Re: Add Benicar to this list

[Guest guest]

a

An interesting article this. I spoke to my pharmacist the other day

about how dangerous this drug is.He advised it should not be used in

anyone with liver problems .I think most people on thees forum have

liver p[roblems because they can't tolerate alcohol, a direct

stressor on the liver. I also think fatty liver runs high in this

community of ill.My father who had a life time of alcohol was given

this silly drug and is currently deathly ill with something

resembling rabdomyelosis(sp).I think the statin has just blocked up

his liver and that his muscles have disappeared , it's like they get

blocked up and can't receive nutrition.

>

> Dear Dr. Mirkin: How common is muscle pain from cholesterol-

lowering

> drugs?

>

> Some patients with high cholesterol levels are afraid to take

> statins because off fear of developing side effects such as muscle

> pain. A study from Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego reviews the

> latest data on side effects of statins (The American Journal of

> Medicine, May 2006). This review found that statin- induced muscle

> damage is more common in Asians, people who exercise, have had

recent

> surgery, have kidney, liver or thyroid disease, or have high

> triglycerides. The incidence of muscle pain and damage from

statins

> is extremely low in non- exercisers, three to ten percent in those

> who exercise, and very high in competitive athletes. Most athletes

> refuse to take statin drugs because they train by taking a hard

> workout that damages their muscles. Then they must take easy

> workouts until the soreness disappears and muscles heal. When

statins

> prevent this muscle healing, the athlete must train at reduced

> intensity for a much longer period of time. Brand names of statins

> include:

> Altoprev, Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor.

>

[Guest guest]

I have a lifetime story of

low grade infection and inflammation ... juvenile RA in remission since

I was 17 ... and statins turn me into an old man within a couple of

weeks with body-wide muscle aches. Fortunately it goes away within a

week of stopping. Of course I had to figure this out by process of

elimination. A rheumatologist found nothing wrong with me and gave me

a throw away diagnosis of -- get this -- NIPS (Non Inflammatory Pain

Syndrome -- translation: it must be fibro even though you don't have

the correct tender points -- either that or you're nuts).

I've seen the list of people at risk for "statin induced muscle damage"

that you cite and it strikes me that what it really means is that

statins are potentially damaging everyone's muscles and all it takes to

make it plain and obvious is a little exercise or some other disease

process going on at the same time.

Somewhere else I read that if you have statin-induced muscle pain and

went to the expense and pain of a muscle biopsy you would see

mitochondrial abnormalities. It's just that no one bothers to look

that closely. I suspect that in most people it's minor enough that

they just pop a Motrin and chalk it up to aging. I would not be

surprised to find that statins take a huge toll in human suffering, but

slowly enough that most people don't connect the dots.

--Bob

pjeanneus wrote:

Dear Dr. Mirkin: How common is muscle pain from cholesterol-

lowering

drugs?

Some patients with high cholesterol levels are afraid to take

statins because off fear of developing side effects such as muscle

pain. A study from Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego reviews the

latest data on side effects of statins (The American Journal of

Medicine, May 2006). This review found that statin- induced muscle

damage is more common in Asians, people who exercise, have had recent

surgery, have kidney, liver or thyroid disease, or have high

triglycerides. The incidence of muscle pain and damage from statins

is extremely low in non- exercisers, three to ten percent in those

who exercise, and very high in competitive athletes. Most athletes

refuse to take statin drugs because they train by taking a hard

workout that damages their muscles. Then they must take easy

workouts until the soreness disappears and muscles heal. When statins

prevent this muscle healing, the athlete must train at reduced

intensity for a much longer period of time. Brand names of statins

include:

Altoprev, Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor.

[Guest guest]

I'm glad to read this article, because I've had docs who want to put me on these drugs for cholesterol. However, I wouldn't put Benicar on that list. I've been on Benicar for a long time now (can't even remember how long) and I don't feel I have muscle damage. I went through a period where I experienced muscle weakness, but that's gone. Of course, I don't exercise, so who knows if that might change things. But as far as I'm concerned, it's a big question mark, certainly not a fact. Bob Grommes <bob@...> wrote: I have a lifetime story of low grade infection and inflammation ... juvenile RA in remission since I was 17 ... and statins turn me into an old man within a couple of weeks with body-wide muscle aches. Fortunately it goes away within a week of stopping. Of course I had to figure this out by process of elimination. A rheumatologist found nothing wrong with me and gave me a throw away diagnosis of -- get this -- NIPS (Non Inflammatory Pain Syndrome -- translation: it must be fibro even though you don't have the correct tender points -- either that or you're nuts).I've seen the list of people at risk for "statin induced muscle damage" that you cite and it strikes me that what it really means is that statins are potentially damaging everyone's muscles and all it takes to make it plain and obvious is a little exercise or some other disease process

