Hi Catherine,

Thank you for posting, the moderators have asked the nurses to answer your questions.

I agree with Max56 that speaking to your husband’s specialist doctor is a good idea as they do like to know of any changes in medicines being taken. Although the general information on the internet says that the two drugs shouldn’t interact there will be side effects from both. I do not know how these would be likely to affect your husband.

There were some articles published earlier this year about people taking statins who are having treatment for cancer. This did say that in many cases it was beneficial in preventing the cancer returning. However, the research did not say which statins were involved and didn’t discuss which types of treatment the patients had already received. This is an area which needs more research so in itself does not appear to be a reason for someone to start taking statins.

I do not know why your husband has been prescribed statins but do discuss with the doctor before he stops taking them.

Kind regards,

Deborah

Thank you Max56 and Deborah - statins was not what I was expecting!  Up until he was diagnosed with the breast cancer he had been taking Amlodipine, Ramipril and bisoprolol fumarate, as he had a minor heart attack at the end of 2011.  The GP has taken him off the Amlodipine and bisoprolol fumarate, and he is continuing with the Ramipril.  As I said, his cholesterol level has always been below the magical 5, but I'm thinking he needs as much cholesterol as he can possibly get to recover from the surgery.  I'd like to bet he didn't ask the GP why she was prescribing him Atorvastatin.  She is actually a very good GP, down to earth and matter-of-fact, and I don't doubt she would explain.  As you say though, he needs to speak to his cancer care team at the hospital.  Two weeks in to the Tamoxifen, and he seems to be fine, still, so I shall keep my fingers crossed.

I do think it would be a very good idea to chat with your GP as to the changes in hubbie's medication.  As far as I am aware, the three drugs he was on are to treat high blood pressure and I would want to know why these have been reduced.  Also, it does seems strange to prescribe a statin with a cholesterol reading of below 5.  Glad the Tamoxifen all seems fine.  Good luck x

Max56 - sorry for long delay in responding!  He was prescribed Ramipril about nine years ago, as you say for high blood pressure.  He suffered a minor heart attack in 2011, and the hospital put him on the amlodipine and bisoprolol fumarate alongside that, as well as one aspirin per day, and then threw in simvastatin just for good measure, I think!  He suffered dreadful side effects from the latter, though, feeling far more ill than when he was having the heart attack, and stopped taking them.  He's not had any more statins up until now, and when, three months after the heart attack, we both went to see our GP about his progress, he showed us the records from just before the attack, and cholesterol was 4.7, so hadn't been "high" in the first place.  He's seeing his cancer consultant on Thursday this week, and has been primed to ask about the Atorvastatin.

Good luck for Thursday, I hope the consultant can shed some light on it all.  All the best to you both x

Bless you Max56 - I will be writing him a list of questions I want him to ask!!