight it without the medicine.

[Daisy]

Lizzie - I feel the same - I'd rather not take anything if I can help it, and I think there are times when it's better to let the body heal itself in it's own good time. Although, I know there are times when medication or treatment is the only solution!