Statins yet again

[seasider18]

Do they or don't they?

health.spectator.co.uk/fed-...

[seasider18]

Well worth everyone's attention. It is a pity that the UK does not have a similar agency that covers so many items on one site.

[CDreamer in reply to seasider18]

The disadvantage of the FDA is that it takes so long to get a drug registered that US is often way behind Europe & the rest of the world in approving drugs which could sustain life - the recent Ebola outbreak could be used as an example - drugs that were not approved were used because it was thought that the emergency was a greater threat than the use of unproven drugs.

I think you will find a comment about this on a recent thread.

[seasider18 in reply to CDreamer]

They only licensed Amiodarone because doctors were getting it from makers abroad free and using it.

[CDreamer in reply to seasider18]

Could try ukmi.nhs.uk/

[CDreamer]

Bigleg - You may be interested to know that Exeter U3A have a group looking at Health and influence of foods and diet.

[fuzzflyer]

Baycol created a dangerous side effect called rhabdomyolysis (known more simply as rhabdo), which causes muscle cells to deteriorate and enter the blood stream. Muscle weakness and pain are the obvious symptoms, with the most serious cases leading to kidney failure, paralysis and death

I was lucky. I got off them just in time, talked to the RIGHT medical professional! Bayer have been fined BILLIONS. I was involved , but that's another story. Be very careful. Big pharma is corrupt in many places.

[Eliza1 in reply to fuzzflyer]

The pressure for the FDA to put out even the little warnings they have on statins must be great......just think about what they aren't telling us.....

[fuzzflyer]

thedailyhealth.co.uk/statin...

[Eliza1 in reply to fuzzflyer]

Amazing article! Even when the FDA KNOWS there is a problem....they go to the Bayer EXECUTIVES to what? Discuss what they should do????? Who is the gatekeeper here? It is a joke.

[Mike11]

If your GP puts you on statins he/she is supposed to perform regular consultations and blood tests to check all the negative things mentioned are not occuring, and if so discuss with the patient whether to continue or not. So it's not as though anybody is being put at risk through ignorance.

The article also mentions Omega-3 supplements. Later trials showed these had little effect on post-MI patients and so their prescription was halted in 2012.

[Dadog in reply to Mike11]

I like your use of the (intentional?) word 'supposed, Mike11. In my experience it doesn't happen. I was put on Simvastatin and that was it - no follow up or checks. I suffered muscle pain and severe cramps for months before coming off it. GP said it was up to me whether I used it. I shall work on my cholesterol levels with diet and exercise - no more statins.

[Hidden in reply to Dadog]

I had similar with Simvastatin Dadog1, my nurse changed me to Atorvastatin and the problem went away. She told me they always prescribe Simvastatin because it's the cheapest, then Atorvastatin, and then another that's more expensive still if that doesn't work.

[seasider18 in reply to Dadog]

I was twice on a statin for months and stopped because of muscle pain. At no time did I have a blood test or was one suggested.

[Mike11 in reply to Dadog]

Did you ask your GP for one ? They should check you for liver function plus the HDL and LDL cholesterol levels annually.

And if a drug gave me cramps I'd be back at the GP next day.

[seasider18 in reply to Mike11]

Well they are all adamant that it does not happen.

[Dadog in reply to Mike11]

No, I didn't ask for any ongoing checks as I didn't know they might be required at the time. Going back the next day would be a bit early as , with my age and back problems, I wouldn't be sure what was causing these symptoms. Research and feedback has enlightened me somewhat.

[Mike11 in reply to Dadog]

My GP does my blood tests done 6 monthly as they have tended to wander a bit, and of course despite the statins I still had an MI. But it would probably have come years earlier without them

[Eliza1 in reply to Dadog]

I had a long talk with my cardiologist when discussing with him why I was refusing to continue taking statins. He at least listened and entertained the idea that cholesterol is not the culprit the pharmaceutical companies want you to believe. He admitted there are other things to consider and that there certainly is a big dispute about whether statins are the "end all" in fighting heart disease. He believes in them but respected my information.

[fuzzflyer in reply to Mike11]

Ignorance was bliss to the various doctors I visited! Only when visiting a doctor friend in NZ. Did I get tested for cretinine! By this time I could hardly walk up and down stairs, no skiing, ten years on ,without statins. And my leg problems are gone.. No longer off piste

[fuzzflyer in reply to Mike11]

"Supposed" being the operative word. Statins make billions!

[Dadog]

Thanks Koll. There's always a money factor in all these things! If I'm not acceptably low at my next check, I'll maybe say it's Atorvastatin or nothing.

[seasider18 in reply to Dadog]

My GP takes Simvastatin. When I was prescribed Atorvastatin by a professor at Imperial College my GP commented on its cost.