More research needed

[helen99]

Since my last post, two people have mentioned that they're on Lipitor, and one has mentioned side effects like the ones I described. Thus I feel I need to add the following disclaimer. Regardless of this disclaimer, I still hate statins, just so there's no confusion about that...

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Disclaimer:

I am not qualified to dispense medical advice.

If you decide that the side effects outweigh any possible benefits and want to discontinue the statin and take another approach (which is what I would do), I would recommend finding a licensed physician who takes a more nutrition-based approach to lowering cholesterol levels, and who is a minimalist about prescribing drugs for everything. I have heard that cutting the trans fats, processed starch and (especially) all sugar, and upping the fresh fruit, vegetebles, whole grain, and lean, fresh meat (not processed) lowers cholesterol better than anything else. Combine that with some daily exercise for teh win. Again, my opinion only, not telling anyone what to do.

I would also recommend doing a LOT of research on your own, not only about the effects and interactions of any medication you're taking, but also on the effects of stopping it. If you can find a doctor covered by your insurance who matches the rather hard-to-find description above, I'd recommend consulting with someone like that. They may be hard to find, but they have to be out there.

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That said, I definitely still HATE statins, to reiterate what I said before. That stays the same.

Comments

[ebonhost.livejournal.com]

I know you're not a doctor, but I wouldn't even have thought about the symptoms being tied to the statins until you posted, and I was in a lot of pain and really sick. (Thus unable to exercise, which along with my current control of my diet, -is- what I have been doing to keep the cholesterol low.) To me, it is not worth this. I hate drugs to begin with, save for my necessary hormones that my body doesn't make anymore. So... yeah.

[helen99.livejournal.com]

Good luck with your health - you've come out on top of lot of difficult stuff. I think the fewer meds we take the better in the long run, except of course, the ones that are necessary as you have said.

[jolantru.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, now I find myself concerned...

Thank you for sharing this though.

[aireathiel.livejournal.com]

*Not a Dr either, but i am educated (mostly NA and Eastern)in Nutrition* Aye, that is a nasty drug for sure, i saw many have bad reactions..made me sick too. i found something though that did the trick nicely, lecithin. imho, best powdered, added to OJ..yummy! Given 3 months, it really works, and i have yet to have or hear of a reaction. :)

[helen99.livejournal.com]

I recommended it to her and will pick up some for her and take it to her next time I am over. My fear is, she has to go to the hospital soon to get thoracic surgery. Hoping for the best. She is seeing the surgeon tomorrow but it might take a few days to process her. I just hope everything turns out ok and they don't load her up with stuff that makes her fall again.

[aireathiel.livejournal.com]

*am praying to what powers be for her* :) *hugs*

Lechithin

[iliandriel.livejournal.com]

Well it works for me that is sure. I was 174 before I went on that diet. Not healthy for me to be that big I'm 3'3 and small boned. So that is way too much for me. So now I eat twice a day, lots of veggies and take lechithin. I'm not 162 and going down.

Re: Lechithin

[helen99.livejournal.com]

Very good! Keep up the good work. I'll let my mother know. By the way, good news! Everyone's healing energies that they sent my mom must have worked, because she does not have to have surgery. There is a fracture, but it is not threatening any vital organs, as they had thought at first. Instead she's supposed to just take it easy. And I'll get her some lecithin for the cholesterol, and go over often to help.

Re: Lechithin

[iliandriel.livejournal.com]

That is good that you are there to take care of her. That and the light being sent is working wonders for her on this I can tell you. Glad that she does not have to have surgery that is indeed good news.

Side effects

[iliandriel.livejournal.com]

I hate all those commercials for a product that really give rave reviews and then they go on with the disclaimer that is telling all the side effects. Now that just makes me want to rush right out and get that pill. I won't walk I'll run right down and get it. NOT!!!!!!!! I think they only do it because they have to otherwise they would not. Some of those side effects make the product not worth the risk. Also, on some of those that they are recalling, the government passed them as ok. So I think they don't always know all the things that can happen when you take some of them.

Re: Side effects

[helen99.livejournal.com]

Yes, I remember a recent recall Vioxx I think it was. Supposed to be good for arthritis and it caused heart attacks. Here's another article on Statins (Lipitor is a statin drug):

http://www.farrin.com/drugs-and-products/statins.php

The most scary sentence in that website is the following:

"The most serious known side effect of statin drugs is rhabdomyolysis, a wasting disorder of the muscles that can be fatal. "

I believe this is what killed my father.