Welcome merniebj: You have found a great place for info. I am learning all the time. I just learned something new from your post and want to thank you for bringing it to my attention.

I don't know how I missed mrsD's other posts on statins, but am glad I found the info now. Melody is right. mrsD always has great information.

I just read a few of her articles on statins, but am going to take time to read them all this morning. My doctor just started me on Crestor last month. So far I haven't noticed any side effects, but am going to talk with him about it at my next visit.

Again, welcome and Thank you.

The side effect profile of Crestor is the most severe of any statin. In fact a consumer safety group tried multiple times to get it off the market. (Dr. Sidney Wolfe MD leads this group)

I suggest you read alot, especially the PDF from Canada which targets women, to see if the benefits you may accrue outweigh the risks of this drug.

Most doctors have no clue how toxic these drugs are. Basically they damage mitochondria, and the results can be severe in some people. It is thought that genetics plays a part now, in how people will respond to statins.
As the other patents have expired, more data is coming out (previously suppressed by Big Pharma) as to the risks of this class of drugs. In the near future I will predict that they will only be used for severe genetic familial hypercholesteremia, which is what they were designed for, before Big Pharma started pushing them for more normal people.

You will notice that the new commercial for Crestor does not mention heart attack, but only "athero".

One test you can request is a lipo-a protein blood test. If this is elevated, your risks are higher. These levels are genetically determined and very difficult to alter. If it is low or normal, you probably could do without a statin. For example my lipo-a when I had it run last year was very low. This test may help you and your doctor decide about statin use.
The other test you can request is the "small" or "VL" LDL... which is normally not in a panel. This VL (very low size or small) LDL is more predictive of blood vessel plaque.

http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-d...81/lipoprotein

Taking a statin is a MAJOR decision... as you may be giving up your future to something that will decrease your comfort and quality of life. This list of diseases resulting from long term statins increases every year.

This PDF is one you should read:
http://www.joimr.org/JOIMR_Vol7_No1_Dec2009.pdf

The negative effect of statins on the myelin of nerves:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/j...TRY=1&SRETRY=0

http://www.whp-apsf.ca/pdf/statinsEvidenceCaution.pdf
This is an eye opener about women and statin usefulness and side effects. 38 pgs!

Mitochondrial damage:
http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=1833

Here is some interesting news about Sidney Wolfe MD who has been a huge crusader for safer drugs (including Crestor).
http://www.theheart.org/article/932995.do
appointed to safety committee of FDA recently!

Also this from their website:
http://www.worstpills.org/results.cfm?drug_id=1025
notice Crestor listed as causing kidney damage 75 times higher than other than other statins!

If you Google "Sidney Wolfe Crestor" there is much to be found!