Re: Cognitive problems with simvastatin?


<mmlevy46@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1125591028.644481.214180@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> (THIS IS A POST FROM ANOTHER TOPIC--THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR
> THIS ALSO)
>
> and perhaps sharon's mission is the same as mine: 1)a deep feeling of
> responsibility to alert anyone else to the possibility of these adverse
>
> side effects the pharmaceutical companies have not yet identified (or
> admitted). If they or a loved one begins exhibiting any of the
> symptoms of adverse reactions (not yet identified by the pharm cos) the
>
> individual can determine whether to continue the drug or not,
> preferably with physician advice (thus alerting physicians to the
> possible adverse effect. and if there is a family history of
> neurodegenerative diseases, the risk benefit ratio could be determined
> with this information. 2) mandatory phase IV studies on all drugs to
> determine long term side effects (if current reporting to FDA sufficed,
>
> we would not be experiencing these difficulties--basically NO
> ASSISTANCE) 3) if these effects are occurring (determined by the phase
> IV studies), research into specific pathophysiological etiology could
> be determined and therapy(ies) developed to address these
> effects.4)testing could be developed to determine if one is
> "susceptible" to these adverse effects
> How does one approach a problem of potential drug adverse effect not
> admitted by the scientific community or the commercial industry
> responsible for creation of the drug? remain silent and hope?
> neurodegenerative diseases are common in over 60's as is the use of
> statins --how does one determine a causal effect when no one will look
> for it? Oh, yes one could write to all the "responsible" persons
> involved (to date, the answers to >75 letters I have sent are three-- 2
>
> of which were completely non responsive! though i remain undeterred) I
>
> applaud Sharon and Zee's zeal--it is only through efforts of
> individuals such as these women that change will occur. How did the
> current situation develop--pharmaceutical industry basically
> determining what a physician prescribes thru untrustworthy published
> reports(studies that only report the positive effects--in journals that
>
> would vie for the priviledge to publish the studies because the reprint
>
> requests of >1 million dollars was assured) free samples, incredible
> sales pressure, etc.; the FDA supporting the industry well being over
> public health; government representatives supporting the pharmaceutical
>
> industry vs the public best interest (ie senator Frist's proposed bills
>
> to completely protect the pharm industry from any litigation associted
> with vaccines--and yes, i am aware how our litigious society has
> changed the way medicine practices--and not in a positive way). and if
>
> one converts the statistics of many of the statin studies from relative
>
> risk benefit to absolute risk benefit, this class of drugs is not the
> miracle it is touted. I have been a major supporter of traditional
> medicine--I acknowledge the wonder of antibiotics, chemotherapeutic
> agents, trauma care, cardiovascular interventions, etc. etc. But I am
> incredibly saddened by the state of modern day traditional medicine.
> Yes, our internist is bright, very hard working, incredibly caring, and
>
> open minded enough to listen to our theory that lipitor is directly
> implicated in my husband's development of parkinson's (61 yrs old)(and
> my niece's 58 yr old husband's and a dear friend's 50 yr old husband),
> but condescension, derision or pity are the responses our concern about
>
> lipitor elicits. the cruel indifference from the medical,
> pharmaceutical and government is both maddening and distressing. Just
> what action would you suggest those of us who feel statins have
> devastated our lives should take? I would gladly accept and act upon
> any cogent suggestions. to date, we have asked for copies of all
> lipitor studies in the FDA's possession--the request was made in Jan
> 05. No response has been received, except for 2 phone conversations in
>
> which the person on the other end promised to "look into it". I am
> completing a citizen's petition to the FDA. I have written the
> FDA,Pfizer, the NIH,my representatives in congress, all members of the
>
> advisory committee to determine mevacor's OTC status, numerous science
> writters, newspapers, medical journals, individual physicians--mostly
> neurologists--involved in current scientific studies of
> neurodegenerative diseases, even a few statisticians who were part of
> the statin studies. I am hopeful an awareness will result. Again,
> Please offer any suggestions that may assist us. thanking you in
> advance, madelyn
>
>
> keep in mind the following: 1--all patients with Parkinson's who have
> been tested have been found to be deficient in coenzyme Q10 (both
> plasma and platelet levels) - the theory now is that depleted coenzyme
>
> q10 is part of the process of this neurodegenerative disease 2)
> megadoses of coenzyme q10 (albeit in a small study) showed a positive
> effect of a decrease in progression of symptoms in early onset
> parkinson's (the multicenter studies replicating this small one are to
> be reported in 06) 3) MOST STUDIES (granted not all--though the testing
>
> of and reporting of coq10 levels--whether oxidized or not, whether
> platelet or plasma,etc-- is very confusing), but the preponderance of
> them (I do have the #'s somewhere in my burgeoning files) have shown
> the use of statins results in depleted coenzyme q10 plasma and platelet
>
> levels--as would be expected since the mevalonate pathway that statins
> block is the same pathway to production of coenzyme q10--
> linear thinking, yes, though compelling science
>


The problem is growing and the cause is so obvious that it is readily
understandable by the layperson.

Unfortunately, the awareness is missing until too late.

This situation has got to change. You are doing an excellent job in getting
the word out, and in getting the word to the right people.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Cognitive problems with simvastatin?
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    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: Statin drugs lower heart attack death-study
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  • Re: Statins and side effects......Statin Mitochondrial Cytopathy & CoQ10 Deficiency
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  • Re: Put your babies on statins
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    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: Put your babies on statins
    ... How would you like it if people opposed to statins - and I don't think there ... are any with medical credentials - were called anti-statin whores? ... > meta-analysis done by industry sponsored people. ... "Statins provide a cardiovascular and total mortality benefit for patients ...
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