It is shocking that so many people are bullied by doctors into taking statin cholesterol drugs: “The evidence is overwhelming: statins save lives.” “You’re a walking time-bomb. I can’t be responsible for your safety if you don’t take it.” “Your cholesterol is so high that you could die of a heart attack any time.” I’ve even heard of many patients being “fired” by doctors because of a refusal to take the prescription for Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, or other drug.
Why such strong-arm tactics? Several reasons:
- People are given the wrong diet, a diet—reduced in total and saturated fat, increased “healthy whole grains”—that causes inflammation/rise in c-reactive protein (CRP), a drop in HDL (“good”) cholesterol , rise in triglycerides (sometimes dramatic), and an explosion of small LDL particles, all witnessed on the standard cholesterol panel as low HDL, high triglycerides, and higher LDL cholesterol (though under-representing the full magnitude of rise in small LDL particles), as well as higher fasting blood sugar, higher HbA1c, higher blood pressure. These metabolic distortions do indeed increase cardiovascular risk, though not for the reasons most doctors think. This is interpreted by most doctors as reflecting your bad dietary habits and/or the uselessness of diet.
- The clinical studies purporting to show 25-50% reduction in cardiovascular risk do nothing of the sort. The real benefit is around 1-3% reduction—measurable but small (and not in all groups of people, with small benefits confined mostly to people who have had a prior cardiovascular event). In other words, doctors perceive around 25-fold more benefit than there truly is. This is because studies (nearly all funded by the drug industry) perform a statistical sleight-of-hand by reporting something called “relative risk’ that misrepresents and exaggerates the real benefit (a topic for future discussion).
- They are “treating” either total cholesterol, which is a crude marker of cardiovascular risk in large populations but virtually useless when applied to assessing the risk of an individual, or LDL cholestrol, a calculated—not measured—value. Under the best of circumstances, calculated LDL cholesterol is an unreliable, imprecise marker for cardiovascular risk. Introduce physiological changes such as grain/sugar elimination or fish oil supplementation and dramatic changes develop in the composition of blood lipoproteins (fat-carrying proteins) that make the equation to calculate LDL cholesterol even more unreliable, in fact wildly unreliable. You can witness the unreliability of calculated LDL cholesterol when you perform a superior method of assessing cardiovascular risk, such as an NMR lipoprotein panel. Calculated LDL cholesterol might be, for example, 160 mg/dl—fairly high—but really be only 1000 nmol/L, the equivalent of an LDL value of 100 mg/dl—the calculated value is off by 60%.
Throw on top of this the fact that a third of practicing physicians are self-admitted control freaks and perhaps it should come as no surprise that people are so commonly bullied into statin—and other—prescriptions and medical advice.
Here’s a better way to view statin drugs and the reduction of cardiovascular risk. If you eliminate wheat/grains and sugar, restore vitamin D status, supplement fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids, correct iodine deficiency and obtain ideal thyroid status, restore magnesium, and cultivate healthy bowel flora, i.e., the Wheat Belly Total Health strategies:
- Small LDL particles, the most common cause for heart disease, are dramatically reduced or eliminated
- HDL cholesterol increases dramatically, rising from, say, a high-risk level of 35 mg/dl, to a healthy level of 70-90 mg/dl over time
- Triglycerides plummet. It is not uncommon for a value of 350 mg/dl to drop to 45 mg/dl, an 87% reduction
- Total cholesterol drops (though can also rise since HDL rises so much—yet another reason why total cholesterol is worthless: it can go up but reflects the contribution of rising HDL, a good thing)
- Blood sugar, HbA1c drop
- Blood pressure drops
- Inflammation/CRP plummet. CRP levels of zero are typical. (And, no, you do not need high-dose statins to reduce CRP, as some statin manufacturers will argue.)
The basic lipid panel, as well as an advanced lipoprotein panel, are transformed with these lifestyle changes, reflecting reduced cardiovascular risk—without statin drugs.
