Re: statin induced parkinson-german med. journal letter

[Guest guest]

This is interesting but what is a fibrate?

My hubby has been on a high dose of (3 GR) niacin (non flush) since last April. He was recently added Zetia.......which he took for 6-8 weeks and then quit on his own. He has slowly been going into a fatigue and almost depression......lackluster, pessimistic type attitude.....just no joy.......I see it...he feels it....

so naturally I am wondering about high does of niacin now:-(

He had all the stuff with statins....dementia, parkinson type stuff, and muscle deterioration......he was a mess, but came back great after awhile. and now this..................

maybe it is just winter........

statin induced parkinson-german med. journal letter

The following is a translation of "Statin Induced Parkinson's Syndrome" which is a letter responding to the article in Der Nevenarzt (German Peer Reviewed Medical Journal) authored by J. Finsterer (2003) 74:115-122.The letter is authored by Dr. Th. Muller"To the excellent review about the development of myopathies following long-term medication of cholesterol level decreasing fibrates and statins, there should be considered in regard additional differential diagnostic possibilities. Because of the similar clinical symptomatology with muscle aches and increased stiffness, the diagnosis of statin-induced aggravated Parkinson Disease Syndrome should be discussed. The development of such muscular side effects is seen more with statins than with fibrates. The case report in Table 1 indicates the history of a 60 year old patient with statin-induced Parkinson Syndrome occurring over a long time. On the other hand, with central effective statins, a possible neuro-protective effect in neuro-degenerative diseases has been considered, especially in dementia. But long term use of statins, especially Lovastatin, leads to the reduction of coenzyme Q10 and can cause damage of the mitochondrial breathing chain. Co Q-10 is an electron receptor in the mitochondrial complexes 1 and 2 and very effective absorber of radicals. This antigen substance increases the complex 1 activity. Co-Q10 shows a certain therapeutic effect with encephalomyopathy where there is a lack of various enzyme functions of the breathing chain. Dysfunction of various parts of the mitochondrial breathing chain is also considered in the pathophysiological mechanism of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Treatment with Co-Q10 in patients who are not treated with Dopamine for Parkinson patients, caused less disease symptomatology and progression than patients treated with placebo, though placebo treatment can cause stimulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission. Therefore, the long-term treatment with Co-Q10 possibly is neuroprotective in idiopathic morbid Parkinson, though new evidence shows it appears to cause mild symptomatic effect. Under these circumstances treatment with prophylactic medication of Co-Q10 which has been well tolerated in doses up to 1200mgm in patients with neurodegenerative diseases should be considered for statin myopathy or statin-induced Parkinson syndrome in addition to discontinuation of the cholesterol decreasing medication. The Table 1 summarizes a patient with Parkinson syndrome. 1995—start of therapy with Flurastatin 40 mg.1997 increasing weakness with shoulder and hip pain on the right1999- diagnosis of right sided Parkinson syndrome of akinetic dominance type. Careful induction of Pergolid with daily doses of 3 mg and Salagen 7.5 mgm2000 complaints about increasing edema development in legs, loss o hair, start of a potassium sparing diuretic and increasing of Pergolid medication from 4.5 mg in June 2000 to 6 mgm in December.March 2001 discontinuation of Flurastatin, continuation of Pergolid 6 mgJune 2001 reduction of Pergolid to 4 mgmSept 2001 Pergolid 3 mgmImprovement of edemaDecember 2001 discontinuation of Pergolid and diureticsMarch, 2002 discontinuation of Salagen"appears the german medical community is/was willing to discuss statin induced myopathies and statin induced parkinson's.

[Guest guest]

Fibrates are a class of drugs that lower triglycerides mostly--

though there is some lowering of other faty acids--cholesterol.

they work by decreasing the liver's ability to extract free fatty

acids (or so it it thought) they include Tricor and Lopid drugs.

Does your husband take Fish Oil Omega 3 (NOT OMEGA 6) capsules? How

long was your husband on statins before he developed the symptoms of

neurodegenerative diseases (dementia and parkinson's)? How long was

he off the statin before he recovered? did he ever take CoEnzyme

Q10? I wonder if coq10 would help him? best of luck and thanks for

responding. olsen---

[Guest guest]

I had noticed a Parkinsons-type tremor in my left hand shortly after I went off

the statin, and it has not recurred. That was one scary sypmptom! My

father-in-law and one of my brothers had Parkinsons, so I've seen what it can

do. (Just thought I might ask my nephew if his dad was on statins, as he had

memory problems as well.)

Linden

" olsen4666 " wrote:

>The following is a translation of " Statin Induced Parkinson's

>Syndrome " which is a letter responding to the article in Der

>Nevenarzt (German Peer Reviewed Medical Journal) authored by J.

>Finsterer (2003) 74:115-122.

>The letter is authored by Dr. Th. Muller

> " To the excellent review about the development of myopathies

>following long-term medication of cholesterol level decreasing

>fibrates and statins, there should be considered in regard

>additional differential diagnostic possibilities. Because of the

>similar clinical symptomatology with muscle aches and increased

>stiffness, the diagnosis of statin-induced aggravated Parkinson

>Disease Syndrome should be discussed. The development of such

>muscular side effects is seen more with statins than with fibrates....

>appears the german medical community is/was willing to discuss

>statin induced myopathies and statin induced parkinson's.

>

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[Guest guest]

Hello again, I was told by a PhD pharmacist that Sam's brand of

coenzyme Q10 is perfectly okay--not as absorbable as the brands made

by Tishcon or Vitaline Formulary, but good enough. How much does

your husband take of the coq10? and fish oil, i have not heard or

read much controversy about. we use many different brands of fish

oil--just make certain they only contain omega 3 oils and not omega

6's. I wish you and your husband well. it is reassuring to know

his symptoms have mostly disappeared or at least decreased. thanks

again, olsen

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