Having an Issue With My Statin

Beezer

Beezer

Well-known Member
I'm getting shortness of breath.

I googled it and it said if you have shortness of breath on Pravastatin, it could be fatal. I just don't know if my statin is causing the issue, or my bad cholesterol is the culprit. I phoned the Pharmacy and was told to stop taking the pravastatin until I talk to my doctor on Tuesday.
 

There’s an insurance commercial in my area featuring a guy called “Big Lou,” who proclaims that “he’s just like you…he’s on meds, too!” The pitch is that he’ll get you a reasonable insurance rate even if you’re on medications. 💊

Like Lou and you, I’m on statins, too! They’re kinda a double-edged sword. I’ve probably avoided a heart attack or stroke because of them, but finding the right one and the right dosage can often proceed by trial and error. In my “discovery” phase, one statin made me feel like I constantly had the flu, while another made me ache all over, even in my feet! My insurance company refused to pay for the statin that gave me the fewest side effects until it was available as a generic…and the “out of pocket’ cost for the brand name would have been $260 a month! The horror, oh the horror! 🙀

As an ancient Greek philosopher said, “I see that the cure is not worth the pain…” 🤔
 
Blessed said:
ER would be a good idea, shortness of breath is a serious sign of many problems. Do you have a blood pressure and oximeter at home?

If not, I would not take a chance, get checked out.
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I agree 100% with Blessed. I lost a very dear friend just a couple of weeks ago.

He was a healthy, happy 70 year old who started noticing unusual shortness of breath earlier in the week. On Friday he decided that if things hadn't improved by Monday, he'd arrange to see his doctor. On Sunday his wife took him to the ER. Within a couple of hours he was gone. Cause of death was a pulmonary embolism.

Don't panic, but get it checked out ASAP, Beezer my friend! 🤗

Pulmonary embolism - Symptoms and causes
 
So what happened Beezer? Did you go to the ER?

My son takes Lipitor and the same doctor prescribed Zocor for me (both are statins.) I wondered about the difference and then found out Zocor is better for women. He's not a perfect doctor but he knows his drugs. I expect my son takes the same other meds you take and Lipitor makes a good match with them.
 
Statins are to prevent further deposits of cholesterol in your arteries but does not remove what's there. If you are in the latter portion of your lifespan, will statins make any significant difference in your longevity, especially if taking them has a quality of life reducing side effect? I take simvastatin and I wonder.
 
Beezer said:
I'm getting shortness of breath.

I googled it and it said if you have shortness of breath on Pravastatin, it could be fatal. I just don't know if my statin is causing the issue, or my bad cholesterol is the culprit. I phoned the Pharmacy and was told to stop taking the pravastatin until I talk to my doctor on Tuesday.
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If your healthcare provider has Urgent Care, your should go there today, or the ER.
 
Tommy said:
I agree 100% with Blessed. I lost a very dear friend just a couple of weeks ago.

He was a healthy, happy 70 year old who started noticing unusual shortness of breath earlier in the week. On Friday he decided that if things hadn't improved by Monday, he'd arrange to see his doctor. On Sunday his wife took him to the ER. Within a couple of hours he was gone. Cause of death was a pulmonary embolism.

Don't panic, but get it checked out ASAP, Beezer my friend! 🤗

Pulmonary embolism - Symptoms and causes
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Sorry about the loss of your friend, @Tommy! Thanks for sharing this with us!
 
Beezer said:
I'm getting shortness of breath.

I googled it and it said if you have shortness of breath on Pravastatin, it could be fatal. I just don't know if my statin is causing the issue, or my bad cholesterol is the culprit. I phoned the Pharmacy and was told to stop taking the pravastatin until I talk to my doctor on Tuesday.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that, let us know how you get on.

As we get older, we need some medical help, sadly. I do have some blood pressure pills that I always forget to take.
 
Beezer said:
I'm getting shortness of breath.

I googled it and it said if you have shortness of breath on Pravastatin, it could be fatal. I just don't know if my statin is causing the issue, or my bad cholesterol is the culprit. I phoned the Pharmacy and was told to stop taking the pravastatin until I talk to my doctor on Tuesday.
Click to expand...
I was going to suggest the same as they did.
If there is any chance that there's a serious side effect from a statin, I don't think it could be a danger to go without it, for now.
If the Dr is sure it's not the statin causing it, then you can easily restart it.

And as was posted above, go get checked out before Tuesday,
Or especially if your symptom gets any worse, or if you get any additional symptom, then don't wait till Tuesday to get it checked out At hospital.
Take care.
 
Beezer said:
I'm getting shortness of breath.

I googled it and it said if you have shortness of breath on Pravastatin, it could be fatal. I just don't know if my statin is causing the issue, or my bad cholesterol is the culprit. I phoned the Pharmacy and was told to stop taking the pravastatin until I talk to my doctor on Tuesday.
Click to expand...
Nothing to fool with I hope you get some answers soon.
 
Thank you for all of the thoughtful/ caring replies.

I'm feeling okay...still a little short-winded but not too bad. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow morning to get checked out. I've stopped taking that statin for a few days as well.
 
Beezer said:
I'm getting shortness of breath.

I googled it and it said if you have shortness of breath on Pravastatin, it could be fatal. I just don't know if my statin is causing the issue, or my bad cholesterol is the culprit. I phoned the Pharmacy and was told to stop taking the pravastatin until I talk to my doctor on Tuesday.
Click to expand...
Meanwhile, go to the emergency now or dial 911 (Canada/USA) or 999 (UK). Sorry don't know other emergency numbers.

Statin medication are a cholesterol reducer, as far as I remember. My father-in-law was taking those pre-1980s.

In order to stave off cholesterol most family members took the natural approach.

Garlic capsules
Pineapple pills (although the latter is only in certain shops)

Eating loads of garlic help as well as eating plenty of fresh or canned pineapple. Pineapple juice is a good clog buster.

Try this site
10 Natural Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol Levels

Good luck!
Example: tonight having gamon (ham) steaks with canned pineapple chunks. I'll make a sauce out of juice, by adding cornstarch, wee bit of sugar, stir until thickened , pour over steaks and mash, have nibkets corn steamed with nut if butter.Mashed potatoes with butter blend with oils, yoghurt (instead of milk or cream), Himalayan pink salt, lots of pepper corn freshly ground.

I'd definitely recommend staying away from margarine... I know things improved once we stopped using/believing in margarine.
 
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Beezer said:
Thank you for all of the thoughtful/ caring replies.

I'm feeling okay...still a little short-winded but not too bad. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow morning to get checked out. I've stopped taking that statin for a few days as well.
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Best wishes!
 
Beezer said:
Thank you for all of the thoughtful/ caring replies.

I'm feeling okay...still a little short-winded but not too bad. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow morning to get checked out. I've stopped taking that statin for a few days as well.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing your update with us!
 
Hmm...

This might not be statin related at all. I've quit smoking for 2 months and found this on Google-

The bad news is that your breathing might well get worse after you quit smoking. The good news is that this unfortunate situation will be temporary. The really good news is that your breathing difficulties are a significant sign that your lungs are healing themselves.
 
Lilac said:
Did you go to your doctor to make sure whether or not your statin?
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Yes. All of my other vital signs checked out okay. My doctor has referred me to a cardiologist...the wait could be a few months though.
 

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