no the confusion is mine – thanks for the clarification
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Hi @Doug65 - my apologies if I caused confusion. Just to be clear, I was responding to a post by @Wendy1953 and so my comments are specific to that post. From what you say you have been on these medications for a long time and are stable and healthy. If you require any clarification with regards to your medications i.e. cholesterol and statins, I think it would be best to discuss this with your GP.
I note you say
As your cholesterol level is lower than for those who are healthy, I wonder if it is worth talking to your GP to see if you still need to take them? At the very least, the dosage may be reviewed. For example, I was started on statins at a very high hevel, but there are much lower dosages available and so it may be the case that you are on a high dose, it may be tapered down gradually and you may even be able to stop taking them.
But please do speak with your GP if you are in any doubt about this.
Once again apologies for any confusion.
Peace & Love
& 
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@Doug65 yes statins are prescribed for high cholesterol not high blood pressure. Atorvastatin seems to be the favoured statin. It’s the one I take and I’m not on any BP treatment as my BP is probably on the low side if anything.
There has been some discussion around statins & BP meds in this topic which may have caused confusion.
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Thanks, you said it better and clearer than I did. My cholesterol is at 83 but needs to be below 70 because of having had a heart attack according to my cardiologist. I have a great team of specialists (cardiologist, neurologist, hematologist) as well as a good GP who work together with my care. Unfortunately, the my neurological issues aren’t able to be treated due to the severity of and brain scarring from the stroke. My main point was that my doctors have told me that a statin is primarily used to treat high cholesterol but there is anecdotal discussion about if it may help some who experienced a stroke.
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I’m down now to the lowest statin dose, and when I can wheedle my GP to finally give the green flag. I’m off them, pointless things if you don’t have high cholesterol.
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Wow! I find all this totally confusing and worrying. Nothing wrong with a sceptical outlook re big Pharma, but surely every single person is different with their stroke and so difficult to make blanket observations about situations we don’t know the detail of. My wife is on Arvostatin after a brain bleed, now I am worried. Remind myself to discuss with the GP, who I respect for his opinion.
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And maybe your wife does need them as a result of whatever caused her brain bleed. I personally don’t get involved in this debate because I know my statins are needed. I’ve been on them for 16yrs, had my stroke 4yrs ago. Mine were 2 TIA’s so, but who knows, I might have come out of it far worse if I hadn’t been taking them religiously. So I’ve certainly no intention of stopping them and risk rocking that boat 
Lorraine
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Hello @clubhub1
You are absolutely right when you say …
I think the comments in this forum are personal experiences being shared that might help others. I don’t believe they are necessarily recommendations on what medications to take or not.
If you are not sure or if there are indications your wife is having a reaction to the statins, then the best thing to do is to seek professional advice, be it from the GP (who you trust and respect anyway) or maybe a pharmacist.
I hope this assures you a little, but if not, please don’t worry or get confused by what you read here. Hopefully a chat with your GP will put your mind at ease.
It’s true …
Best wishes.
Namaste
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I am on a low dose of statins after a silent heart attack in 1993, I was on a higher dosage but had side effects. Then I had an ischemic stroke in September last year, but but have recovered almost back to pre stroke level.
My cholesterol level is raised to 5.7 so am due a review soon, but I am reluctant to increase dosage.HoI have not been told to stop taking statins after my stroke.I will enquire later.
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Hi Wendy 1953
Happy New yeay to you all. I had a Haemorragic Stroke 5+ years ago. You should not take Statins or any sort of blood thining tablets+ sub cut Heparin.
Some GP’s are not aware of the contradictions.
Regards
Sally
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hi sally - just about decided against taking statins but still trying to get hold of the doctor - damn impossible and this is only by phone – thanks to all who replied --really valuable to hear everyone’s thoughts on this – has been a great help
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From personal experience it was my GP whoe seemed to be the one who wanted to prescibe statins regardless of my background particulars. They said anyone who has had a stroke should be on them which frankly struck me as bizarre.
It was my stroke consultant who advised me against them. Something about their mode of action and how it alters the structure of the vasculature. I assume this is where the concern arises for me as mine was a cause unknown brain haemorrhage.
But I am a simple layman. Please dont take my word for anything. 
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@Unavailable - for a simple layman, you talk a lot of sense 
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Thankyou @ManjiB thats very kind of you to say.
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Mmm, interesting. I will consider this. My wife had a cause unknown haemorrhage also. Its great that you are able to think and write like this! Good luck.
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Hi, I am 3 years post haemorrhagic stroke and last year the clinic manager at my surgery called me stating I should be on statins , later the same day my GP contacted me stating I shouldn’t take statins due to the stroke. I recently fractured my ankle and currently in a surgical boot but was told a possible side affect of a boot is blood clotting so have been put on blood thinners but have to be careful on thinners & have to check periodically if I can bear weight on my ankle so I can stop wearing the boot asap. Got checkup tomorrow.
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Hi @michelle.active ,
Gosh you can’t win can you?
Side effects are the things that make it difficult and the thing is they are not universal. Some people can take the same medication as you and have no problems, but you might not be able to tolerate it.
I think it is important to always read the leaflet that comes with the medication for possible side effects and also whether the medicine is suitable for you (there is usually a section who the medication is suitable for). I make it a rule to ALWAYS READ THIS LEAFLET BEFORE I start the course of medication.
If I am not happy, I consult with the pharmacist or the GP. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Another golden rule for me is to listen to my body and look out for any reaction after starting any course of medication.
We are all different and repsond in our own ways, but these generally work for me.
Best wishes.
Namaste|
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