So the real question with statin drugs becomes: Is there any incremental benefit to statin drugs over and above the benefits achieved with these lifestyle changes that dramatically transform cardiovascular risk markers? If benefit in people following the wrong diet is 1-3%, then it is likely that the benefit to people following the right diet and lifestyle is far less, perhaps zero.
I’ve been following this program. Taking the supplements, etc. and I had horrible results from a more indepth lipoprotein test. My LDS small was at 333, my medium was at 474, my large is 5081, my ldl particle number is 1816. My total cholesterol is 205, my triglycerides was 98 (I think I’ve gotten them as low as 75). My HDL is 41. My hdl is slowly improving. In the past 11 months I’ve lost over 100 pounds. I exercise 6 days of the week. I lift weights 3 times a week. I am doing everything I possibly can to get my HDL up and to have a healthy lifestyle. The results of this test were so discouraging. My doctor didn’t discuss the results yet. I will see him on June 24th. So far he hasn’t given me any prescriptions for my cholesterol. He supports me in my Wheat belly way of life. Oh I few more numbers my CHOL/HDLC ratio was 5.0, my apolipoprotein B was 113, and the lipoprotein (a) is 89. I’m having a normal blood test a few days before my next appointment. I really hope that my numbers reflect that things have improved. I’m open to suggestions. Am I just one of the weird ones that doesn’t respond to this way of life? Should I do more resistant starch? Change it up? I don’t know. I do know I have eliminated all sugar and artificial sweeteners and fruit. I only have berries every once in a while. My fasting blood glucose was 55! One other thing that I have going on and I don’t know if it has anything to do with it or not. I have elevated calcium in my blood and found out with this test that my parathyroid hormone is high too, so I’m going to a surgeon in an hour to see about getting the affected gland removed. I have also had low Vitamin D. It has been slowly improving and I hope when I get this parathyroid issue taken care of the Vitamin D will greatly improve too. It doesn’t appear that hyperparathyroid messes with cholesterol… so I just don’t know what my problem is.
Amy wrote: «In the past 11 months I’ve lost over 100 pounds.»
If you are still losing weight, lipid and advanced lipoprotein labs are going to be distorted:
https://drdavisinfinitehealth.com/2012/06/i-lost-weight-and-my-cholesterol-went-up/
You might want to wait until the weight stabilizes before running more.
«…my ldl particle number is 1816.»
If that remains high after weight stabilizes, other things might need to be looked into, such a genetic Apo E status. Rare polymorphisms suggest dietary adjustments.
«…my apolipoprotein B was 113, and the lipoprotein (a) is 89.»
I don’t know if these are also distorted during weight loss (I’ll make an inquiry), but if the Apo B remains above 70 mg/dL, and the Lp(a) remains high on weight-stable retest, there may be some specific strategies to consider. I can’t comment on a value for Lp(a), because the reference ranges vary considerably by test type (NMR, electrophoresis, and the now-discontinued VAP).
«My fasting blood glucose was 55!»
That’s surprisingly low, and is discordant with the TG of 98 (which may be due to on-going weight loss). It would appear that you have carbs under control. Do ask for an HbA1c test at the next opportunity.
«I have elevated calcium in my blood…»
What was the reading (including units of measure and reference range)?
Any speculation as to the source of the actual Ca (ignoring the role of parathyroid)? If it’s dietary, that source might need some attention. If not, we need to be sure it’s not from your bones, which means checking on Vitamin D, Vitamin K (MK-4 & MK-7), Magnesium, Potassium and perhaps hormones.
«…my parathyroid hormone is high too,… have also had low Vitamin D.»
Those apparently go together. I see that hyperparathyroidism is often the result of chronic low Vitamin D. Has a parathyroid tumor been ruled out? If so, this might resolve by addressing the Vitamin D, or the surgery might indeed be indicated. Even with your actual lab results, I can’t guess at that.
