suzyshop1
01-19-2004, 05:30 AM
To those of you on statins,how many times in a year did your doctor order blood tests?The reason im asking is because ive been on zocor for about a yr.The doctor has only ordered blood tests one time.If statins can cause so much damage to a body why dont they have the tests done more often?
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zip2play
01-19-2004, 07:04 AM
My opinion is they're lazy and find anything beyond taking the BP, totally exhausting.
But seriously ;) ,
Those blood test recommendation of monthly then quarterly tests were recommended after Baychol was prohibited because of several rhabdomyolysis deaths.
They are now finding little evidence of the muscle and kidney destroying process (like 1 in several tens of thousand) and have loosened up on the testing recommendations....the MD's never followed the guidlines anyway.
Had I not asked my doctor to test my liver enzymes after the first month he wouldn't have done it.
As half the planet goes onto these drugs and the demographic numbers for serious problems doesn't perhaps it's a matter of "If it don't hurt, don't stop."
Merck, Johnson and Johnson and Squibb are also trying to get FDA approval for "over-the-counter" versions of their popular statins. FDA only hedged on the Merck because the dosage was TOO LOW....
Look for one soon.
But seriously ;) ,
Those blood test recommendation of monthly then quarterly tests were recommended after Baychol was prohibited because of several rhabdomyolysis deaths.
They are now finding little evidence of the muscle and kidney destroying process (like 1 in several tens of thousand) and have loosened up on the testing recommendations....the MD's never followed the guidlines anyway.
Had I not asked my doctor to test my liver enzymes after the first month he wouldn't have done it.
As half the planet goes onto these drugs and the demographic numbers for serious problems doesn't perhaps it's a matter of "If it don't hurt, don't stop."
Merck, Johnson and Johnson and Squibb are also trying to get FDA approval for "over-the-counter" versions of their popular statins. FDA only hedged on the Merck because the dosage was TOO LOW....
Look for one soon.
checkmate
01-19-2004, 09:30 AM
My family Dr has never done blood tests to check liver, but internist I see twice a year for CAD checks it every 6 months. Been on Lipitor for four years with dosage increases 3 times.
suzyshop1
01-19-2004, 08:32 PM
The reason i asked the questions about statins is ,last week my blood tests came back and it showed elevated liver enzymes.Ive been having some digestive problems and am currently being tested for them.What im waitng to find out is ,are my liver enzymes elevated because of the statins or because i have a particular disease.This gastro doctor i have seems to be running every test in the book.Hes givng me a list of what diseases can cause elevated enzymes,didnt mention a word about the use of statins.I researched the blood tests he wants done,and some of them are for muscle damage or liver damage.I had tests done to see if it was a gall bladder problem but they came back negative.The doctor wants me too see a gall bladder surgeon.I did find research to the effect that gall bladder problems can raise your liver enzymes.What im most worried about is that im still taking the zocor.I wonder which is it thats raising my liver enzyme levels.A digestve problem or the medication.The doctors take so long to setup appts.Im wondering how long do your liver enzymes have to be elevated before they cause a problem thats irreversible.I mean a matter of days wouldnt make much difference would it?Ive been having blood tests off and on for about 10 months and the doctors never mentioned to me anything about elevated liver enzymes.Would most doctors just not mention that fact as worthry of attention?All replies welcomed.
zip2play
01-20-2004, 07:26 AM
I researched the blood tests he wants done,and some of them are for muscle damage or liver damage.I had tests done to see if it was a gall bladder problem but they came back negative.The doctor wants me too see a gall bladder surgeon.I did find research to the effect that gall bladder problems can raise your liver enzymes.What im most worried about is that im still taking the zocor.I wonder which is it thats raising my liver enzyme levels.A digestve problem or the medication.The doctors take so long to setup appts.Im wondering how long do your liver enzymes have to be elevated before they cause a problem thats irreversible.I mean a matter of days wouldnt make much difference would it?Ive been having blood tests off and on for about 10 months and the doctors never mentioned to me anything about elevated liver enzymes.Would most doctors just not mention that fact as worthry of attention?All replies welcomed.
Don't worry so much- let your doctors do that for you (like THAT ever works :rolleyes: ). I'm confused- Why does the doctor want you to see a gall bladder surgeon if "all the gall bladder tests came out ok." If you walk into the office of most gall bladder surgeons, you'll walk out without a gall bladder...that's how they make a living. Did the GB tests include an x-ray with dye or an echocardiogram or better yet, an MRI?
Liver Enzymes: with any liver or gall bladder problem the enzymes will be elevated. With serious statin problems they'll be throught the ROOF. The muscle damage blood test is the CPK (creatine kinase). This checks for the DREADFULLY serious possibility...rhabdomyolysis, very rare but potentially fatal and the reason for Baychol being pulled of the market several years ago.
