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Recently, a call-in guest on The People's Pharmacy mentioned noticing that his mother seemed to show improvement in mental clarity when he missed her dose of Zocor. The discussion that followed and the symptoms described were very similar to our own situation with my mother-in-law. A year ago she had a cardiac arrest which resulted in brain damage, giving her symptoms similar to Alzheimer's, but without the prolonged deterioration.
Over the past couple of years her doctor at the nursing home prescribed Zocor as a way to assist with cholesterol and possibly improve mental functioning. However, what we have seen over the past year was a deterioration in physical (muscular) ability and a mental decline to the point of near non-responsive behavior. You could describe her condition as near catatonic.
My wife has medical power of attorney and decided that the potential risks did not balance with the potential benefits. She discussed stopping the Zocor with my mother-in-law's doctor. He was hesitant but agreed to a two-week trial.
The results were nothing short of amazing. In a few days she began moving her arms and hands, feeding herself, playing bingo, etc. Her mental condition has also improved and she is again quoting rhymes she used to say all of the time, with a dramatic improvement in interaction with others around her. It is very important to observe and note changes in condition in your loved ones who are on statins.
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My dad was given Zocor after bypass surgery in 1996, his diet changed, he lost weight and started exercising. After about 1yr, he started having memory issues and cognitive issues. Of course, he was dx'd with AD. However, he has not deteriorated, he has maintained, he still has perfect table manners, still walks, tries desperately to talk. Still will tell my Mama he loves her, when she asks if he loves her. His eyes have light in them.
I spoke with NIH, NIA, & the AD foundation and they said this does not sound like the typical AD. I told them I truly believed it was the Zocor inhibiting the Neurons, and they said It was very possible, but there was no studies yet. I spoke to my Dad's primary care doc, and he said it is possible, but he couldn't approve d/c it, because it was "the standard of care set forth by the AMA." My mom and I said we were not going to wait and see, Daddy deserved a chance.
My Dad is on Aricept and Namenda, but the Zocor was d/c 2 wks ago. There are subtle signs of improvement. I know there is power in drug companies, and certainly they would not want this info out, but I am very curious if others have seen a decline in loved ones after starting statin drugs. I know I personally would rather take my chances with a heart attack than be robbed of who I am.
I know it is more profitable for a drug company to find a treatment rather than a cure, especially with statin drugs, the wonder drug. The one that is given to every overweight person over 40, and isn't it amazing the millions that are being dx'd with AD and the age of dxg is getting younger.
Wake up world, drugs are putting us to sleep. Thanks for listening.
Among the many side effects that gradually developed while I was on statins, in addition to my joint and tendon pain, fatigue, and general feeling that I was deteriorating to the point of no return, was memory problems, disorientation, and a feeling of cobwebs closing in on my once clear thinking brain.
I am only 50 years old. I love to read. My concentration was deteriorating. I had trouble following the simple plots in TV shows. I could hear the people talking, but my mind felt too slow to pick up the significance of what was being said.
During the first week off the statins I felt the cobwebs begin to lift, not completely, but there was a definite clarity I had not felt in some time. Now when I sense the fog or cobwebs closing in, I make determined effort to try and keep the thoughts clear. When I was on the statin I felt like it was easier to give in to the closing in cobwebs. But I feared that if I gave in completely to a lazy mind, I would end up with Alzheimers.
I can only imagine the serious effects of statins on the mind of an older person! I believe that many older persons with developing dementia are on statins and that the medical community is missing this connection. What a tragedy! All the statin studies show NO DECREASE in mortality of older persons by lowering cholesterol with statins. Some studies even show an INCREASE in mortality. There is no basis for putting an elderly person on statins, especially a woman. It's insane in my opinion.
Statins are being widely prescribed to people who fall outside of any studies showing some benefit to taking statins. The side effects are easily missed by doctors because the symptoms of statin damage are similar to those common with aging. Often the connection of symptoms to statins is only obtained when the drug is stopped. Sadly, damage may be permanent for some, even if a measure of improvement is obtained when the drug is stopped.
I am a 67yoa male who has been on a statin (SIMVASTATIN) for over a year and have developed no known problems with it. I have also read about possible beneficial side effects to people who take statins. Is this memory and mussel problem exclusive of statins other that Zocor or does it just depend on who you are?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: CONSIDERING HOW MANY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE TAKING STATINS, IT SEEMS THAT MOST OF THEM DO PRETTY WELL. THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES NEED TO BE IN TOUCH WITH THEIR PRESCRIBERS ABOUT ALTERNATIVES FOR CONTROLLING CHOLESTEROL AND OPTIMIZING HEART HEALTH. THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION: IT SEEMS TO DEPEND ON WHO YOU ARE.
In reply to T.Kenny,
I have done a lot of recent reading about statins. I suffered bad side effects after about 1 year on 80mg of Lipitor, followed by about 1 1/2 years on 80mg of simvastatin. My research indicates that all statins can cause similar side effects, as they all work the same way. It appears dosage and length of time on the drug are often factors, but some have experienced severe side effects after only a relatively short time on a low dose.
If you read the many experiences, such as those on other posts here on People's Pharmacy, you will see that since the effects only become noticeable very gradually with many people, sometimes severe and permanent damage has been done before realizing what was happening.
Satins cause changes in the body that may not be at all obvious at first. I recommend Dr.Graveline's book, The Statin Damage Crisis, as a good book to find out how statins lower cholesterol, and how wide-ranging damage happens to the body. I recommend that if you do choose to keep taking a statin, you monitor how you feel very carefully for the widely reported side effects, and discontinue immediately to perhaps prevent permanent damage. Also, it seems taking a supplement of CoQ10 along with the statin is a good idea, as this is also lowered by the statin, along with the cholesterol and other vital things.
Personally ,my doctor took me off the statin, and I can't take any more statins, even though I have a high risk for further heart problems. I am actively looking into, and applying other approaches to heart health. I encourage you to do research and take responsibility for your health. In the end, it has to be your INFORMED decision as to medical care.
What are the bad side effects for pravastatin?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: SEE SUMMARY
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2000/04/01/pravastatin/
I have been on simvistatin for about 6 months. I would like to know if there are vitamins, herbs, etc. home remedy that I can use/do instead of taking the statin.
The VA started me on statins when they 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 term memory and could not think as well. I stopped and got better fast. But not as good as I was. I 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 made her start back.
Five of her 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.