Statin Drugs, Neuropathy And Driving

Today's post from elderlydriver.org (see link below) looks at the effects of statin drugs on driving ability for the elderly. Statin drugs are generally prescribed to lower cholesterol levels and thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. the problem is that these drugs can bring on neuropathy and nerve damage, or if you already have it, make it a lot worse. If you already have neuropathy and your cholesterol levels are too high, it's important that you discuss the consequences with your doctor. Needless to say, neuropathy in the feet is not good if you're relying on touch and 'feel' while driving. Add this to muscle weakness and lack of response due to statins and you may end up in a dangerous situation without being aware of the reasons behind your sudden loss of control. Taking advice is certainly logical.

Adverse Side Effects of Statin Drugs Can Affect the Way You Drive
By Admin: Feb 14th 2013

Muscle Pain and Weakness

As discussed in part 1 of this article, notwithstanding their ability to effectively lower cholesterol levels, there are several adverse side effects of stain drugs of which you, the elderly driver, should be aware. In the previous article we touched on those side effects that can keep you temporarily or even permanently from driving. In this article, we want to emphasize the five adverse side effects of stain drugs that can affect the way you drive.

Numerous users of statins have reported muscle pain and weakness, probably because an essential nutrient, Co-Q10, that supports muscle function, has been depleted. Contrary to the 2% to 3% the industry claims is the case, one well-known researcher found that 98% of patients taking Lipitor, the leading statin on the market, complain of such pain and weakness. You can well imagine then how pain and, especially weakness are adverse side effects of statin drugs that can directly impact the elderly motorist’s driving performance.

Neuropathy

Another, among the most common adverse side effects of statin drugs, is peripheral neuropathy. This is characterized by weakness, tingling and pain in the hands and feet, as well as difficulty walking. If a patient is a long-time user, say 2+ years, he or she is anywhere from four to fourteen times more at risk of such symptoms and often, regrettably, with irreversible damage. Researchers at the Weston Foundation, Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD, have noted that, “people who take large doses for a long time may be left with permanent nerve damage, even after they stop taking the drug.” So they have speculated on “whether widespread statin-induced neuropathy makes our elderly drivers (and even not-so-elderly drivers) more accident prone?”

Dizziness

Likely due to their ability to lower blood pressure, dizziness is another among theadverse side effects of statin drugs, often reported by users. The elderly may be particularly sensitive to drops in blood pressure and, thus, susceptible to serious risks while driving.

Cognitive Impairment

Statin drugs have been known to cause fading of speech and memory, making it difficult to carry on a conversation. One university study demonstrated that patients taking statins for half a year had considerably more difficulty “solving complex mazes, psychomotor skills and memory tests” than patients on a placebo. Well known researcher, Dr. Golomb, has determined that 15% percent of patients on statin drugs suffer from side effects involving cognition.

Among the most dramatic adverse side effects of statin drugs are reported incidences of global transient amnesia (GTA), i.e., total memory loss for a period of time. Former astronaut, Duane Graveline, in his book Lipitor: Thief of Memory, reports on this condition from personal first hand experience during two episodes of GTA. Sufferers of GTA report disconcerting, often mystifying events where they experience total memory loss finding themselves in some location, not knowing how they got there, why they were there, who they were or who were their relative, where they lived and unable to find their car. Just as suddenly this transient state would disappear and all cognition would be restored, as usual. Clearly this a risk to all when so many are taking statins.

See ABC Report on Statins and Global Transient Amnesia

Depression

Several studies have noted a correlation of low cholesterol with depression, suicide and violence. A huge Finnish study of 29,00 men correlated low cholesterol levels with greater risk of depression and suicide. Women with low cholesterol were two times more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, another study found. In previous studies on men, Dr. Suarez (an advocate of statins) found that men who lower their cholesterol levels with medication have increased rates of suicide and violent death, leading the researchers to theorize “that low cholesterol levels were causing mood disturbances.”

The following video from Dr. Joseph Mercola, a leading advocate of natural medicine reviews much of what has been cited in this article and offers advice on what to do with the many adverse side effects of statin drugs.

Dr.Mercola video

If you are an elderly driver and you are on statins, do yourself a favour and do some “homework” to insure that you are using statins for the right reason. The adverse side effects of statin drugs are real and numerous. If you are manifesting any of the side effects mentioned in this article, get to your physician as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it is too late and you can’t drive any longer. Don’t wait until your driving performance is adversely affected.

http://www.elderlydriver.org/blog/adverse-side-effects-of-statin-drugs-and-the-elderly-driver-2