replied on 08/04/2017 23:37
Posted on 08/04/2017 23:37
Susiepops asked me to repeat a post.
I was having 6 month blood tests as a result on being on blood pressure tablets. I was put on simvastatin early in 2013. A previous blood test showed no other problems and indeed my cholesterol level was not unduly high. A few months later a blood test showed elevated sugar levels and after additional tests I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In September 2013 I had loss of most of the site in my right eye. Often a complication attributed to Diabetes and high blood pressure. For some reason the specialist did not think that was the cause but could offer no other explanation other than it can happen and we don't really know why but there is a 30% chance of the same happening with the other eye.
Over a period of time I developed walking difficulties. (My hips have not been good since before I was 55 but I still was able to walk 14 miles with a few stops to enjoy the scenery. Often walked 4 or 5 miles when I retired at 55.) This was not my hips though but I suspect that they somehow masked the symptoms. We met up with a friend in Exeter mid last year and as we walked up into town from the old dock area it was her at 82 years of age that left me standing. I had to keep stopping to rest and admire the views. December 2015 we went off to Southport with the caravan. We sited the caravan and after setting it up I walked a couple of hundred yards to the wardens office and had to stop a couple of times on the way. I stopped taking the statins, (might have stopped slightly earlier). In April 2016 my tablets for diabetes were reduced following a blood test and tablet review. In August I was told that I was no longer diabetic, Last blood test in October and repeated in November confirmed that my sugar levels were fine and my cholesterol level was 4. My walking has also improved - slowly.
Some seem fine on simvastatin. I however have enough problems with arthritis.
I know of others whose mobility has been affected and also have discussed it with my pharmacist who reckons that side effect is very common. Also he was aware of the fact that Statins can elevate blood glucose levels and it is also confirmed on the NHS website. Quite a few seem to have some stomach upset but many tablets can have similar effects.
Alan