I don't believe that doctors are accurately reporting the frequency of side-effects. They are most likely reporting only those side-effects which THEY feel are serious enough to report, such as liver and muscle abnormalities which can be measured by blood tests. They are probably dismissing most of the other complaints from patients, and these go largely unreported. For example, statin-related muscle damage can occur in patients with NORMAL CK levels. But these patients probably aren't even included in their statistics. That 3-5% frequency rate sounds absurd. The true figure is probably much closer to 20%, at least.
Well they couldn't have been reporting the Baycol problems, and look how long it took for that report to go public. People had to die before they recalled that junk, and as I understand it, more died then was actually reported. Like U said, unless it is really serious in THEIR minds, it gets tossed aside as just a lil complaint, or they pass the muscle problems off as arthritis. As I have said before, if it was arthritis, then it WOULDN'T disappear when U stopped taking the drug. Too often drs. let it go so long, it turns into PN and other ailments that sometimes never go away.
BTW, are U guys sweating up a storm down there like we are?
Yeah, riight...and I bet you believe that madcow is on the loose and everyone is going to die. :D :D :D
Out of 12 people that I know right now only 1 had muscles aches but he admitted that it definatley lowered his cholesterol and wanted to try another one.
This would keep in line with the 95% (corrected figure :D ) having no problems.
A conspiracy theorist?? That's really funny. :D :bouncing:
NOW people actually DIE from Statins...Heh heh
No proof, just a conjecture.
And yet...there are those who still try to reduce cholesterol by diet and natural means.
Why don't you ask BigDobe how he feels about Lipitor?
What about all the folks who died from complications from Baycol??? And yes, alot of folks try a natural approach to lowering their cholesterol because for some folks, statins are NOT the answer, too many side effects. WE all are aware that statins lower cholesterol, one would have to be a fool NOT to know it, but for many, and I do mean MANY, the quality of their life gets depleted.
I hope the day never comes where U have side effects like some of us have had, it isn't a very pleasant thing to go thru.
What about all the folks who died from complications from Baycol??? And yes, alot of folks try a natural approach to lowering their cholesterol because for some folks, statins are NOT the answer, too many side effects. WE all are aware that statins lower cholesterol, one would have to be a fool NOT to know it, but for many, and I do mean MANY, the quality of their life gets depleted.
I hope the day never comes where U have side effects like some of us have had, it isn't a very pleasant thing to go thru.
[quote]After receiving reports of increased cases of serious rhabdomyolysis, Bayer recently adjusted the recommended dosage level of Baycol drug tablets for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Bayer claimed that patients were taking Baycol in doses not consistent with Baycol's product labeling and sent out a letter to doctors recommending that they more closely monitor their patients' doses. Bayer assumed that patients were to blame rather than Baycol, reaffirmed that proper use of Baycol was safe, and said that no serious side effects should occur.
31 people out of millions dies due to apparent misuse. I have heard of more dying from an overdose of aspirin.
These drugs are marvelous and I would hate to be living in a third world country that has little or nothing at all in meds, like Africa.
As little as 100 years ago many of the meds we have today would have been welcome on the shelf of those suffering. They are true Godsends to the decaying human condition. :) :)
Bayer AG announced back in January that they were aware of at least 100 who had died from Baycol.
Lawyers are going to make mincemeat of Bayer before they are thru. I hope they have very good liability insurance - they are going to need it.
As far as Vytorin goes, after reading some of the posts of this site, I'm not sure if it lowers cholesterol, but I am sure it lowers IQ.
DisManIs2Cool
Hi DisMan....Yes, I saw that article along with a few others. I didn't bookmark the sites, but I know the lawsuits are WAY up in the millions. I took that stuff for a few months, Holy Moley, I felt like I got hit by a Mac truck. Since my bout with Lipitor and Baycol, I called it quits. It took my GI guy 9 months to straighten my GI problems out, and me about 6 months to get some strength back into me. I was always a very active person, and it was brutal feeling like a near invalid for so long.
