Basil Fawlty wrote:
>
> On 10 Feb 2004 11:00:33 -0800,
[email protected] (aniram) wrote:
>
> >I heard that cholesterol lowering drugs also lower the human immunity, making the person weaker.
> >Is this true? Are there websites that discuss about the controversy of these drugs, particularly
> >against our immune system? Did the medical groups / drug manufacturers try to hide this fact? Is
> >there any scientific reports or papers available that suggest the above? Thanks for info.
>
> Interesting that you shold mention this, as I'm on a statin and have noticed that problem. This is
> the 1st time I've ever heard this connection, but it makes sense to me.
I also read this recently:
Subject: Lipitor, Thief of Memory - New Book Date: Mon, 02 Feb 2004 02:39:33 GMT From: "Sharon Hope"
<
[email protected]> Organization: Comcast Online Newsgroups: sci.med.pharmacy
The new book, "Lipitor, Thief of Memory", is now available. The release is timely, as Wall Street
Journal reported last week that the cognitive damage from statin drugs is seen in ~ 15% of the
patients. Many of these people are told they have "early Alzheimer's" when in fact the drug is
affecting their memory.
The author, Duane Graveline MD, is a former US Astronaut, US Air Force Flight Surgeon, and MD
family doctor, retired. His book, "Lipitor, Thief of Memory" is now available from Infinity
Publishing. Just call
877/BUY-BOOK or order online at:
http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-1881-9
Book is $17.95 + $4.50 S&H
If you buy 5 or more, there is a 40% discount. (in case you go in together or want to give some to
friends, or doctors)
If you buy 20 or more, the shipping is FREE
More and more, people on Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are suffering disabling short-term memory
loss and multiple episodes of transcient global amnesia. The brand names of the statin class of
drugs: Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor, Lescol, Crestor and Baycol, aka atorvastatin,
cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin; This class of
drugs is also known as HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, short for 3-Hydroxy-3-Methyl-Glutaryl Coenzyme
A Reductase.
Note that WSJ estimates 15% of statin patients are affected by cognitive adverse effects, far
more than the 2% on the label. Given that there are over 106 million people on statins (per
Fortune Magazine
878), each percentage represents over a million people.
That would put memory loss from statins at about 15 million people, which is horrific if it is to
the degree of total disability, as it has been in my husband. The statins are being prescribed for
people in their 30's, 40's and 50's.
By comparison, according to the website by the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation:
"Today, it is estimated that about five million* Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and
about 360,000 people are newly diagnosed every year. Alzheimer's affects about 10 percent of people
ages 65 and up, and the prevalence doubles roughly every 10 years after age 65. Half of the
population ages 85 and up may have Alzheimer's.(*Sources: Evans D., International Conference on
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 22, 2002; Evans et al, The Milbank Quarterly, 1990;
Brookmeyer et al, American Journal of Public Health, 1998)"
All screening tests for Alzheimer's should include questions that determine if the patient has been
taking one of these cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. If the symptoms started after the patient
started the drug, the possibility that the memory loss is due to the drug must be explored. Be aware
that discontinuing the drug must be done under a doctor's care, and that memory loss due to the drug
resolves very slowly, over a period of years if it took that long to develop on the drug, but it
does resovle.
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Ellis Georgantis