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Medical Forum / General / Cardiology / September 2004

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Pravachol verses Lipitor ?

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Ted - 08 Sep 2004 23:52 GMT
Doctor piut me on Lipitor a few weeks ago, I developed side effects,
diahrea, muscle aches,
He now wants me to take Pravachol, Are there any side effects to this
as well ?
Zee - 09 Sep 2004 00:29 GMT
> Doctor piut me on Lipitor a few weeks ago, I developed side effects,
> diahrea, muscle aches,
> He now wants me to take Pravachol, Are there any side effects to this
> as well ?

Salut Ted

Read here for the experiences of others who took pravachol:

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=19898&name=PRAVACHOL

http://medications.com/go/se/Pravachol

And here for a list of possible side effects:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/pravast_ad.htm

In my own experience with pravachol, yes, it can cause similar symptoms
to lipitor. I know of many who had to stop taking it because of marked
side effects. However there is at least one poster on this newsgroup
who says he takes it with no difficulty.

In my opinion if you have had side effects to one, you will likely have
side effects from all. Only you can determine if the side effects are
worth it.

Do not be lulled into thinking liver enzyme tests will detect all
statin induced myopathy. You can have muscle pain and normal liver
tests.

Statins deplete coenzyme q10. This has been proven. It has not been
proven however that taking coq10 orally will replenish the body's
supply. Former US astronaut Duane Graveline took lipitor and suffered
memory loss, transient global amnesia and other cognitive problems. So
did thousands of others including me. On Graveline's website and in his
book he discusses what coenzyme q10 depletion does to the body and
brain.

http://www.spacedoc.net

These sites have helpful information about statins. The latter two are
from an epidemiology group working out of the University of British
Columbia in Canada. They take no industry funding.

http://www.medicalconsumers.org
http://www.medicationsense.com/
http://www.ti.ubc.ca/pages/letter48.htm
http://www.ti.ubc.ca/pages/letter49.htm

Do all the research you can and make an informed decision. Google is a
great resource.

Zee
Louise - 09 Sep 2004 03:19 GMT
> > Doctor piut me on Lipitor a few weeks ago, I developed side effects,
> > diahrea, muscle aches,
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
> from an epidemiology group working out of the University of British
> Columbia in Canada. They take no industry funding.

And the same for Crestor?  I just started it recently and I think it is
giving me a great deal of stomach upset.  However, I take a lot of
medications and it's hard to isolate the factors involved.

Louise
George - 09 Sep 2004 04:28 GMT
Louise, with all due respect get your medical advice from your health
care professionals as opposed to Zee.  Anyone can cut and paste
stufies to make any kind of arguement.

Hopefully you have a doctor/s that can give you the care and advice
you need.
Zee - 09 Sep 2004 20:04 GMT
> Louise, with all due respect get your medical advice from your health
> care professionals as opposed to Zee.  Anyone can cut and paste
> stufies to make any kind of arguement.
>
> Hopefully you have a doctor/s that can give you the care and advice
> you need.

George

With all due respect <g> Louise should become as informed as she can
and take her questions and concerns to a physician. If I can respond to
her requests for information with credible citations I will. I will
also tell her of my experience, which may not be hers, and give her
urls where she can read of others experiences. We all should survey and
not rely on one poor over-worked family physician internist or
cardiologist to do everything for us. That's the adult way. You on the
other hand, at last post, were still taking one physician's advice
because, I paraphrase, he's a hunk who works out a lot.

Zee
George - 09 Sep 2004 21:35 GMT
>Zee

Zee your point of view is so polluted by your obsession with statins
that it (your point of view) is meaningless.

Let anyone browsing this group do an author search under Zee or Fresh
Horses and you will find some poor soul who posts 10's if not hundreds
of posts a day every day all saying the same thing.  Statins are bad.
Well for you they were bad.  For me they are fine.

Trouble is you might scare some poor soul into believing you are right
and that in turn might cost them years of their life.

And yes I would rather trust my overworked doctor than you in a
heartbeat.

Any lay person with time on their hands and no outside interests (in
your case 24 hours a day it seems) can scour the internet and make a
disinformation case against anything sound reasonable.

And since I am not gay, my GP (hunk?) works out a lot and has a
backround in sports medicine which suits my particular needs just fine
thank you.

How about get a life while you can and find another crusade.  Ideally
one where other people mught not suffer due to your obsession prone
personality.
Zee - 09 Sep 2004 22:26 GMT
> >Zee
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> of posts a day every day all saying the same thing.  Statins are bad.
> Well for you they were bad.  For me they are fine.

You still haven't figured out what I do for a living eh George? Hint:
it involves being on the net all day.

Zee

> Trouble is you might scare some poor soul into believing you are right
> and that in turn might cost them years of their life.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> one where other people mught not suffer due to your obsession prone
> personality.
Zee - 10 Sep 2004 00:09 GMT
George

Have just noticed something so startling in your post. {Had a few
moments while I waited for files to download...}. You see a general
practitioner "who works out a lot and has a backround {sic} in sports
medicine..."....

To advice you on what cholesterol lowering med to use?
To advice you on your cardiovascular care?

Zee
Sharon Hope - 10 Sep 2004 07:12 GMT
George,

Would you say the same thing to Christopher Reeve about spinal paralysis?
Is his interest in spinal nerve recovery "polluted by his obsession,"
because he has first-hand knowledged of that kind of disability?  Do you
similarly heckel and attack "mothers against drunk drivers" who happen to
have lost a child to a drunk driving murderer, because they are "polluted by
their obsession"?

What kind of politically incorrect prejudice permits you to disparage people
who have become disabled by a particular specific situation - STATIN ADVERSE
EFFECTS, simply for being advocates for
1) an effective treatment for themselves and others who were also similarly
disabled, and
2) an effective means of screening so more people do not become disabled, or
lacking that, at least forewarned awareness and informed consent?  What
about first-hand experience of being disabled by statin adverse effects
causes them to be less deserving of free speech, in your opinion?

Your Bigotry against the handicapped is unbecoming.

> >Zee
>
> Zee your point of view is so polluted by your obsession with statins
> that it (your point of view) is meaningless.
Steve Marcus - 10 Sep 2004 13:40 GMT
> George,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> have lost a child to a drunk driving murderer, because they are "polluted by
> their obsession"?

The proper analogy would be Christopher Reeve posting hundreds of posts
about equestrian sports being too dangerous to be engaged in, and those who
promote such sports not properly informing the public of those dangers.  Zee
isn't posting about "recovering" from anything.  She is posting about the
negative impact she perceives to have been caused by a class of drugs that
is used by millions of people without them being harmed.  Yes, just like
horseback riding, the use of statins entails a very small degree of risk.

Your comments re MADD are even less apropriate.  No rational person can
argue that people should not drive drunk, or that those who do should not be
subject to swift, immediate, and firm justice.

> What kind of politically incorrect prejudice permits you to disparage people
> who have become disabled by a particular specific situation - STATIN ADVERSE
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> about first-hand experience of being disabled by statin adverse effects
> causes them to be less deserving of free speech, in your opinion?

I detect no such bigotry in George's posts.  Rather, I detect a great deal
of bigotry with respect to medical professionals and the pharmaceutical
industry, in Zee's posts, and in your posts.  While she, and you, are free
to post your opinions, others are just as free to point out the bias in your
opinions.  And certainly, others are free to recommend that folks seek
professional opinions, and become educated enough to question those opinions
rationally, rather than to rely upon posts such as those you routinely post
and posts such as those Zee routinely posts.

