Comments on: Statin disaster

By: Baits

Baits — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:33:42 +0000

Don’t take it!!!!!!!!!!!! My husband is ruined and it has been 3 years in severe pain. He was started on it after a spinal surgery.His mitochondria is messed up now. Hasn’t worked for three years.

By: mreades

mreades — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:14:19 +0000

A good quality, whole food, low-carb diet would be my major suggestion.

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:55:38 +0000

Hi all. I’m in the UK and have just been prescribed 40mg Simvastatin following cholesterol test result two weeks ago of 6.7. I have to say that I was a bit surprised that it was this high since i have a good diet. Perhaps it’s hereditary?Anyway, a little background; I am a 54 year old male non-smoker who enjoys a few beers. I am 6 foot and weigh 15stone. In December 2010 I underwent a 7 hour open heart surgery to repair a leaking mitral valve. The operation was successful and I have made a complete recovery. Went back to the gym properly in September 2010 and go 3-4 times a week. Cycle 15 miles a week and play golf. My heart surgery was to correct a mechanical fault and was not in anyway related to CAD. In fact as a test of completeness prior to surgery they did a coronary angigram to establish the state of my arteries etc since they would have carried out bypass grafts whilst they had my chest open if they needed to; they didn’t because everything was fine apart from a very leaky mitral valve!.
I am not going to take the prescribed statins. Simarvartin is the cheapest statin on the market and they start everyone on this brand in the certain knowledge that 75% of patients will come off it as the side affects are so bad. My wife is a practice nurse in a GP surgery and reckons that loads of people are now refusing statins. I just don’t want to ruin my lifestyle which is relatively healthy by taking a drug that could reduce me to a wreck of a man. I am not going to ignore the fact that I have high cholesterol either. Instead I am now taking fish oil tablets plus a heart vitamin and my wife has completely changed my diet. I will get re-tested in 3 months.and report back!
Ramble over! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:37:30 +0000

I have been taking zocor or a generic form of it for about 2 years, along with BP meds. My heart tests have been normal, even a recent halter monitor when I had anxiety and other stress related (I thought) problems (like racing heartbeat in middle of night, etc). I thought I was having a heart attack because of racing heartbeat, total exhaustion, and pain in my left upper arm. All tests normal, at ER and then at doctor’s office (including holter testing). Pain in my upper arm was getting worse, my left eye was droopy, memory lapses, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, doctor said it was unclear, ordered an EMG. I drew the line at a costly test that means putting a huge needle in my arm while I have to sit still for about an hour to determine that there is nothing neurologically wrong with me.

Am in contact with lawyers now regarding Zocor, since going off of it, all of my symptoms are going away. Slowly, but surely.

By: Bob K

Bob K — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:48:04 +0000

I have been on zocor 20 mg. for two years. My colesterol was 240 now its 175. My only heart risk is high cholesterol, blood pressure is low, heart is good.

I have had my Galbladder out recently (10/11), due to “cholesterol” polyps. I feel like crap. I excersize all the time. I really think Zocor scewed up my galbladder by taking cholesterol from my blood and redistributing it to my Galbladder.
I want to get the hell off Zocor without killing myself.

Since I have had my Galbladder out I now have “gastric dumping”. My PA is a jackass.

By: cashncon

cashncon — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:01:08 +0000

I read these last few posts and had an Aha moment!!!! My blood sugar also went crazy after only a month on Crestor!!! I never chalked it up to the drug though . I did kinda suspect but now that I see others – I have my proof. I cam back border line . I am 5’4 and 130 lbs and excersise at leat 60 mins 5 – 6 times a week . so it never made sense. Anyway’s I am no back to normal . Still have a few memory issues . But all in all feeling wayyyy better . But then again this is the best I have felt in 3 yr’s. so was a long haul.

By: Doug

Doug — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:58:09 +0000

I read your comment with some horrible memories. I am the person about whom this original article was written.

I still to this day have remnant issues with cognition and memory although not to the extent that I had on the statin. You mentioned blood sugar, well blood sugar is what started the run down the rabbit hole and today, on nothing, my blood sugar and cholesterol are perfect.

My case is the perfect example of the prescribe/ symptom maze where the doctors try to fix what one drug caused with another drug.

I wish your husband all the best and my hat is off to you for saving his life.

Doug

By: Teresa B

Teresa B — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:14:00 +0000

My husband is 73 years old non smoker exercises at gym 4-5 times a week health consious. Has been on Lovastatin for 2 years then had high blood sugar and was told to take Metformin. A month ago he came home from the gym and said he thought he was coming down with the flu or something and three days later he was in the ER with memory loss, decided limp on one side, muscle weakness.
All tests precluded stroke so I refused to let them give him Lovastatin and ask that he be given oxygen. Three days later he regained his memory and some strength. He had a spinal tap, ultrasounds of the carotid artery, EEG, EKG and they totally found nothing. Now a few weeks later he is better than ever and libido is back and that scary statin shuffle is gone.
He will never take another statin and was able to get off the metformin also as his blood sugar is back to normal.
I say that to say this: if you have a loved one in nursing care who cannot remember your name or his or hers and
has severe muscle degeneration they put it down to
dementia or senility I beg you to have them take off the statin drugs to see if that is the issue. I have nightmares about how many people are sitting in rest homes or assisted care facilities that do not need to be there.
Had I not been fighting the Doctors (who refused to state any other theory at all) I shudder to think where my husband would be now.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:02:04 +0000

My doctor told me that I have very high cholesterol and prescribed me Lipitor. He told me that it is a completely safe drug and there is over 25 years of intense scientific study proving that statins are 100% safe and save lives. I trust and believe everything, with all my heart, what my doctor tells me, because he’s highly educated and trained to know these things. I’ve been on Lipitor for 2 weeks and I feel it’s going to do good for me. My doctor also told me to consume salt free foods, no butter, no eggs, absolutely no alcohol, no saturated fats and avoid red meat at all costs. My doctor assures me that Lipitor and a healthy diet will prevent me from having a stroke or heart attack; I’m so greatful for such a good, caring doctor.

By: Londa

Londa — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 19:56:29 +0000

Are there side effects to going OFF statins? I recently stopped taking my simvastatin as I really don’t see the point, being female… And I’ve had some minor muscle aches. Just curious. I did notice a mild loss of memory & “losing words” problem on the statin, which I was atrributing to being nearly 55 y/o, but now I am going to see if that gets better, off this drug.