I'm glad you made the right decision for yourself and are feeling better. Everyone reacts so differently to medications. I guess it all depends on the dosage and other meds and possible side effects.
For my own father, statins were very hard on him. He suffered from muscle weakness and loss of appetite.
I am amazed at how much better I feel after getting off statins. My balance is bad and I hope I can get it back, as well. I took statins because my cholesterol shot up after becoming hypothyroid. I was put on statins and stayed on because my mom had a massive stroke and survived a paraplegic and suffered from vascular dementia. She lived that way for 6 years. But my risk is actually very low. So, I am glad I went off. Everyone has to decide for themselves.
Dagnabbit! I got caught up again in reading through responses that are years old! I hate when that happens. I try to check the date on each thread but obviously I missed this one.
If you have something new to say about an old topic, please start a new thread.
There are reports that statins contribute to development of Type 2 Diabetes, along with all the leg cramps, mental fog etc. I quit taking them recently and looking forward to my labs next month.
Brandywine1949, I read Dr. Whitaker's statin info too and I was recently told to take a statin by a young doc and when I told him it is poison, he denied but said he would not do cholesterol test since I would not take a med anyway! I avoid doctors like the plague and remember we never went to doctors as kids. Too bad this society is so hung up on doctors and pharma.
My LO was on statins after a stroke in 2012. The patient chews pills and most statins were too big to tolerate. Crestor was the smallest, but since it was bitter. The patient would not take it. The patient is and did alright without it for past 4.5 years after the stroke.
Father was on minimum dose (20 mg) of atorvastatin after his stroke to minimize clotting. After several years, he became lethargic and doctor took him off. I think he became a little sharper and more energetic. At least temporarily.
My mom was on simvastatin and I read that there could be a connection with memory loss and statins. I requested that she be taken off for a trial. We noted no difference at all except her cholesterol started creeping up despite being on a low fat/cholesterol diet. Needless to say we put her back on simvastatin and noticed no worsening of her dementia, but her cholesterol numbers are great now. I'm guessing these results vary from person to person. My mom has vascular dementia and COPD.
I have a cousin a couple of years younger that I who had a heart attack in 2001, just about when I did. The last time I saw him he was forgetting things and getting lost, and I asked him what meds he was on. He said his dr told him that he would die without the statins. Well..he passed away a year or so ago, and I am still active and working without meds.
I was on different statins for years when I began to start having pains when I moved! I thought it was just aging pains...in my early 60's! When it got to where I could barely get out of bed, I decided it was the statins. My pain went away! My doctor and Cardiologist had fits! My Cardiologist tried his best to find something I could tolerate! They will never get me to take them again! And now that I have read all of these answers, I'm becoming concerned about my Mom who is in AL, with dementia! I'm thinking she needs to be OFF the statins!
My mother passed away recently, having been off statins for two years. I have no doubt that her precipitous mental decline was due to the several statin drugs that she had taken over time. While on a statin and with much lowered cholesterol, she had another heart attack and when the %$#@! cardiologist added yet ANOTHER statin to her regimen I said ENOUGH without bothering to consult Dr. Drug Pusher! She was a month short of her 96th birthday when a fall resulting in a broken hip sent her to the hospital. The operation was a success, but the patient died (two weeks later) from hospital infections. Although she still knew who my brothers and I were, she was conversing with people on the other side of the veil for the previous half year, so it's comforting to know she has been reunited with them.
A neighbor told me of two men he knows who had been taking statin drugs and ended up having to take steroids because of it. I don't know what the statins caused that required steroid therapy, but this is more indication of statin toxicity. Funny (not!) how many people are languishing in prison for possession of a baggie of mary jane, but Big Pharma can poison an entire population and rake in the profits!
My dad (Parkinsons) took statins as they were rxed by the dr. He got SO much worse immediately on them. Already being stiff due to the Parkinsons, he was immobile after adding a statin. After much family discussion, they were dropped. I had taken Lipitor and had horrible s/e so just on my own, upped the exercise and watched my diet. Dropped my #'s and the dr said "See? I told you that statins worked--" well, I had to fess up that I had not taken them except for the first week. My "new" dr is a numbers person and is ALL about the numbers, thinking that "good ones" relate directly to a healthier patient...yes and no. Mother takes Crestor, and b/c of her overall poor health and mobility, it's really impossible to tell if it helps her or not, since she takes so many other drugs, But in dad's case, dropping the Lipitor did give him back a measure of mobility that he had really missed. That statin "stiffness" is really, really miserable.
Some doctors are convinced that statins are totally necessary to prevent heart problems, and tell patients they will die without them. I've refused to see two doctors at Kaiser who are statin pushers.
Rocket, thank you so much for this article, I read the full PDF after seeing your post UNBELIEVABLE but someone is finally looking into these drugs and were able to get published, It's a step forward in proving what horrible side effects the statins have that have been covered up for so long.
My husband has been taking statins for years. It has messed up his brain, big time. I have tried to get him off them but he won't. His doc says its something else. I am certain that if he quit the statin drug he would be better.
"Natural Health News Briefs: September 29, 2015 0 BY ANH-USA ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 UNCATEGORIZED Statins Age You Faster?—New Study
A recently published study in the American Journal of Physiology has shown that statins—anti-cholesterol drugs—are disrupting our stem cells.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to create different kinds of cells (such as skin, muscle, or bone cells). They are central to the body’s ability to heal itself and also seem to be involved in the body’s aging process.
