tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post9101145179111172297..comments2009-03-01T18:19:18.819-05:00WebMD Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079273055818065505noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-2561874696163998152009-03-01T18:19:00.000-05:002009-03-01T18:19:00.000-05:00niasin is probably just as dangerous as statins if you over due it and dont have a doctor watch your condition.i have been on both have liver polups doc said not to worry/ destroyer over and out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-2892990775462010032009-01-30T22:31:00.000-05:002009-01-30T22:31:00.000-05:00After my 2 months on statins my family Dr. switched me over to 1000mg&#39;s once daily of Niaspan which is just a time released type of niacin a vitamin. My liver has recovered from the statins after 2&amp;1/2 years, Thank God I realized something was happening to my body and refused to take any more statins. It was insidious the way I slowly lost all energy and just wanted to lay in bed and not move. Thanks Dr.Marsh God Bless you sir and I pray you enjoy your retirement!Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14274995235692367597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-6384149325632400132009-01-01T17:50:00.000-05:002009-01-01T17:50:00.000-05:00So, with the comments I´ve read, it´s only obvious that cholesterol lowering drugs (statins) are responsible for fatty livers? I have been on statins for a very long time and developed a fatty liver. I am going to go off the statins and begin a good diet, hopefully that will help. Being obese is no help either!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-39116144590217652572008-11-30T13:37:00.000-05:002008-11-30T13:37:00.000-05:00My liver enzymes went from 30 to about 400 in a matter of four months after I was put on 80 mg. of lipitor. I believe I have permanant muscle damage, because as of today I still cannot get up from a kneeling or squatting position without help. My liver enzymes are still about 5 times more than what they had been before lipitor. My doctor tried to put me on lipitor a couple of years ago as well, and the same thing happened, but I didn't go for four months, and everything got back to normal after a few months. My advice is stay away from statins! It's much worse having liver and muscle damage rather than low cholesterol!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-74905686124279049592008-11-17T12:52:00.000-05:002008-11-17T12:52:00.000-05:00As long as pharmaceutical co's are in control, bribing/buying Congress with their billions and pushing their products on TV (tested or untested) to an unwary public. And providing favors/perks to susceptible physicians..notice how the pharm. reps. ALWAYS get in to see your doctor first?! Unless you have a true emergency, and they fear a lawsuit. (which is another brick in the wall of our failed "healthcare"? system)...<BR/><BR/>"Honk if you hate ambulance-chasing lawyers!"<BR/>Heads-up John Edwards...people like you are the reason we're losing our best, most experienced docs and nurses. They don't have to put up with all that cr*p! The best can always find a good job...the mediocre ones' just in it for the money are the miserable ones being left behind in our rural/and city hospitals. Sad...<BR/><BR/>Anyway, just do your homework, study these meds and protect your family. Also, find a doctor that you feel you can trust. Someone with knowledge who listens to you. Who takes your concerns seriously, and actually DOES that ultrasound or labwork that you requested. <BR/><BR/>Remember, you know your body and family history better than anyone (and your child's)...in these days, you must become an informed patient. Don't be<BR/>pushed around, or aside, as I have been in the past.<BR/><BR/>Godspeed~~~greatpyrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03136400039742103382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-88591587014670550462008-11-17T12:18:00.000-05:002008-11-17T12:18:00.000-05:00I'm 50 and have been on Vytorin for 4 years. (Early ht. attacks run in my family on both sides).<BR/><BR/>Now my labwork points to NASH (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). And the liver enzyme levels this year are much higher than last year! None of these problems existed before Vytorin. Yet, I've been told to "stick with" the medication...once again. Also it really is not lowering my chol. levels to any degree. "All I need to do is lose weight"...that is the "cure" for fatty liver. I'm female, 5'5" and 180 lbs. <BR/><BR/>Sure I need to lose weight. I would be thrilled! But my point is that I have heard so many statements/theories (totally at odds with each other) re. statins; per physicians, research studies, advertisements!...<BR/><BR/>It's all about money, folks. Someone needs to stand up and say, "We demand to know exactly what statins do, and if they are harmful or deadly!" (perhaps the AARP?). <BR/><BR/>Millions of people all over the world take these drugs in good faith that they are helping them. I don't think I'm being helped, and I know my pocketbook isn't! Yes, I fear MI's, but NASH is no joke either. <BR/><BR/>I'm not willing to put my trust and life in the hands of drug reps. and pharmaceutical companies making billions...are you?<BR/><BR/>Maybe with a new health care system (that sort of works), we'll finally get the true answers we deserve. Plus life saving (?) meds we can all afford.<BR/><BR/>Tired, worn-out R.N.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-5593409132036204312008-11-12T19:19:00.000-05:002008-11-12T19:19:00.000-05:00My mother just tried a statin drug for elevated cholesterol for approximately 2 months. All labs, etc.,except cholesterol of course, were normal initially. All of a sudden, she developed nausea, fatigue, and extreme dizziness. Within a week, she was jaundice and had labs drawn. Liver enzymes were anywhere from 7-10 times above normal! Has now had to have a CT to check her liver (normal). I hope she is able to recover, but I would NEVER recommend statins to anyone. It may be rare, but this is too scary if you are the one it happens to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-51196325720037160182008-10-02T16:32:00.000-04:002008-10-02T16:32:00.000-04:00Anonymous above,<BR/><BR/>To ask questions of Dr. Richman, please visit his <A HREF="http://boards.webmd.com/webx?50@@.89407f32" REL="nofollow">message board</A>. (Registration required for posting)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your question!WebMD Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079273055818065505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-46023607670496662602008-10-02T15:49:00.000-04:002008-10-02T15:49:00.000-04:00I see many questions posted asking specific questions yet no answers. Who answers the questions for individuals posting?