My husband was prescribed cholesterol-reducing statins by his physician for several years. He didn’t care for the side effects and began researching the various statin medications. By the time a low dose of Crestor was prescribed for me, Jym was 100% opposed to them and badgered me to read all the material he had collected. It didn’t take long for me to decide that statins were dangerous and that there are natural remedies for high cholesterol that work for many people.
In case you don’t know, pharmaceutical companies rake in millions of dollars from the sale of their prescription drugs and in the case of statins, collectively, they were the golden goose for pharmaceutical companies until their patents expired, bringing in billions of dollars each year. It became common practice for physicians to prescribe them in order to quickly lower cholesterol levels in their patients. This was supposed to reduce the the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In fact, a report by the “New England Journal of Medicine” stated that the cholesterol-lowering drugs (like statins) were the most prescribed medication of all in 2010.
A recent study in the “European Journal of Epidemiology” reported that statins don’t reduce the risk of heart disease in post- menopausal women with diabetes. I suspect some medical professionals would disagree with that finding. Certainly taking Crestor lowered my cholesterol numbers in a hurry.
In 2012, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued some warnings about statins:
- Use of statins may increase your risk for non-serious and reversible problems with memory, forgetfulness, and confusion.
- There have been some reports that statins may increase blood sugar levels.
- The FDA no longer recommends routine monitoring of liver enzymes in people who take statins.
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, however, cautions that statins may or may not benefit people who have not had a heart attack.
(http://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/why-statin-drugs-may-be-bad-for-you#4)
According to a study by John Mandrola, M.D., a Louisville, KY, cardiologist, he concluded that for lower-risk patients, statins raise the risk of diabetes in about the same number of people who might avoid a first heart attack or stroke on the drugs. And they don’t lower a person’s overall risk of an early death.
(http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/news/20140818/statins-side-effects-news?page=2)
About 10% of statin users get muscle aches and pain, according to an article at http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20552165,00.html#muscle-pain-and-weakness-0.
Other more serious side effects include high liver enzymes, kidney damage, and potential birth defects in pregnant women.
At the website, statins.mercola.com, you will find a plethora of articles discussing the dangers of these drugs. Check them out and educate yourself.
I would never suggest that anyone should stop taking – or avoid – a drug that their medical professional recommends. I do, however, recommend that every patient should read up on their condition and possible medications for same and be certain you know what to expect up front. Then you, along with your physician, can make an intelligent decision.
For me and for some others, red yeast rice capsules lower my cholesterol. Webmd.com says that red yeast rice is a traditional Chinese medicine that may be used to lower bad cholesterol. It has its dangers so never take it without approval from your physician, and it doesn’t work for everyone. It is sold by some health food stores as a supplement in capsule form. There are numerous brands on the market and all are not considered equal. Again, ask your medical professional for suggestions.
good article and much needed. Vioxx nearly crippled me years ago and like you they were amazed that it cut my counts in half. but it attacked my muscles very hard. a Dr. had written an article and I wrote him and he convinced me of how bad they are.