Here's my gilt edged gall bladder test. First thing in the morning have eggs and 1/2 pound of very UNcrisp bacon (no toast)...leave it very fatty. With a stony or inflamed (usually both) gall bladder you'll get waves of pain within an hour with a few minutes of relief between them. If you don;t get them from this gall bladder insult, your GB is fine. If you DO, there are unsurgical options for you if you wish. Search for "liver gall bladder flush" on the web and see a TON of information. I use a flush regularly...well at least annually!
Just mention your concern abut the statins to your MD but seems that he, like I, don't think they're implicated.
Don't worry so much- let your doctors do that for you (like THAT ever works :rolleyes: ). I'm confused- Why does the doctor want you to see a gall bladder surgeon if "all the gall bladder tests came out ok." If you walk into the office of most gall bladder surgeons, you'll walk out without a gall bladder...that's how they make a living. Did the GB tests include an x-ray with dye or an echocardiogram or better yet, an MRI?
Liver Enzymes: with any liver or gall bladder problem the enzymes will be elevated. With serious statin problems they'll be throught the ROOF. The muscle damage blood test is the CPK (creatine kinase). This checks for the DREADFULLY serious possibility...rhabdomyolysis, very rare but potentially fatal and the reason for Baychol being pulled of the market several years ago.
Here's my gilt edged gall bladder test. First thing in the morning have eggs and 1/2 pound of very UNcrisp bacon (no toast)...leave it very fatty. With a stony or inflamed (usually both) gall bladder you'll get waves of pain within an hour with a few minutes of relief between them. If you don;t get them from this gall bladder insult, your GB is fine. If you DO, there are unsurgical options for you if you wish. Search for "liver gall bladder flush" on the web and see a TON of information. I use a flush regularly...well at least annually!
Just mention your concern abut the statins to your MD but seems that he, like I, don't think they're implicated.
suzyshop1
01-20-2004, 06:31 PM
Thanks Zip2play for replying.I guess he wants me too see a gall bladder surgeon because of the symptoms im having.I know from reading other posts on another board that sometimes theses tests dont always pickup everything.The doctor is just going by the symptoms im describing.The reason for more blood tests is to see which is causing the problem.Hes checking for liver disease caused by and underlying condition.Also hes doing tests called(ANA,ASMA,AMA,A1AT,TIBC,and Anti LKM antibodies.Also a test called hepatic function panel,and a test called a hepatitis panel.Ive only been on zocor for a little less than a yr,do you thnk it could cause irreversble damage in that little of time?Thanks for any replies.
zip2play
01-21-2004, 08:25 AM
Suzy,
Those tests indicate your dodctor is looking very hard for an auto-immune process at work (Like Lupus.)
You are getting GILT-EDGED treatment from an apparently A-1 doctor. Trust him to make the calls.
Really, I doubt you have anything to worry about with the Zocor!
Make sure you get copies of all these test results and store them well....they will serve you well all your life!
Those tests indicate your dodctor is looking very hard for an auto-immune process at work (Like Lupus.)
You are getting GILT-EDGED treatment from an apparently A-1 doctor. Trust him to make the calls.
Really, I doubt you have anything to worry about with the Zocor!
Make sure you get copies of all these test results and store them well....they will serve you well all your life!
vipergg22
01-22-2004, 10:03 PM
The reason i asked the questions about statins is ,last week my blood tests came back and it showed elevated liver enzymes.Ive been having some digestive problems and am currently being tested for them.What im waitng to find out is ,are my liver enzymes elevated because of the statins or because i have a particular disease.This gastro doctor i have seems to be running every test in the book.Hes givng me a list of what diseases can cause elevated enzymes,didnt mention a word about the use of statins.I researched the blood tests he wants done,and some of them are for muscle damage or liver damage.I had tests done to see if it was a gall bladder problem but they came back negative.The doctor wants me too see a gall bladder surgeon.I did find research to the effect that gall bladder problems can raise your liver enzymes.What im most worried about is that im still taking the zocor.I wonder which is it thats raising my liver enzyme levels.A digestve problem or the medication.The doctors take so long to setup appts.Im wondering how long do your liver enzymes have to be elevated before they cause a problem thats irreversible.I mean a matter of days wouldnt make much difference would it?Ive been having blood tests off and on for about 10 months and the doctors never mentioned to me anything about elevated liver enzymes.Would most doctors just not mention that fact as worthry of attention?All replies welcomed.
Both problems are probably caused by lipitor . When I was taking this wonderful drug I had a lot of foods that I would eat and i had better be near a restroom about 30-45 minutes after I ate if you know what i mean . After stopping the drug this problem totally went away , same thing happened to my brother inlaw who was taking lipitor , he also stopped it and it stopped also . Elevated liver enzymes another common side effect of statins .
Both problems are probably caused by lipitor . When I was taking this wonderful drug I had a lot of foods that I would eat and i had better be near a restroom about 30-45 minutes after I ate if you know what i mean . After stopping the drug this problem totally went away , same thing happened to my brother inlaw who was taking lipitor , he also stopped it and it stopped also . Elevated liver enzymes another common side effect of statins .