More on statin side effects

November 12, 2009 in Heart Disease, Medical Industrial Complex | 12 comments

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  1. nancy cappy’s avatar

    nancy cappy on November 26, 2009 at 11:57 pm

    I am back on statins again.  Not my choice.  The doctor recommended it after I had bad experiences in the past.  My main huge problem is major constipation. What causes this when I use these drugs and how can I prevent it without taking stool softeners or laxatives.  I don’t want to take one pill to help another pill and continue doing this. It gets so bad that I raise my blood pressure very much when just trying to eliminate. Help please…. Thank you very much.

  2. admin’s avatar

    admin on November 27, 2009 at 9:51 am

    Nancy,

    Gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation or diarrhea are relatively common side effects of statins. You might try adding magnesium supplements and fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kombucha to your diet. That should help.

    I will point out, however, that it is always our choice whether we take a drug or not. A doctor can’t force you to do anything. All he/she can do is make recommendations. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to read my articles on statins. Then make up your own mind about whether you should take one or not. Statins have not been proven to be effective for women, so in my opinion they should not be prescribed at all for women.

  3. DAN BROWN’s avatar

    DAN BROWN on December 18, 2009 at 10:35 pm

     

    I HAD A IQ OF 125 TO 130.                                                                                              The VA started me on

    statins when the were new. When my cholesterol did not go down enough I was given more. I hurt so much I could not walk normally. And I lost my short turm memory and could not think as well. I stopped and got better fast. But not as good as I was. still have joint pain and I am just plain dumber. And its been years. My mother stopped hers and her mind worked better and she did not hurt as much.But her doc madec her startr back. Five of here friends stopped and they all say the same thing. Anybody know how to get the missing parts of my mind back. The VA says I am wrong and gives me pills to feel better, them not me.

  4. admin’s avatar

    admin on December 19, 2009 at 8:38 am

    Dan,

    For a start I’d recommend eating plenty of foods with CoQ10 (red meat, for instance) and supplementing with it as well. Many of the side effects of statin use can be traced to CoQ10 depletion. Cholesterol plays a vital role in the brain. 20% of myelin (the sheath surrounding the nerve) is cholesterol, and synapse formation is almost entirely dependent upon cholesterol. Cholesterol also helps regulate mood by ensuring proper formation of serotonin receptors. Likewise, saturated fats are important to brain health. I suspect that some of your brain symptoms are due to the significant reduction of cholesterol you experienced from the statins. If you eliminated or greatly reduced saturated fat as your doctor likely suggested, that may be playing a role as well. My suggestion would be to eat healthy, traditional saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet and supplement with CoQ10. I would also suggest a high-vitamin cod liver oil from Green Pasture. Cod liver oil is high in natural vitamin A & D, as well as omega 3 fats, all of which play a role in brain health.

  5. Mae’s avatar

    Mae on December 22, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    My cholesterol has stayed around 246 for about 20 years and my blood pressure is around 135 over 80 when in any doctor’s office, but lower at home.  I consider myself healthy.  My family genes are such that I should live well into my 90s — even with the “high” cholesterol.
    Every time a doctor writes me a prescription for a statin, I go home and shred it.  My current doctor has given up on trying to make me take a statin or anything for blood pressure.  She knows that I refuse to take pills unless absolutely necessary (like for strep throat).  Side effects from drugs can mess you up for life — such as ruin your liver or mess up your memory or mess with your hormones or cause ulcers or just plain plug you up, etc.
    You do not have to pop every pill that a doctor gives you.  Research the drug first before you decide whether to fill the prescription.  Find out if there is anything natural that you can do instead.  Make the decision for yourself.  If your doctor insists that you take a statin when you do not want to, then find another doctor.   If you are taking a statin, it is because you still believe the cholesterol hype put out by the drug companies.  No doctor can “make” you do what you do not want to do.
    (P.S.  Your cholesterol will temporarily go very high when you stop taking statins. Limit the bread and sugar!  Take a walk several times a week.  Keep your weight at a reasonable level — not too skinny and not obese.)
    Chris, thanks for your blog!  I really like reading it.  I came across it several months ago while doing research for my IBS (which is finally under control after 58 years of pain and trying everything under the sun).  I am very familiar with the Framington Study, among others, and Dr. Graveline (spacedoc.com), Dr. William Davis’ blog, the International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics, and more.  I check your blog every couple of weeks to see what you have that’s new.

  7. Just ME in T’s avatar

    Just ME in T on April 2, 2010 at 3:46 am

    Dr. Briffa writes a fantastic Blog. I too am a follower.
    Have you caught up with the story of the UK doc who wants butter banned?
    http://just-me-in-t-health.blogspot.com/2010/03/is-saturated-fat-clogging-your-arteries.html

    There are lots more related articles on the dangers of Statins and a link to some wonderful cholesterol skeptics here:
    http://just-me-in-t-health.blogspot.com/2010/04/cholesterol-skeptics.html

    YES I TOO am a cholesterol skeptic and am suffering from long term damage done by these UGLY drugs

  8. Chris Kresser’s avatar

    Chris Kresser on April 2, 2010 at 7:53 am

    Hi Just ME in T,

    Yes, I’ve seen that ridiculous story. It’s typical of the mindless dogma perpetrated by the anti-cholesterol brigade. Their efforts are becoming more desperate every day as the evidence supporting their position continues to erode (it was never strong to begin with).

    I have Dr. Briffa’s blog in my RSS reader and read it regularly. Thanks for your comment!

  9. Just ME in T’s avatar

    Just ME in T on April 8, 2010 at 12:41 am

    Health Care is a misnomer.
    As a prescription drug user you are nothing more than a means to another few dollars in the bank for the Big Pharmaceutical Giant and his Shareholders.
    They knew ~
    They failed to advise ~
    They are responsible ~
    For much pain and permanent damage done by their drugs ~
    Side Effects are rare ~ Bah Humbug!
    http://just-me-in-t-health.blogspot.com/2010/04/bah-humbug.html

  10. Chris Kresser’s avatar

    Chris Kresser on April 8, 2010 at 8:44 am

    I couldn’t agree more! I don’t call the mainstream system “healthcare” any longer. I refer to it as “disease management”, which I think is a more accurate term. From your comment I’m guessing you’ll appreciate my posts The Fatal Flaw of Prescription Drugs and The Failure of US Healthcare.

  11. Just ME in T’s avatar

    Just ME in T on April 8, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    Chris I am an avid SKEPTIC of modern mainstream disease mongering….. it is NOT only the US healthcare that has failed people, it is a worldwide issue.
    My stories over at my health Blog http://just-me-in-t-health.blogspot.com/, are like yours, written to assist folks make good informed decisions about their own health, and NOT to allow themselves to be bullies by doctors. In my humble estimation YOU employ a doctor on your helth team, they assit you to make decisions about your health care issues…. INFORMED decisions.

    You have a great blog. Well done.

    Folks if you want information read the posts over at http://just-me-in-t-health.blogspot.com/  as well as what Chris has posted here…..  and follow the links in the articles…. THEN ask your doctor about things… don’t let them bully you.

    Cheer’s from Just ME in T

  12. Chris Kresser’s avatar

    Chris Kresser on April 8, 2010 at 8:46 pm

    Excellent work, Just ME. We’re definitely on the same page. Keep fighting the good fight!

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