Have you been taking Vitamin D, and in what dose?
Although not directly related, have you had any thyroid testing? (fT3, fT4, rT3, TA & TSH)
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re: «…my apolipoprotein B was 113, and the lipoprotein (a) is 89.»
> I don’t know if these are also distorted during weight loss (I’ll make an inquiry),…
Word is that there is no published science on either during weight loss, but anecdotal indications are that the Apo B could be distorted, so re-test it when weight stabilizes.
The Lp(a), on the other hand, is thought to be less likely to be distorted by weight loss.
This is a heritable condition. The Wiki page has quite a bit of information about it:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipoprotein%28a%29
Dealing with Lp(a) starts with the basic Wheat Belly program, plus additional nutritional and supplement strategies. It’s one of the topics that Dr. Davis’ Cureality program covers, that Wheat Belly so far does not. Suggestions include higher daily portions of DHA & EPA, DHEA and niacin, with additional guidance based on sex. Response takes some time.
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A question, please forgive if it has been asked and answers as there are many comments here! A friend had aneurysm repair on his ascending aorta about two years ago. Otherwise his heart is sound as a bell. The cardiac surgeon (among the best) put him on statins (40 mg/daily) not for his heart but for the “anti-inflammatory” properties of the drug, which he sees as essential for long-term recovery. Is this a special case in which the use of statins is helpful and even necessary? Obviously I won’t get another answer asking the cardiologist, but it does worry me that the friend already seems to have memory loss and some other symptoms that he didn’t have before taking the statins (on 80 mg, which is what they wanted him to titrate up to, he turned nearly catatonic within 12 hours).
Elizabeth Gibbons wrote: «A question, please forgive if it has been asked…»
Not to my recollection (and repeat questions aren’t really an issue, as any answers are much easier to find and also repeat).
«Is this a special case in which the use of statins is helpful and even necessary?»
Even the Cleveland Clinic, home of at least one statin zealot, says: “However, when it comes to treating aortic aneurysm disease, the benefits of statin use are not clearly proven.”
My (non-professional) conjecture would be: statins might be beneficial if no other steps are taken to reduce endothelial stressors and inflammation, and even then only with attention to mitigating statin side effects.
«…it does worry me that the friend already seems to have memory loss and some other symptoms that he didn’t have before taking the statins…»
What advice was provided by the surgeon and/or GP to counter some of the statin side effects, such as CoQ10 and Vitamin K (MK-4 & MK-7 in particular)?
I’m more inclined to think that under Dr. Davis’ approach, statins simply bring no additional benefit to the table in most cases, including aneurysms, but this is a determination that must be made by each patient (and while they can still think clearly).
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I might add that if inflammation is the concern, there are labs that can be run to see if any is present, such as hs-CRP, Homocysteine, Lp-Pla2, perhaps some of the Interleukins, and maybe MPO. Have any of these? If not, why not, and if so, and low, why statins?
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In an unrelated discussion of inflammatory markers on the Cureality forum, a user there suggests that TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor alpha, a cytokine) might top the list of tests to look at (and not because there is any implication of tumors afoot here).
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Thanks very much–I will pass all of this on. Much appreciated.
Elizabeth Gibbons wrote: «I will pass all of this on.»
Also, and this just came to my attention, see if any fluoroquinolones are or were in use (including but not limited to Cipro, Levaquin and Avelox). See:
https://www.drugwatch.com/cipro-levaquin-avelox/
Anyone searching on aneurysm lately has probably already discovered this.
This class of antibiotic is also catastrophic to gut flora (the microbiome).
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Our understanding is that the “bullying” stems from the doctor’s practice guidelines, influenced by malpractice insurance guidelines, and the ultimate practice owner guidelines, as more private practices are being merged into hospital systems. The hospital owner may have a system-wide standard to use the new AHA risk assessment tool. One doctor suggested my husband take a statin even though he admitted the only risk factor was being an “old guy”. We asked he order a CAC and the score was 1 for a 68 yo man! yet the doctor note with that score still recommended a statin. Currently interviewing for a new doctor, but others have admitted that patients non-compliant with practice guidelines can be dropped.
