Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
STATINS HAVE LEFT ME IN AGONY
Q A few weeks ago, a health check showed I had high cholesterol, so I started on statins. Ever since, I’ve had terrible cramps in my legs at night. I know you shouldn’t, but I have looked on the internet and it seems this is a side effect of statins. Does this improve over time?
A I usually encourage patients to persevere for a few weeks if they can but if after a few weeks someone is still experiencing muscle pain I usually try a lower dose or a different statin. If you are still struggling, there is a different cholesterol-lowering drug called ezetimibe, which works in a different way and isn’t associated with muscle pain.
Help! She has low blood pressure
Q Our daughter has a tendency to faint. She has been to see her GP, who has done various tests. They are all normal, but they say her blood pressure is quite low. They told her to wriggle her feet before standing up and to sit on the bed and do the same before getting up in the morning, but they haven’t given her anything to bring the blood pressure up. Should I ask for a second opinion?
A Low blood pressure is common in young women. While we have a whole armoury of drugs to help bring blood pressure down, the only ones we use to bring blood pressure up are used intravenously in an intensive care setting. Her blood pressure will increase naturally as she gets older.
COULD IT BE PTSD SEVERAL YEARS LATER?
Q My husband retired from the Army last year after three tours in Afghanistan. He has never spoken about his experiences, but seemed to cope really well while he was working. Is it possible to develop post-traumatic stress disorder several years after the event? He has started having frequent nightmares about it and gets angry easily.
A Post-traumatic stress disorder affects around one in three people who have a
