Re: Statin Use

[Guest guest]

Elinor,

Statin medications

from Oct. 2002 MDA Quest Magazine

Statins Can Cause Nerve and Muscle Problems

Medications used to lower blood cholesterol levels are associated

with a somewhat increased risk of damage to nerves and muscles,

studies say.

The so-called statin drugs, with names like atorvastatin (Lipitor),

fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol)

and simvastatin (Zocor), are taken by millions of middle-aged and

elderly people and are considered highly

beneficial in protecting against cardiovascular disease when dietary

and other lifestyle measures fail.

However, several studies, including a large Danish study reported by

Gaist and colleagues in the May 14 issue of Neurology, suggest

a needed increase in awareness of potential side effects of these

popular drugs.

The Danish study found a slightly increased risk of nerve damage,

while other studies (such as one in the September 2001 issues of

ls of Pharmacotherapy and the journal Epidemiology) have

concentrated on muscle damage. All studies so far have been done in

patients without any underlying neuromuscular disease.

It isn't clear that people with neuromuscular diseases are unusually

susceptible to the nerve- or muscle-damaging effects of statins.

However, a worsening neuromuscular disease in someone taking a

statin medication could be a warning. Unusual muscle pain or cola-

colored urine in someone on a statin may indicate acute muscle

destruction and should prompt an immediate call to a physician.

" Statins need to be added to the list of potentially contraindicated

medications in patients with any type of neuropathy [nerve problem]

or any type of muscle disorder, but especially in patients with

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, " noted , a specialist in

nerve and muscle diseases who heads the MDA clinic at Our Lady of

Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, La.

[Guest guest]

Thank you Gretchen.Have been sick for three or more years...my CMT getting worse

and worse. Doctors thinking I was out of my mind! Can't thank you enough....I'm

going to print this out and march this into my OLD DOCTOR...Weaned myself off of

everything and I'm beginning to feel like me again perhaps not a good thing to

do but I think my meds were killing me.

Geri

Statin medications

from Oct. 2002 MDA Quest Magazine

Statins Can Cause Nerve and Muscle Problems

Medications used to lower blood cholesterol levels are associated

with a somewhat increased risk of damage to nerves and muscles,

studies say.

The so-called statin drugs, with names like atorvastatin (Lipitor),

fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol)

and simvastatin (Zocor), are taken by millions of middle-aged and

elderly people and are considered highly

beneficial in protecting against cardiovascular disease when dietary

and other lifestyle measures fail.

However, several studies, including a large Danish study reported by

Gaist and colleagues in the May 14 issue of Neurology, suggest

a needed increase in awareness of potential side effects of these

popular drugs.

The Danish study found a slightly increased risk of nerve damage,

while other studies (such as one in the September 2001 issues of

ls of Pharmacotherapy and the journal Epidemiology) have

concentrated on muscle damage. All studies so far have been done in

patients without any underlying neuromuscular disease.

It isn't clear that people with neuromuscular diseases are unusually

susceptible to the nerve- or muscle-damaging effects of statins.

However, a worsening neuromuscular disease in someone taking a

statin medication could be a warning. Unusual muscle pain or cola-

colored urine in someone on a statin may indicate acute muscle

destruction and should prompt an immediate call to a physician.

" Statins need to be added to the list of potentially contraindicated

medications in patients with any type of neuropathy [nerve problem]

or any type of muscle disorder, but especially in patients with

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, " noted , a specialist in

nerve and muscle diseases who heads the MDA clinic at Our Lady of

Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, La.

[Guest guest]

Be very carefull..it may take some time before you see a change. Thats the way

it was for me, by then my system had become toxic..but also your son may be ok

with it...I hope so.

Geri