randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
Please help. my sister who has rheumatoid arthritis has been put on statins. she has already had one knee replaced. she gets iv treatments once a month. she takes steroids and heavy duty pain meds.
I've begged,pleaded, done everything I could to get them tested for lyme. they won't listen. when she told me she was going on statins,I freaked out. I cursed, cried, did and said anything and everything...no go..
got the old what do you know, you believe drs are out to get you, lyme isn't real, oh get off it. the usual bs.
well guess what. shes only been on crestor a couple of weeks, about 20 mg, and she can barely walk. her hips, knees, and feet hurt. her hands are cramping.
personally I think she's been on it longer and she ain't being exactly truthful. one always gets part of the truth, then when crap hits the fan, the truth gets out in bits and pieces.
at this point, itys is not good so what can I do? will her side effects go away? what dr in their right mind put her on statins?
I'm torn between being furious cause nobody listened to me and wanting to yell at them.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- What's her method for self-education regarding medical matters?
Did she - maybe (oh, please, hopefully) - take a debate class in high school? Rather than set up a winner-looser, though, we know with medicine that it really pays to look at many sides to any Rx.
If she prefers reading articles . . . or watching expert lectures, say - whichever is her best way to learn you might send her top links to good educational sources.
Better this information come from good sources if she is not likely to listen to you.
Maybe something like: "there are doctors who have found better ways than this" and "others in your situation have found other ways to approach this" . . . let her know that she could have a very different experience than what's currently happening .
It sounds, though, like she is not either able or wanting to open her mind to consider various ways of looking at even one aspect, say, the statins. And if she is not open to learning more than she knows now, it's really just to her to stay in that place.
All you can do is share key links and express your concern / love and let it go. She's not alone, though (sigh!). Many people don't really research Rx or OTC products. Or they do so only with a very narrow frame of mind.
They 1) think it's fine to trust the doctors in the white coats & 2) find it easier.
It just seems that now we have access to so many sources of information that it's perplexing when the resources are not even considered.
In the end, it's about her choice in how she approaches this. Family dynamics, her own stanch on just what she will or won't let into her brain, too, sets the decision. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
she believes the medical community are gods and anyone, like me who, god forbid, has a liberal arts degree, are illiterate morons,who shouldn't dare question our "betters".
she gets her information only from "professionals".....
she's told me repeatedly "well you obviously don't understand" or "well unless you have a medical degree, you dont have the knowledge or experience to question a dr" or.....
I could go on and on but you get the picture. I honestly feel like saying "fine. dont listen to this moron. end up in a wheelchair or bedbound. I don't give a rat's ____"
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The tricky part is how can you give her a way out to gracefully change her mind- or even take one step to be interested in hearing / reading from some of the other, yes, doctors, who think differently about statins?
The interpersonal dynamics can be a minefield here. Not that she seems likely at all yet given the relationship between you, she needs a way to change her path - that is to just look down a different avenue - without having to say that either of you is is right or wrong.
Sharing links seems safe enough. If you just send her 3 top links she can look at them in her own time.
So keep to the facts - the research links - to speak for you.
I hope the next post might help. You can just copy & paste that and email to her. It's a start. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
4:44 VIDEO "Taking Statin Drugs for Cholesterol " and Article, too.
Excerpt:
. . . The problem with a statin is this: You don't want to choose a statin to lower a cholesterol number. To me, that's bad medicine and I'll tell you why.
Statin drugs can have horrific side effects. I've seen side effects across the board. I've seen weakness of the limbs, weakness of the hands.
I've seen almost like a pre-Alzheimer's condition where people literally forget who they are.
We call it, "total global amnesia." I've seen difficulty with vision, I've seen liver problems, I've seen kidney problems, polyneuropathy-I've seen it all.
Why? Because I'm a cardiologist and I see the side effects of statins that other physicians give patients and they come to me to get them off statins and they use lifestyle changes instead. . . .
* There is evidence showing that statins may actually make your heart health worse and only appear effective due to statistical deception
* Statins deplete your body of CoQ10, inhibit synthesis of vitamin K2, and reduce the production of ketone bodies
* Statins increase your risk of serious diseases including cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, musculoskeletal disorders and cataracts
[Full article at link above. At the end of article: Clink on the " Sources and Reference" link to see the 22 medical journal articles & sources cited.]
A recently published study in the American Journal of Physiology has shown that statins, anti-cholesterol drugs, are disrupting our stem cells.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to create different kinds of cells (such as skin, muscle, or bone cells).
They are central to the body’s ability to heal itself and also seem to be involved in the body’s aging process.
Dr. Reza Izadpanah, a stem cell biologist at Tulane and the lead author of the study, was quoted as saying,
"Our study shows statins may speed up the aging process.
People who use statins as a preventive medicine for heath should think again, as our research shows they may have general unwanted effects on the body which could include muscle pain, nerve problems, and joint problems [as well]."
Even after a only a few weeks on statins, many patients begin feeling years older.
Findings Do Not Support Steroid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis
May 16, 2017
. . . adverse effects on cartilage and bone . . . .
. . . The researchers found that injections with triamcinolone resulted in significantly greater cartilage volume loss . . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Since 1993, dedicated to continuing the legacy of Dr. Thomas McPherson Brown, pioneer in treating all forms of rheumatic disease with antibiotic protocols.
This site provides you with the resources to: . . . .
Use this section to search for studies on infectious causes of rheumatic diseases, efficacy of antibiotic treatment for rheumatic diseases, possible triggers and/or causes and other allied topics.