going on at the same time.Somewhere else I read that if you have statin-induced muscle pain and went to the expense and pain of a muscle biopsy you would see mitochondrial abnormalities. It's just that no one bothers to look that closely. I suspect that in most people it's minor enough that they just pop a Motrin and chalk it up to aging. I would not be surprised to find that statins take a huge toll in human suffering, but slowly enough that most people don't connect the dots.--Bobpjeanneus wrote: Dear Dr. Mirkin: How common is muscle pain from cholesterol- lowering drugs?Some patients with high cholesterol levels are afraid to take statins because off fear of developing side effects such as muscle pain. A study from Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego reviews the latest data on side effects

of statins (The American Journal of Medicine, May 2006). This review found that statin- induced muscle damage is more common in Asians, people who exercise, have had recent surgery, have kidney, liver or thyroid disease, or have high triglycerides. The incidence of muscle pain and damage from statins is extremely low in non- exercisers, three to ten percent in those who exercise, and very high in competitive athletes. Most athletes refuse to take statin drugs because they train by taking a hard workout that damages their muscles. Then they must take easy workouts until the soreness disappears and muscles heal. When statins prevent this muscle healing, the athlete must train at reduced intensity for a much longer period of time. Brand names of statins include: Altoprev, Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor.

[Guest guest]

My doctor is intelligent

enough to understand that getting inflammation under control will tend

to improve the cholesterol picture. Also, most doctors just look at

the raw counts, and do not examine the nature / quality / "fluffiness"

of the cholesterol, which is actually more important.

--Bob

Penny Houle wrote:

I'm glad to read this article, because I've had docs who want to

put me on these drugs for cholesterol.

However, I wouldn't put Benicar on that list. I've been on

Benicar for a long time now (can't even remember how long) and I don't

feel I have muscle damage. I went through a period where I experienced

muscle weakness, but that's gone. Of course, I don't exercise, so who

knows if that might change things. But as far as I'm concerned, it's a

big question mark, certainly not a fact.

Bob Grommes <bobbobgrommes> wrote:

I have a lifetime

story of low grade infection and inflammation ... juvenile RA in

remission since I was 17 ... and statins turn me into an old man within

a couple of weeks with body-wide muscle ac hes. Fortunately it goes

away within a week of stopping. Of course I had to figure this out by

process of elimination. A rheumatologist found nothing wrong with me

and gave me a throw away diagnosis of -- get this -- NIPS (Non

Inflammatory Pain Syndrome -- translation: it must be fibro even though

you don't have the correct tender points -- either that or you're nuts).

I've seen the list of people at risk for "statin induced muscle damage"

that you cite and it strikes me that what it really means is that

statins are potentially damaging everyone's muscles and all it takes to

make it plain and obvious is a little exercise or some other disease

process going on at the same time.

Somewhere else I read that if you have statin-induced muscle pain and

went to the expense and pain of a muscle biopsy you would see

mitochondrial abnormalities. It's just that no one bothers to look

that closely. I suspect that in most people it's minor enough that

they just pop a Motrin and chalk it up to aging. I would not be

surprised to find that statins take a huge toll in human suffering, but

slowly enough that most people don't connect the dots.

--Bob

pjeanneus wrote:

Dear Dr. Mirkin: How common is muscle pain from cholesterol-

lowering

drugs?

Some patients with high cholesterol levels are afraid to take

statins because off fear of developing side effects such as muscle

pain. A study from Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego reviews the

latest data on side effects of statins (The American Journal of

Medicine, May 2006). This review found that statin- induced muscle

damage is more common in Asians, people who exercise, have had recent

surgery, have kidney, liver or thyroid disease, or have high

triglycerides. The incidence of muscle pain and damage from statins

is extremely low in non- exercisers, three to ten percent in those

who exercise, and very high in competitive athletes. Most athletes

refuse to take statin drugs because they train by taking a hard

workout that damages their muscles. Then they must take easy

workouts until the soreness disappears and muscles heal. When statins

prevent this muscle healing, the athlete must train at reduced

intensity for a much longer period of time. Brand names of statins

include:

Altoprev, Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor.

[Guest guest]

My cholesterol has improved since Benicar. It's still not great, but the ratio has gotten much better. pennyBob Grommes <bob@...> wrote: My doctor is intelligent enough to understand that getting inflammation under control will tend to improve the cholesterol picture. Also, most doctors just look at the raw counts, and do not examine the nature / quality / "fluffiness" of the cholesterol, which is actually more

important.--BobPenny Houle wrote: I'm glad to read this article, because I've had docs who want to put me on these drugs for cholesterol. However, I wouldn't put Benicar on that list. I've been on Benicar for a long time now (can't even remember how long) and I don't feel I have muscle damage. I went through a period where I experienced muscle weakness, but that's gone. Of course, I don't exercise, so who knows if that might change things. But as far as I'm concerned, it's a big question mark, certainly not a fact. Bob Grommes <bobbobgrommes> wrote: I have a

