Making an Impact?

[Biologist]

My thanks to Dr. Graveline and all the posters on this website. Your efforts have been helpful to me since early last November when I ran into significant problems with statins after six years of Zocor use (40 mg.). Since that time I believe I have read almost all of this website's posts and "articles." I believe this website is having some impact as I will point out in a minute.

My story is similar to others and I may eventually post it in some detail. For now, in short, I appear to be a fairly good match with the following two posters: http://www.spacedoc.net/board/viewtopic.php?p=2036#2036 AND http://www.spacedoc.net/board/viewtopic.php?p=2232#2232 . The second one is keeping my spirits up for a possible near full recovery. My biggest complaint right now is significantly reduced energy levels and general malaise. By the way, currently, I tend to agree with another poster's suggestion that some sufferers may be in an ongoing degenerative state, some in a long-range stabilized condition with their symptoms and some likely to recover or nearly recover from all major symptoms. I am hoping I am in the later group, but only time will tell, and I have great sympathy for all others. Like others, I am outraged at the pharmaceutical companies, the FDA and the medical profession.

Yes, I've been a biologist for 25 years by 4-year college degree and have had an interest in cellular biology for the last decade, but I work in a completely unrelated field. I have read the following books recently and recommend them all:

Book 1:

[http://www.amazon.com/Great-Cholesterol-Con-Anthony-Colpo/dp/1430309334/sr=1-10/qid=1168298324/ref=sr_1_10/102-2923797-7880160?ie=UTF8&s=books]

The book review found on that Amazon page by Dr. Herbert Nehrlich may be harsh, but I believe he's nailed it. As one reviewer points out, it is striking that there are no negative reviews of the book by any doctors except for a cardiologist (I believe it was) whose review is transparently self-serving, laughable and sad. (Warning: this book is relatively long and "scholarly" with small print.)



Book 2:

[http://www.amazon.com/Cholesterol-Myths-Exposing-Fallacy-Saturated/dp/0967089700/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/102-2923797-7880160]

This and the previous book explain why doctors know so little about serious statin side effects and the lack of efficacy for the drugs. Cholesterol basically has little if anything to do with causing heart disease; while having too little of it (i.e., cholesterol), or having it reduced, has been shown to shorten one's life. As many on this website know, the studies are often simply fraudulent (starting with Ancel Keys in the 1950s), and when they're not, the reporting and reviews of the studies in medical journals are. The good ones are just ignored (and the researchers and authors ostracized). The good studies dispel the cholesterol myth, and I suspect the REAL Good ones also demonstrate the risks to the patient (and the certainties to the patient which include at least some diminished cognitive function in ALL CASES for all patients). Published in October, 2000, I believe this is the only one that does not cite Dr. Graveline.



Book 3:

[http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Frauds-Uncovering-Biggest-History/dp/0941599566/ref=pd_sim_b_1/102-2923797-7880160]



Book 4:

http://spacedoc.net/statin_side_effects.html

Dr. Graveline's book has been very helpful. It is in my elderly parent's hands now (both formerly on statins until recently -- totally incredible). My doctor has been more enlightened than most, which I am thankful for. He had little doubt my sudden health issues were statin-related. However, at this point I have no doubt I know more about the dangers of statins than most in the medical profession, including him. I have sent him to this site and have sent him my reading list as well.

______________

OK, I mentioned that I believe this website is having an impact. It comes up prominently and quickly in any applicable Google search -- that's how I found it. The following article's writer is likely aware of this website from any degree of online research. Check out this article in this week's TIME Magazine. Notice that statins are specifically and conspicuously NOT mentioned in the article. For those who understand medical politics and publishing politics, this is a significant and telling omission. The nod to "checking lipid levels" and not explicitly exposing the Cholesterol Myth is likely a small appeasement to the status quo for publishing cooperation.

(Post if you are unable to get the page to come up and I will just post the text of the article into this thread.)

"How to Save Your Heart"

TIME Magazine, Friday, Jan. 12, 2007

[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1576846,00.html]

For those who need more convincing about the over-riding motivations of the pharmaceutical companies, you'll find the following of interest.

[http://counterpunch.org/pringle01122007.html]

[adec]

First of all, welcome to the forum. I hope you continue on your road to recovery, and continue to the add to the overall forum reservoir of statin recovery stories and personal experiences. I'm going to investigate some of your links when there's a chance. The road is tough, but my mom's certifiable proof that there might be a remarkable recovery awaiting you.

Take care,
Joseph

[cjbrooksjc]

Biologist: One of the most cohesive posts I have read. Thanks for the library refs.
I too was on Zocor 40Mg. I quit the statin drugs 8/8/6 and have been slowly recovering. You might expect setbacks during the next months ( I experienced, and still experience revisitations of stomach and back cramps; hip, shoulder, elbow pain; exhaustion, night thirst, and equilibrium problems, but I am grateful to have discovered (with the help of a savy D.O friend) what the problem was and to have subsequently found this web site. I take a handful of pills each morning including CoQ10, Acetyl L Carnitine, multi B, DHEA, Cinnamon. Magnesium, etc, as suggested and that has been V. helpful. I also took a two-month series of Magnesium shots when I first bevame aware of the problem, and that helped greatly. Good luck with your recovery.

[Biologist]

Thanks for your comments, cjbrooksjc and adec.

Biologist