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-42989305333231466972008-08-25T07:06:00.000-04:002008-08-25T07:06:00.000-04:00Not liver cancer folks....cirrhosis. None drinker Never had a drink had an upper GI 3 years prior no varices in esophogas which is a sign of cirrhosis put on Vytorin and 3 years later cirrhosis and renal failure. Rare side effect you won't think it is rare if it is happening to you. Insist on a liver ultrasound not labwork yearlyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-49328400258956194502008-07-19T22:58:00.000-04:002008-07-19T22:58:00.000-04:00i heard that people that have 0 positve blood and have a liver transplant with an 0 positive donor have a greater chance of rejuvination the liver? is this true, my brother and i have damaged livers but he needs a transplant and heard this on discovery and i cant find it. could you help me out?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-44228317252757141212008-07-04T22:06:00.000-04:002008-07-04T22:06:00.000-04:00My friend took Crestor for two and a half years. She also drank alot of wine, which I'm sure was never reported to her doctor. She developed a huge liver tumor, which was malignant, and died 6 months after diagnosis. Coincidence?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-2765993089394057332008-07-01T01:22:00.000-04:002008-07-01T01:22:00.000-04:00After about 9 weeks on statin's to help raise my good cholesterol I was switched to Niaspan due to extreme fatigue. It's has been 15 months and I am finally starting to have some energy. The fatigue was insidious it started as just being a little tired and gradually increased to the point that I would just lay in bed with no energy and no desire to get up.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14274995235692367597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-32449295611048238302008-05-20T19:48:00.000-04:002008-05-20T19:48:00.000-04:00Hi. I would like a comment regarding the medication I was put on when I had a heart attack two years ago. I was put on a statin before a blood test was given. Afterwards, a blood test was taken and my liver enzymes were high. Now I was just told I have a fatty liver. Also, I was a drinker for 20 years. Does the combination of the statin and being a former drinker contibute to this fatty liver?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-30119738197379259932008-04-07T17:40:00.000-04:002008-04-07T17:40:00.000-04:00I drink one or two glasses of wine with dinner. I take 40 mg of generic Zocor daily. The pharmacists note on the pill bottle says "avoid alcohol".<BR/><BR/>Any comment?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-75209845343697201872008-03-31T12:16:00.000-04:002008-03-31T12:16:00.000-04:00Statins aside, why would a doctor be concerned about higher levels of something shown by a liver panel? Why are there "dangerous" levels of something the panel measures? These are reasons my cardiologist and internist gave for taking me off Lipitor and putting me on Zetia (though I don't recall which "something" it was). It it's not the "safe" statin, why else would those test results be of concern?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-19701371311995944992008-02-06T00:14:00.000-05:002008-02-06T00:14:00.000-05:00Some advice, please.<BR/>I get a free cholesterol test when I give blood. My last one was 146. Do I need to have the whole lipid panel done, or will this be enough of an indicator? It is of some concern as i have no insurance and money is a factor. thank you for your time and consideration. slmstarbluenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-34133293415856905582008-01-28T11:39:00.000-05:002008-01-28T11:39:00.000-05:00I recently went off Lovstatin after a year due to muscle aches and joint pain. It has been about two months and I still have some muscle symtoms. I exercise three times a week. How long can these symtoms last?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-47859549409397077562008-01-17T12:31:00.000-05:002008-01-17T12:31:00.000-05:00HALA, would you please let me know if it is safe for me to use 10 mg of cebralex, i have hep c, fibrosis in the liver grade 3/4haloolanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-59954660964801415822008-01-09T15:51:00.000-05:002008-01-09T15:51:00.000-05:00I have been using statins off and on for the past 10 years. In each case when I used statins on a continuous basis, I suffered from sever muscle pain around my waist and lower stomach. I know of several others that experenced the same muscle problems. When I quit the statins for several weeks, the pains went away. I am also suferring from low kidney functions whish may also be related to the statins. Statins are dangerous and other methods to control cholestrol levels must be explored. Doctors are too eager to use statins. Dick Mgrizzymannnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-74095501604265069142008-01-09T14:30:00.000-05:002008-01-09T14:30:00.000-05:00I would like to thank Dr. Richman on his outstanding series on the safety of lipid lowering medications. As a fellow physician, I can tell you that there is absolutely no evidence that long term statin use causes liver cancerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-23221683304122083382008-01-08T19:54:00.000-05:002008-01-08T19:54:00.000-05:00Have any studies been performed to study the correlation of long term statin use and liver cancer?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427067715072397237.post-4938006617244487992008-01-06T16:41:00.000-05:002008-01-06T16:41:00.000-05:00Michael, would you please comment on dosage of statins. I have been moved from 10 m to 20 m to 40 m. I have a slightly elevated cholesterol level and my internist worries about plaque build-up since I have a slight coronary problem..I am 67 and in good health otherwise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com