STATINS: DOCTORS CLOSE RANKS.

Following our last posting in March, when the mayhem being inflicted on an unwary public in the way of the medication statins was pointed out. Well there is plenty more to report.

Firstly, however, let us consider the response of doctors who have panicked at the thought of losing some extra income, should the public feel unsure about this disastrous chemical that is blighting many (mainly senior citizens) lives. Just to remind readers that a high proportion of people have experienced considerable side effects, the author being just one. The majority of colleagues of my ilk, won't consider this disabling so-called medication further.

My tale over the last few months is briefly as follows: Having been prescribed statins at my GP's behest for a number of years, the first brand was soon to be abandoned, due to aching muscles in the upper arms and thighs; we then switched to a more mild variety. It is difficult to report on this, although nothing detrimental occurred. My GP switched me onto a stronger brand fairly soon afterwards, probably around four years ago. During the ensuing period, although any aches and pains were generally mild, I assumed that these were 'age related', joking about such things with my doctor. However, following virtual muscle seizure by mid-February of this year, thinking, initially, that it was the flu, I began to realise that I had been here before, albeit previously, the inconvenience was less painful. By this time I could hardly shave myself, bend down to put on my socks, or even reach to put drops into my eyes. On visiting my GP's surgery, she couldn't believe that I found it impossible to remove my coat; my arms refusing to operate laterally. I pointed out that I was aware of the causes, and although she did not disagree with my prognosis, it was soon declared that I was suffering from polymyalgia.This evidently is something usually prevalent in women. We can only hope that this won't lead to an urge for a sex change, or indeed the occasional cross dressing. My medication is one of high doses of prednisolone, a fierce steroid. Frighteningly, after only one day I could at least find a little more comfort in bed, although I was perspiring profusely. At that stage I was on eight per day. So began the process of this medication totally changing my metabolism. My first setback was that I felt as though I had two heads, neither being mine; followed by a mild memory loss, forgetting where in the car park had I left the car. On another occasion, I got as far as the checkout at the supermarket before realising that I had come out without the wherewithal to pay; none of these things, hitherto, have ever been a problem to me.

The denouement: Having an inquisitive mind, I started by doing a little research, the most interesting being volunteered to me by a relative in Wales, whose cousin had a severe statins problem, and guess what! He has been found to be suffering from polymyalgia. Can this be coincidence? We doubt it. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical companies carry on marketing their products by bribing the medical profession.

REMEMBER THAT PFIZER FOR EXAMPLE HAS BILLIONS IN A SLUSH FUND.