Statins - Are They A Waste Of Time? My Dad Thinks So!
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
January 20, 2011 2:14pm CST
My Dad is a person who pleases himself and will question anything the doctor says. Not surprisingly, this attitude doesn't endear him to the medical fraternity.
For example, he was told that he should take statins to reduce cholesterol in his blood. His first reaction was, "Why should I take them because you say they're good for me? I've not had to take them before, why now?" He refused to go on them as he can't bear people saying "it's for your own good."
It seems his fears have been realised by a new study. Good on yer Dad!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8267570/Millions-taking-statins-needlessly.html
Another time he was told that he should try to give up smoking. Again, he said, "Why?" His argument is the fact that he's been smoking since he was 14, why should he stop now? Friends of his DID stop smoking and were dead within 6 months after blood clots formed in their legs..those legs were amputated below the knee, then they died through blood poisoning. It's happened a few times with people he knew. I would love him and Mum to stop smoking but it's up to them isn't it? No-one can force them to stop.
The same goes for statins. My MIL rattles she's taking so many pills (because they're free) and she looks EXTREMELY rough. These include statins. Yes, she's stopped smoking but she still drinks alcohol infused with a poor diet that statins do not cater for. If doctors discussed diets with patients rather than filling them with drugs, we may get somewhere.
What are your views on statins?
For example, he was told that he should take statins to reduce cholesterol in his blood. His first reaction was, "Why should I take them because you say they're good for me? I've not had to take them before, why now?" He refused to go on them as he can't bear people saying "it's for your own good."
It seems his fears have been realised by a new study. Good on yer Dad!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8267570/Millions-taking-statins-needlessly.html
Another time he was told that he should try to give up smoking. Again, he said, "Why?" His argument is the fact that he's been smoking since he was 14, why should he stop now? Friends of his DID stop smoking and were dead within 6 months after blood clots formed in their legs..those legs were amputated below the knee, then they died through blood poisoning. It's happened a few times with people he knew. I would love him and Mum to stop smoking but it's up to them isn't it? No-one can force them to stop.
The same goes for statins. My MIL rattles she's taking so many pills (because they're free) and she looks EXTREMELY rough. These include statins. Yes, she's stopped smoking but she still drinks alcohol infused with a poor diet that statins do not cater for. If doctors discussed diets with patients rather than filling them with drugs, we may get somewhere.
What are your views on statins?3 people like this
5 responses
@patms1 (521)
• United States
21 Jan 11
I agree with your father. The doctor gave me Statins for cholesterol.
After I starting to take them I thought I had gotten the flu. My body was hurting, then I started to be so depressed. Thank God I was watching TV and a commercial for one of them came on and low and behold all the systems I was experience was being caused by them. I stopped taking them right away and all the problems went away. Now when they show these commercials they no longer say cholesterol will cause a stroke or heart attack but may cause a stroke or heart attack. I have found that I react much better to over the counter medicines.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Jan 11
I know what you mean about over the counter medicines. My Dad discovers new treatments all the time and I'm convinced chemists know more than doctors do about stuff that works. They are extremely knowledgeable on a lot of subjects these days and people are far more comfortable asking them for advice than their own GPs, which is a sorry state of affairs, but it's true.
Glad you came off the statins..good for you!
@derek_a (10874)
•
21 Jan 11
I was on statins just after my heart attack and had to quit taking them. I was waking up all through the night with terrible muscle pains that I didn't have before I started taking them. I took them for 2 years, because my doctors told me I really needed to, but in the end, I took control over my health and cholesterol levels with diet alone. I feel much better now - much less stressed as people who are risk from heart problems need to be. I get my annual blood tests but they never call me back in to discuss it. We are not all the same, and I would never advise people to quit on anything that their doctor has insisted they take, but I would rather have a shorter life of feeling good than a longer one of feeling bad - but I don't think that's the case though anyway. 
_Derek
_Derek
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
20 Jan 11
I have not had a physical in years, so I do not know what the state of my cholesterol is. I would have to be really convinced that I needed statins before taking them, and I would want to try dietary and exercise measures first. Like eating oat meal and oat cereals, and eating less cheese and butter, and walking more. I am sure statins are necessary for some people, but I do not think I am one of those people.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 Jan 11
I agree with you. I was entitled to a flu jab because of my little stint in hospital last year and I declined. I would much rather someone older had the jab, or someone under the age of 5. If people like me have taken up the offer, it's no wonder the vaccine is low in supply. It's not been very well thought out at all...the distribution.
I think it's a very rare person indeed that has low cholesterol..probably lives like a Monk and eats gruel.
@BarBaraPrz (47343)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
20 Jan 11
I'm allergic to statins: they give me a rash...
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
20 Jan 11
I was taking statins to lower my cholesterol, but the last time I went to the doctor (last fall), he didn't fill out a prescription to refill them. So, I didn't ask questions, and left. Now, I'm taking thyroid pills (when I remember) and that's it. Unfortunately, I don't eat well and don't regularly exercise (unless you count such things as digging weeds/grass in the driveway for five days (about 5-6 hours each day), deep cleaning the house (I'm now on day five) and hauling rocks, and stuff like that). I should do better, but I haven't so far. I think about it alot, though...
