Statins

[Bazile]

Was there a recent report in the papers about statins - a few weeks ago ?

If so , what was the gist of it ?

[Clanad]

This was news about the time frame you reference, at least here in the U.S.:

http://www.medicalnew...m/articles/189551.php

[jno]

grand news, Clanad... mind you, I picked up some sleeping pills from the pharmacy the other day and the pharmacist kindly warned me they could cause drowsiness. So nothing is safe.

[Clanad]

Who'd a thought it, jno? Will the mysteries never end?

[BIGDOGY]

Been taking statins daily for 15 years. No problems.

[boxtops]

I'm on a statin but I have liver function tests every six months when they measure my cholesterol level, so hopefully not to experience the same as tonyted...

[Bazile]

Thanks

If you are taking statins , do you stop, do you ignore the research and carry on taking it - what a dilemma

I know all medication has side effects - but these side effects are major

[David90]

Try a google search on "stains did your doctor tell you". After reading this I stopped taking simvastatin and have felt better ever since.

[grasscarp]

My husband was on Lipitor, and displaying some of the side effects such as myopathy and he also had pains in his legs, and always very tired by midday. He stopped taking them and is already feeling better after about a week off it.

[Sqad]

If you have a family history of heart disease.
If you are under 65 and have a total cholesterol of above 7

Then I would take statins.

The side effects of statins far out way the advantages to those outside of the group that I have highlighted.

In my opinion.

[Bazile]

Sqad

If you had a hole in the heart which has been closed ( put on statins after op ) . Is it recomended to remain taking statins

[askyourgran]

I've been taking statins for 15 years or so, I've tried several types because of the aches and pains I had while taking them. I'm on Ezetimbe (Ezetrol) now and there has been no noticible side effects so far.

[Sqad]

Brazile......take the instructions of your cardiologist.

My opinion?....following post cardiac surgery, statins do indeed reduce post operative complications e.g irregular heart beat. Long term statins would be in my opinion advantageous in your particular case.

[grasscarp]

Unfortunately, there are rare but troublesome side effects of statins, ranging from mild muscle weakness to life-threatening rhabdomyolysis. Scientists have recently reported that they may have found the gene responsible for this -- atrogin-1.
Previous studies have shown that the gene atrogin-1 is turned on at the beginning stages of the breakdown of muscle (muscle wasting).
Scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts felt that atrogin-1 might also play a role in the development of myopathies in those taking statins. To test this, the investigators gave a statin, Mevacor (lovastatin), to cultured muscle cells, zebra fish, and humans. They found that humans taking Mevacor had higher levels of atrogin-1 than those not taking the drug. The more Mevacor given to the cells and zebra fish, the more likely it was that muscle damage would occur. When atrogin-1 was removed from the cells, the drug did not cause muscle damage.
This information is preliminary, but it provides us an understanding of what may be causing muscle pain in statin users, and why some individuals taking statins may be more susceptible to this than others. In the future, this may allow your health care provider to identify if you are at risk for statin-related myopathies, ranging from mild muscle pain to life-threatening rhabdomyolysis.

[boxtops]

It was recommended to me that I take a CQ10 supplement as this can help with muscle problems. I must admit that I have been on 40mg simvastatin for the last twelve months and have had no side-effects at all.

[RTFishall]

At the age of 62 after taking Statins for 8 years I stopped taking them as I was feeling weaker with less energy month by month and was convinced it was caused by the drug. My doctor did not seem to be very interested (no change there!) and now three years later and older, I feel fitter and stronger. My cholesterol level is now 5.1 after cutting down, but not giving up, on beef, fat and eggs.
I still enjoy an occasional steak, fish & chips and a fried egg. The only problem is affording a steak on a pension! ;)

[grasscarp]

Well done RT for working out what was wrong and taking back control of your body from the doctor. I once read that the health profession treat us as if our bodies are on a short lease from the General Medical Commission.