Thankyou thankyou thankyou...Every day I've come online, I've read "Who is high on Cholesterol medicine"..It catches me every time.

I have been on Lipitor for several years. It never mattered what diet I ate or how much or little I exercised, my cholesterol was always between about 205 and 230. Since I started 20 mg Lipitor, it has never been above 140. I have never really noticed any side effects from it, and I have never had any explicit symptoms since my first episode (although I did have extra lesions show up w/o symptoms attached), so I have no idea whether it is the Lipitor or the Copaxone doing it.

I am one of the people who got the very rare side effects from taking simivastatin last year. I developed muscle and nerve damage to my thighs. I was on Avonex weekly injections at the time and the statin went directly to the weaken muscle site of my injections.

I started Zoxor (simivastatin) in April and 4 days later after my Avonex injection, I had strong, awful pain. I had no idea what it was and thought it was either a reaction to Avonex or my MS acting up. When I saw my Neuro in July, I forgot to tell her about the new med for cholesterol. She took me off of Avonex immediately and said she had never seen damage like this to both thighs. A few days after my visit, I called to let her know I started Zocor and I was told to stop taking it immediately.

My Cardiologist said no more statin drugs for me ever. I am now taking 1000mgs of non flush Niacin daily. If the Niacin doesn't work, there is one drug that is a non statin but not generic. I will take it and apply for patient assistance through the drug company.

The generic Zocor lowered my cholesterol dramatically but I now have permanent muscle and nerve damage to my thighs.

You are too funny! LOL

Funny you should say that!

I lost the hearing suddenly in my left ear on July 2, 1999.

I had surgery to fix a presumed membrane tear in the ear on December 21, 1999.

But it didn't work... so I went around telling everyone that I was not Ear 2000 compliant!

Nancy T.

Seriously, Moose?? I NEVER heard this before! Do you think it's really true?

It's kind of hard to believe, because then wouldn't they be looking at people's old and new cholesterol levels when trying to diagnose MS in unclear cases? Wouldn't they then want all MSers to have their cholesterol checked to make sure it's not too high from demyelination?

(But I admit... I've secretly wondered whether even if I DO have MS--which I prolly don't, but maybe I do, who the h knows--maybe the reason it's stayed so very mild is because I eat a lot of food that's bad for me!! All that fat keeps those nerves remyelinated? )

Nancy T.

Yes, beautiful. I wouldn't lie to you. I've said many times my disdain for doctors, but I really liked this guy. He was top notch. As far as it being true for all MSers... Who knows?

***Moose loves vegetables, and onions and garlic (natures cholesterol fighters) were always on my menu. I once ordered a foot long sub sandwich with just cheese and vegetables and the little girl giggled that she "had never seen a guy my size order that". ---Yes, before MS and The Wreck I was thinner and had some muscle tone. I told her I was all bound up and needed some fiber for a push. HA!

Ahem. Pre MS/first exacerbation I was at 175. NO change in diet but 6 months after that first attack, my numbers shot up to 223. I asked him about it, and that's what he told me.

Very interesting. I can't remember my exact numbers, but one year my bad cholesterol was at just a borderline level, and at the next measurement it had about doubled. I was aghast, and assuring my internist that I hadn't changed my diet, and certainly not to a solid menu of milkshakes!!

Keep eating that garlic--it's supposed to be real good for you. Its magical properties seem unbounded--by hubby used to rub it on his head regularly, claiming it kept his hair from falling out, until I FINALLY managed to convince him that I'd rather have a sexy bald guy than a stinky one with a few hairs on top of his head!! (The handsomest actor ever is Patrick Stewart, in my book.) I never stopped him from eating garlic, though, because I know it's so good for you.

Well, I'll keep my cloves, er, eyes peeled for any more info on demyelination and cholesterol!

Have a great weekend,

Nancy T.