Dr. Gott:: Eliminating meds eases pain

Dear Dr. Gott: I read your column about the lady who is in constant pain and is getting steadily weaker after having been given a variety of treatments, including prednisone. You could have been describing me a year ago. That’s when I decided to take things into my own hands, as it was apparent that only a few months of my life remained, and they would be terrible at best.

I began by eliminating all my prescription medications, one at a time, and replaced them only if the pain remained. Bingo! I found I was terribly allergic to statin drugs that I had been taking for years, even though my doctor knew of the terrible pain. Now, a year later and onto a new doctor, I am back to volunteering full time and enjoying life at 68 years of age. Although I have some residual weakness when overexerting and have an arm that still gets twinges, life is 100 percent better. I can’t tell you how bad the pain got at times. It’s as though little people inside my body were literally tearing my muscles apart. My body got so weak that even walking across a room was a major effort. My heart goes out to the lady.

Please let her know about statin drugs, for I’d almost bet my house that is the problem.

Dear Reader: I have been impressed by the hundreds of letters I have received blaming statin drugs as a cause of muscle pain and weakness. This side effect is far more common than many doctors realize and should be seen as a warning to consumers. You took an important step by stopping your statin therapy.

If you need a substitute for lowering your cholesterol levels, try flaxseed-oil capsules, omega-3 fish-oil capsules or over-the-counter nonflushing niacin, 500 milligrams daily.

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 long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.