My husband has been on various statins for many years, and was often switched from one to another to try either for better results or to attempt to avoid side affects. He was put on Lipitor by a hospital consultant in about May/June 2002 and had very bad side affects which included severe confusion, irritability, aggression and a general change in his personality, which was apparent to all. His tongue also became tender and was covered with a yellow coating. (Which lasted for the following two years). He also started having abdominal pains. He stopped his Lipitor and told the consultant so on his next visit explaining why. As is so often the case in the field of medicine, the doctor responded with arrogance and a total lack of concern re the side affects mentioned, saying that if my husband could not follow instructions he needs to think of being treated elsewhere. He came across as being more concerned with his stats than with how a human life was being affected!!! We only found out two years later that statins suppress one's immune system. This was after he had suffered severe debilitating weakness, very high acidity and abdominal pain (for those two years) which turned out to be partly caused by a yeast infection as well as Helicobacter Pylori, which his body had been unable to fight. Even after courses of antibiotics these both continued to different degrees and it is only now after taking himself off statins (Crestor this time!!) again and this time FOREVER, that he is starting to respond to treatment, turn the symmptons around and find the active, motivated person that we lost years ago. Hopefully the damage done can be reversed in full.
It is about time that the medical profession in general, repeat in general, remember that we own our own bodies, and that they are just fulfilling a service for which they are paid (and very handsomely, if a consultant) in the same way that the rest of us are doing!!! So it is all the more refreshing to read a book like this, by a doctor, together with all the other info from enlightened doctors which is appearing on the internet.
As I originally found this book through trawling the web and went onto www.amazon.com to check it out further, before switching to the UK site to order it, I recommend that you too go there for further enlightening reviews. If you are a statin eater you won't regret doing so.
