Recently, a call-in guest on The People’s Pharmacy mentioned noticing that his mother seemed to show improvement in mental clarity when he missed her dose of Zocor. The discussion that followed and the symptoms described were very similar to our own situation with my mother-in-law. A year ago she had a cardiac arrest which resulted in brain damage, giving her symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s, but without the prolonged deterioration.
Over the past couple of years her doctor at the nursing home prescribed Zocor as a way to assist with cholesterol and possibly improve mental functioning. However, what we have seen over the past year was a deterioration in physical (muscular) ability and a mental decline to the point of near non-responsive behavior. You could describe her condition as near catatonic.
My wife has medical power of attorney and decided that the potential risks did not balance with the potential benefits. She discussed stopping the Zocor with my mother-in-law’s doctor. He was hesitant but agreed to a two-week trial.
The results were nothing short of amazing. In a few days she began moving her arms and hands, feeding herself, playing bingo, etc. Her mental condition has also improved and she is again quoting rhymes she used to say all of the time, with a dramatic improvement in interaction with others around her. It is very important to observe and note changes in condition in your loved ones who are on statins.
