I am aware there are new (although expensive) treatments for thosewho cannot take statins as I went to a talk by Prof Gerald Watts

[Mish]

... on the latest treatments. What exactly defines statin myopathy and how many statins does one have to adversely react to in order to be classed as intolerant to statins in general?

[Mish]

Thanks so much for your quick and informative reply. I will check the recommended websites soon but unfortunately can't attend the meeting as I'm not a Londoner, but a Perthling (!) living in Australia. I've only just found out about this super website at an FH info night here in Perth.

[Aliwally]

So wonderful to hear that our fame is spreading to Australia! Quite a lot of our blogging has been about side effects of statins, which people are rightly concerned about. It annoys me that it is not taken more seriously sometimes but good that we can all express our views.

[Mish]

Hi again,

I've now looked through the links you offered and am still not enlightened as to how many statins an individual has to try out before being classed as someone who cannot tolerate statins. What else must I put my body and mind through before I say: This is enough! These things obviously do ME more harm than good? I don't mean to sound obstructive or negative, but I've already had four awful experiences on different statins (the last one leaving severe ongoing complications) and am inclined to believe that I am one of the few unlucky ones who is intolerant of them, along with certain other medications. So I'm stuck not knowing how many more of them to subject myself (and family) to. I don't mean to cast a slur on the good work they do for the vast majority of people, but I feel my problems are not been adequately recognized or 'seen' in an individual manner. Help!

[Aliwally]

Dear Mish,

In the UK I think there are six on the market. We are usually started on simvastatin as it is generic and then if we can't tolerate that our GP'S or specialists go through the others. I think I am right in saying that rousouvastatin (Crestor) is the newest and strongest also known as "the gorilla statin".

I suppose, to be frank, you would have to have side effects from all six before being officially declared intolerant, but that is a patient viewpoint not a medical one.

I do sympathise, I am on my third one, atorvastatin and it has been the best for side effects. I know that side effects increase with higher doses. Just because "most people" whoever they are, tolerate them doesn't mean that everybody does and I thought we were all individuals.

[Hidden]

Hi mish

How are you doing now of statins?

I read that Vit D helped your aches - what dose please?

All the best

Alps