Lipitor Thief of Memory

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All the problems associated with statins are complications of the not-so-rare neurovisceral porphyrias. From rhabdomyolysis to pancreatitis, mental impairment, peripheral neuropathy/Guillain Barre to photosensitivity this class of environmental and drug metabolizing disorders have been hidden for over 60 years to protect the drug and insurance industries. In 1989 Israeli researchers warned against the indiscriminate use of the statin simvastatin because the drug was porphyrinogenic, because hypercholesterolemia can be associated with latent porphyrias that can be activated by drugs, especially two or more drugs in combination. Anyone out there have a clue in the U.S. medical system?

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When I picked up this book, I thought, here's another nut ranting about medicines that help a lot of people. I was intrigued that this was written by a well-respected doctor and is carefully thought out The book is a quick read with excellent footnotes. I was attracted to the book because my own memory has declined significantly and quickly, often leaving me wondering if I had early-onset Alzheimer's. In fact, I was just about to go to my doctor to have myself tested. I had heard a bit about Lipitor affecting memory as a side effect, supposedly rare. So I was certainly predisposed for this book. As it happens, the book is quite a reasoned argument that Lipitor certainly has the potential for creating a variety of memory problems, possibly for far greater numbers that physicians assume. One must always be careful of mere anecdotal evidence, even in one's life, for even correlation is not always causation. But based on recent incidents and on the strength of data (which I confirmed as best I could through Google searches), I stopped taking Lipitor and have actually had what I consider an amazing rebound in my memory and thinking processes. I am now looking at alternative ways to control my risk factors, and do have some options. If you or a loved one take Lipitor, this is important reading which makes a good jumping off point for further investigation.