> Your Bigotry against the handicapped is unbecoming.

Your use of analogy, and accusations of bigotry, are totally erroneous and
unwarranted, respectively.

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

> > >Zee
> >
> > Zee your point of view is so polluted by your obsession with statins
> > that it (your point of view) is meaningless.
Zee - 10 Sep 2004 16:30 GMT
Exactly what I have done:

"...free to recommend that folks seek
professional opinions, and become educated enough to question those
opinions
rationally,..."

Zee

> > George,
> >
[quoted text clipped - 58 lines]
> > > Zee your point of view is so polluted by your obsession with statins
> > > that it (your point of view) is meaningless.
Steve Marcus - 11 Sep 2004 13:56 GMT
> Exactly what I have done:
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Zee

You've also done this:

"Zee isn't posting about "recovering" from anything.  She is posting about
the negative impact she perceives to have been caused by a class of drugs
that is used by millions of people without them being harmed."

And the problem with your claim that you do what is described in my earlier
post (quoted in your post) is that you simultaneously denigrate medical
professionals and pharmaceutical companies, doing your level best to render
any advice that you (and others) might post that folks seek "professional
opinions" to appear as a waste of time.  One doesn't, after all, ask a
dishonest stock broker which stock to buy.

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

George - 11 Sep 2004 15:34 GMT
>Steve

Looks like our commentary on this woman's mania has had quite a
sobering effect.  Endless cut and paste jobs to make her ludicrous
point.  I just wish she had a life instead of using it to pollute
this group.  No need to post anyting else Zee.  We all know by now,
statins are bad, you nearly died from them, doctors are bad, drug
companies are bad.  You live where it's cold.
Zee - 11 Sep 2004 17:27 GMT
Steve

NIH, ICMJE, Cochrane Collaboration--all have said pharmas (with FDA
collusion) have withheld vital (no pun intended) information from the
public.

I believe in the public right to know.

Zee

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/292.11.1359v1?etoc

"One consequence of this lack of reporting is a persistent bias in
favor of positive results and therefore in favor of the newer and more
expensive treatments. Another consequence is that harmful effects found
in unpublished trials disappear without a trace, since the US Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) has no mandate to report them to the public.
The bad news about new drugs is disseminated later than the good news
or not at all, resulting in widespread publication and outcome bias and
in direct and widespread harm to patients.3-4"

>From an press release announcing this:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/292.11.1363v1

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors Will Require
Registration of Clinical Trials for Publication

"Honest reporting begins with revealing the existence of all clinical
studies, even those that reflect unfavorably on a research sponsor's
product.  Unfortunately, selective reporting of trials does occur, and
it distorts the body of evidence available for clinical decision
making."

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-04-064.html

"NIH is proposing to make all NIH-funded research papers publicly
available
six months after their publication in journals.  It wants all authors
receiving NIH funding to send electronic copies of "final manuscripts"
to
NIH, which would make them freely available via PubMed six months after
their official publication.

The agency is now seeking public comment on this proposal.  As you
might
expect, for-profit publishers (as well as some putatively nonprofit
scientific societies) are fighting it tooth and nail.  It may help
stiffen
NIH's resolve if they hear from science writers who believe publicly
funded
research should be available to the public."

> > Exactly what I have done:
> >
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
> view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3
Steve Marcus - 11 Sep 2004 23:56 GMT
> Steve
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Zee

Indeed.  Yet for every article that you post that casts medical
professionals and/or the pharmaceutical industry in a bad light, there are
at least a hundred that cast them in a good light.  If you wish to
facilitate the public's right to know, one would expect you to post a more
balanced spectrum of information.

Again, for every person who cannot tolerate statins, there are literally
tens of thousands who can, do and benefit from statins.

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3


<previous posts snipped; they are available via google.com
Zee - 12 Sep 2004 00:40 GMT
> > Steve
> >
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Again, for every person who cannot tolerate statins, there are literally
> tens of thousands who can, do and benefit from statins.

LOL. I am under no obligation to represent pharma. They are well looked
after by those denizens of Goebbel's profession whom they employ. I am
in most instances responding to query from those who have already
crossed over that thin line. They are experiencing symptoms that might
be attributed to statins. No-one apparently has told them. They have
not done their homework, granted. (No point rubbing their faces in it
here Steve). And if statins work the way it is said they do, that may
be damage that is not recoverable. (Is MS or AlS damage 'recoverable?')
That is why it is so important not to take them if you don't need to;
to take as little a dose as possible if you do (varying per individual
need of course) and to use them for as short a time as possible. Yes
take all this information, and whatever else you find, and go talk to
your doctor. And if he or she won't find another. Know that the liver
enzyme tests aren't going to do it, know that ignoring the symptoms and
tolerating for the sake of risk/benefit may not be very wise in light
of rhabdomyolysis. Bang it's there. Too late.

If people can tolerate them and benefit and *truly* need them then well
and good. Why is it a problem that I provide another side of the story
with which to weigh a decision? You have it. Obviously the person
posting here saying "could?" does not.

I have no problem with anyone using statins. I have a problem with
suppression of information. Deliberate suppression. And as you must
acknowledge Steve I am not alone in thinking that is wrong, must and
will change. Then, I think, there will be fewer problem drugs like
statins. Who is to say what difficuties and harm might have been
avoided if the runaway train that is the pharmaceutical business had
been throttled back or controlled some time go, as is being done now.

I didn't write Rennie's editorial. I just posted it. Those damning
words are his.

Zee

> Steve
> --
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> >
> <previous posts snipped; they are available via google.com
Steve Marcus - 12 Sep 2004 14:19 GMT
> > > Steve
> > >
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> LOL. I am under no obligation to represent pharma.

You claimed to be using this forum to satisfy the public's right to know.
That knowledge includes the good, as well as the bad, about the
pharmaceutical industry.

> They are well looked
> after by those denizens of Goebbel's profession whom they employ.

Your bias is showing.  The public's right to know should be from balanced
sources, not from biased sources.  Otherwise, you have become what you are
claiming to contradict.

> I am
> in most instances responding to query from those who have already
> crossed over that thin line.

You would have absolutely no way of knowing that without examining them,
having complete medical histories from them, and being a qualified health
care professional.

> They are experiencing symptoms that might
> be attributed to statins.

Or might not.

> No-one apparently has told them.

Before or after the fact of their symptoms?

>  They have
> not done their homework, granted. (No point rubbing their faces in it
> here Steve).

That's the *whole* point, Zee.  A while back I posted something about the
inherent stupidity of someone coming to this newsgroup and asking for
medical advice.  It is equally stupid to not have asked questions when the
medication was being prescribed, and/or to not have read the material that,
by law, comes with the medication.

Your brief is to scare away the 99.03% of people who will be able to take a
statin drug without side effects because of the remaining .07%, some
fraction of them will have not been properly informed of the side effects,
the contraindications, the drug interactions, and the need for testing to
monitor for those side effects.  That failure to inform on the part of the
doctor would be malpractice, the failure to inform oneself (or at least ask
the questions) is their own failure.  The failure to be properly diagnosed
when suffering what could be a statin induced side effect (as, for example,
detailed above by Cappy), is again medical malpractice.

> And if statins work the way it is said they do, that may
> be damage that is not recoverable. (Is MS or AlS damage 'recoverable?')
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> tolerating for the sake of risk/benefit may not be very wise in light
> of rhabdomyolysis. Bang it's there. Too late.

