Statins : significant under reported side effects
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My husband had been on statins for some years and gradually his feet became numb to the point where he could not drive. I am a (retired) medical biochemist and I started to look into the drug and its side effects and discovered that it blocked the formation of cholesterol but also CoQ10 which is essential for muscle activity. We added CoQ10 to his medication without much immediate effect. He then developed gout and searching through the medical literature I found many reported cases of gout in patients on statins. By this time he had developed atrial fibrillation and the cardiologist was very keen to keep him on statins although his cholesterol at this point was 3.5 and he was aged 76. Further searching of the literature found reports of mortality rates of patients over the age of 75 with low cholesterols. Fortunately he had kept records of his cholesterol levels and his symptoms over the years (he is a research engineer by training) and decided to come off the statins. His gout disappeared immediately, the numb feet (peripheral neuropathy) are improving with acupuncture treatment and Vit B6 and his only problem now is recovering from the side effects of Amiodarone which was prescribied for his atrial fibrillation. Ann W3
2 likes, 69 replies
marco ann68675
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I was particularly interested in your mention of peripheral neuropathy as I developed this about 2 years ago and also suffer the dreaded numb feet. So far lots of tests and diagnoses but as yet no treatment. I found a lot of info. on peripheral neuropathy on the Cleveland Clinic website and one of the meds. mentioned as a possible cause was statins. When I discussed this with my consultant she discounted it straight away. In the absence of any treatment so far I will give acupuncture a try and possibly Vit B6.
Thanks again
marco ann68675
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ann68675 marco
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My husband has had very good results from his acupuncture therapist - she describes herself as practising Traditional Acupuncture. I hope you can find a good one locally - https://www.acupuncture.org.uk/ might be a good place to start.
The vit B he uses is Vit B Complex which is a mixture of all the B vitamins. This was recommended by the neurologist he went to see but who said he could not help until my husband got much worse!!!
Good luck!
derek76 marco
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usch ann68675
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derek76 usch
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usch derek76
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derek76 usch
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With the internet you can find anyone. I even found the direct line number for the BT Chairman but did not get beyond his PA. I once proved to the Halifax that they had ovecharged my mortgage interest one year and to my ISA provider that their way of calculating interest on Free Cash had been wrong. They actually repaid all people affected.
alzheimer ann68675
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I truly believe that nobody fully realises how awful the side-effects of these statins really are...until they are faced with sometimes progressive and irreversible symptoms.
I have a very good friend who has peripheral neuropathy such as you describe and she is in agony especially at night - so I am very interested therefore in your acupuncture treatment.
She already takes vitamin B6 and Ubiquinol the refined form (which is suppose the more accessible to the system) of Coenzyme Q 10. She is in actual fact attending the pain clinic and her neurologist again this week as her neuropathy has now extended halfway up her calves despite her stopping the statins six months ago.
In my own instance I have developed "total motor block" as a result of being on statins for just six months - some two years ago believe it or not. My neurologists of course do not want to know about the connection with statins... But my orthopaedic surgeon informs me and I believe him sadly - that my not unknown - but very rare side-effect is both progressive and irreversible and indeed I have just ordered myself a powered mobility chair - so I may continue to "walk" my dogs - something I could do without any problems 3 miles a day before breakfast every day prior to going on the statins. So far around the house I manage - principally because I have a cluttered cottage - LOL - with so much furniture I can hang onto everything as I progress - ever more slowly.!!
I look as though I have the "freezing of gait" syndrome associated with Parkinson's disease but I do NOT have Parkinson's disease - TG. However any medication which has been tried with me has proved totally useless but of course I was warned - when I complained that I was not improving after many weeks of trial - that the success rate is very poor in such cases as mine.
I will be very interested to learn how your husband progresses and sincerely trust that the coenzyme 10 therapy will help him - as well of course as his acupuncture.
Thank you so much for posting..... And one of these days as I am so prone to saying on this forum "Big Pharma" will be held to account - eventually, when it is realised that these statins are seriously dangerous drugs.... with profound side-effects.
EileenH alzheimer
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rob98765 ann68675
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My atrial fibrulation at same time as my bypass but they gave me amiodorone for a short while after my operation to settle my heartbeat and it nearly killed me.
karla_80633 ann68675
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Very interesting. I Wonder what all of us are supposed to do if we have high cholesterol some dangerously High but we can't take cholesterol meds. I'm 55 years old and in great shape but hereditary got in my way . My cholesterol is 2.9 and I cannot take cholesterol medication because of constant pain in my calves at rest and this cause me to not be able to sleep at night. So then I'm up worrying well if I get off cholesterol medication then what do I do just wait for a heart attack or stroke? I tried the red yeast extract and since it had Statin in it even at a small level I had the problem still. I speak for all people that cannot take statins what are we supposed to do just wait and die early?