As far as Vytorin, haven't a clue what it does or doesn't do, but I'm not willing to be another guinea pig for it or any other statin.... :nono:
Hi DisMan....Yes, I saw that article along with a few others. I didn't bookmark the sites, but I know the lawsuits are WAY up in the millions. I took that stuff for a few months, Holy Moley, I felt like I got hit by a Mac truck. Since my bout with Lipitor and Baycol, I called it quits.
JJ,
You're lucky you got off the Baycol before it did really serious damage to your body.
I had a bad experience with Lipitor, and had to take a leave from my job for 2 months I was in so much pain. I really thought it was going to leave me bed-ridden for a while. Luckily after a few months the pain subsided.
And I was a very athletic person. I ran track in college - did a 4 min 25 second mile. I'm in my mid thirties now, but I can still do a 5 minute mile, and my last 10k race was a respectable 34 minutes 25 seconds... It's not like I was a couch potato.
I gave up statins, and about 6 months ago started on Policosanol. On Lipitor my total cholesterol was 185. After 6 months on 20mg Policosanol, my total cholesterol was 198, and my HDL was the best ever, up to 79 from 58 on Lipitor.
I also changed my eating habits. I cut back on fats, especially saturated. I increased my green veggies and fruits. And I cut way back on sweets.
I want to live to see my grandchildren.
My last exam revealed no trace of heart disease - so I'm going to stay the course I'm on right now.
You're lucky you got off the Baycol before it did really serious damage to your body.
I had a bad experience with Lipitor, and had to take a leave from my job for 2 months I was in so much pain. I really thought it was going to leave me bed-ridden for a while. Luckily after a few months the pain subsided.
And I was a very athletic person. I ran track in college - did a 4 min 25 second mile. I'm in my mid thirties now, but I can still do a 5 minute mile, and my last 10k race was a respectable 34 minutes 25 seconds... It's not like I was a couch potato.
I gave up statins, and about 6 months ago started on Policosanol. On Lipitor my total cholesterol was 185. After 6 months on 20mg Policosanol, my total cholesterol was 198, and my HDL was the best ever, up to 79 from 58 on Lipitor.
I also changed my eating habits. I cut back on fats, especially saturated. I increased my green veggies and fruits. And I cut way back on sweets.
I want to live to see my grandchildren.
My last exam revealed no trace of heart disease - so I'm going to stay the course I'm on right now.
DisManIs2Cool
I was on Lipitor in 2000 for about 3 months when I noticed nasty GI problems, but the dr. thought it was a bug, but it kept getting worse. Finally he told me to stop the Lipitor for awhile and things got better. After another month he put me on Baycol, that is when everything went nuts. I spent more time at the drs. office going thru all sorts of tests, upper GI, lower, and even a colonoscopy. For almost 3 months I lived on crackers and ginger ale, as I had no desire for food at all, plus I was always exhausted. Luckily nothing serious turned up and with some extra rest I finally started to get back to normal. Later I joined a gym to get my muscles back in shape and to get some strength back.
My husband was on Lipitor for almost 7 yrs. before we figured out what was going on with him, as we had no computer so had NO idea what the Lipitor was doing to him. To make it as short as possible, he developed type 2 diabetes, had such bad muscle pain and weakness he had to retire in 99 rather then 2003. Now he has PN, and is on all sorts of meds. just to get to sleep at nite. The PN in his legs and feet are so numb, he has to wear shoes at all times, as he can't feel if he steps on anything. Several times he has stepped on my foot and except for feeling the abnormal bump under his foot, has no idea he steps on anything, and it makes me sad to see him in such pain, especially when I can do nothing to help.
Luckily he is getting some of his muscle pains to go away, but the PN is here to stay and is now spreading to his hands. He was also an extremly active person, but for a long time all he did was eat, sleep and work, what a waste huh?
Sounds like U went thru alot also, but glad to hear U are doing so much better, and the Policosanol is helping. Like hubby's cardio man has said, if a med. takes your quality of life away, then there is no sense in taking it, so he doesn't get on anyones back for not taking statins. Just keep on doing what your doing and hopefully all will go well for you, as U sure want to be around to see those grandkids. We have 3, and it is something U don't want to miss out on.