Dr. Reza Izadpanah, a stem cell biologist at Tulane and the lead author of the study, was quoted as saying,
Our study shows statins may speed up the aging process. People who use statins as a preventive medicine for heath should think again, as our research shows they may have general unwanted effects on the body which could include muscle pain, nerve problems, and joint problems [as well].
Even after a only a few weeks on statins, many patients begin feeling years older. Patients experience memory loss, muscle pain, diabetes, cataracts, liver dysfunction, diabetes, and fatigue.
Despite the long laundry list of negative side effects that have been linked to statin use, they are one of the most widely prescribed drugs in existence: one in four Americans are on this medication."
I posted above in July, update husband is still as human as can be except his brain was fried on statins he's still late stage 6 but no other symptoms that you normally see in AD patients.
Yes, from what I've read, red rice yeast is the source of lovastatin (Mevacor). AFter my bad experience with Mevacor, I wouldn't take it. (and of course, being a "natural" supplement, there is no generally agreed formula for what is sold.) In general, statins are more trouble than they're worth, particularly for older people who do better with higher cholestrol. Personally, I did notice a clearing of brain fog when I got off of Mevacor some years ago, and I suspect that there are still some side effects.
1. My best friend has high cholesterol. Hers started when she was in her 50s and she is thin as a rail. I don't think weight has anything to do with it. 2. Studies have shown that eating an egg every other day will help keep cholesterol down. - Go figgure? 3. Red rice yeast works. My cousin used it, but a friend of mine was told that if she had a reaction to statins, that it could be a problem because the statins are made from a derivative of red rice yeast. I don't know if this is true or not.
Lipitor used to be the worst but now it's Crestor. It caused peripheral neuropathy in my legs - no cure and it didn't get better when I quit taking it. It also caused damage to my memory and to the language processing center in my brain. Insidious stuff, statins. NEVER take them!
I should be on something but refused and thats before the info coming out. Lipitor is the worst and surprised they still prescribe it. Now they are saying it causes type 2 diabetes.
YES, husband has AFib, Dr said he needed Lipitor to help with that he did not have any cholesterol problems. I noticed after a couple of months his memory was going downhill, I addressed this to PC Dr, to test we stopped it cold for three weeks guess what the memory loss was gone, back to heart Dr who scared us to death with the not taking this med, it's the best on the market etc. Now he is mid six Alzheimer's but can read books, articles, articulate, groom and do most everything on his own or with simple guidance and suggestions, but his mind is wiped. I stopped takings them two years ago, stop his two years also, without Drs permission. The statins need to have a black skull and crossbones on the bottle, it's evil, strictly a big money maker. If you have some time there's a documentary online called Cancer: The Forbidden Cures, it runs over an hour and will open your eyes to what is happening to us - being used as puppets by the Pharmaceutical Companies, I found it via a link on you tube.
my mother is 84 and supposedly they check her bp early in the morning and late in the evening when i am not there, i did ask and I asked what the bp was. she was admitted because of the seizure. I am sooo glad this came up,because the drs dd act like we were just uninformed backward folks for refusing Lipitor. thank you and thank you Veronica.
I agree that statins are very bad. My husband started to take them in the 90"s and it made him have a dementia like problem. I read what Julian Whitaker, MD said about them and wanted to hubbs to stop them but he wouldn't. Now hubby has lots of brain problems and left me with many painful memories. Nearly ruined our marriage.
I'm glad you made the right decision for yourself and are feeling better. Everyone reacts so differently to medications. I guess it all depends on the dosage and other meds and possible side effects.
For my own father, statins were very hard on him. He suffered from muscle weakness and loss of appetite.
I hope everyone can find the right balance.
If you have something new to say about an old topic, please start a new thread.
And now that I have read all of these answers, I'm becoming concerned about my Mom who is in AL, with dementia! I'm thinking she needs to be OFF the statins!
A neighbor told me of two men he knows who had been taking statin drugs and ended up having to take steroids because of it. I don't know what the statins caused that required steroid therapy, but this is more indication of statin toxicity. Funny (not!) how many people are languishing in prison for possession of a baggie of mary jane, but Big Pharma can poison an entire population and rake in the profits!
"Natural Health News Briefs: September 29, 2015 0
BY ANH-USA ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 UNCATEGORIZED
Statins Age You Faster?—New Study
A recently published study in the American Journal of Physiology has shown that statins—anti-cholesterol drugs—are disrupting our stem cells.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to create different kinds of cells (such as skin, muscle, or bone cells). They are central to the body’s ability to heal itself and also seem to be involved in the body’s aging process.
Dr. Reza Izadpanah, a stem cell biologist at Tulane and the lead author of the study, was quoted as saying,
Our study shows statins may speed up the aging process. People who use statins as a preventive medicine for heath should think again, as our research shows they may have general unwanted effects on the body which could include muscle pain, nerve problems, and joint problems [as well].
Even after a only a few weeks on statins, many patients begin feeling years older. Patients experience memory loss, muscle pain, diabetes, cataracts, liver dysfunction, diabetes, and fatigue.
Despite the long laundry list of negative side effects that have been linked to statin use, they are one of the most widely prescribed drugs in existence: one in four Americans are on this medication."
What else is there to say - stay off these drugs!
2. Studies have shown that eating an egg every other day will help keep cholesterol down. - Go figgure?
3. Red rice yeast works. My cousin used it, but a friend of mine was told that if she had a reaction to statins, that it could be a problem because the statins are made from a derivative of red rice yeast. I don't know if this is true or not.