Forum Topic

Statins and other medication.

I was surprised at how many people seem to be taking statins. And alarmed at the many who self-prescribe medications.  I'd rather leave it to GPs to prescribe rather than myself.  I've just read the many opinions on statins on the Chiswick Forum and the self-prescribing being done there.  Each to their own I guess.

Gerry Tan ● 4232d5 Comments

Same here, Fred. They just keep moving the goalposts, like those damn badgers. Luckily, my sensible GP is perfectly happy with a reading of 5.

Susan Kelly ● 4229d

I think GPs get paid extra for each preventative action they take so the more people they sign up for these measures is in their own interests.Of course some people do actually need these treatments but others possibly don't.  I try and avoid all medication unless really necessary and then I'd want it reviewed every 12 months - I have friends taking huge quantities of pills on a daily basis and do wonder if they need them all or if their initial pills have just been added to with no one checking that some of the old ones could be stopped.

Trudie Fuller ● 4229d

When I was first prescribed statins the target was to get blood cholesterol levels down to below 5. Now my GP has set the target to <4 and doubled the dose.

Fred Hunt ● 4232d

I'm not surprised. Everyone I know over fifty is on statins and/or BP medication. I'm never sure whether to commend the NHS for its preventative stance or worry about the widescale medicalisation of people who aren't actually ill.The statins available over the counter are a very low dose and quite expensive. I wouldn't take them unless advised by a doctor and prescribed them.

Susan Kelly ● 4232d

A friend who retired from General Practice a few years ago is now busier than ever 'ministering' to the 'Worried Well' of Chiswick who are happy to pay to see someone who will confirm that their tiny 'I've had it for two days', sniffle is not Ebola or something even worse.Self prescribing and self-diagnosis via the internet has become the bane of modern medicine.

Nigel Brooks ● 4232d