From your typical posts, no one would take away the information that you
people should take them if they need to.  Apparently, there is some balance
in your point of view that has come out now that you've responded to this
series of posts.

> If people can tolerate them and benefit and *truly* need them then well
> and good. Why is it a problem that I provide another side of the story
> with which to weigh a decision? You have it. Obviously the person
> posting here saying "could?" does not.

It is a problem because you typically present only one side, the side that
is relevent for less than .1% of those who take statins.  As noted above,
this is the first post from you that I can recall you stating that people
who need statins should take them.

> I have no problem with anyone using statins. I have a problem with
> suppression of information. Deliberate suppression.

But the suppression of information is in your imagination.  Neither doctors
nor the pharmaceutical industries suppress the drug interactions, the
contraindications, the potential side effects and the need for constant
blood tests to monitor various functions when taking statins.  Unless you
consider malpractice on the part of the prescribing doctor to be
"suppression" of information.

> And as you must
> acknowledge Steve I am not alone in thinking that is wrong, must and
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> I didn't write Rennie's editorial. I just posted it. Those damning
> words are his.

Your failure to appreciate that he has at least as big an axe to grind as
the one that you imagine is wielded by the pharmaceutical is part of the
problem.

> Zee

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

listener - 12 Sep 2004 16:18 GMT
>> > > Steve
>> > >
[quoted text clipped - 126 lines]
>>
> Steve

Haven't we been here before? I'm having deja vu all over again.....

Frankly, I've given up trying to make similar points. Between the
religious nutcakes, the pharmaphobes, and the occasional cardiology-
related question it's a real chore gleaning anything of value here
anymore.

L.
Zee - 12 Sep 2004 18:25 GMT
> >> > > Steve
> >> > >
[quoted text clipped - 135 lines]
>
> L.

Other than the Chung bashing posts most others here are cardiology
related. Try making a contribution instead of always looking to
"glean".

Zee
Zee - 12 Sep 2004 19:15 GMT
The people I am responding to have said they are taking statins and
have symptoms. Some reading the newsgroup in the last couple days
didn't ask on group but have contacted me privately because, as one
said, "didn't want to contend with being called an idiot."

I don't think people should take statins but if *they* think they
should then that's their choice.

The medical journals and media are filled with this topic. Pharma has
suppressed negative information on this class of drugs and others most
notably SSRIs. There are law suits both sides of the Atlantic on this
very issue. Governments in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and
Britain are earnestly looking at change. Medical schools and medical
academics are lobbying for change. It is not only Rennie, or Angel, or
Mansfield or Smith. It is endemic, both the problem, and the demand for
solution.

Do you know what you are putting in your mouth? If you are taking a
statin no you do not.  You haven't been given all the information. No
matter how hard you try or how responsible you are you can't know it
because it was not made publicly available or, in some cases, and this
I have been told by credible sources is the case for statins, was not
even looked at.

I am well aware there are people here walking a thin line. I care about
each one of the regular posters. Each one. I am a writer by nature and
profession and I flesh you out. You are real walking talking living
characters in my imagination. (Ask Bob if this is not possible and so).

I know you and I care about you and would not frighten any one of you.
It is the information that is frightening. I cannot change that. I
cannot change that Steve. The alternative is so much more so.
Zee
hj - 12 Sep 2004 21:32 GMT
> Your brief is to scare away the 99.03% of people who will be able to take
> a
> statin drug without side effects because of the remaining .07%, ...

Can you elaborate on the remaining .90% of people
Caploc - 12 Sep 2004 02:50 GMT
>>Steve
>>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Steve

So stuff those that can't..... eh Steve, majority rules and all that.

Problem is as I see it, there is no back door, no way out, no fix once
damaged, that's what makes taking this drug like a game of Russian Roulette.

And to those that are damaged, who cares, certainly not the Doctors,
Pharmo's,....if the light is a bit bad for some of those professionals
maybe by removing their blinkers would allow them to see outside their
consulting rooms and into the lounge rooms of those who have been damaged.

Zee is bringing informed (by experience) and documented information to
those contemplating taking this drug, and I hope she continues to do so.

Ahem,
Cappy
(Still trying to out run the death grip clutches of Statin therapy)
Zee - 12 Sep 2004 03:28 GMT
Still trying to...

Right. There is no treatment, there is no cure and there is no
recovery, beyond what nature will do on its own and rehabilitation to
allow one to better function and that limited to how damaged one has
been. Some severely injured statin users are being misdiagnosed with
Parkinson's, ALS, MS and profound mulitple strokes, until they get into
see one of the four or five doctors in the U.S. who know what it is
(Phillips at Scripps Mercy San Diego being one). There is no recovery
for any of those either, if we mean--back to the way they were.

It is a very hard thing to bear. It was avoidable. And you know what?
Each and every one of those people thought they had to take the drug.
The medical profession who get their drugs continuing education from
pharma (the same pharma Rennie decries) told them so. The ads told them
so: They had a serious, serious health problem. Name it there is
someone on this newsgroup who represents each one of those serious,
serious problems and is taking a statin putting up with side effect
because they "have to take it."

I can't begin to fathom what a statin drug will do to a heart already
damaged. To one who has already had bypass surgery. How many I wonder
do not recognize the symptoms they are experiencing are likely from
statins not from their original health "problem".

There is no recovery for the profound damage to the myelin sheath which
will happen to all who take statins eventually if the coenzyme q10
theory of statin damage is correct. If there was people with  MS would
have 'recovered' by now from their nerve damage. It is similar if not
identical.

Zee
Bill - 12 Sep 2004 04:18 GMT
>>>Steve
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Problem is as I see it, there is no back door, no way out, no fix once
> damaged, that's what makes taking this drug like a game of Russian Roulette.

It's an interesting analogy. In this case, there is also somebody else firing
bullets at you in the form of heart attacts. Most of the time when you pull
the  trigger on your gun nothing happens. Some of the time when you pull the
trigger a shield goes up and saves you from being shot by the other guy.
Sometimes you are shot by the outsider anyway. And, yes, every once in a while
you shoot yourself.

But, at the end of the day, there is no doubt that for some groups of people
statins are more helpful than harmful. There is also no doubt that some people
should not get statins. The rational discussion should be which group is which
and what are the side effects, how should they be recognized, delt with, etc.

Bill

> And to those that are damaged, who cares, certainly not the Doctors,
> Pharmo's,....if the light is a bit bad for some of those professionals maybe
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Cappy
> (Still trying to out run the death grip clutches of Statin therapy)
Bill - 12 Sep 2004 04:20 GMT
>>>Steve
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> Cappy
> (Still trying to out run the death grip clutches of Statin therapy)

Could you elaborate on what those death grip clutches are and how you know
they are attribuatibe to statins. Perhaps someone here can help you.

Bill
Caploc - 12 Sep 2004 05:56 GMT
>>>>Steve
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>
> Bill

Hi Bill
(ok the "death grip" was a bit much, at least for me anyway).
It's a very long story but here's the short of it.
Heart attack 1998, put on usual drug regime, ace, beta, aspirin, statin.
Stent fitted LAD 1999.
I was 49 years old.
Multiple trips to ER complaining about everything from not feeling well
to aches and pains in what felt like every muscle in my body had
cramped. Incredible fatigue and shortness of breath, low exercise
tolerance, dizziness.
Sent home from ER every time after test revealed not having heart attack.
My own doctor put it down to stress and anxiety, who was I to disagree?
Woke up one morning with a rash and hives from the top of my head to the
soles of my feet, my face had swelled and my eye's closed up, couldn't
get my glasses on, calf muscles cramping and bad back ache and throat
closing up.
ER treated me with Steroids and some other drug (can't remember the
name) made me very ill, short stay in hospital.
Referred to Immunologist who suspected ACE but later confirmed Statin as
the problem (some sort of blood test I think).
He stopped Statin.
Within a short period of time I started to feel a little better and
improved as time went by.
The rash and hives took approx 6 months to go away.
Not once during this 3 year period did anyone alter or change any of my
drugs until the rash appeared.

