Statin Use

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My stepson has just been prescribed a statin for his high cholesterol. He

doesn't yet know whether he has inherited his father's CMT and doesn't really

want to find out. His father's CMT symptoms were late onset, age 60 or so, and

my stepson is 50. He does have THE feet, so I am pretty sure he will get CMT.

He read the following article with excerpt and decided he can take the

statins and be very careful about looking for symptoms:

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....Q We have recently received this information about statins for lowering

blood cholesterol:

Medications used to lower blood cholesterol levels are associated with somewhat

increased risk of damage to nerves and muscles.

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

(Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastin (Pravachol) and simvastatin (Zocor),

are taken by millions of middle-aged and elderly people and are considered

highly beneficial in protecting against cardio-vascular disease when dietary,

and other life-style measures fail.

However, several studies, including a large Danish study reported in 2002,

suggest a need to increase awareness of potential side effects of these popular

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

other studies 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-coloured urine in someone on

statin may indicate acute muscle destruction and should prompt immediate call to

a doctor. "

Bearing in mind the potential life-saving benefit of taking these drugs for

someone with high levels of blood cholesterol, should the above be taken very

seriously? Clarification of this issue for people with CMT would be useful as

statins are being prescribed more and more.

Statins cause muscle problems in about 0.1% of normal people.

There have been one or two reports of people with muscle disease developing

problems on these drugs, but it is really not certain that they are at any

greater risk.

The evidence about neuropathy is, if anything, weaker. We feel that the risk is

small and is, in itself, not a contraindication to using these drugs, which are

of major benefit.

However, if people feel that there is any change in their symptoms, they should

report it, or simply stop the drug if they are very worried. We are sure that

overall far more people will benefit than suffer...

Is there any evidence other than speculation that contradicts taking statins and

watching for symptoms?

Elinor