SIMVASTATIN HELL ?

I noticed a headline in a national newspaper the other day - I didnt read the article I just noticed it on the front page on one of the papers on display at the newagents.  Apparently it was stating that there is now clinical evidence that statins have a direct causal link to type 2 diabetes.  At last an acceptance of something that patients have been raising concerns about and being ignored in the past.

Si - your last line is exactly how I feel - it's awful to say it and probably foolish of me, but I too would rather run the risk of a stroke than a heart attack than be so ill and have other major health damage while taking statins.  Never thought I'd say this but quality of life is now more important to me than length of life. 

I couldn't agree more loxie, quality of life is most impt.. I had terrible side effects from atorvastatin and couldn't function at all while on them. Quit cold turkey and it's taken about 6 weeks before I felt somewhat normal again. Decided to eat much healthier and exercise more and monitor my cholesterol every 3 to 6 months. Statins are definitely not for everyone. I would recommend trying everything you can do to try and stay off them. Sd

My doctor was of the opinion that ALL medication has side effects but the benefits outweigh them.  The damage  I suffered on statins I don't consider falls under just 'side effects' it was life threatening and damaging.  He told me that my diet was good and diet alone couldnt solve my high cholesterol as it was inherited.  Given that my BP is normal, along with my blood sugar, I just have to accept that high cholesterol isnt curable for me unless I take statins, which I have decided I cannot do and will have to risk the consequences.

Seeing as how the jury is still out on whether high cholesterol actually has anything to do with heart problems, I think this decision we both made, to stay off of them even at the risk of raising our potential for problems - which is also super tiny to begin with, in the 2-3% range, I believe - is the best one to make.  WAY too much can go wrong.

My memory problems alone were enough to keep me off of them forever, after 2 years of significant lapses, patchiness, and feeling blah from not being in touch with those nice salacious ones that keep me going - and non-remembering of critical deadlines.  That was enough.  I had had it, and 2 years later I am back to normal, thank God.  Others have not been quite so lucky, you can find more horror stories in other threads here on this site.

It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature.

Hi Allison,

I was on Atorvastatin 20mg for about 5 to 6 months and had severe side effects. I had headaches, brain fog, memory problems, severe irratability, vertigo and couldn't take it anymore. I quit cold turkey about 7 weeks ago and am starting to feel much better now. I have pretty good cholesterol numbers and have decided to eat healthier and exercise. I did cut my dose in half for about 2 weeks before I quit. If he can do without I would, if not try cut in half and also take every other day. My dr said it was ok to do that before I quit all together on my own..

NOBODY WITH NORMAL CHOLESTEROL SHOULD BE PUT ON STATINS.  

To do so is taking risks on something you're acclimating you body to, 24/7, that could be poison to that particular body.

I was on them same way, "just in case".  I can't believe doctors would encourage such behavior in each other.  I had to hear about it thru my chiropractor.  My cadiologist not once talked with me about side effects even when I dropped off copious literature from this site, the FDA site, and other sources reporting how horrendous and permanent some of those side effects are.

Please stop taking them if your cholesterol is normal.  That would be like taking chemotherapy when it is not needed.  It's poison, and we just hope it kills the disease before it kills the patient.  Nobody ever takes chemotherapy for the rest of their life.  That do what they need to do and then leave it behind.

In this case if your cholesterol is normal, there's no reason to be taking them at all, and every reason not to.  Keep surfing this site for more and more evidence.  The reports here of the dangers to one's health from statins seem to be endless.

Thanks for the good advice.

Alison, I've just read further articles, medical papers etc on the subject and the view of the 'experts' is that statins should not really ever be used as a primary treatment, even in the most 'at risk' group, ie middle aged men with a history of heart episodes.  For anyone else, the best advice is really dont touch them with a barge pole.  There is plenty of eminent work categorically linking statin use to type 2 diabetes, arthersclerosis, liver damage, muscle damage ( it is thought to occur because statins activate the gene atrogin-1 gene, which plays a key role in muscle atrophy)  this is in no way a minor side effect or nuisance.  Muscle pain and weakness may be an indication that your body tissues are actually breaking down -- a condition that can cause kidney damage. The ridiculous situation of blanket prescribing of statins to anyone who has even the slightest risk is not just unwise but realistically immoral.  Too low a cholesterol level will cause cognitive function problems, possibly leading to dementia.  Statins have been linked to heart attack issues, particularly but not exclusively in women.  I guess your husband is on other post stroke medication anyhow and the best advice from those on here who have suffered is avoid statins at all costs.

Loxie, I could not agree more:  "The ridiculous situation of blanket prescribing of statins to anyone who has even the slightest risk is not just unwise but realistically immoral."

I have seen reports that prescribing statins is intentionally on the increase and that due to the fantastic profit picture out there with this cheap medication, those who manufacture these medications want to get as many people as possible on them, regardless of whether those people are at risk or not.  Citing side effects as being "nominal and negligible", they are being pushed like candy.  Anyone reading this thread and others on this site and elsewhere knows that nothing could be further from the truth.

 

They can have life altering consequences to those who are reactive to them.  Permanent consequences.  This goes far beyond being immoral!  

Thanks for your share, we are in complete agreement on this.  I believe that prescribing statins when there are little to no risk factors is a criminal act and should be prosecuted.  NOT ADVISING PATIENTS of the potential risks by at least mentioning them and advising people very imperatively that they should read the pamphlet should also be deemed a criminal act, as these are definitely the exception to the rule when it comes to side effects, these are serious not nominal.  When you turn out to be part of the minority - but the still very distinct and prominent number - of those who will react badly (understatement, should be react excoriatingly terribly and dangerously, as in their effects on pushing patients towards diabetes) to them, NOT having been advised by your doctor to be wary of them and their potential side effects will put you in a health situation you didn't know you'd be in.  Possibly permanently, according to many reports I have seen on this site.

With reports like in these threads here on this site, which are true stories, there should be safeguards for us patients.  We believe in our caregivers, and they are not telling it like it is.  They should not be giving out statins like candy, and the pharmaceutical industry should be ashamed of itself.

Hi mrbob84

I totally agree my man is 43 feels like an 80 year he sucidal way pain only in his arm so much so he attending a stroke physiologst. She asked why he went from been so upbeat about taken life differently after first two strokes to now he had a third one he did every thing he meant to and stil had a stroke and on top of it all this horrendous pain in arm. Nothing showing up saying he has any injuries or neuro pain. They know he in pain as he can only use 3/4 of it othe r1/4 is opening up lifting above his shoulder putting it behind his back turning over in bed. Not a frozen shoulder. Pain makes his fingers numb and has pins and needles all time in hand to elbow. Told hm get off the simvistatine. Only reason I can think why they can't diagnose the condition this would t show up. Also pain worse at night after he takes the tablet during day it's sore but not as sore. Hope it can get better if t is this silly tablet he been on it for 6 months in and off as he had bad cramps on high dosage he collapsed way the pain in his legs bit t was all over this pain is one arm.