Yesterday we were called in as my OH's cholesterol level had gone up. The G P recommended going back on statins. What experience have others had with simvastatin when someone has mixed dementia?
Simvastatin
My OH (non dementia) was put on these and after a few weeks, I was 70% convinced he was starting dementia
He has tried 3 types. Each caused their own issues for him
Now he is refusing to take them as they make him feel and behave so strangely, and his doctor has agreed.
There was a programme on radio 4 a few months ago, that covered statins, and raised glucose levels.
Wish I could find a link sorry I can't.
The gist was at a certain age, your body automatically has raised cholesterol and glucose levels.
Any one diagnosed with glucose intolerance after 60 - it's normal to have high glucose levels, but many doctors think otherwise. if the glucose levels remain stable, there is no need for medication, likewise cholesterol.
In my opinion.... I strongly suspect doctors are paid to medicate the "new medical issue" and if it's not diabetes, it's cholesterol or some other "medical issue" - one size fits all - so they prescribe and get paid....
Leaving the poor patient struggling in some cases, thinking they have to take these tablets, otherwise.....
when in reality the tablets are not suitable for everyone.
Sent from my iPhone using Talking Point
I don't know anything about statins but from the posts here they seem to effect people differently. If they can't be taken the problem of high cholesterol is still a problem. Apart from weight control how else is it lowered? Diet? Just interested.
Statins are one of the most controversial drugs around, allegations that the side effects are being played down, There's a link to the whole article below but here's the salient points:
The man in question is Sir Rory Collins of Oxford University:
"His research helped shape NHS guidelines issued last year recommending that GPs offer them to around 40 per cent of all adults"
"Professor Collins has acknowledged that his earlier studies looking at the benefits of statins did not properly investigate all the side effects"
"One of the main worries surrounding statins is that too little is known about the risks, as drug companies fail to publish data."
Those 3 quotes about sum it all up the man who helped the NHS make the decision now admits that they didn't investigate the side effects and the drug companies failed publish the figures.
I'm no scientist so I don't know, but it's quite worrying that when the scientist involved admits he didn't do the job properly and is now going back to reinvestigate the evidence anyone quoting the evidence is quoting someone who now thinks he may have got it wrong.
I have no axe to grind with statins but the "facts" are far from clear.
I was taken off statins when my doctor said how good my cholesterol level were and I said I hadn't taken them for 2 years because of the side effects and anyway simvastatin shouldn't be prescribed for someone taking Amlodipine she agreed and took me off. Time will tell as they say.
K