Some of the studies we have included are historical but still have relevance today. Some are very recent as infectious theory, once again, gains traction in the global research community.
We’ll keep adding to this section as we become aware of new and pertinent research. . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
spoke to her. she assured me the dr only told her to take 2.5, half of a 5 mg pill, of crestor. she said she's only been taking it about a week or so but she got scared and stopped it when my other sister told her about being hospitalized with rhabdymylosis. sorry for spelling...
I hope she will not have any side effects.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Well, a half dose of a statin is still a problem however, the good news is that she has had a tiny night light turned on about this. A half-dose will still have the same action and mode of operation.
I hope you feel free to send her those links above.
Good luck with how your mind & heart can maneuver this landscape.
I recall how devastating I was when I knew I could only suggest one thing to my father when he when through chemotherapy for lung cancer.
I asked him to ask his doctor about taking MILK THISTLE to help protect his liver during or in the intermittent times of his treatment.
Whether he just said he asked his oncologist or not, I'll never know as my Dad was never particularly interested in my interest in "Chinese" herbs (bad connotation for him coming from WWII times). He trusted the AMA full force.
Well, he said that his oncologist told him "never heard of Milk Thistle" -- I new my Dad would never listen to me on it and I had so hoped that the doctor might have. Even in 2005, Milk Thistle had hundreds of medical abstracts at PubMed.
Soon the cancer spread to his liver. That was beginning of the end as they just stepped up the chemo and offered him zero nutritional support or organ protection along the way.
And he drove in rush hour daily 1.5 hours to the hospital for treatment . . . in summer. In a new car. His air pollution levels must have been through the roof for 3 hours a day during treatment times.
Decades earlier, in 1984, my Mom was pumped full of Tylenol-3 for 6 weeks in hospital before finally dying of - yep - liver failure.
I had not idea then that acetaminophen actually can destroy a liver, especially in someone very ill to begin with. Wish I had known.
What most appalling now, though, is that this is not news. This is known. But the medical centers are not opening up to change the way they treat. If anything, they are tightening down and keep many patients in the dark about Rx effects. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
do you think she'll be ok? it was only for a short time but she said she took ubiquinol, krill oil, mag, and coq10.
hopefully shes dodged a bullet...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Oh, randibear . . . I can hear the concern in your voice.
My eyes must have missed that this was to be only for a short time. Seeing in post above, then, " only for a short time"
Whew! Then she's not taking them now?
Confused, though. In your "headline" you say "she's on statins"
and first paragraph: "has been put on statins"
Good help with ubiquinol, krill oil, mag, and coq10. . . . for a short time that might be good but I'd not bet on it for long term statin protection.
And since she was feeling so much worse, don't know how much good those could do.
I do hope this will be just a bad turn and that the course will have a correction to smoother roads now. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
sorry I've jus been off the deepend when she told me she was taking statins.
but that's her. she won't tell you the complete story unless you push her. she said I'm taking statins, so I assume she's on them now. then I call and demand answers and it's like oh well, not exactly.
this is the one that let a homeless couple move in, take every cent she had, stole jewelry, etc. wrecked her car, family was screaming at her to throw them out but she wouldn't listen. then when she was destitute, she threw them out. then told the truth about how bad it really was.
they had to hire professionals to come in and clean up the filth. it was bad.
I don't understand her. both other sisterssay she needs psychiatric help and she suffers from severe depression.
me--i jus blurt everything out. ha...no doubt what I'm thinking...
but, yes, I worry about her.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
She will be fine as long as she stays off of the statins. I know several people who got off of them after having tons of pain and they were ok.
Maybe she will listen to you next time. Stay calm when trying to convince her of something. Begging and pleading doesn’t usually work on stubborn people!
You can also print out info next time and mail it to her. It will help keep your BP lower!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960
posted
I couldn't walk after taking statins for a couple weeks. My feet and ankles were swollen and the bottoms of my feet were killing me. My cardiologist took me off of them.
Keebler-Oxidative stress and inflammation are at the top of my list of remaining issues. The HFLC diet sounds promising. I also do intermittent fasting when my mast cells go crazy. My functional medicine chiro took me off of gluten, nightshades, dairy and most processed foods. Lately I eat what I want but but I pay for it most times.
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.
Alaska Lone Wolf Posts: 6134 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Exactly what happened to me when my heart doctor scared me and I took low dosages of 2 diff statins at diff times.
Within 2 weeks the pain in both my legs from the top down was horrible.
My heart doctor file now states-Patient reactions to statin. Can't tolerate.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
I tried them once many years ago. got horrific leg cramps, even at night. even my hands cramped.
and my numbers then were slighly above normal. I took myself off and have been fighting or ignoring drs ever since.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Crestor is different than all other statins. It can be more effective but it is notorious for causing more side effects.
She should switch to Lipitor. It is extremely well tolerated.
I know you don’t want to lose your sister, cholesterol is trouble. Without treatment, you are guaranteed heart disease which leads to heart attacks & strokes. They kill.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
she had another appointment. her dr wants to lower her dosage to half a 5 mg pill and change her to zocor.
she goes for iv treatments for her ra,takes pamelor for depression and lots of vicodin for pain.
because she would not follow instructions after knee surgery, she's having chronic problems and pain in left knee.
followed advice and tried, you know me, to be diplomatic in talking about statins. her response was "well this is such a small dose, it can't hurt, and you're obviously prejudiced against statins, so you don't know."
at that point I gave up and told her to be careful and changed subject.
lead a horse to water.....
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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