Statin side effects cause reader unrest

February 5, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been taking statins to control my cholesterol. I’ve taken Crestor, Lipitor and simvastatin. Unfortunately, they all seem to cause excessive urinating through the night. I’m tired all the time, and I have muscle cramps.

Is there something else apart from a statin that I could take or suggest to my doctor? When I do complain, he just goes to another statin, and none have helped so far. I’m 75 and male.

DEAR READER: Statin drugs have been a subject of controversy of late. Depending on a patient’s medical condition, physicians prefer total cholesterol levels to be 200 or lower. Unfortunately, using a statin or any other drug to accomplish this could lead to unpleasant consequences, as you have experienced. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , ,

A patient’s need to know

July 3, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. I am a 73-year-old female in generally good health. I’ve had gall-bladder surgery, a hysterectomy, cataract repair, and knee and shoulder replacements.

I noticed a tingling feeling in my left middle finger, left foot and then my right foot. I went to a podiatrist, who prescribed gabapentin. I am now taking 300 milligrams three times a day, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. It is a disturbing feeling that keeps me awake at night until I finally fall asleep from exhaustion. During the night, the tingling seems to go away, but as soon as I start walking, it starts up again.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , , ,