statins
 

Hi.ive been taking lipitor because i have high triglycerides but ive just read that statins van cause periphal neuropathy so can high triglycerides if i get triglycerides down wud neuropathy get better and if neuropathy from statins wud that improve. Im also scared ive got autonomic neuropathy im diabetic as well and scared

Triglycerides really respond to fish oil. Lipitor only affects them mildly to moderately.

3 fish oil a day can reduce them by 1/2 or more.

Triglycerides are called the tattle-tale cholesterol. When I stopped most sugars and carbs, mine went down to a good number. Fatty foods, exercise also play a big part and you just have to pay attention to all of it. I have always taken great supplements like a good fish oil also.

I have never heard that high triglycerides could cause neuropathy, although I have read medical journal articles which indicate they can accompany some hereditary neuropathies. There is also a hereditary type of high triglyceride. As I have no other markers for heart disease and cannot take Tricor or statins I largely ignore my numbers beyond trying to watch what I eat and exercise as possible.

My triglycerides were well over 500, and fish oil has reduced them by nearly half.

Slightly off the specific topic here
 

But rather than start yet another thread I figured I'd throw this query in since it's about statins.

Finally convinced my doc to let me try life off Lipitor to see if my PN would improve as a result. I've been on the stuff fairly continuously for more than 15 years and have had PN symptoms for maybe 2.

My question: if I'm going to notice any improvement, what do folks think is a reasonable ballpark for when I might expect to see it?

My thanks to all.

15 years is a long time for damage to occur.

It will be a long time therefore, to see improvements.

Here is a video...explaining one of the damages that statins cause.
There are others. One other is that statins block remyelination repair that nerves undergo daily. This one may stop more quickly than the damage explained in the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF_3miYtuDM

You may have to watch the video more than once.
Best to do that with a rest in between.

There are also photos of statin damage: These are very new:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0510150143.htm

Mrs. D,
 

I have been cutting my 40mg's of Simvastatin in half for the past couple of years because of all the indicators pointing to PN. My last visit with my Internist informed him I was taking only half dose. He now has prescribed 20mg's instead of the 40 mg's. I am on a pretty high dose of narcotic meds because of 24/7 spine/PN pain.

Just wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea just to stop taking them at all. I have blood work done every 5 months or so because of my being Hyperthroid.

My doctor includes the Cholesterol (with fasting) among the bloodwork tests. Below are my last readings dated 10/19/2013.
Cholesterol Total of 176, Triglycerides ...102, HDL...71, VLDL Cholesterl Cal 20, LDL Cholesterol Calc...85, LDL/HDL Ratio ..1.2

Would appreciate your thoughts.


Gerry

The numbers are not being used anymore. That tells me they didn't mean much in the first place.:rolleyes: The fact is they were rather fabricated by Big Pharma and sold to doctors as miracle drugs (which they are most definitely not).

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ghlight=statin
The new criteria are on this link, including the "revised" criteria.

I only provide the information here that your doctor either ignores or doesn't know about. It is your decision ultimately as to whether to take them or not.

Zocor is under scrutiny now because it is lipophilic (meaning enters fatty areas like the brain and nerves ) to only use low doses or none at all.

Mrs. D - thank you so much for this. I'll look forward (so to speak) to those vids!

Mrs. D,

I am totally confused. I just responded a post to you regarding the thread where you mention " the Lisinopril debacle" . Of course, I am on Lisinopril too.!!!!

Not sure what to say to my doctor regarding the numbers on the chloresterol readings since, if I understand you correctly, they seem to be just about worthless.

I have an appointment him in February. I get my bloodwork done the previous week so he has all the readings.

Thanks for all you input.


Gerry

I think it is worth your asking your doctor for another family of
blood pressure control...

Lisinopril is unique in the ACE inhibitor family

1) it is not metabolized and is excreted as such in the urine.
For people with HAE...(angioedema) this can inflame the bladder

2) If you have lowered C-1 inhibitor levels, you can have serious side effects from this drug. Swelling of any body part, burning symptoms, dry cough, bladder irritation, shortness of breath, redness in the skin in various areas. (redness is less common than the other symptoms)

Of those symptoms only the cough or breathing issues, are typically understood by doctors. My doctor realized my problem because she had a CME (continuing education) lecture on this 2 yrs ago. But if doctors don't choose that topic when they do their CME for relicensure, they really don't know about HAE. Most of the research on it has been done in Europe and in the last 10 yrs.

A very young or newly licensed doctor may have had HAE in school or not depending on how up to date the curriculum is there.

Here is the first thread I made about my struggle with lisinopril:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ght=lisinopril

Mrs. D.,

When you say another family; not sure what would be a good replacement for Lisinopril.

Even with the Lisinopril, my blood pressure was still on the high side until I started taking the Spironlactone daily for the swelling in legs and feet. Wonder if there could be a connection? The Edema started about 5 yrs. ago shortly after having Cystecele surgery.

Am I correct in assuming I should reconsider continuing with the Simvastatin?

Thanks again,

Gerry

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor....all of them increase bradykinin in the body, and if you have impaired ability to metabolize this away, then all of them will cause problems for you.

The others in the family are metabolized by the liver...and excreted metabolized. Lisinopril is not, and leaves whole in the urine. Active then to increase bradykinin in the bladder.

Bradykinin is a biogenic amine, and causes vasodilation in tissues everywhere. In my case it is mostly my GI tract that reacted to this, but also my face, hands, feet, and tongue...sometimes my throat closed down, but not completely...so I made strange noises in my larynx. (a hoarse squealing sound--mostly at night).

Normal people have adequate enzyme C-1 inhibitor to remove bradykinin, but people with a genetic error cannot so it builds up and in some cases (20-30%) can kill you eventually. Most doctors will take you off ACE drugs if you get the cough. I didn't have the cough much, but I sure did get a devastating reaction finally which I wouldn't wish on anyone! It can sneak up on you, or happen early in therapy. It can happen anytime in fact.

I would try and see if the spironolactone is enough for now.
There is very little evidence that statins do anything positive for women.
Here is the link on those stats:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post1002533-6.html

statins
 

I can't take them, husband does, the doc put him on Provastin 80 mg, it stopped the leg cramps the Liptor caused. Then he stuck him on Whelcol 6 horse pills a day. His Tris are down, but not from the med, he lays off SWEETS and CARBS 2 weeks before his next doc visit, so it fools the test. Whelcol is one of those I can't take, gout symptoms on 1 pill a day, at the end of 5 days could barely walk from the hip and toe pain. Can I suggest a type 2 Diabetic diet, It has lowered my Tris in half from 300 to 130 no pills I have to take. Just watch high sugar fruits and carbs. Just don't over do the proteins, as they can cause muscle issues. I have FMS so I have to watch all meds and the amount of protein I consume.

I freeze the fish oil caps, and it lessons the nasty burps, etc. Instead of buying the more expensive Krill oil for my husband. It is not one of those things I can take, allergic to sea food.

balanchine, I too took lipitor for over 10 years and have had SFN that started a little over 2 years ago. I stopped the statin last july with no relief of symptoms. i was on crestor the last year before stopping. Have you had any relief of symptoms? I was just newly diagnosed with SFN. the 1st 1 1/2 I had mild bilateral heel pain that Increased last july to burning pain in the ball of my foot. So frustrating! Any info you have would be helpful. thanks

Debra, so sorry to hear about your distress. I wish I had something constructive to tell you. I've been off Lipitor now for 2 months and feel no different. Mrs. D. mentioned that after the long period of medication it would take awhile for things to change so we'll just have to see. I hope you get some relief!