Janet wrote: «…as more private practices are being merged into hospital systems.»
This is why it’s important for people to do whatever they can to avoid optional ailments, and thus minimize their need to interact with the so-called healthcare system. My estimate is that 80% of chronic non-infectious conditions are optional.
Consensus guidelines can kill. Concierge services are expensive. In regions with “single payer”, not even concierge services are an option. Self-help might be an option.
«One doctor suggested my husband take a statin even though he admitted the only risk factor was being an “old guy”.»
So just how does taking a statin change that indication (being old & male)? It doesn’t. So what is the measure of effectiveness? There isn’t one. In some places, people are already gaming this malpractice by filling the prescription, and not actually taking it.
«Currently interviewing for a new doctor, but others have admitted that patients non-compliant with practice guidelines can be dropped.»
As doctors allow themselves to be turned into dogmatic drones, they can expect their clients to evolve into creative rebels.
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“In some places, people are already gaming this malpractice by filling the prescription, and not actually taking it”
I know somebody whose insurance company pays for his medicines. He fills the prescription and sells the statins to the pharmacist at a discount, making a profit.
I do not recommend this.
I know some that have doctors that give them the option to accept statin therapy. Unfortunately, they are all scared and take them anyway. I’m unable to talk sense into these folks because they see doctors as omnipotent, omniscient living gods.
Fortunately for me my doctor, who is my wife’s cousin and is like a brother to me, does not even mention them. And if he did, I’d tell him I won’t take them.
Thank you for sharing such valuable and life saving information with us. Slowly, but surely we are starting to learn and making big life changes.
I have one question regarding statin drugs which I cant seem to find the answer to:
Do statins prevent unstable plagues which already formed inside the arteries from breaking loose and causing a stroke or heart attack?
We have been grain free since July 2015, with great health benefits. Recently my 79 year old mother, who is in the early stages of Altzeimers, had her cholesterol tested. Her results were perfectly normal according to the doctor, but still she prescribed Storwin (Rosuvastatin) 10mg every second day. The doctor argued that though statins might not be very beneficial for maintaining the correct cholesterol levels, that it were indeed very helpful in preventing unstable plagues which have already formed in the arteries from breaking loose and causing a stroke or heart attack. I am not convinced, especially because of the effects statins can have on the brain.
Because I do not know any better, I decided to only give my mother 5mg Storwin 2-3 times per week until I have educated myself.
I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could direct me to research or articles written on this!
My mothers cholesterol results were as follow (the units of measurements seem different in South Africa):
Cholesterol total = 6.0 mmol/l
Triglycerides = 0.7 mmol/l
HDL = 2.4 mmol/l
LDL = 2.8 mmol/l
Non-HDL = 3.6 mmol/l
Warm regards,
Jackie Brand (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Jackie Brand wrote: «Do statins prevent unstable plagues which already formed inside the arteries from breaking loose and causing a stroke or heart attack?»
It is known that statins increase calcium scores (CAC or CT scan, a number that would be expressed in Agatston units). Statin advocates try to claim that this reflects “stabilization” of soft plaque. Statins skeptics are more inclined to think it represents needless extra soft plaque (and you have to have soft before it can calcify).
But the bottom line is that it may not matter, because what does matter is outcomes: long-term all-cause mortality. And there, statins provide no advantage for people who remain on the diet that is causing their problems. Do statins provide any advantage for those who shift to a sane diet? Well, that’s the point under discussion here. My personal bet is: no, they don’t.
«My mothers cholesterol results were as follow (the units of measurements seem different in South Africa):»
They are, but units converters are widely available.
