[Dianna]

I really, really wish there was good information, in general, about this subject.

I'll use my father as a case in point. 20 years ago, he was told his cholesterol was high and he needed to be taking statins. Dad ignored the Dr. 10 years after that conversation, dad had a minor heart attack, requiring the placement of a stent. Dad also began taking statins and getting periodic stress tests.

His cholesterol level lowered, minor blockages were unblocked, tra la la.

10 years after the placement of the first stent, it failed (last week) and dad had another, minor heart attack. The original stent was replaced, and Dr.'s have decided he needed 2 more stents placed (yesterday) because of blockages.

Are the statins working, or aren't they? Would he have had a major heart attack if he hadn't been taking them? Does anyone really know?

At the same time, our family doctor has told my husband that he needs to be taking statins. Apparently, my husband cannot tolerate statins (horrible headaches and muscle pain). He doesn't seem able to tolerate Zetia either.

I don't want my dad or my husband to die, but I'm feeling jerked around by doctors and pharmacies. 10 years after taking, and paying for, the medicines my dad was in the same boat he was in prior to taking them.

Now what?

[Harrius Magnus]

Are the statins working, or aren't they? Would he have had a major heart attack if he hadn't been taking them? Does anyone really know?

It's pretty easy to figure out -- there have been plenty of studies. Ask the doctor. Unfortunately, you'll never know about the minor vs. major (or life-ending) heart attack. Most of the diseases are treated to reduce risk i.e. there is no "cure."

It's unlikely anyone is "jerking you around." The doc has no monetary incentive to put you or anyone on a statin. Of course, it is always your choice to do nothing if you feel that you're getting screwed.

For everyone who claims that statins kill people, I would remind you that the incidence of side effects for these medications (as for most medications)is related to the communication lines of purported side effects, not the prevalence of prescriptions -- millions of people were on these medications for years without complaints prior to the wide dissemination by media of the muscle pain and (reversible) liver dysfunction related to their use.

Oh well, everyone likes to believe they are a unique snowflake. However, it's always disappointing to me to see a group of intelligent folks who are appropriately distrustful of the media on political matters, and yet when it comes to medicine, they act like provincial rubes. Until there really is an open exchange of opinions and ideas on medicine, like in the market, personal passions will create incentive for predatory practices, practices that result in all of us ultimately paying.