Trust me I'm a Doctor.

[Aliwally]

Did anybody else see the second in the series? It included an interesting (but short) debate about the use of statins for primary prevention. I was glad that Dr Michael had gone through the same agony of indecision about whether they were worth taking or not, as the rest of us. Perhaps he should consider making his next programme about it. The bit about screening the carotid arteries is worth seeing as well.

[Aliwally]

Sorry, can see there are already replies to this under questions! I also thought the 40% reduction was totally misleading, as it's a relative figure not an absolute. I also thought Dr Rory Collins totally dismissive of side effects, probably because he doesn't get them himself and he is an academic dealing with trial results not seeing patients in the surgery.

[Hidden]

I'm afraid I lost all credibility with the professor who dismissed the extreme side effects out of hand. The overriding impression I got of him was that he hadn't done his research and was just spouting the bad pharma rhetoric....he obviously hasn't read this info stream!! There was no mention of the 'permanent' damage to muscle, just a throw away remark about 'muscle pain'; or the very distressing mental impairment...from my own experience a very blinkered view....what a surprise!! A great opportunity missed to warn against the now discredited practice of over prescribing....when will they learn? The only sensible contribution came from the practising GP who is seeing patients affected....and his view was 'not unless absolutely necessary'. Very disappointing, the rest of the programme was informative and interesting.

[sandybrown]

Hi,

Would it be possible to give us some comments on what you see in the programme and your experience of your scanning?

What is allowed in response questions here, general or specific? Web is full of information, is directing one to a specific web link is allowed? I am asking this because of editing to one of my answer!

[Hidden]

I watched the programme and tried to post a comment here but gave up as I seemed unable to submit it. So I was interested to read other peoples comments. One thing that wasn't mentioned was the reason Michael Moseley decided to go 'back on to statins'. Why had he come off them at some point I wondered. From his book 'The Fast Diet' I know his father had diabetes and I think died as a result of complications, is that relevant I wonder? I also thought the learned professor rather patronising and dismissive of side effects and the GP's remarks much more relevant.

Personally I don't need statins but my GP tells me that it's standard NHS practice to give them to everyone whose QRisk score is over 20% for whatever reason.

[hairyfairy]

I had a carotid scan a couple of years ago because of my family history, & it came back clear much to my relief. Iv`e been pressured into statins last year, & they made me so weak & tired that Iv`e been put off them altogether. I don`t see the point in taking a drug that causes symptoms as bad or worse than what it`s meant to prevent!

[Aliwally]

I think Dr Michael has a history of heart disease in his family, but then probably most of us do. Dr Gabriel Weston did the bit about scanning and basically she was saying it's not worth having it done as screening, because nobody would do anything unless your artery was 70% blocked and then you have a one in fifty chance of dying during the operation. So screening probably just causes worry.

I had a carotid scan as a sort of test for FH , it came out as slight thickening, probably pushing me towards the higher average for my age. Still debating whether that is good/bad/indifferent.

[florence5]

I agree with you Traci. There must be many people who are prescribed statins and take them without realising that there is any debate. It is often only when side effects cause concern that people go looking for further information. At least the programme has alerted viewers to the fact there is a debate and issues which they may wish to consider.

[sandybrown]

All,

There are people in all countries in the world, go to a doctor, complain, doctor give medication, take the medication without any questions. some are happy some are not happy, (why?), In 21st C, in developed world facilities are available to question and take what ever action, this may be an understatement!

What we need , NHS or Heart UK or another body to educate the people, money making machine is in the way of this.

Whistle blowers are out in the cold, unable to find jobs to feed the family!

As I see it NHS needs to address the food plate, are we there to do it ?

Money, Money.

[Clericus]

Has anyone suffered mental impairment caused by statins, if so would be interested to know various symptoms

[Clericus]

Traci, Yes, general lethargy and memory problems for me too. I put it down to a stroke I had six years ago but realised its only been since going on statins