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Complications with Statins
This may be of use to others taking statin drugs. I had a 5-way CABG in Sep 2015. Shortly after that, my cardiologist prescribed atorvastatin, 10 mg, once per day. My cholesterol numbers were all in the acceptable ranges, and they hadn't changed, and I resisted taking any at all, but I began the regimen. In August 2017, my PCP convinced me I should be on a higher dosage. I did argue against it again because in my post-CABG studies, so many reports, books, etc recommended against almost any at all, but I had had no difficulties with the lower dosage, I deferred to my doctor, and I began to take 40 mg/day. Early in 2018, a number of symptoms became evident: tiredness/fatigue, occasional shortness of breath, occasional lightheadedness, lower and thoracic back pain, itching (mostly from the chest up), frequent headaches (mild), and worst of all, eye difficulties--watery, blurry, darkening of vision, lots of floaters--so much so that reading became uncomfortable and at times difficult. These conditions continued to worsen. I thought about this constantly. I studied my diet, my schedule, my activities, none of which I had changed. I had always taken the drug before bedtime, and it dawned on me finally that since I felt worse in the mornings and better by the end of day, perhaps there was a connection. And since the only change I could see was the statin dosage, I decided to cut it back--at least to 20 mg. And almost immediately, my symptoms lessened. After 4 days, the improvement is dramatic. I almost feel normal again. Furthermore, perhaps rashly, I decided to return to the original 10 mg dosage. I will keep at this for a couple weeks to verify the conclusion, and I will discuss with both my PCP and my cardiologist. But I am convinced, especially with all the literature I've perused, that statins are not for me. I caution all on statins to research this thoroughly. By the way, the higher dosage did lower my cholesterol values, but other vitamin deficiencies are evident in my latest blood panel, and statins may also be the cause of those.
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Hi Peach. Figuring out who/what Institution to trust for any specific health concern is BRUTAL. I did the search for needed heart surgery a few months ago and hit brick walls, obfuscation, and anger when I asked qualifying questions from a number of surgical groups and surgical centers. I was thoroughly rejected by a local hospital, complete with a nssty letter from their attorey who siaaid I was not welcome at their hospital. I have no great answers to give you except to research the US Health News re: specific Institutions like the Mayo Clinic: https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/mn/mayo-clinic-6610451 At the end of my lengthy process, I bet my life with the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota due to the Institution's reputation, not because I was able to get details about any specific suregeons. My damn difficult surgery went well...over 10 hours on the table. BTW, Mayo/Rochester is like a 5 Star Hotel...pretty incredible facilities and talent all over the place...even the food was quite good. I empathize with you regarding your research.
Hi @johnjms,
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Thank you so much for understanding.
Thousands of people have complained of muscle pain, muscle weakness, neuropathy, fatigue and more subsequent to taking a statin drug. Ancecdotally, I'd guess that the most devastating neuromuscular damage has occurred with lipophillic statins rather than hydrophilic. You can look at StatinStories.com for photos of what happened to me (and a number of others) and what I've "lived" with for the past 12 years.
At age 69, I'd recently returned from a couple of months travel in India and Nepal, ending this trip with several weeks trekking in the Himalayan foothills of Annapurna, and I was training to return the next year, perhaps to climb to Everest Base Camp or to trek through the more isolated Mustang Region. My travel was at backpack level--I wanted to and did get to know people, and I'm still in touch with friends from Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand and other countries in SE Asia.
Upon my return, I got fear-bullied into taking a statin drug, though I strongly questioned the need in my case. Though this was in 2011 and I don't think the term was created yet, I described myself and some other people I knew as having the characteristics of what has come to be called "lean mass hyper-responders": super-high HDL, super-low triglycerides, and very high LDL as well. I asked if the excellent triglycerides/HDL ratio hadn't been found to correlate with a greater percentage of benign large fluffy LDLs and a smaller proportion of dangerous BB-like LDLs.
Forget it: "The science isn't there yet. You can't control "it" with diet or exercise. Would you rather have some muscle weakness for a while or would you rather have cardiovascular disease?" I'd now respond that I'd rather remain as I am--extremely healthy, and I'd add that the question is sleazy.
But if I were forced to choose between those alternatives, I'd choose cardiovascular disease over the 12 years that have followed the statin--which I stopped after 7 months, when muscle weakness, foot cramps, numbness in feet, fatigue, etc. climaxed with waking up screaming, both my legs from knees to toes cramped up like blocks of wood. I have not gotten better--only progressively worse.
Dr. John Abramson's new book called "Sickening" has an excellent chapter on statins, and there are many videos on the internet, a number by interventional cardiologists such as Dr. Nadir Ali--who prescribes statins when needed and is able to explain why using evidence based studies not funded by statin manufacturers.
(Do you know, for example, what "enriched enrollment" means? Do you understand the difference between the "relative numbers" with which benefits are presented and "absolute numbers" with which side effects are presented? Do you know that the drug manufactures who run trials have been able to cherry pick which trials they publish?)
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3 Reactionsadverseeffects,
An interesting personal assessment in your particular case - however, an overwhelming number of people are helped by statins.
The medical science behind statin use is clear, and the recommendations from tens of thousands of highly trained medical professions for statin use, based on large scale studies, continues - based one the significant amount of good they do.
Statins definitely lower ldl cholesterol, however the hypothesis that they prolong life is not as overwhelming.
Five to ten percent of people can't tolerate them.
I believe I am one of them, my current dilemma is that my legs and buttocks aches and weakness
coinciding with statin use, has led to an mri which shows 2-3 pinched nerves which 2 spine surgeons say need a major operation.
I am wondering whether the statin exacerbated the lumbar problem. It may also have put me over the edge, so that I need surgery anyway now.
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1 ReactionPerhaps, but much has been studied relating to statin use. I don't recall reading of that.
What do your doctors say? I'm assuming you have a PCP, cardiologist and orthopedist?
Anatomically 2 spine surgeons say I have pinched nerves (impingements). They recommend surgery.
One of the surgeons researched statin intolerance for me because he said a few of his patients have mentioned it. He said he found a patient at univ of Tennessee Hosp with documentation of statin making lumbar stenosis worse.
Before surgery try Repatha to eliminate pain caused by statins and to lower cholesterol levels.
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1 Reactionstatinstories.com
After age 75, folks with so-called "high" cholesterol live a bit longer.
Yes, statins lower LDL on the over 60-years old cholesterol test that is still used...and I don't need to wonder why. You won't either if you read books such as Dr. John Abramson's "Sickening".
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1 Reactionadverse,
I don't agree with your inferences, sorry. Could you provide more information? Using terms like "so-called" is confusing.
I also don't understand referring to an LDL test as "still used." Which test?