DEAR DR. GOTT:
After being told that his cholesterol was elevated, my 70-year-old husband was given a prescription for Lipitor. Before filling it, he researched the side effects first and then opted for red yeast rice instead. After nearly two months on the medication, he had a Transient Global Amnesia (TGA) episode. It lasted most of the day and he had no idea that he had asked the same question over and over. He also couldn’t recall what he had done the day before, what he planned to do later that day and when it was over he couldn’t remember what had happened but knew something was wrong. He saw his doctor who assured him that he did not have a mini-stroke and again prescribed Lipitor.
After doing another internet search, this time on TGA episodes, he found that some people (including a retired NASA physician) think that there may be a connection between these episodes and statins. (He also discovered that red yeast rice is a statin.) He also found, after talking to one of his sisters who takes statins, that she has had as many eight TGA episodes. On several occasions she had to be taken to the ER but the connection with the statins was never brought up and she was never told to stop them.
My husband has since decided it best to avoid all statins, despite a family history of cholesterol problems. Given his past experience and that of his sister I cannot blame him so we are working together to modify his diet. We have read your cholesterol newsletter and while he isn’t totally inline with it, he is close and eats oatmeal, grapefruit and bananas on a daily basis. He will have his cholesterol tested in a few weeks to see if it is working. Oh, and he is lactose intolerant so high fat diary products are very easily avoided.
DEAR READER:
Transient Global Amnesia is a sudden and temporary episode of memory loss. It is not associated with any neurological condition. During an “attack”, the sufferer’s ability to recall recent events disappears. They do not know where they are or how they got there and in some cases the individual cannot recall events from a day, month or even a year ago, yet they remember who they are and recognize family and long-time friends.
During an episode it is important to get the individual to the hospital to rule out other causes of amnesia, such as epilepsy, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke). Transient Global Amnesia doesn’t appear to have any lasting complications but can cause plenty of emotional distress so after an episode it is important to relax.
Nearly half of all TGA episodes occur immediately after physical or emotional stress such as sudden immersion in hot or cold water, medical procedures (such as angiography), strenuous physical activity and more. Individuals who suffer chronic migraines and are between the ages of 56 and 75 appear to be at a higher risk.
That being said, both you and your sister appear to have had similar effects of TGA episodes after taking statin drugs. While medical science may have no answer for this, it is likely that there simply are not have enough reports from consumers to warrant further testing. The medical community can only know as much as drug manufacturers and scientists tell us and if they have failed to research properly these complaints or have simply not informed consumers of this possible side effect, then shame on them.
In my opinion your husband is taking appropriate steps. If diet alone does not work (which is likely because there seems to be a genetic predisposition) I recommend he try omega 3 oil, flax seed oil, or niacin. He still needs to have his cholesterol tested regularly to determine if his modifications are working. Niacin can have the uncomfortable side effect of flushing and can raise liver enzymes (rarely) but can be used in lower quantities (to reduce side effects) in conjunction with either or both of the oils. Be sure to inform your husband’s doctors of any and all changes and medication (even over-the-counters) he is taking to ensure he has proper testing and follow-up.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Cholesterol”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
