Started Rosuvastatin(10mg) and baby aspirin (81mg) and have problematic side effects. I have preexisting conditions (severe insomnia) and (severe constipation) and one or both drugs have made the constipation unmanageable. Started statin shopping and from what I can see every statin effects one or both of those conditions. I'm at a loss here. Both preexisting conditions I can barely keep in check prior to the statin. I can't afford to have either one effected and I can't afford to have a heart attack. Thought, suggestions, recommendations?
I did not have the constipation when I was taking Simvastatin, but it was a problem when I was switched to Rosuvastatin. So the side effect might be less with another statin. For me, psyllium husk in water, one chewable Miralax a day helps, and also a teaspoon of olive oil in the morning.
Appreciate the reply. From my research thus far every statin I've found either causes constipation or insomnia. I'm hoping someone here knows of one that causes neither. Fingers crossed.
You are ignoring everyone, apparently including your doctor, who tells you that you are taking too much psyllium. Statins causing constipation is at best a very uncommon side effect. The excess psyllium is more likely. If you can get statin working you wonāt need to supplement psyllium.
You clearly can't comprehend what the alternative is. Days without a bowel movement and when I finally do go I will spare you the details of the horror show. My digestive system is dysfunctional. The only one that can help with that is a gastroenterologist. I've been on the waiting list for months. Also worth mentioning is bearing down during constipation cause me heart pain and can easily trigger a heart event. I keep my system moving or else.
Okay. Try this simple home test out to see if you have enough stomach acid. It's a decent test too. I have low stomach acid due to autoimmune gastritis and didn't burp for 15 minutes. I take betaine HCL with pepsin supplements with meals. Game changer!
Ooh wow we found your issue! Hypochlorhydria! Now you have to figure out why! And it could be multiple causes too.
I've actually had two reasons causing the combination of elevated cholesterol and low stomach acid - Hashimoto's thyroiditis and years later high levels of toxic mould in my house. In my case, existing low stomach acid levels from autoimmune gastritis worsened both times. Cholesterol levels back to normal when sorting out both health issues.
This definitely tracks! I suppose it will take a Dr to officially make a diagnosis but this makes a lot of sense. I appreciate you making the effort, thanks. It was about an hour and 15 minutes before I finally burped.
Wow that's a long time! I tried this test years ago. I really should try this test again. My acid levels are lower now. This year I accidentally ran out of my betaine HCL with pepsin supplements and hello SIBO. It took like 6 to 7 weeks to get rid of SIBO after I was restarted my supplement again! Dr Berg has a good video on this. You need stomach acid to kill off bacteria! I already eat intermittent fasting style and have for decades so that's interesting how it helps.
Ya I was pretty surprised myself. The more I think about it the more sense this makes. I often spot undigested, intact vegetables when I inspect my bowel movement. Vegetables should be incredibly easy to digest yet there they are. Thanks again, it's not easy being my own Dr. I might never have figured this out without your help.
I love Dr. Berg. Thorough, easy to understand explanations and interesting, relevant topics. He really is an asset.
psyllium husk, and stay hydrated. Literally one dose of psyllium (e.g. a tablespoon mixed with 8 oz liquid) can make a difference. And, it helps lower LDL even more.
Just be careful with the psyllium. I read it can be tough on the digestive system to suddenly increase fiber, and I have a sensitive gastrointestinal system so when I started taking it I began with a very small amount. I started with one quarter teaspoon in the morning and I increase 1/4tsp every couple of days and am currently up to 1.25tsp in the morning and 1.25tsp in the evening. I plan to stop when I get to 2tsp twice a day.
A serving of psyllium husk is a teaspoon, not a tablespoon. Overdoing it and with insufficient liquid taken with the husk can lead to a literal intestinal blockage and visit to the ER. And, it needs to be titrated, i.e. start with 1/8 tsp, and work your way up to a dose that works for your body (for me, that is 1/2 tsp; more than that, and it creates problems).
I have no problems with a tablespoon of psyllium husk powder. I don't use the husk form. Many people here take that much and more. Perhaps your body has a poor tolerance for it.
Prior to the medication I was already up to 1/2 cup of psyllium husk a day as well as 1/2 cup of chia seeds per day with 3L water and 4 sennocote despite my doctor saying that's too much and I was still constipated. At this point my digestive system has stopped all together.
You are literally wrecking your digestive system with that much fiber, OP. Youāre constipated because of it. And your body is speaking to you by pausing your digestion.
There are other ways to deal with constipation besides these really really too high levels of fiber. Folks are right that you should rethink the plan. An rousuvastatin hasnt affected poop or my sleep.
You may have to reset your GI tract. That'll take several weeks to months. How much fiber are you getting from non-psyllium sources such as fruit, legumes, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, hulled barley etc? I'd cut back the psyllium and layer those other options in.
It depends on the day. I've tried different approaches. At one point it was a lot. I was eating steamed broccoli and rice with kidney beans twice a day and still constipated. The Dr. said I needed to add soluble fiber so that's what I did. I started small with no results and added until I got to a place that worked.
The problem is I'm stuck where I'm at. I will spare you the gory details of what happens after a couple of days of not going. One other significant concern is the risk of a cardiac event on the toilet from bearing down. I have a referral to a GI specialist but the waiting list is very long.
Unfortunately I haven't because I can't afford it but since my diagnosis I have switched to a very low saturated fats diet which is mostly veggies and grains with very little meat. It hasn't helped. I've been on a waiting list to see a gastroenterology for months and I have no idea when I may be getting an appointment.
When my wife was having various digestive issues, the dietician put her on a FODMAP diet, as well as suggesting a probiotic. I'm no doctor, and a hundred different things can be wrong, but one of the simplest causes is a food allergy. My wife has things that trigger digestive problems: chocolate, garlic, too much fiber. FODMAP starts with a simple low-fiber diet, and puts a bunch of things on the no-go list. Some fruits and veggies are good, others are not. Dairy can be problematic. Anyway, you can look it up and decide if you want to give it a try. Even a week's time is enough to see progress if it really does apply to you.
Ya it's hell on earth. I've managed to get a decent grip on it if I jump thru a dozen hoops relating to sleep hygiene ect. Great suggestion. I take a mix of gaba L theanine and magnesium with reasonable results. I used to take melatonin as well but I discovered a number of reasons to cease taking it. Appreciate you comment. :)
Please contact your doctor and ask about tweaking your dose of rosuva, switching to atorva (minimum dose), adding zetia, or other non-statin agents. You have some options!
You might need to switch doctors or get a referral to cardiology for a more personalized approach. Be sure to ask for a preventive cardiologist as they are more knowledgable about how to tweak medications etc.
Also ich hab Rosuvastatin, Atorvastatin und Lovastatin eingenommen und bei allen dreien hab ich schwere Verstopfung und Schlafstƶrungen bekommen. Nach dem Absetzen der Staine sind diese Nebenwirkungen alle wieder komplett verschwunden. Nun versuche ich an den PSCk9 - Hemmer Leqvio heran zukommen.
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u/Ok_Huckleberry6820 3d ago
I did not have the constipation when I was taking Simvastatin, but it was a problem when I was switched to Rosuvastatin. So the side effect might be less with another statin. For me, psyllium husk in water, one chewable Miralax a day helps, and also a teaspoon of olive oil in the morning.