Please spread the word about Statins.

[harley2ride]

I can't stress how important it is for everyone who visits this site, to refer anyone and everyone who has had any side effects from any statin drug, to post their story here. The drug companies keep saying that these side effects are extrememly rare. Our of 10 people I have talked to who have been on statins, at least 1/2 experienced severe side effects. Of that 1/2, most got better after stopping, but a few, like myself, did not. The drug companies will never admit to the facts, until we can prove them wrong. The only way of doing that, is to show numbers. Each and every person who posts their statin story (both good and bad), will help show the true numbers of people who are perminently and seriously affected by these drugs. For the past few years, attorneys would only go after the drug companies if the injury resulted in death, or the person was dying. In my case, with mitochondrial myopathy, I do have a death warrent. It's just that nobody can tell me how long it will take. It might be 1 year, it might be 20 years, but either way, I'm already on the sucking end as far as quality of life. And it will only get worse. We need to inform everyone we know, friends, family, co-workers, that if they know of anyone who has taken statins, they need to come here and read up, and post their experiences (again, both good and bad). So far, out of the 10 I know of, only 1 person has had a good experience. For me, 1 in 10 is not good odds. The drug companies state that the side effects are only seen in 2 to 7 percent of the people. That sure isn't what I'm finding, and I'm sure that if each and every person here checks around, they will find similar results. I personally don't think they should allow any drug on the market which results in side effects which can not be cured. So please, talk to people, and encourage them to visit this site and leave their comments or tell their story. The life you save may be someone close to you. Your family, children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces.

[tex62]

My experience has been similar to yours. Most of the people I know who have taken statin drugs have had some type of side effect that has caused them to stop taking the drug. Most describe the health issue that developed after taking statins as the most serious health problem they have ever faced. I thought my husband’s side effects were much more severe than mine; however, our doctor submitted an adverse reaction report to Merck (maker of Zocor) regarding my problem – difficulty breathing, but didn’t report the multitude of problems he had. To my knowledge, of nine other people that I know who’ve had serious side effects, mine is the only one that was reported as an adverse drug event. As long as events are not reported, the drug companies continue to report that very few people have side effects. I agree that it is very important for people to submit posts describing their experience with statin drugs. Many people research the drugs their doctors have advised them to take, before taking them. The more posts that sites like this one have from people who’ve taken the drugs, the more likely people are to stumble across this and other sites, and make informed decisions.

[bunnylady]

I'm spreading it to everyone I talk to- nail salons, hair salons- car wash

in fact I met a lady just coming off of chemo for cancer and they put her on LIPITOR- the dreaded drug- I told her my symtoms and I said to really research it before she did that to herself- with all the pain she's had she sure doesn't need that- they cure you one thing and slowly kill you with statins

I'd like to walk into a VIP's office of the all the manufactures of Lipitor, restor and so on, and put him in an old fashioned vise around his neck and wrists- and write killer on his shirt! Just fantasizing!!
Phew its makes me mad

[CatMom]

I have printed out a lot I have read here and on other sights that I am taking to work with me to pass around. Several people I work with have high cholesterol and their doctors are threatening to put them on Lipitor if they can't get it down.. What I have learned here will get it down naturally!

My daughter said her father in law has refused to take the first one even though the doctor wants him on it. She said he takes some kind of powder to keep his down. I also have a friend that was on it and it gave him heart attack symptoms as soon as he started on it so he refuses to take it anymore.

I am spreading the word to everyone I know and will continue to. I know what I have been through and if we can save 1 person each, that is one more we can keep from suffering.

[bunnylady]

ww.fda.gov/medwatch/

[gardeneyes]

My husband has been having so many problems since his 2 months on statin drugs. I sent an e-mail to most of our friends and have been telling others his experience to hopefully keep them from having the side effects he has had. He is so frustrated with the continuing problems and lack of help by the doctors. His biggest frustration is his digestive problems. Has anyone had success with any supplements for slow digestion?

[harley2ride]

Just saw a new doctor Friday (07/07/06) at the Elks Rehab Hospital. He is a muscular specialist. Even without current biopsy results in hand, he is certain that I have Mitochondrial Myopathy. According to him, some people have a dna marker (mitochondria), and the Statin drug supercharged the existing problem (which likely wouldn't have had any adverse effects on me until I hit my 70's), and there isn't anything that they can do. Only good thing is that he is bringing me into the Muscular Distrophy Assn, and they are going to start paying any of my medical which isn't covered under insurance. He is also having me add to my CoQ10 and L-Carnitine, Creatine, and NADH. Some of you other folks who just keep getting worse, could possibly be in the same boat. The new doctor is going to contact my other doctors, and try to get them to quit promoting any Statin drugs. He also told me that all of my brothers more than likely have the same propensity for statins to do the same thing to them. He also said I can't pass this on to my kids. The trait apparently comes from your mother. Keep trying to see different specialists, until you find one that can figure you out. I had to go through 4 different specialists before they could solve the whole puzzle. Now for the bad news, this is extremely difficult to get disability for. Even though it is guaranteed that I will get worse, and that the more I use my muscles, the faster I lose them, and that there is absolutely no stopping or curing this, Social Security makes it very difficult to get disability for this. Even though I need four days of rest for every day I work in order to slow the progression of this, SSA still looks at it as you ARE able to work one day... Maybe this will depress me enough that I can collect SSA for that? They do cover depression!

[Esmeralda]

I live in a town of approximately 20,000 people. I am amazed at the number of people who have developed some sort of side effect to the statin drug. Some have switched statin drugs, only to have the same symptoms re-occur. Others have taken themselves off the drug. I am spreading the word. Even my husband, the pharmacist, stopped his Lipitor and is now taking the combination recommended by Dr. Graveline. :D

[sos_group_owner]

Re: Several people I work with have high cholesterol and their doctors are
threatening to put them on Lipitor if they can't get it down.. What I have
learned here will get it down naturally!

Hi CatMom,

Getting cholesterol down 'naturally' is what our doctors want, but
not the objective. Controlling inflammation (homocysteine) is the
primary concern.

It's not elevated LDL cholesterol, but oxidized LDL (caused by elevated
homocysteine) that is the problem. And low HDL is caused by a diet
low in saturated fat. Elevated triglycerides (and Type II Diabetes) are
caused by a high carb diet.

Eat a 'heathy' diet...
(not the low fat - low cholesterol diet recommended by AHA)
A diet that contains fresh fruits/vegetables, healthy saturated fats and
oils (butter and coconut oil), whole grains, eggs (omega 3), variety of
meats, including beef (L-Carnitine), chicken, fish (salmon, mackerel,
etc - contain beneficial omega 3), etc.

And avoiding the "white foods": sugar (the biggest offender), bread,
potato, rice, pasta. Pasta is probably the least likely to cause high
triglycerides and elevated blood sugar levels.

Fran