bad vibes for the messenger but I'll post this anyhow. At the ADA meeting in Chicago this week, Davis and colleagues reported some OBSERVATIONAL relationships between diabetic patients and PN relative to statins and fibrates. That these are observations is important because they have been treated statistically to see if there are any trends evident. The results are NOT from a placebo controlled double-blinded clinical trial.
Nonetheless, the preliminary evidence from the Fremantle study seems to suggest that statins or fibrates may protect some diabetic patients from developing symptomatic PN - the classes are ~equivalent. The affect was independent of blood glucose control and other factors affecting neuropathy. Aaron Vinik commented that he believed the results were credible.
There are certainly examples of negative affects of statins that have been noted on this and other forums but maybe there will be some benefit to be derived from either or both classes in the future.
Regardless, I'm outa' here.

alkymst


http://diabetes.webmd.com/news/20070...s-nerve-damage

I clicked on the link and read the whole topic.

Then I remembered two years ago, when I started the ACCORD program at Cornell, they put me on statins (I didn't have a cholesterol problem), they did it because I was diabetic, as a preventive measure.

Well, the muscle pain was fierce, so I stopped the statins. I also developed neuropathy.

So I don't know what this means, but in my case, the statin did not prevent any neuropathy.

Love ya,

Melody

But like Mel the muscle weakness and pain was just to much,i have
tried more than 1 and NO more. Sue

--statins might, indirectly, help to prevent neuropathy through thier other effects--namely, the lowering of cholesterol and the mitigation of the cluster of symptoms that make up metabolic syndrome. If one can keep vessels from becoming clogged with circulation lessening cholesterol deposits--and statins work on all blood vessels, not just th coronary arteries--then one has less chance of having a circulation loss that would result in fewer nutrients getting to nerve, fewer wastes being carried out, and a dimunition in nerve function leading to neuropathic symptoms. In that sense, statins may have a protective effect. (And hypertriglyceridemia is associated with small-fiber neuropathy.)

I still think, though, in keeping with the OTHER evidence of side effects in some that include muscle/nerve breakdown, it would be prudent for most to try other cholesterol level-lowering avenues first (from fiber to niacin to fish oil to exercise).

(Looking over old postings noted this one on PN: thought this following would be of interest):


http://tinyurl.com/6q4czj

I find this topic very interesting as i have been just put on Crestor [ 10mg ], i did question my doctor about the possible side affects of statins. mainly neuropathy, but he assured me that this is a low dose and the benefits of decreasing the chances of heart attack & stroke definatly outway the minimal chances of any side affects especially at such a low dose, i have only been taken them for 3 days but still a bit hesitant to continue with them, i really don't know what to do for the best.

Brian

Not to distract too much from this important topic but your signature quotes really speak to my experience lately. Thanks for those.