«Triglycerides = 0.7 mmol/l»
That’s right at the upper limit of the Wheat Belly target range. Good work.
«HDL = 2.4 mmol/l»
That’s in the target range. Good work again.
The other numbers don’t matter very much:
https://drdavisinfinitehealth.com/2015/09/leprechauns-nymphs-high-cholesterol-and-other-fanciful-notions/
Speaking as a non-medical-professional, I’m not seeing any lipid concerns (much less any excuse to inflict a statin). Additional measures would be necessary to assess the entire situation, of course.
Statins are also known to increase the risk of diabetes (T2D), which is alarming when Alzheimer’s (often called T3D) is suspected. Statins are already known for being the “thief of memory” in people not otherwise experiencing early AD symptoms.
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Thank you so much! Your reply has already helped a lot!
To put someone ELSE in charge of our own health is the point at which our health care “system” failed.
We will continue to be led about by the ear as long as we are letting the insurance company, or government(which are really one and the same) take “care” of us.
If that station drug money, doctor visit, and lab test came directly out of our own wallet, the choices would be very different.
Good post. This notion of doctors firing patients is absurd. The patient pays the bills, the doctor works for the patient. The doctor is quitting their job, and good riddance.
Folks need to understand that doctors are a paid advisor not some sort of authority figure. How many mechanics “fire” customers who don’t get oil changes on time? The whole concept is laughable.
As long as people act as if they work for the doctor rather than the other way around, the bullying will continue.
Excellent comment! I have read that some traditional Chinese doctors are paid to keep their patiehts well, not necessarily when curing them.
So very true, Jeff. We no longer trust our body, ourselves, or anyone else who is not a doctor – a conventional doctor no less. We have abdicated the throne of responsibility for our own health – at the expense of our health.
When you publish the Belly Book of Wheat Total Health in Brazil?
Daniela, Bahia, Brazil wrote: «When you publish the Belly Book of Wheat Total Health in Brazil?»
I don’t know the answer to that, but in the event that Dr. Davis doesn’t reply here, let me share my impression of the situation.
Translations of the various Wheat Belly publication may be done largely on the publisher’s initiative (Rodale in the U.S.). I recall that one of the early translations had an introduction or foreword by a regional author that actually contradicted the message of the book.
I’m not seeing any evidence that ‘Total Health has been translated to português. I imagine the title might be “Barriga de trigo saúde total” if it ever is.
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When you join the wisdom of Dr. William Davis and our personal experience in the belly style wheat and actual results, have no way to doubt!
Despite these lifestyle and dietary changes, are there any people who would still benefit from statin therapy?
Pat, yes there are: Pharmaceutical Executives. They enjoy enlarged bank accounts.
I certainly do understand that Steve. My reason for asking is because my doctor does get hysterical over the statin issue and is of no help at all. Yes, I need a new doctor but have found most of them exactly the same.
One of my issues is having a genotype 3/4, along with a lipoprotein a genetic issue. I did go to a Functional Medicine doctor who said to stop statins anyway.
So I did, for almost a year, until I developed glaucoma now. Then I found a PubMed article that states a connection between statins and glaucoma. I have been a glaucoma suspect for forever, and have been on statins for forever as well, until I stopped them and shortly after developed the glaucoma. It hasn’t been totally proven yet, but the article states that statins may have a protective effect on people who are glaucoma suspects.
Anybody here have any thoughts on this as I really do not know where to turn for advise. Thanks so much.
Pat wrote: «Yes, I need a new doctor but have found most of them exactly the same.»
Might be of use: https://www.cureality.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=18882
«I did go to a Functional Medicine doctor who said to stop statins anyway.»
Was there a different problem with the FMD?
«One of my issues is having a genotype 3/4, along with a lipoprotein a genetic issue.»
What are you doing for overall diet and supplements, and what adjustments have you made for the Apo E3/E4 and the Lp(a)?
«So I did, for almost a year, until I developed glaucoma now.»