What I am left with now is:
Fits of tiredness,
Calf muscles cramping with the slightest stretching and painful when
walking,
Back pain, can be severe at times, (statin's or coincidence?)
Anxiety (probably due to not being able to work)
I am also told that I repeat myself quite often,
I am also told that I repeat myself quite often, lol

I have just turned 55 and a CABG last year has left me feeling a lot
better and if it was not for the above I reckon I could climb Everest,
(well maybe not Everest).

Drugs at the moment:
Beta 25mg twice a day
Plavix 75mg / day
Nexium (gastro)
Vioxx prn

Cappy
Cappy
Damn there I go again.....

As the sun pulls away from the shore and the boat sinks slowly in the east.
Zee - 12 Sep 2004 06:45 GMT
http://www.healthyskepticism.org/index.htm

Zee

> What I am left with now is:

> Fits of tiredness,
> Calf muscles cramping with the slightest stretching and painful when
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> As the sun pulls away from the shore and the boat sinks slowly in the east.
Bill - 12 Sep 2004 06:54 GMT
>>>>>Steve
>>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 90 lines]
>
> As the sun pulls away from the shore and the boat sinks slowly in the east.

OK. Death grip does seem a little strong, but it does seem like you may have
had some kind of reaction. Some Drs. do not see the problems early enough, as
may be the situation in your case.

As to the present situation, one red flag is the Vioxx. There was a recent
study showing people on Vioxx are more likely to have a heart attack than
those on Celebrex and I don't see any advantage to it vs. Celebrex. So you
might wish to talk to your Dr. about that.

Have you tried physical therapy the leg? On the very very long shot that it
has something to do with low potassium levels, you might try eating a couple
of bananas and see if that helps.

Of course there are lots of possibilities for tiredness including lack of
sleep and sleep apena.

The two common therapies for anxiety are talk therapy and drugs. From what
I've read, they work best in combination.

Maybe someone else has more suggestions.

Bill - not a Dr.
Caploc - 12 Sep 2004 08:30 GMT
>snip>
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> Bill - not a Dr.

Hi Bill
I am convinced that in my case the Doctors didn't pick it up early enough.
I am aware of the Vioxx situation and plan on taking it up with my Doc
next visit.
I think you may have something there with the low potassium level as I
remember being treated with it several times during my visits to the
hospital, I will try the bananas.
Talk therapy for anxiety is a definite yes, just talking to you and Zee
has given me a lift, as for drug therapy, I think I will pass.
Funny story, as funny stories go, I was in and out of hospital with
attacks of A Fib, this went on for a long time (13 trips to hospital)and
having home nursing several times as well.
My Cardio at the time kept saying to me, "push through these problems",
in other words if you get pain when you walk just push through.
He (my Cardio) went on holidays and so after one of my A Fib attacks I
was referred to his partner who said "I think we should have a look at
you" so off to the cath lab I go.
The results are in 4 blockages, 2 minor, 1 medium and one bad,
unfortunately the bad one is in your Left Main so go home wrap yourself
in cotton wool and wait for the surgeon. I often wonder what would have
happened if my Doc didn't go on holiday's, probably be pushing up
daisy's now.
Cheers
Cappy
Zee - 12 Sep 2004 07:03 GMT
Cappy

What I had intended to come through for you didn't so I've copied the
wdt.

http://www.healthyskepticism.org/index.htm
Then third down on the left: ADWATCH
December 2003 Revised recommendations

"Revised recommendations for treatment of reflux esophagitis

In response to all the feedback received we have improved our current
recommendations for Australia to the following:  Please note that these
recommendations may not be appropriate in other countries if the
relative prices are different and will no longer be appropriate for
Australia if the prices change or if new drugs or new evidence
justifies changes.

For severe reflux esophagitis (grades B, C and D):

Recommend lifestyle changes for all patients including elevation of
head of bed, no smoking, no heavy alcohol intake.

Commence therapy with pantoprazole 40mg (Somac).

If symptoms are not controlled try esomeprazole 40mg (Nexium).

If symptoms are controlled then try half tablets of pantoprazole 40mg
(Somac).  If that is effective then try a H2 antagonist such as
ranitidine (Multiple brands).

For less severe reflux esophagitis (grade A):

Recommend lifestyle changes for all patients including elevation of
head of bed, no smoking, no heavy alcohol intake.

Commence therapy with half pantoprazole 40mg (Somac).

If symptoms are not controlled try pantoprazole 40mg and if that is not
effective then try esomeprazole 40mg (Nexium).

If symptoms are controlled then try half tablets of pantoprazole 40mg
(Somac).  If that is effective then try then try a H2 antagonist such
as ranitidine (Multiple brands) and if that is effective then try
lifestyle measures alone."
Zee - 12 Sep 2004 07:25 GMT
Cappy

This is typical statin damage that you are describing and in many if
not most so damaged side effects remain up to three years after
stopping: myopathy, myositis, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal,
gall bladder, pancreatitis etc. You may have been entering
rhabdomyolysis if your liver function tests were not good.

If you will e-mail me I'll give you the e-mail address for a
cardiologist who now exclusively treats statin syndrome and has a
regimine he is suggesting for treatment. I don't want to put his
personal e-mail address on the web.

Try this address for me as despammed is merciless at blocking anything
it doesn't like:

zwalanga@yahooDOTcom

Zee
Caploc - 12 Sep 2004 08:36 GMT
> Cappy
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Zee

Thanks Zee, e-mail on it's way.
Caploc - 12 Sep 2004 09:52 GMT
> Cappy
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> gall bladder, pancreatitis etc. You may have been entering
> rhabdomyolysis if your liver function tests were not good.

Hi Zee
It's been around about that time since stopping Statin's and without a
doubt I have improved a lot since then, but I feel that this is as good
as it is going to get.
Cappy

>snip<
Steve Marcus - 12 Sep 2004 14:06 GMT
> >>>>Steve
> >>>>
[quoted text clipped - 90 lines]
>
> As the sun pulls away from the shore and the boat sinks slowly in the east.

So the short version is that you following your heart attack, you were
treated properly.  You appear to be one of the vast minority of people who
had an adverse reaction to a statin, and were then subjected to malpractice
on the part of the emergency room and your own doctor.  In other words, you
were warned (or should have been warned, if not, more malpractice) of the
side effects of statins, but took the drug anyway because of its potential
benefits, as you should have, and were thereafter damaged by idiots.

Now you are off statins, and suffer from symptoms which way have nothing to
do with statin therapy.

From this you conclude that campaigns to "inform the public" in satisfaction
of the "public's right to know", such as are being conducted by Zee and
Sharon Hope in this forum, should take the form of posting each and every
article that tells a horror story about statins, denigrating doctors, and
denigrating the pharmaeutical industry in the hopes that people who should
be on a statin of some sort will avoid them on the .07% chance that they
will have an adverse reaction, and will thereafter encounter medical
malpractice.

Got it.

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

Caploc - 13 Sep 2004 08:20 GMT
>>>>>>Steve
>>>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 118 lines]
> So the short version is that you following your heart attack, you were
> treated properly.
I was treated with the accepted drug regime at the time yes.

  You appear to be one of the vast minority of people who
> had an adverse reaction to a statin, and were then subjected to malpractice
> on the part of the emergency room and your own doctor.

Strangely enough I don't feel like I was subjected to malpractice, I
just don't believe they considered the statin when making their diagnosis.
  In other words, you
> were warned (or should have been warned, if not, more malpractice) of the
> side effects of statins, but took the drug anyway because of its potential
> benefits, as you should have, and were thereafter damaged by idiots.

Steve, I don't know if you have suffered a heart attack or not but I
assure you the last thing on your mind is the possible adverse affects
from the drugs prescribed to you, and even if you are in a frame of mind
to comprehend what is being offered, you are still going to take them
regardless.

> Now you are off statins, and suffer from symptoms which way have nothing to
> do with statin therapy.

I was told by an Immunologist that it was the Statin that caused the
initial reaction and the current symptoms are consistent with statin damage.

> From this you conclude that campaigns to "inform the public" in satisfaction
> of the "public's right to know", such as are being conducted by Zee and
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> will have an adverse reaction, and will thereafter encounter medical
> malpractice.

If the shoe fits.....

> Got it.
Big time.

> Steve
Bill - 13 Sep 2004 08:36 GMT
>>>>>>>Steve
>>>>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 142 lines]
> I was told by an Immunologist that it was the Statin that caused the initial
> reaction and the current symptoms are consistent with statin damage.

Just fyi. "consistent with" means statins have not been ruled out as the
cause. Could be, or could not be.

And it does appear that if the doctor had caught your symptoms earlier than
you may not have had such reactions.

In other words, the message should be not that statins are evil, but that they
may have side effects and people should be aware of them so they can react in
time. Also, they should not be given to low risk groups.

Bill
>> From this you conclude that campaigns to "inform the public" in
>> satisfaction
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>>
>> Steve
Caploc - 14 Sep 2004 07:51 GMT
>>snip>
>>I was told by an Immunologist that it was the Statin that caused the initial
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Bill

Hi Bill

You remind me of a rifle I once owned, precision built, and extremely
accurate.

Cheers
Cappy

<snip
Steve Marcus - 13 Sep 2004 10:09 GMT
> >>>>>>Steve
> >>>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 126 lines]
> Strangely enough I don't feel like I was subjected to malpractice, I
> just don't believe they considered the statin when making their diagnosis.

Which would *be* malpractice.

>    In other words, you
> > were warned (or should have been warned, if not, more malpractice) of the
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> to comprehend what is being offered, you are still going to take them
> regardless.

And, having had three heart attacks, I can assure you that you are wrong.
There isn't a drug that can be prescribed for me that I'm not going to
discuss with the prescribing doctor thoroughly, and for which I'm not going
to demand complete information about.  The fact of the matter is that I
fired a doctor, while laying in a hospital bed recovering from a heart
attack.  When another doctor from my cardiology practice came in to see me
(hurriedly, I assure you) to find out what the problem was, he was told no
uncertain terms to keep that particular doctor away from me, even if it
meant having a second doctor from that same practice travel to the hospital
just to see me, on pain of the entire practice being told to "take a hike."

In short, doctors are not gods.

> > Now you are off statins, and suffer from symptoms which way have nothing to
> > do with statin therapy.

> I was told by an Immunologist that it was the Statin that caused the
> initial reaction and the current symptoms are consistent with statin damage.

And you've confirmed this with a second opinion?

> > From this you conclude that campaigns to "inform the public" in satisfaction
> > of the "public's right to know", such as are being conducted by Zee and
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> If the shoe fits.....

Which is, of course, no answer at all.  Or perhaps you agree with their
scare tactics.

> > Got it.
> Big time.
> >
> > Steve

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

Caploc - 14 Sep 2004 07:11 GMT
<snip>

>>>So the short version is that you following your heart attack, you were
>>>treated properly.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Which would *be* malpractice.
Possibly, but I am not a lawyer, are you?

With the figures you are stating why would they consider statin damage
at all.

>>   In other words, you
>>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
>>>benefits, as you should have, and were thereafter damaged by idiots.

No, I took the drug because I was prescribed it

>>Steve, I don't know if you have suffered a heart attack or not but I
>>assure you the last thing on your mind is the possible adverse affects
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> meant having a second doctor from that same practice travel to the hospital
> just to see me, on pain of the entire practice being told to "take a hike."

Steve, that is you, not all of us have the education / resources that
you have.

In the public system we cannot just up and fire the treating doctor, we
do not have a choice here.

> In short, doctors are not gods.

No they are not, but I owe my life to them, how about you.

>>>Now you are off statins, and suffer from symptoms which way have nothing
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> And you've confirmed this with a second opinion?
No, why would I.

>>>From this you conclude that campaigns to "inform the public" in
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Which is, of course, no answer at all.  Or perhaps you agree with their
> scare tactics.

I don't see them as scare tactics Steve, which BTW by the way brings us
back a full circle.

Imo Zee and Sharon are posting informed information based on personal
experience and research, you can choose not to read them of course, as
those that do can make up their own minds whether to risk being one of
those 0.07% you mentioned.

You are campaigning for the good of the majority, well guess what, they
don't need it.

it's the 0.07% minority that need the help.

Cappy

>>>Got it.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Steve
Steve Marcus - 14 Sep 2004 10:32 GMT
> <snip>
> >>>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> > Which would *be* malpractice.
> Possibly, but I am not a lawyer, are you?

Yes

> With the figures you are stating why would they consider statin damage
> at all.

Because there *are* potential side effects of the drug, they can be serious,
and the symptoms you describe here, if presented to medical personnel, are
within the set of symptoms indicative of those side effects.

> >>   In other words, you
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> No, I took the drug because I was prescribed it

Would you have taken penicillin for the first time, if "prescribed it"?
Have you ever had occasion to have an antibiotic prescribed to you?  Have
you ever been asked whether you are allergic to penicillin?

> >>Steve, I don't know if you have suffered a heart attack or not but I
> >>assure you the last thing on your mind is the possible adverse affects
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Steve, that is you, not all of us have the education / resources that
> you have.

Education has nothing to do with it.  Drugs *are* drugs.  It is essentially
unavoidable that they have side effects.  Anyone, regardless of experience
or education has the capacity to know and understand that they are entitled
to ask questions, and entitled to receive answers.

> In the public system we cannot just up and fire the treating doctor, we
> do not have a choice here.

I'm afraid I don't understand precisely what you mean by "the public
system."  But I cannot conceive that you must tolerate "the" doctor who
shows up.  If the doctor made a disparaging racial comment, for example,
you're telling me that you could not demand a different doctor?

> > In short, doctors are not gods.
>
> No they are not, but I owe my life to them, how about you.

Three times over.

> >>>Now you are off statins, and suffer from symptoms which way have nothing
> >
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> > And you've confirmed this with a second opinion?
> No, why would I.

To be more certain that the opinion is accurate.

> >>>From this you conclude that campaigns to "inform the public" in
> >
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> I don't see them as scare tactics Steve, which BTW by the way brings us
> back a full circle.

We will have to agree to disagree, then.

> Imo Zee and Sharon are posting informed information based on personal
> experience and research, you can choose not to read them of course, as
> those that do can make up their own minds whether to risk being one of
> those 0.07% you mentioned.

It's not a question of what I choose.  It's a question of what someone
showing up in this newsgroup for the first time, seeking information, will
choose.  Those that read what they write, without understanding that what
they write reflects serious bias, can potentially be damaged, or worse, end
up dead.

> You are campaigning for the good of the majority, well guess what, they
> don't need it.

I disagree.  See above.

> it's the 0.07% minority that need the help.

But Sharon and Zee aren't directing their "help" to that minority, or at
least not with the posts that they write.  They are directing them to
everyone.  And while I don't understand the phenomena, plenty of people come
to Usenet newsgroups and will accept what they read there as "gospel",
notwithstanding that they don't know squat about the topic or about the
posters whom they are reading.  If one reads what these two ladies write,
one may will simply refuse statin therapy because "statins are bad and cause
serious side effects", and the doctors and the pharmaceuticals are
conspiring to ignore and/or cover this up.

In my opinion, I'm the one helping the minority.  I acknowledge that a very
small minority will not be able to tolerate statin therapy, but that this
minority can avoid serious damage by being educated about statins, by
demanding that questions be answered, that recommended periodic testing
protocols be followed, and that, if they present symptoms, these symptoms be
understood and taken seriously by allegedly competent medical personnel.

Frankly, your post indicates that the above paragraph represents an
impossibility.  I just don't understand why.

> Cappy

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

Caploc - 14 Sep 2004 12:14 GMT
>><snip>
>>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Yes
Then you would know.

>>With the figures you are stating why would they consider statin damage
>>at all.
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Would you have taken penicillin for the first time, if "prescribed it"?
Yes of course, why wouldn't I?
> Have you ever had occasion to have an antibiotic prescribed to you?
Yes, sore throat comes to mind.
  Have
> you ever been asked whether you are allergic to penicillin?
No, I don't remember ever having penicillin.

>>>>Steve, I don't know if you have suffered a heart attack or not but I
>>>>assure you the last thing on your mind is the possible adverse affects
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
> or education has the capacity to know and understand that they are entitled
> to ask questions, and entitled to receive answers.

Yes but in reality they don't.
People aged from 50 upward (when most heart attacks occur) would have
grown up in a culture that did not question doctors. It is changing,
possibly due to the popularity of PC's and usenet.

>>In the public system we cannot just up and fire the treating doctor, we
>>do not have a choice here.
>
> I'm afraid I don't understand precisely what you mean by "the public
> system."  But I cannot conceive that you must tolerate "the" doctor who
> shows up.
The public system is the one that you have when you don't have health
insurance. You get the treatment required but you don't get to choose
your doctor.
  If the doctor made a disparaging racial comment, for example,
> you're telling me that you could not demand a different doctor?
Under those circumstances I am sure you could.

>>>In short, doctors are not gods.
>>
>>No they are not, but I owe my life to them, how about you.
>
> Three times over.

Me to, heart attack, cardiac arrest twice.

>>>>>Now you are off statins, and suffer from symptoms which way have
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> To be more certain that the opinion is accurate.
I am happy with that his opinion is accurate, after all I did improve
some what after stopping the drug.

>>>>>From this you conclude that campaigns to "inform the public" in
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 57 lines]
> serious side effects", and the doctors and the pharmaceuticals are
> conspiring to ignore and/or cover this up.
I will leave them to answer if they wish.

> In my opinion, I'm the one helping the minority.  I acknowledge that a very
> small minority will not be able to tolerate statin therapy, but that this
> minority can avoid serious damage by being educated about statins, by
> demanding that questions be answered, that recommended periodic testing
> protocols be followed, and that, if they present symptoms, these symptoms be
> understood and taken seriously by allegedly competent medical personnel.
In the above statement you are of course correct, no argument.

> Frankly, your post indicates that the above paragraph represents an
> impossibility.  I just don't understand why.
The impossibility arises because in reality it just doesn't happen.

>>Cappy
>>
> Steve
Steve Marcus - 14 Sep 2004 23:07 GMT
> >><snip>
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 100 lines]
> grown up in a culture that did not question doctors. It is changing,
> possibly due to the popularity of PC's and usenet.

I'm over 50.  But that's almost beside the point.

The point is, that conceding your "reality" for the sake of discussion, that
does not to my way of thinking justifying providing disinformation to people
reading this newsgroup looking for information.  It does not justify posting
one sided stuff that may convince folks to avoid medications that are
overwhelmingly likely to help them, and which, if the person is unlucky
enough to one of the small minority which does suffer side effects, will not
produce debilitating symptoms as a result of the side effects if the person
is properly monitored and diagnosed.

> >>In the public system we cannot just up and fire the treating doctor, we
> >>do not have a choice here.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> insurance. You get the treatment required but you don't get to choose
> your doctor.

OK.

>    If the doctor made a disparaging racial comment, for example,
> > you're telling me that you could not demand a different doctor?
> Under those circumstances I am sure you could.

And I believe that in the event that you described symptoms consistent with
statin induced adverse side effects, and were not told that you would be
tested for them and/or would not be taken off the statin at least
temporarily, that you could demand to speak with another doctor or a
supervisor.

> >>>In short, doctors are not gods.
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 86 lines]
> > serious side effects", and the doctors and the pharmaceuticals are
> > conspiring to ignore and/or cover this up.

> I will leave them to answer if they wish.

That's probably the right thing to do.

> > In my opinion, I'm the one helping the minority.  I acknowledge that a very
> > small minority will not be able to tolerate statin therapy, but that this
> > minority can avoid serious damage by being educated about statins, by
> > demanding that questions be answered, that recommended periodic testing
> > protocols be followed, and that, if they present symptoms, these symptoms be
> > understood and taken seriously by allegedly competent medical personnel.

> In the above statement you are of course correct, no argument.

Then we've agreed to agree on that much.

> > Frankly, your post indicates that the above paragraph represents an
> > impossibility.  I just don't understand why.

> The impossibility arises because in reality it just doesn't happen.

I disagree.  I'm certain it happens quite a bit of its own accord, and it
happens somewhat based upon the patient taking appropriate action.

> >>Cappy
> >>
> > Steve

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

Caploc - 14 Sep 2004 23:50 GMT
>>>><snip>
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 307 lines]
> I disagree.  I'm certain it happens quite a bit of its own accord, and it
> happens somewhat based upon the patient taking appropriate action.

Steve thank you very much for the discussion, it's been very enlightening.
Cappy

>>>>Cappy
>>>
>>>Steve
>
> Steve
Steve Marcus - 12 Sep 2004 13:59 GMT
> >>Steve
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> So stuff those that can't..... eh Steve, majority rules and all that.

Who said that?  What I wrote was that publishing information that is skewed
and biased in order to scare people off of something that will help the vast
majority of them is not servicing "the public's right to know."

> Problem is as I see it, there is no back door, no way out, no fix once
> damaged, that's what makes taking this drug like a game of Russian Roulette.

That is not so.  For many, if not most (I don't have exact numbers), side
effects of statins are reversed once use ceases.

And, I am not aware of people being damaged within so short a time that had
they been effectively monitored, *as recommended by health professionals and
the pharmaceutical companies who make and sell statins*, they would not have
suffered any damage at all.  Every statin drug comes with a list of side
effects, a list of contraindications, a list of drug interactions that are
potentially harmful, a warning to report the side effects, and a statement
that tests for monitoring  potential harmful effects are necessary.  Indeed,
the vast majority of drugs of all comes come with all of the above save only
the requirement for testing.

> And to those that are damaged, who cares, certainly not the Doctors,
> Pharmo's,....if the light is a bit bad for some of those professionals
> maybe by removing their blinkers would allow them to see outside their
> consulting rooms and into the lounge rooms of those who have been damaged.

This is highly inaccurate.  I am not aware that doctors and people in the
pharmaceutical industries don't care.

> Zee is bringing informed (by experience) and documented information to
> those contemplating taking this drug, and I hope she continues to do so.

She is bringing highly one sided and biased information to a forum where
people are seeking help.  Any competent physician will fully inform a
patient of the potentially harmful side effects of any drug being
prescribed.  You cannot fill the prescription without receiving a rather
lengthy written instruction and information paper that describes drug
interactions and possible harmful effects.  The problem, if there is one, is
that people don't listen.

> Ahem,
> Cappy
> (Still trying to out run the death grip clutches of Statin therapy)

Sure.

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

Zee - 12 Sep 2004 16:21 GMT
> > > "Zee" <fresh~horses@despammed.com> wrote in message

Steve

Every day I and a couple other people receive two to five private
e-mails asking how to recover from statin syndrome. They aren't from
the same people over and over. They are newly injured desperate people
who are not getting better months and years after stopping statins.
They have lost their jobs and their homes, their businesses and their
marriages. There are suicides. We are just seeing the tip of the
iceberg. And that is a quote from a very highly esteemed cardiologist.

There are at least three posters here who have suffered some variation
of this above. There are at least another four whom *I* think are
suffering statin syndrome but who won't admit it or don't recognize it.

It's not a tiny minority with a genetic predisposition to side effect
who hve statin damage Steve. Yes there is probably a genetic factor for
a small percentage of people, but then there is the universal damage
that coenzyme q10 depletion causes to nerves, myelin sheath and brain
(if that theory is correct) and then there is the mitochondrial damage
that will be universal too. These aren't my theories Steve but those of
Dr. Golomb and Dr. Phillips to name only two. I have corresponded
privately with many researchers who agree. Soon there will be studies
on this published by several researchers.

I have a short shelf life not having fully recovered myself Steve so
you will understand if I now direct my limited energy to those asking
for information and help.
With respect and gratitude for mitzvahs.



Zee
Steve Marcus - 12 Sep 2004 19:42 GMT
> > > > "Zee" <fresh~horses@despammed.com> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> It's not a tiny minority with a genetic predisposition to side effect
> who hve statin damage Steve.

Evidence?

> Yes there is probably a genetic factor for
> a small percentage of people, but then there is the universal damage
> that coenzyme q10 depletion causes to nerves, myelin sheath and brain
> (if that theory is correct) and then there is the mitochondrial damage
> that will be universal too.

Evidence?

> These aren't my theories Steve but those of
> Dr. Golomb and Dr. Phillips to name only two. I have corresponded
> privately with many researchers who agree. Soon there will be studies
> on this published by several researchers.

Yup.  These guys know something that the FDA, NIH, the American
Cardiological Association, the AMA, etc., don't.  Right.

> I have a short shelf life not having fully recovered myself Steve so
> you will understand if I now direct my limited energy to those asking
> for information and help.
> With respect and gratitude for mitzvahs.
>
> Zee

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

Zee - 12 Sep 2004 19:52 GMT
> > > > > "Zee" <fresh~horses@despammed.com> wrote in message
> >
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> Yup.  These guys know something that the FDA, NIH, the American
> Cardiological Association, the AMA, etc., don't.  Right.

No Steve. FDA et al know by now. The studies are in the clearing
process. Please try not to be so hostile. It is simply not helpful. And
as you know, I might crack and respond in kind. The last time we did
that you yelled uncle.

Zee

> > I have a short shelf life not having fully recovered myself Steve so
> > you will understand if I now direct my limited energy to those asking
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
> view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3
Bill - 13 Sep 2004 00:07 GMT
>> > > > > "Zee" <fresh~horses@despammed.com> wrote in message
>> >
[quoted text clipped - 50 lines]
>
> Zee

However, one really can not take it as evidence until one sees it, sees what
it says, and has an opportunity to hear opposing views. Is there any
preliminary information available?

Bill

>> > I have a short shelf life not having fully recovered myself Steve
> so
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>> represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
>> view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3
Zee - 13 Sep 2004 02:04 GMT
Bill

For the most part you already know. It isn't anything we haven't read
being discussed here. I do not have access to the double-blind
randomized trial info. I do have one small study which is very
preliminary and part of ongoing work by that PI. I have been asked not
to post it yet. It's done, written, accepted for publication in a small
quarterly. As soon as I can post it I will. There are two or three
other studies coming along. I know some of the people who were
subjects, and as soon as I'm given the write-up I'll post it or Sharon
Hope will.

There are still so many questions because this hasn't been a multi
million dollar industry funded effort. I await Golomb's study with
interest. But I don't think it's going to 'vindicate' anybody or
anything. It's just a beginning of something that should have been done
long ago. All the information, negative and positive up front.

Some real, satisfying, systemic change. Not just a lawsuit for one
person. If anything approaches vindication, for me, that's it.
Zee

Zee
Steve Marcus - 13 Sep 2004 10:30 GMT
> > > > > > "Zee" <fresh~horses@despammed.com> wrote in message
> > >
[quoted text clipped - 48 lines]
> as you know, I might crack and respond in kind. The last time we did
> that you yelled uncle.

Really?  "The last time" you resorted to posting distortions (posts from
people sharing my name, but who were not me) and outright lies.  Go ahead
and do it again; anyone can be a "big man (or woman)" when s/he is protected
from libel by anonymity.  It shows that you are running out of relevant
arguments, as, for example, in the post to which I'm responding.  You now
rely upon studies in the clearing process.

And you have a strange definition of hostility.  You are hostile to all
doctors, all pharmaceutical companies, and to statins, notwithstanding that
statins help millions of people without causing side effects.  I'm
suggesting that if you want to aid the public's right to know, that you
present the whole picture, not a small portion of it.  That you regard that
as being "hostile" says a lot about you and your agenda.

> Zee

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

Zee - 13 Sep 2004 13:20 GMT
And you have absolutely no sense of humour.

Zee
Steve Marcus - 13 Sep 2004 23:08 GMT
> And you have absolutely no sense of humour.
>
> Zee

It is difficult to tell when a correspondent is intending a written comment
to be humorous, particularly when the correspondent is complaining that s/he
has been mistreated by one's posts.  Hence, certain e-mail/Usenet
conventions such as :), or o) or  ;)  etc.

It is also difficult to entertain humor when the topic involves peoples'
lives, or at least the quality of their lives.

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

Caploc - 13 Sep 2004 03:45 GMT
>>>>Steve
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Who said that?
You did.
"Again, for every person who cannot tolerate statins, there are
literally tens of thousands who can, do and benefit from statins."

So to rephrase: More people can tolerate statins, so stuff those that
can't, simple really.
Those that can tolerate statins don't have to worry, no need to mention
them.

 What I wrote was that publishing information that is skewed
> and biased in order to scare people off of something that will help the vast
> majority of them is not servicing "the public's right to know."

Actually Zee is helping to get the minority figures down.

>>Problem is as I see it, there is no back door, no way out, no fix once
>>damaged, that's what makes taking this drug like a game of Russian
>
> Roulette.
>
> That is not so.
Yes it is.

