One of the things the statins do is cause reductions in the natural levels of coenzyme Q-10. Most folks on statins would do well to take a Co-Q10 supplement to minimize that effect.

Hi TXBatman,

Taking a statin took my mobility, my strength, my mind, my memory, extremely increased my fatigue and I lost my ability to drive...this medication took away my ability to have ANY kind of life. Suicide was becoming an very real option.

No supplement would have changed that

The only option I had was to stop taking it.

I should add: I was taking Q10 when I was using the statin and I still use Q10.

Wow Snoops, that is very important info to have!!!! I am so happy that you are no longer on this statin and your awful side effects have diminished.

I had already heard that statins could cause muscle weakness but not cog fog.

I have tried various statins, and get that awful muscle effect from many of them...so I am on two mild drugs, one of them zetia which works in the intestines...I also take CoQ10 as directed...but I have been on these drugs for many years and have only had severe cognitive difficulties the last 3-4 years...
It would be very dangerous for me not to be on anti cholesterol drugs, due to very high numbers and a family history of heart disease...

There is some information out about statins and memory loss/cognitive problems. The NeuroPsych I saw said there will be more as, in his profession, more and more cases are being seen...with and without MS.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...art-medication

This is a thread from the medication forum and I agree with MrsD...statins are not safe.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread144284.html

One would think that would be valuable data, Koala, but it seems to be relatively rare. I went on my own and requested the testing, it was never ordered by any doctor. I just felt lucky there was a neuropsych nearby and I didn't have to go far for testing. I think at the time she was the only one in the state.

My neuro explained to me that she recommends against neuropsych testing until it is needed for something like a disability hearing, because the test results can also be used against you in some cases. She said it is better not to do until you need it to tell you something.

I had cognitive testing about two years ago when I started having more trouble at work with forgetting things. The results showed no significant change, other than what was expected for someone of my age with MS. Not terribly helpful information. I did get to have some cognitive training--basically just learning some helpful techniques. I'm not really much better off than I was and I'm going to ask my neuro if I can redo the tests this soon. Just in case I need to apply for SDDI.

Good luck with your tests.

Marion,

I was ordered to take a full neuropsychological evaluation by a second opinion neurologist. The full test was exhausting and lasted a full seven hours with two bathroom breaks and 30 minute lunch.

The bottom line when I asked the doctor how I did, she responded with, "Well you did very well for a 76 year old." That sucked because I was 51 years old when I took the test. She followed up by saying that should be a good representation of where you really are an what you're dealing with right now.

I still have a copy of her full report and it is not flattering in any way. At the same time there was a huge sigh of relief and vindication that I was not going crazy and it was all in my head. (No pun intended.)

It is now six years later and I'm still hanging in there, albeit challenged more and more each day. Life goes on.

I don’t get my results until next Wednesday, but if that test were intended to determine what sort of career I might flourish in, I doubt their recommendation would be “Sketch Artist.” Even I could see that the patterns I copied didn’t turn out anything similar to the original.

I'll keep you all advised.