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First let me say that I have been on a Statin, my brother too and we both had to discontinue use because of the side effects of an aching body. I am not talking about minor aches. I mean aching where it is chronic and everything hurts all the time, from getting out of bed to walking across the room. all day long. I know not everyone has this side effect but my doctor says it’s fairly common.


My mom went to the ER awhile back with tingling or numbness. Her neurologist said they were treating her as if she had a ‘mini stroke.’ The newest stroke prevention is a Statin plus baby aspirin. She was already taking baby aspirin but they added the Statin. She does NOT have high cholesterol!


The last trip to ER was because it took her an hour to get off of her bedside commode. She did rehab at the SNF. Now doing home health too. My question is she already had discomfort from her Parkinson’s disease, slow rigid movements. Don’t you think the Statin could be making it worse? I am going to ask her neurologist to take her off of the Statin to see if she improves. Here’s how it is, as the Statin builds up in our systems it causes aches. It doesn’t happen immediately. She has been on the Statin long enough for it to effect her. Once I got off of it, aches went away. My brother too. Any thoughts on this?

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Your mom sounds a lot like mine, at her age it's probably too little too late.

https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/avoid-stroke-avert-dementia-western-led-team-calls-for-global-action-as-link-between-two-becomes-clear
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NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2019
cwille,

Thanks, it gets so confusing to me. I try to keep up with all of this stuff but it’s hard.
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I have no idea why Doctors still push Statins. They contribute to to Dementia. Depleting cholesterol in the brain which it needs. Since she has low Cholesterol I would not give it to her. Seems her stroke was not caused by high cholesterol. Baby Aspirin seems OK.
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NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2019
JoAnn,

I was second guessing myself because it’s ‘doctor’s orders’ but it doesn’t make sense to me either. Of course, I am not a medical professional.

Can I insists that the Statin be removed? She will take it more seriously if the doc says not to take it. Or tell her, Mom, I really don’t want you to take this drug. Help!

I don’t have any issues with the baby aspirin.
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There are currently 7 statins approved by the FDA so if you think she is suffering from side effects they could try another or lower the dose.
I'm curious what tests were done to diagnose TIA, did she have a CT scan or MRI?
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NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2019
cwille,

I think it was both test. I know she did the scan. She has done MRI’s in the past, can’t remember for that ER visit.
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Statins nearly ruined my feet. I mean nearly ruined them. I was still in Nursing at the time and thought just on feet too much as hard started a night shift and up to much during day. Had always been active. Idiot me did not find that as a side effect. It took years to get them back (about four years and custom made foot inserts). I thought that Statins already have been disproved all the miracle cure they thought statins did for the brain matter, but I guess not, huh. Hope not one of the new expensive ones, or you could be looking at the MD drug bonus of 6% of each script written. I would say that you are more into palliative care now and not a lot of medications. I think an ASA is good a day and have taken for years. But at some point we will be getting something. You can also say NOTHING and not refill the script if that's what you choose to do. And no, I would take no statins without raised levels. Mine are sky high, have been for my adult life. Am 77. But as I said, will go of something. Some day. We all do. I don't like a lot of pills. That's just me and my choice.
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NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2019
Alva,

My mom doesn’t take a lot of meds either and she is 93. She takes Sinamet. Dilantin for seizures and Atoriststin. That’s it. The rest is baby aspirin and supplements and vitamins.

She hasn’t had a seizure since 1996.

Alva, how did Statins ruin your feet?

I did switch to more tolerable statin and I still had issues with aches. My brother too. He can’t take any Statins. Now my brother takes some insanely expensive meds not covered by his insurance. It costs $1500 a month! He can’t afford that so doctor gives him samples and when doc doesn’t have any samples he goes without. He’s had several heart surgeries due to heart attacks. He’s severely obese. Sedentary lifestyle. I don’t know if he’s over eating a ton of food or what but he hasn’t lost any weight.

My husband, mom and I don’t eat a lot so our weight is fine. I wish he could lose weight. He used to be a normal size. I wonder why some people gain a ton of weight like that. My dad wasn’t heavy either. My other brother is average weight. The one with heart issues is tremendous! He can’t fit in chairs. I feel bad for him. It’s weird, looks like he’s swollen or something. Can meds do that to a person? He takes tons of meds!
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As we age, so do our blood vessels. They are more fragile. They lose elasticity. A natural aging process.

I am not sure I would begin a statin med on a 93 y/o who never took a statin before. Especially if her offspring are sensitive to statins.

Did you and her doctor discuss this beforehand? Did you both decide together to begin the statin & ASA?

I would weigh the risks with the benefits. Why introduce a new medication at this point, and a statin to boot, when nothing on God’s earth will prevent your loved one from being called home to her maker? If mom is doing well, you are blessed. No need to introduce new medication that may have wicked side effects and rock her stability.
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NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2019
Thanks Shane. That’s how I feel too.

The doctor just put her on it in the ER. It’s the ‘newest’ treatment for stroke prevention.

We are their experiments! Haha.
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JoAnn,

I can’t remember when Statin drugs first came out. I remember seeing them on television commercials years ago.

Isn't it funny how drugs are trendy too. Always looking for the new wonder drug, right?
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