  For many, if not most (I don't have exact numbers), side
> effects of statins are reversed once use ceases.

For many, but not all.

> And, I am not aware of people being damaged within so short a time that had
> they been effectively monitored, *as recommended by health professionals and
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> the vast majority of drugs of all comes come with all of the above save only
> the requirement for testing.

In reality most people just don't read these list's, they put their
trust in their doctor(s).

>>And to those that are damaged, who cares, certainly not the Doctors,
>>Pharmo's,....if the light is a bit bad for some of those professionals
>>maybe by removing their blinkers would allow them to see outside their
>>consulting rooms and into the lounge rooms of those who have been damaged.

> This is highly inaccurate.  I am not aware that doctors and people in the
> pharmaceutical industries don't care.

I didn't say they don't care per se.

>>Zee is bringing informed (by experience) and documented information to
>>those contemplating taking this drug, and I hope she continues to do so.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Steve
Steve Marcus - 13 Sep 2004 10:24 GMT
> >>>>Steve
> >>>>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> "Again, for every person who cannot tolerate statins, there are
> literally tens of thousands who can, do and benefit from statins."

For g-d sakes, learn to read.  There's nothing about "majority rules" in
that.  My point is that statins benefit the vast majority of people.  They
are not right for everyone, just as penicillin is not the antibiotic of
choice for everyone, and just as caffein isn't a "drug" that I can tolerate
given my propensity to a fatal cardiac arrhythmia.  Anyone seeking to
deprive that majority of these drugs, and/or to scare everyone away from
using them, is barking up the wrong tree.  The proper answer is full and
total disclosure to everyone, and properly attentive followups from doctors
who do not, as you posted in another post, do not to consider the statin
when making their diagnosis when presented with a patient taking statins and
having symptoms of potential statin induced side effects.

> So to rephrase: More people can tolerate statins, so stuff those that
> can't, simple really.
> Those that can tolerate statins don't have to worry, no need to mention
> them.

Bulls--t.  I didn't write that, and if you think that I did, I feel sorry
for your incapacity to read plain English for comprehension.  It now seems
to me that you perfectly well understand that *you* tolerated being
ill-informed, and being misdiagnosed (even now you don't want to acknowledge
that the misdiagnosis equated to malpractice), and you are feeling sorry for
yourself.  That's fine, but don't take a position calculated to injure the
vast number of people who can tolerate statins, and be helped by them,
because of the mistakes of your doctors and your attitude of tolerating them
as though doctors are g-ds.

>   What I wrote was that publishing information that is skewed
> > and biased in order to scare people off of something that will help the vast
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> > That is not so.
> Yes it is.

No it is not.  Roulette is gambling without any foreknowledge at all. less
than 1 in 35 that a particular number will come up, less than 50-50 of black
or red, etc., and who knows where the ball will land next?  And once it
does, there are no "do overs."  Prescribing drugs that may have side effects
for a very small number of people is not roulette, provided that the patient
is informed (forewarned), or bothers to demand the s/he be informed, the
requisite monitoring program is put into practice and adhered to, and, in
the event that the patient has what may be an adverse reaction, a doctor
makes the correct diagnosis and changes the prescription, allowing the
patient to avoid serious damage before the side effects become more serious
and/or permanent (you get to "do it over").

>    For many, if not most (I don't have exact numbers), side
> > effects of statins are reversed once use ceases.
>
> For many, but not all.

Correct.

> > And, I am not aware of people being damaged within so short a time that had
> > they been effectively monitored, *as recommended by health professionals and
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> In reality most people just don't read these list's, they put their
> trust in their doctor(s).

And that's the fault of the pharmaceutical companies, and/or the vast number
of doctors who do not commit malpractice, and/or the vast majority of people
who do inform themselves, and/or the vast majority of people who can take
statins and benefit from them without side effects?

> >>And to those that are damaged, who cares, certainly not the Doctors,
> >>Pharmo's,....if the light is a bit bad for some of those professionals
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> I didn't say they don't care per se.

Then what did you say?

> >>Zee is bringing informed (by experience) and documented information to
> >>those contemplating taking this drug, and I hope she continues to do so.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> >
> > Steve

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

Caploc - 14 Sep 2004 07:41 GMT
> snip>
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>>>lengthy written instruction and information paper that describes drug
>>>interactions and possible harmful effects.  The problem, if there is

> one, is
>
>>>that people don't listen.

They do listen Steve, and then they go home and take the drug.

>>>>Ahem,
>>>>Cappy
>>>>(Still trying to out run the death grip clutches of Statin therapy)
>>>
>>>Sure.
Steve, I spent many a time lying in a hospital bed totally exhausted and
in intense pain thinking that death would soon come knocking. when I was
eventually diagnosed as having a bad reaction to a statin and the drug
stopped I picked up and have never been back to hospital for those same
complaints, but those times are imprinted in my memory, that's why I am
still running.

>>>Steve
>
> Steve
Steve Marcus - 14 Sep 2004 10:34 GMT
> > snip>
> >
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> They do listen Steve, and then they go home and take the drug.

But that's the the middle of the process that the patient should be engaged
in, not the end of the process.

> >>>>Ahem,
> >>>>Cappy
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> >
> > Steve

Steve
Signature

The above posting is neither a legal opinion nor legal advice,
because we do not have an attorney-client relationship, and
should not be construed as either.  This posting does not
represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3

Zee - 14 Sep 2004 11:21 GMT
> > > snip>
> > >
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> where
> > >>>people are seeking help.

So let me get this straight ceouncillor. In the American legal system I
pay you to go into the courtroom and present my side and the other
side.

> > >>>Any competent physician

Aye there's the rub.

will fully inform a
> > >>>patient of the potentially harmful side effects of any drug

Provided the physician knows them. Provided the pharmaceutical company
hasn't suppressed them, provided it was looked at in the clincial
trials. The serious side effects we are seeing were aftermarket and for
example the FDA still makes no warning about them.

being
> > >>>prescribed.  You cannot fill the prescription without receiving a
> rather
> > >>>lengthy written instruction and information paper that describes drug
> > >>>interactions and possible harmful effects.  The problem, if there is

Wanna bet councillor?

> > > one, is
> > >
> > >>>that people don't listen.

Another is that after they've taken the drug for awhile they lose the
ability for cogent thinking and stepped decision making. They lose
working memory.  And when they do they are dismissed by the badly
informed physicians who assure them the symptoms that are being
exhibited are not from statins. Three years ago when Baycol was
recalled, and today.

> > They do listen Steve,

Steve isn't listening. Unless of course he was always a hostile
aggressive inappropriately angry SOB.   : )

> But that's the the middle of the process that the patient should be engaged
> in, not the end of the process.

That's where they end up if they have the cognitive side effect which
manifests itself just about the time the other side effects do.
Incapable of recognizing, incapable of expressing what they recognize,
and incapable of realizing their doctors may be wrong when they say the
side effects are caused by their original condition ie) heart disease.

But finally councillor, and again councillor, are you paid to go into
the courtroom and present both sides of the argument? The other side of
the argument, if that is how you wish to put it (I don't) is well
represented. We've got it councillor. Ad nauseum.

Zee

> > >>>>Ahem,
> > >>>>Cappy
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> represent the opinion of my employer, but is merely my personal
> view.  To reply, delete _spamout_ and replace with the numeral 3
Steve Marcus - 14 Sep 2004 23:20 GMT