Is that based on intraocular pressure, visual field, retinal exam, or some combination, and what is being done to treat it? Or put another way, why were you a “suspect”?
«…and shortly after developed the glaucoma.»
Have you any of the typical risk factors, like migraines, high blood pressure, hypothyroid, myopia or obesity? And how are things like HbA1c, triglycerides, Omega 3 ratio (if known)?
«It hasn’t been totally proven yet, but the article states that statins may have a protective effect on people who are glaucoma suspects.»
The question, as in CAD, might be: do statins provide any net benefit for glaucoma where all diet and lifestyle issues have been optimized?
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Thanks Bob for all of your information.
I did like the Functional Medicine doctor but being $300 for a visit, I have only seen him once. Just having him call me with blood test results cost $90.
I was a glaucoma suspect because of a wrinkle seen on my optic nerve, which I was told, 20 years ago, could be a problem. My problem now is pressure, but still lower than the normal glaucoma pressures, but the Opthalmologist said apparently the pressures were too high for me. I have also had visual fields and eye exams, and am being treated with Latanoprost eye drops.
I have been wheat and grain free for at least 5 years and take all of the recommended supplements. I have not done any diet adjustments because of the Apo E3/E4 and the Lp(a) because I do not know how to handle that and neither does any other doctor I have spoken with. I think they are contradictory in diet, one requiring high fat and one low fat.
I also have high blood pressure and am hypothyroid and have osteoporosis too. My latest NMR was okay except for the LDL-P which went up from 418 to 1216. And yes, I as bullied into doubling my statins with a recheck in three months.
My triglycerides were 94 and the doctor refused to do an HbA1c and I have never had an Omega 3 ratio done.
I suppose I should go back to the Functional Medicine doctor with these questions, but he wants all of his patients on hormone replacement and now HGH, human growth hormone.
Thanks again.
Pat
Pat wrote: «Just having him call me with blood test results cost $90.»
Depending on whether or not you live in an overbearing nanny state, there are a remarkable number of home tester and/or test kits available for common, and some uncommon measures. As I pointed out in the earlier linked article on doctor-finding, home testing can often be cheaper than your co-pay. Plus, what’s the real cost of a test your so-called doctor refuses to run?
«…and am being treated with Latanoprost eye drops.»
In addition to the listed side effect risks, formulations for that usually contain benzalkonium chloride, which itself has potential side effects (corneal pitting in one case that I know of). Timoptic in Occudose used to be available in a preservative-free package, but I don’t know that it still is.
A family member was diagnosed with glaucoma nearly 40 years ago, and has been off all eye meds since switching to the Wheat Belly diet. One SLT was performed, and it may well have contributed to the on-going well-control pressures.
«I have not done any diet adjustments because of the Apo E3/E4 and the Lp(a) because I do not know how to handle that and neither does any other doctor I have spoken with.»
Dr. Davis’ Cureality site (formerly TrackYourPlaque) has many users dealing with both issue. Here’s a preview of his 2011 advice on Apo E:
https://www.cureality.com/reports/Apoprotein_E_Diet
There is also a specific program page on Lp(a) management.
«I think they are contradictory in diet, one requiring high fat and one low fat.»
That sort of captures the problem with Apo E4. People with that polymorphism are often the exception that actually does need to mind the saturated fat.
«My latest NMR was okay except for the LDL-P which went up from 418 to 1216.»
Statins apparently don’t even shove that number around with Apo E4, and the LDL-C approximation is even more useless than normal for them.
«My triglycerides were 94…»
Elevated, compared to WB target of 60. It usually suggests that net carb intake is higher than suspected.
«…doctor refused to do an HbA1c…»
You can get a home tester for that, but ask here before doing so, as there are economic considerations.
«…and I have never had an Omega 3 ratio done.»
Yeah, the point of doing that is entirely lost on the average MD, and on the majority of lipidologists as well, I suspect.
