Role of statins in treating (?cancer) cachexia

Can the nurses shed any light on the role of statins in treating cancer cachexia please? (Cholesterol and blood pressure are normal, male age 60+) Statins are what have now been offered, but I'm a bit puzzled as to how they can treat cachexia. (Would have thought the opposite likely to be true.)

  • Hello and thank you for posting again.

    There has been some research in the field of cachexia, trying to understand it better and how to manage it, with different medications and interventions suggested. I've placed here a link to cachexia from our own pages, but do remember this is with a focus towards cancer patients.

    The best person to talk to is of course your friends GP, to ask how they feel this medicine will help. It is probably important to understand the reason for your friend's cachexia, as there may be different ways to support them dependent on the reason. Do speak if you are able to with the doctor to get a better understanding of the situation.

    It can be incredibly stressful caring for someone. I hope you have someone to support you through all of this. If you feel you would like to talk any of this out with someone separate from what you are going through then do give our nurses on the helpline a call. The number is Freephone 0808 800 4040, 9am till 5pm, Monday to Friday (not bank holidays).

    Sarah.

  • Thank you Sarah.

    My friend has decided he doesn't want the recommended medication. He seems very confused by everything and said his face-to-face appointment didn't go well with the doctor seeming "ill-prepared". It appears there may be an additional new complication of a high QRISK. When I managed to get sight of the figures, I finally discovered he told me things wrong with the blood pressure being high. He thinks the statins will make him sick and since he's got chronic nausea and diarrohea I'm not going to push this further. It's a nightmare situation. Am just going to take things a day at a time and keep him calm as possible.

    Kind regards,

    Rose

     

  • I’ve tried to get anamorelin for cachexia and apparently it’s not licensed in the uk. I don’t know where I can get it

  • Hello and thanks for your post,

    As you rightly say you are unable to get anamorelin in this country. You can read more about this drug on our website here

    I would talk to your doctor or specialist to see if there is something else that you can take instead. It is difficult without being involved in your care to give an opinion about why you are taking this drug. 

     You may find it more helpful for you to give us a ring to speak to one of the nurses on the helpline.

    Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

    All the best,

    Catherine