lifetime story of low grade infection and inflammation ... juvenile RA in remission since I was 17 ... and statins turn me into an old man within a couple of weeks with body-wide muscle ac hes. Fortunately it goes away within a week of stopping. Of course I had to figure this out by process of elimination. A rheumatologist found nothing wrong with me and gave me a throw away diagnosis of -- get this -- NIPS (Non Inflammatory Pain Syndrome -- translation: it must be fibro even though you don't have the correct tender points -- either that or you're nuts).I've seen the list of people at risk for "statin induced muscle damage" that you cite and it strikes me that what it really means is that statins are potentially damaging everyone's muscles and all it takes to make it plain and obvious is a little exercise or some other disease process going on at the same time.Somewhere else I read that if you have statin-induced muscle pain and went to

the expense and pain of a muscle biopsy you would see mitochondrial abnormalities. It's just that no one bothers to look that closely. I suspect that in most people it's minor enough that they just pop a Motrin and chalk it up to aging. I would not be surprised to find that statins take a huge toll in human suffering, but slowly enough that most people don't connect the dots.--Bobpjeanneus wrote: Dear Dr. Mirkin: How common is muscle pain from cholesterol- lowering drugs?Some patients with high cholesterol levels are afraid to take statins because off fear of developing side effects such as muscle pain. A study from Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego reviews the latest data on side effects of statins (The American Journal of Medicine, May 2006). This review found that statin- induced muscle

damage is more common in Asians, people who exercise, have had recent surgery, have kidney, liver or thyroid disease, or have high triglycerides. The incidence of muscle pain and damage from statins is extremely low in non- exercisers, three to ten percent in those who exercise, and very high in competitive athletes. Most athletes refuse to take statin drugs because they train by taking a hard workout that damages their muscles. Then they must take easy workouts until the soreness disappears and muscles heal. When statins prevent this muscle healing, the athlete must train at reduced intensity for a much longer period of time. Brand names of statins include: Altoprev, Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor.

[Guest guest]

Whether we like it or not Benicar is already on this list. It is a

drug the FDA says can cause rhabdomyolysis. This doesn't mean

everyone who takes it will get muscle damage - just that doctors

should warn their patients to watch for symptoms of muscle weakness.

Also, the blood tests are not always clear even when the patient is

experiencing damage. If I were a doctor, which I am not, I would try

to reduce the dose of Benicar as soon as possible. There are no

studies longterm or shortterm of doses of Benicar at 120 mg a day.

a

>

> I'm glad to read this article, because I've had docs who want to

put me on these drugs for cholesterol.

>

> However, I wouldn't put Benicar on that list. I've been on

Benicar for a long time now (can't even remember how long) and I

don't feel I have muscle damage. I went through a period where I

experienced muscle weakness, but that's gone. Of course, I don't

exercise, so who knows if that might change things. But as far as I'm

concerned, it's a big question mark, certainly not a fact.

>

>

> Bob Grommes <bob@...> wrote:

> I have a lifetime story of low grade infection and

inflammation ... juvenile RA in remission since I was 17 ... and

statins turn me into an old man within a couple of weeks with body-

wide muscle aches. Fortunately it goes away within a week of

stopping. Of course I had to figure this out by process of

elimination. A rheumatologist found nothing wrong with me and gave

me a throw away diagnosis of -- get this -- NIPS (Non Inflammatory

Pain Syndrome -- translation: it must be fibro even though you don't

have the correct tender points -- either that or you're nuts).

>

> I've seen the list of people at risk for " statin induced muscle

damage " that you cite and it strikes me that what it really means is

that statins are potentially damaging everyone's muscles and all it

takes to make it plain and obvious is a little exercise or some other

disease process going on at the same time.

>

> Somewhere else I read that if you have statin-induced muscle pain

and went to the expense and pain of a muscle biopsy you would see

mitochondrial abnormalities. It's just that no one bothers to look

that closely. I suspect that in most people it's minor enough that

they just pop a Motrin and chalk it up to aging. I would not be

surprised to find that statins take a huge toll in human suffering,

but slowly enough that most people don't connect the dots.

>

> --Bob

>

> pjeanneus wrote: Dear Dr. Mirkin: How common is muscle pain

from cholesterol- lowering

> drugs?

>

> Some patients with high cholesterol levels are afraid to take

> statins because off fear of developing side effects such as muscle

> pain. A study from Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego reviews the

> latest data on side effects of statins (The American Journal of

> Medicine, May 2006). This review found that statin- induced muscle

> damage is more common in Asians, people who exercise, have had

recent

> surgery, have kidney, liver or thyroid disease, or have high

> triglycerides. The incidence of muscle pain and damage from statins

> is extremely low in non- exercisers, three to ten percent in those

> who exercise, and very high in competitive athletes. Most athletes

> refuse to take statin drugs because they train by taking a hard

> workout that damages their muscles. Then they must take easy

> workouts until the soreness disappears and muscles heal. When

statins

> prevent this muscle healing, the athlete must train at reduced

> intensity for a much longer period of time. Brand names of statins

> include:

> Altoprev, Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor.

>