«…but he wants all of his patients on hormone replacement and now HGH, human growth hormone.»
The HRT can make sense if done in correct balance, and only using bio-identicals.
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Pat wrote: «Despite these lifestyle and dietary changes, are there any people who would still benefit from statin therapy?»
We will never know. There has never been a formal trial that could answer that question, and since statins are all either off-patent or about to be off-patent, prices have plummeted, so there’s no way to recover the expense of a proper trial. By the time it becomes evident that getting an answer on this might be useful, it won’t be ethically possible to run it.
What there might be are some interesting clues in the clinical case files of physicians who have some patients choosing to take statins but who are otherwise following a grain-free, very low net carb, low-inflammatory, ancestral nutrient, optimized microbiome lifestyle. What they learn might result in blog posts such as the one we are discussing. ☺
On the trials that have been run, in addition to the bias introduced by the funding source(s), they have, to date, never included arms on anything like the diet/lifestyle I just described above. Heck, they usually don’t control diet or even record it. They also typically don’t isolate cohorts with specific genetic or epigenetic tendencies for lipidemias. Instead, we get results such as for the recent HOPE-3 trial:
https://www.cureality.com/forum/topics.aspx?id=18828
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Bob,
This question does not really fit into this statin scare blog, but from your answers to me it seems apparent that you have had some experience with Latanoprost. I have had odd things going on since starting the Latanoprost, about 3-4 months ago. The day after you answered my last post, I woke up and could not get out of bed, these problems have gradually been building up and getting worse all along. That was it for me, as I practically crawled downstairs to get a cup of coffee. Everything I had been experiencing was described perfectly by people reviewing Latanoprost. I got through the day but did not do the eye drops that night and decided to call the opthalmologist to say what was going on. From the beginning he told me the only side effects were that my eyes might change color and my eyelashes might grow longer. The opthalmologists office called me right back and I was told that what I was experiencing was in no way related to the drops. I was told to go asap to my PCP and get off the internet looking for answers. The doctor left a message saying my problems were in no way related to the drops and two of his staff people also called saying the same thing. In the background I could hear the doctor say, “Tell her to get off the internet”. Three days after stopping the eye drops I was fine and I was off of them for five days. Then, in an effort to prove to myself that I am not going totally crazy, I started them again on Sunday evening. It is now Thursday and I am again starting with the same symptoms, coughing and aches and pains and suspect that the symptoms will continue to get worse again until I am really disability like happened last week. I have an appointment next week Tuesday at the Medical College eye institute and sure hope and pray that I do not run into the same thing again.
Thanks for listening.
Pat wrote: «…you have had some experience with Latanoprost.»
No. Only with timolol, which worked but needed to be preservative-free (unit dose), and travoprost (Travatan®) which either didn’t work or was discontinued due to side effects (I don’t recall exactly). The only side effect of the Timoptic® was vivid dreams, but then, remediating microbiome does that too.
«The doctor left a message saying my problems were in no way related to the drops…»
You can report side effects yourself, directly to the FDA. A physician who is dismissive of such reports, especially based on challenge testing, needs to be put on double secret probation.
http://www.glaucoma.net/nygri/glaucoma/topics/drugs.asp
“Prostaglandin Analogues … latanoprost … Just as the systemic side effects of beta-blockers were largely unrealized until they had undergone extensive use, unusual systemic side effects of prostaglandin analogs are only beginning to be reported. These include gastrointestinal disturbances similar to those caused by aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, chest pain, and palpitations.”
I suspect that all of the glaucoma meds have potentially material side effects of one sort or another. Diet may or may not address the underlying cause, so having a plan B is indicated. In our case, we found a med that worked (Timoptic in Occudose), opted for Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), and were able to discontinue the timo after that.
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Thanks again Bob.
You just read the drug label statin to be frightened by the amount of possible serious reactions with its use.
