There are few more contentious issues in cardiology today than the pros and cons of statins. These cholesterol-lowering medications are among the most successful drugs in history.
Statins Save Lives!
Some doctors believe that virtually everyone over 65 should be on atorvastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, or a similar medication. They maintain that such drugs save lives and have few if any side effects.
Statins Cause Serious Side Effects!
Others point to complications like muscle pain, cramps and weakness, diabetes, nerve damage, fatigue, arthritis, cataracts and sexual side effects. They question whether statins are essential for 56 million Americans, the number recommended by the American Heart Association (New England Journal of Medicine, April 10, 2014).
Statins & Cognitive Impairment
Perhaps the most controversial adverse reaction to statins involves mental function. A recent article in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine (Dec., 2014) was titled “Statin-Related Cognitive Impairment in the Real World: You’ll Live Longer but You Might Not Like It.”
The author, Jonathan McDonagh, is an information technologist who found his productivity at work and his energy at home in a tailspin. He was taking simvastatin and at first he didn’t connect the drug to his difficulties remembering names or devising technical solutions for clients.
It wasn’t until he inadvertently ran out of his medication that he discovered not taking his statin improved his driving ability and his enjoyment of it. After some experimentation with a different statin, he and his doctor concluded that he would have to lower his cholesterol with diet instead. He was pleased to find that his cognitive function returned.
He writes:
“It’s disappointing to miss out on some of the cardiovascular benefits that statins may provide. But it’s more important to me to have my cognitive function back so I can earn a living and provide for the people I love.”
McDonagh exhorts doctors to take patient-reported symptoms seriously. Although doctors sometimes dismiss problems not listed in the prescribing information as coincidental and not caused by the drug, he points out that “drug company research may not pick up side effects that matter to us.”
Statin Side Effects & The People’s Pharmacy
For decades we have been receiving reports from other people who, like Mr. McDonagh, discovered that their statin drug caused cognitive impairment. One person wrote:
“I have been taking simvastatin for several months. I have had trouble making conversation and finding common words. I am a 66-year-old semi-retired engineer consulting on computer projects. Recently I was talking about a computer system and could not remember the name of a common computer keyboard. I find myself talking more slowly to search for the words. I wonder if I should give up the drug.”
Another reader reported:
“I take 10mg of simvastatin per day, and since I have started taking it, I have had holes in my memory. That’s the only way I can describe it. I absolutely do not remember people or events. When this happens it affects my job. I am a Realtor and need to stay on top of my game.”
Angela wrote:
“As I am reading this information from the People’ Pharmacy community, I am almost in tears.
“For the past couple of years I have suffered from very painful neuropathy in my feet and now my hands. I have started falling and having moments of memory lapse. I’m only 54 years old and have been taking Crestor for about 4 years now.
“I am going to discuss with my doctor about stopping it since I have never really had a problem with my cholesterol prior to going to a cardiologist. I am in a lot of pain even as I write this and will be VERY ANGRY if I do stop Crestor and start feeling better [knowing that the drug was to blame].
“I am afraid that I have already done irreparable nerve damage to my feet and hands.”
This from GRD:
“I took simvastatin for two years and shortly after I started taking it, I developed lower back pain that was so bad I could hardly breathe. Because of People’s Pharmacy, I stopped taking it and my back pain lowered to about half what it was. It is still with me. It has been about three years since I stopped but many problem are still there. Weak legs, back pain and memory loss (mostly peoples’ names that I have known all my life.)
“The worst part is the Transient Global Amnesia (TGA). I have had five episodes so far, even after stopping statins. The last one almost caused a car crash and I don’t remember anything about it except suddenly seeing the car coming at me. Scary stuff. I believe Dr. Duane Graveline, who says that just because you stop taking statins, the reaction to it may not go away. The muscle and brain damage has already been done. It may take me years to recover and I don’t have that much time left.
“I feel blessed that I read PP before I became an invalid.”
Terri’s story:
“I have been taking Crestor for roughly 10 years and believe I’ve had at least two TGA (Transient Global Amnesia) events, the latest of which landed me in the hospital. I’ve also suffered from dizziness for the last 20+ years, but it was never connected to Statins.”
There are many more stories about statin side effects on this website. Here is a link to an article titled, “Did Statin Cause Temporary Memory Loss?”
Despite such scary stories, many people tolerate statins quite well and do not experience any cognitive impairment or pain. Those who are susceptible to statin side effefcts and who would like to learn how to lower their cholesterol without taking a statin will find effective strategies described in our book, Best Choices from The People’s Pharmacy. We have a special opportunity for subscribers to our newsletter:
