How Well Are Those Statins Working For You?
A Business Week chart.
Yes, that's right, your doctor has you on a drug that has little chance of having any benefit for you.
Oh, and did you know that statins have some ugly side-effects?
via Dr. Eades
Quit taking them last year. I had ran out and when my cholesterol was checked prior to starting a metabolic syndrome program, it wasn't that high, but the LDL was low. I lost 30 pounds and started taking flax-seed oil and it was good. Just had it checked again and my doctor said it was perfect. Now if I could just lose another 20 pounds (I can't see my 6 pack in the mirror, but I can tell that they're there, I would be doing good.
William (wbhicks@hotmail.com) at June 1, 2010 10:32 AM
That page of "ugly side effects" is vague, and terribly short of convincing statistics. We get wordings like
• "may be so extreme"
• "Researchers estimate that between 1% and 5%
of statin users will experience muscle pain" (Note that researchers "estimate", they do not report.)
• "While this does not translate directly to how statins work inside the body..."
• "Researchers assume that the build-up of statins in the body causes neuropathy in some individuals."
Even as an exercise in fear-mongering, this web page fails to entertain. In the context viewed whole, I'd not be alarmed to see such warning issued for tap water. And as one at (recently discovered) risk for Alzheimer's, word of prophylactic impact from statins gladdens my soul.
When you follow the links, it turns out the source of this medical wisdom is a woman named "Ashley" at—
> Latina Health Project
> 701 Tillery St.
> Austin, TX 78702
Well, OK. We'll bear that it mind. Thanks, Ashers!
Crid [cridcomment at gmail] at June 1, 2010 1:39 PM
What that numbers to treat chart actually doesn't point out is that the evidence for any benefit of statins to women is pretty much zip. And yet, billions of dollars are made on prescribing it to the masses that don't bother (or can't) read the actual research to know what it really says about what they're putting into their bodies.
Catherine at June 1, 2010 2:09 PM
I've been taking them for around ten years. My cholesterol is down about 150 from what it was at the beginning. Haven't seen any side effects; I get blood tests for liver function every six months.
My brother, who's a doctor, also takes statins.
Rex Little at June 1, 2010 2:59 PM
I could not state a statin for long. My joints became uncomfortably tight and had a feeling of wanting to pop, but wouldn't. And I had an uncle that stopped taking his statin recently. He found his tinnitus went away when he did that. I guess my family wasn't designed for statins.
I now control my heart risk factors with low carb eating and a few supplements.
Soul at June 1, 2010 7:05 PM
Exactly right about statins and women -- and they can be damaging.
Rex, never gauge what you do by what doctors do. Many haven't read a study since they left med school, and wouldn't know how to, anyway.
From Dr. Eades from 2008:
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/statins/a-bad-week-for-statins/
Amy Alkon at June 1, 2010 7:27 PM
More from Eades:
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/statins/snake-oil-comes-in-all-kinds-of-bottles/
Amy Alkon at June 1, 2010 7:29 PM
"In the context viewed whole, I'd not be alarmed to see such warning issued for tap water."
Entertainment: At work, we actually have a Material Safety Data Sheet for water.
Yes, water. Distilled, even.
But the funniest part is the section on what to do if you spill it: rinse with water.
When do I stop?
Radwaste at June 2, 2010 2:17 AM
Rad - you piqued my curiosity. I just checked our MSDS database. No msds for water here. Pharmaceutical manufacturer.
Clem at June 2, 2010 7:08 AM
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