Statins permanent side effects? - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: May 3, 2005

Statins permanent side effects?

Date: May 3, 2005

I went through a similar process approximately two years ago. I did not fee normal with any of the cholesterol drugs and the drugs were switched several times. My skeletal (sp?) muscle enzymes skyrocketed. I refused to switch and take anymore of the suggested medications.

Date: May 3, 2005

As a suggestion, try cholestryamine to lower the cholestrol. Its a powder you mix with a juice of choice or water. I take it for a different reason than cholestrol. Check with your doctor on if it would be appropriate.

Date: May 3, 2005

my wife had high cholesterol and didn't want to go on statins. we went vegetarian--no red meat, no chicken, etc. ate boca burgers and ground boca as substitutes. less cheese and butter. it was difficult, no doubt. her overall cholesterol dropped over 60 points in 6 weeks--enough of a drop she didn't have to go on statins. the bad cholesterol dropped 60 points as well. triglycerides were still high which can be due to carbohydrates (she likes bread) so her physician said try fish oil capsules. as always, however, consult with your physician first.

Date: May 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: doogie howser
"my wife had high cholesterol and didn't want to go on statins. we went vegetarian--no red meat, no chicken, etc. ate boca burgers and ground boca as substitutes. less cheese and butter. it was difficult, no doubt. her overall cholesterol dropped over 60 points in 6 weeks--enough of a drop she didn't have to go on statins. the bad cholesterol dropped 60 points as well. triglycerides were still high which can be due to carbohydrates (she likes bread) so her physician said try fish oil capsules. as always, however, consult with your physician first. "

Glad to hear that our numbers are increasing!

I've been a veg since 1991...still eat dairy products, though I drink more soymilk now. And healthy as a horse (or rabbit? where's the carrot icon?).

Truth

Date: May 3, 2005

My son has anklosing spondylitis (a form of rheumatoid arthritis that mostly affects men). Gained an enormous amount of weight and his pain became unbearable. Went on vegetarian and then vegan (no animal products at all) for about a year. That plus excercise has brought his weight down nearly 100 lbs and he's in great shape. Hasnt' stayed vegan, but limits meat and fat. They stay on mostly a South Beach-style diet, lots of fruit and veggies. No pain meds! There seems to be some correlation, at least for some people, between red meat and inflammation.

Date: May 3, 2005

How long did it take before the pain was gone. I am hurting all the time.
Thanks for your time!

Date: May 3, 2005

I would be very carefull in dealing with the local medical community.Many of them are Thames supporters. They are hard driven,opionated people,much like the current President.I would inquire with the receptionist,Pro Faculty or Pro Thames,before finalizing the appointment. No Quarter.

Date: May 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Tamvilla
"How long did it take before the pain was gone. I am hurting all the time.
Thanks for your time!"

I am absolutely not able to give you medical advice, only to share one person's experience. All I can say is that it's important to take vitamins if you do vegan, and also my son and his wife did not put their young child on a vegan diet.
It seems like it took a month or so for the pain to let up, but remember that there was an exercise program, which also helped. But you don't have this kind of arthritis, so that could make a difference too.
Do they know why the statins cause your symptoms?

Date: May 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: True Believer
"They are hard driven,opionated people,much like the current President. No Quarter. "

That describes almost every doctor I know!

Being pro or anti Thames is not a good criterion for choosing a doctor. I know one local doctor who is probably crazy and is virulently pro-Thames, but I wouldn't go to anybody else in town for his particular specialty.

Date: May 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"My son has anklosing spondylitis (a form of rheumatoid arthritis that mostly affects men). Gained an enormous amount of weight and his pain became unbearable. Went on vegetarian and then vegan (no animal products at all) for about a year. That plus excercise has brought his weight down nearly 100 lbs and he's in great shape. Hasnt' stayed vegan, but limits meat and fat. They stay on mostly a South Beach-style diet, lots of fruit and veggies. No pain meds! There seems to be some correlation, at least for some people, between red meat and inflammation."

Your son might want to look at antibiotics for treatment of this. I have the gene marker for this and occasionally my knee will act up, I've found that antibotics will clear it up. Once cleared up it usually stays that way unless triggered again.

Date: May 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Dr. Mirkin
"

Your son might want to look at antibiotics for treatment of this. I have the gene marker for this and occasionally my knee will act up, I've found that antibotics will clear it up. Once cleared up it usually stays that way unless triggered again."

http://www.drmirkin.com/archive/7209.html

Date: May 3, 2005

Appreciate the feedback. He's had this a long time In his case it's hereditary and has been pretty severe in his dad & granddad's cases. Has a good rheumatologist where he lives on the West Coast. We were amazed at the difference diet made, in his particular case, but I have to stress that he's also on a very serious exercise regimen, plus significant weight loss, and is monitored by his physician.

I wonder why antibiotics would help an inflammatory process like this?? You may not have AS -- the gene marker isn't that definitive. It usually manifests in the spine first, though in my son's case he had several bouts of iritis, an inflammation of the fluid in the eye. There are a jillion kinds of arthritis. Do you have a rheumatologist? You should.

Date: May 3, 2005

btw, the research cited in that link is kind of old. better information at rheumatology.org.

Excercise is really critical, because it's important to support the spine and to maintain flexibility in the ribs so breathing won't be hampered. It's a mean disease, but it won't kill you. It'll just break your mama's heart.