Tuesday, March 23, 2010 Smokin Mike asks

Q: Reversing statin side effects

I have been taking Vytorin 10/40 for four years. I have many of the symptoms that I have read about that statins may cause such as muscle weakness, apathy, low energy, hip pain on walking, "brain fog" etc. Upon stopping this drug (I am taking 400 mg. coq10) can I expect these symptoms to resolve and if so, what might the time frame be? I only stopped the drug yesterday.

Thanks, Mike

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Answers (2)

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN, Health Pro

3/24/10 9:28pm

Hi Mike,

The average time frame for the side effects of statin medications to resolve is approximately 7-10 according to Dr. Gau.

All the best,

Lisa Nelson RD

How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps

Smokin Mike

3/25/10 1:59am

Hi Lisa, Thanks for the reply. Please clarify. 7-10 days, weeks, ,months?

Thanks, Mike

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN, Health Pro

3/26/10 11:10am

Sorry, Mike! Days, 7-10 days.

All the best,

Lisa Nelson RD

How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps

Smokin Mike

3/26/10 3:36pm

Hi Lisa, Thanks for the clarification. I just stopped the Vytorin as of this past Monday. I have been taking Cholestoff (plant sterols and stenols) for over a year and coq10 400 mg for the same time frame. I am keeping up with those. I had read that some people reccomend tapering off the Vytorin, but I just stopped. I see the family doc soon and am having blood work done. I suppose it would be a good idea to have this done more frequently. I hope your time frame is what happens with me. I have read others say it takes months or years and might never resolve. Any other supplements I should be taking?

Thanks again!

Mike

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN, Health Pro

3/26/10 4:51pm

Hi Mike,

Both supplements you are using are good choices. One tip I would give is to really evaluate your diet and see where you can eliminate processed foods and increase your intake of whole, natural foods (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains). Pay special attention to soluble fiber. Also, if you have never had a comprehensive lipid profile I recommend discussing with your physician.

Hopefully your symptoms are almost gone by the start of next week!

All the best,

Lisa Nelson RD

How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps

David1951

3/25/10 10:21am

Mike,

while it is possible that you will recover relatively quickly it is also possible that it could take years or you may never completely recover.. Statins can cause mutations of the mitochondrial DNA and this may never resolve completely.

I suggest that you visit the following sites and learn about others with statin damage and what they have learned about recovery.

www.spacedoc.net lots of info and a forum with many informed victims

www.statinvictims.org new site by victims lots of links to current studies

David

Smokin Mike

3/25/10 1:33pm

David, Thanks so much for the info. I'll check it out right away.

Mike

David1951

3/25/10 2:39pm

Mike,

as one who was disabled by statins and has not recovered even after 3 years let me tell you right up front that in addition to the COQ10 you need to severly limit activity until you see improvement and ask about the additional suppliments that have helped others...use the forums!

Hoping a speedy recovery,

David

David1951

3/25/10 3:02pm

One more thing Mike:

It is recommended that you do NOT stop the statin cold turkey!

you should cut the dose in half for one week then cut it in half again for one week then stop.

David

TopDawg

9/ 2/11 12:29pm

This link goes to a very suspicious site. It only offers links to other topics and from there to promotions of one sort or another. There is nothing about who runs the site or any easily useful info about statins and victims. Maybe someone took over the page after the original post.

David1951

9/ 2/11 1:35pm

yes the link has just been corrupted two days ago

Q: Reversing statin side effects

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