Large numbers of people are being prescribed statin drugs to reduce their cholesterol figures. These so called wonder drugs are being thrust upon so many of us with the spectre of future heart attacks being used to scare patients into submission. I do not deny that they have saved some lives, but not by reducing cholesterol. The latest report of the Heart Protection Study shows that "events" occur at all cholesterol levels, and the "side" effects of homocysteine reduction and their simulation of nitric oxide keeps arteries fully dilated, from which any benefits are derived. Folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12 have been shown to be a less hazardous alternative to statins.

Common statin drugs are:- simvastatin or Zocor, Atorvastatin or Lipitor, Crestor, Mevacor. Vytorin ,Pravachol, Lescol, every one of them can cause problems in healthy people, but these effects can be much greater in Post Polios. Five years ago now, I was at a very low ebb with much muscle wastage and heart problems, when Tessa wrote a letter, published in the British Polio Journal which I know saved my life, and set me on the road to try to unravel the causes of these troubles. My paper with more details on the subject can be accessed via a Google search for spacedoc.net polio statins  In brief, PPs have a deficiency of Carnitine, probably due to extra need and declining supply as the years go by, due to the natural decline of CoenzymeQ10, necessary to energise all body systems. The statin drugs act on the path which is common to cholesterol and to CoQ10 production, so CoQ10 is also reduced. This causes problems to arise anywhere in the body, CoQ10 has to be renewed totally over a 4 day period, so any part, heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, muscles or any body substance manufacturing system may find itself unable to get its renewed supply and thus its function is reduced.

For PPs, the carnitine process is most vulnerable, as it is already overstretched, so muscle wastage and muscle pain become apparent. Carnitine is also necessary for 65% of heart energy to be obtained from fat as fuel, and weakness and angina can occur, as in my case.

So what to do if you have been damaged by statins? Firstly stop the statin, best by reducing your dose, halving or quartering your tablets over a week or so,
a sudden stop can lead to clotting problems, but most don't have any trouble if the dose is not very high. Coenzyme Q10 is the most necessary supplement to take, from 100 mg a day, more if you can afford it, and your carnitine may need to be increased. In my ancient state, I take 6 grams carnitine and 3 doses of 200 mg Q10 every day, but not everyone can afford such quantities. Q10 is best taken in an oil filled softgel form, as it is not soluble in water. If you are diabetic
or take Blood Pressure tablets, be aware that CoQ10 can improve your condition, so that any medication may become superfluous, as it will drive your more normalised figures down to too low a level.

Side effects of statins vary from muscle pain and/or weakness with/without wastage, general pains, nerve problems and loss of feeling in extremities, temporary memory loss, shortness of breath, even heart failure, hair and nail growth and health problems. Diabetes and thyroid troubles may worsen, CK (muscle breakdown) figures may rise, sometimes phenomenally to cause to rhabdomyolysis and kidney damage, but muscle wastage is often found at only slightly raised levels. A heart rending saga of problems can be found at the www.spacedoc.net.

Don't expect your doctor to be aware of these facts, some of them have been deliberately with-held by the manufacturers, and so much research is drug company funded and restricted in its scope to market expansion. The national guidelines are often prepared by such biased research personnel.