Re: Re: study of statin myopathy with RRF/ biopsy concerns

[Guest guest]

I believe so, Gillian. I have been reading about it, but can't find

the references at this time. I saw one reference that said muscle

damage can occur in individuals who do not have the extremely raised CK

levels. Look into the effects of statins. When/if I find it, I will

also post. I am just passing by the computer at this time. I think it

is a very important issue for anyone who has even a suspicion of mito.

I believe they are " white-washing " the possible negativeffects on

muscles because of the strong statistical health benefits this class of

drugs can give. Or, if I am in a cynical mood, because the

pharmaceutical companies have done a good job in selling the docs. I

hope it is the former.

>

> This report raises significant concerns....

>

> my biopsy was done and showed ragged red fibres and COX

> negative..plus slight Complex1/1V deficiency....never had raised CK

> levels...BUT I had been on simvastatin for 3 years before and during

> the biopsy time with  weakening of muscles, which resolved 3 months

> after the biopsy and I stopped the statins..

> The neuro didn't ask what meds I was on ..ie. statins and thyroxine..

>

> Could therefore there be a possibility that these meds could have

> affected my biopsy result even to a small degree ????

>

> Gillian

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> >

> > Statin-associated myopathy with normal creatine kinase levels.

> >

> >

> > PS, Haas RH, Bannykh S, Hathaway S, Gray NL, Kimura BJ,

> > Vladutiu GD, England JD; Scripps Mercy Clinical Research Center.

> >

> >

> >

> > BACKGROUND: Muscle symptoms in patients who are treated with

> statins

> > and have normal creatine kinase levels are not well understood.

> >

> > OBJECTIVE: To report biopsy-confirmed myopathy and normal creatine

> > kinase levels associated with statin use.

> >

> > DESIGN: Case reports from preliminary analysis of an ongoing

> > clinical trial.

> >

> > SETTING: Clinical research center in a community hospital.

> >

> > PATIENTS: Four patients with muscle symptoms that developed during

> > statin therapy and reversed during placebo use.

> >

> > MEASUREMENTS: 1) Patients' ability to identify blinded statin

> > therapy and 2) standard measures of functional capacity and muscle

> > strength.

> >

> > RESULTS: All four patients repeatedly distinguished blinded statin

> > therapy from placebo. Strength testing confirmed weakness during

> > statin therapy that reversed during placebo use. Muscle biopsies

> > showed evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction, including abnormally

> > increased lipid stores, fibers that did not stain for cytochrome

> > oxidase activity, and ragged red fibers. These findings reversed

> in

> > the three patients who had repeated biopsy when they were not

> > receiving statins. Creatine kinase levels were normal in all four

> > patients despite the presence of significant myopathy.

> >

> > CONCLUSION: Some patients who develop muscle symptoms while

> > receiving statin therapy have demonstrable weakness and

> > histopathologic findings of myopathy despite normal serum creatine

> > kinase levels.

>

>

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Yes, Barbara,

that is the article I was thinking of for Gillian. I think there is

much more to be found out about the statin drugs.

Sunny

>

> Gillian, I'm certainly not a doctor, but there does seem to be

> striking parallels between your case and the patients in this study.

> These researchers are well-respected, so I would expect the study

> has been well-received in the scientific community and is considered

> valid. If I were you, I would show the study to my doctors and ask

> their opinion. Here's the citation: Ann Intern Med. 2002 Oct 1;137

> (7):581-5.

>

> Barbara

>

>

>

> > >

> > >

> > > Statin-associated myopathy with normal creatine kinase levels.

> > >

> > >

> > > PS, Haas RH, Bannykh S, Hathaway S, Gray NL, Kimura BJ,

> > > Vladutiu GD, England JD; Scripps Mercy Clinical Research Center.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > BACKGROUND: Muscle symptoms in patients who are treated with

> > statins

> > > and have normal creatine kinase levels are not well understood.

> > >

> > > OBJECTIVE: To report biopsy-confirmed myopathy and normal

> creatine

> > > kinase levels associated with statin use.

> > >

> > > DESIGN: Case reports from preliminary analysis of an ongoing

> > > clinical trial.

> > >

> > > SETTING: Clinical research center in a community hospital.

> > >

> > > PATIENTS: Four patients with muscle symptoms that developed

> during

> > > statin therapy and reversed during placebo use.

> > >

> > > MEASUREMENTS: 1) Patients' ability to identify blinded statin

> > > therapy and 2) standard measures of functional capacity and

> muscle

> > > strength.

> > >

> > > RESULTS: All four patients repeatedly distinguished blinded

> statin

> > > therapy from placebo. Strength testing confirmed weakness during

> > > statin therapy that reversed during placebo use. Muscle biopsies

> > > showed evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction, including

> abnormally

> > > increased lipid stores, fibers that did not stain for cytochrome

> > > oxidase activity, and ragged red fibers. These findings reversed

> > in

> > > the three patients who had repeated biopsy when they were not

> > > receiving statins. Creatine kinase levels were normal in all

> four

> > > patients despite the presence of significant myopathy.

> > >

> > > CONCLUSION: Some patients who develop muscle symptoms while

> > > receiving statin therapy have demonstrable weakness and

> > > histopathologic findings of myopathy despite normal serum

> creatine

> > > kinase levels.

>

>

>

>

>

> Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained

> herein are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of

> this e mail is entirely responsible for its content. List members are

> reminded of their responsibility to evaluate the content of the

> postings and consult with their physicians regarding changes in their

> own treatment.

>

> Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends

> one is automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of

> the attack.

>

>

>

>

>

>