I warned my mother about the use of statins, but she continued to use, and when barely felt the doctor interrupted for a while, but then had to use again. I convinced her to stop using, because the side effects do not compensate for their use and see no improvement in treatment.
People look for a practical way to health cudar with drug use, but the natural health is labor intensive and it becomes a matter of individual choice, as said Mr. Bob Niland.
Women have never been helped by statins (where “helped” means have had an overall improvement in death rate versus a group not taking statins). Overall, women are shortchanged in drugs and nutrition, as men are the targets of the vast majority of studies, and the results of such studies are then transferred to women (and really should not be, since women and men are different).
Daniela, Bahia, Brazil wrote: «You just read the drug label statin to be frightened by the amount of possible serious reactions with its use.»
In the US, the Drug Facts fold-out only lists the side effects that the FDA insisted on, or the company lawyers recommended.
For at least the past decade there has been a flourishing publishing industry devoted to additional side effects, the underlying cholesterol con game and the negligent over-prescription of these risky agents.
A quick search on Amazon turned up titles by Janet Brill, Jonny Bowden, Sarah Brooks, Jay S. Cohen, Mark Davis, Michel de Lorgeril (MD), Sarah Givens, David Evans, Duane Graveline (MD), Chris Haji-Michael, Malcolm Kendrick (MD), Fred Kummerow (MD), Jimmy Moore, Uffe Ravnskov (MD), Barbara H. Roberts (MD), Stephen Sinatra (MD), Eric Westman (MD), James B. and Hannah Yoseph.
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I’ve read the two by Malcolm Kendrick and Uffe Ravnskov (actually, I’ve read several by Malcolm and several by Uffe). I recommend everything these two write. Other good books are by Gary Taubes, Nina Teicholz, Dr. Jason Fung, to name a few.
A word of warning, though. Once you begin believing these people are correct, and also Wheat Belly is correct, you may turn to the “dark side” and begin not believing anything you read or hear (even the people I’ve said are good above — you might as well question their beliefs too). I personally no longer believe anything I read (resistant starch/human biome, anything produced by the American Heart Association or the CDC or nutritional guidelines or any other governmental institution, statins, blood pressure medication,…., the list is endless now) and question it.
BobM wrote: «…to name a few.»
Here’s a 2013 open-access paper that summarizes the statin-as-prophylatics situation pretty concisely:
The Ugly Side of Statins. Systemic Appraisal of the Contemporary Un-Known Unknowns
http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=34065
I’m not even going to quote from it, because it’s short enough for anyone to read and nearly every sentence is a sobering.
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Sorry for the bothering. Could it be that you made a mistake: “then it is likely that the benefit to people following the right diet and lifestyle is far less, perhaps zero”
I think that it should say:
“then it is likely that the RISK to people following the right diet and lifestyle is far less, perhaps zero”
Your article is excellent, your passion, ethics and courage supreme.
Mihailo wrote: «I think that it should say: “then it is likely that the RISK to people following the right diet and lifestyle is far less, perhaps zero”»
It looks correct to me as written.
What matters is outcomes (all-cause mortality reduction),
not reduction of the mythical LDL-C,
not vague risk score reduction, and
not dishonest relative risk reduction.
Everyone confronted by statins (which, alas, is almost everyone) needs to decide for themselves. My personal opinion is at:
https://www.cureality.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=18537
(updated to link back to this blog article).
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Got it. :-) It’s semantics, I didn’t get it immediately. Now, what would be a proper way to ask you for a permission to translate such an article, as I believe it would be useful for the people speaking my language (Serbian) to be able to read this or similar articles? I don’t make money on it, I would just like to share.
Mihailo wrote: «…what would be a proper way to ask you for a permission to translate such an article,…»
I don’t have the authority to grant that permission, but perhaps you can tell us how well Google did at it:
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=en&tl=sr&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wheatbellyblog.com%2F2016%2F05%2Fstatin-scare%2F
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