The Deeper I go into it,
the Fishier Statins Seem to Become
by Dr James LaFanu

Statins again, whose mass prescription is turning out to be much more serious (and sinister) than I could have supposed.

The response to my last two columns has been, almost literally, overwhelming, so why are doctors apparently so unaware of the devastating symptoms they can cause? The British Heart Foundation (whose chairman, Professor Peter Weissberg accused me last week of being "easily led" on this matter) claims that statins have "minimal side effects" compared to those taking controlled (or placebo) drugs. And, indeed, several major trials report an astonishingly low incidence, of around 0.5 per cent, of the commonest side-effects of severe muscular aches and pains, both in those taking statins and those taking the placebo.

This seems staggeringly unlikely, the more so since a recent survey of 5,000 patients taking statins, conducted for a Dutch television programme, produced a rather different figure of 27 per cent, That would mean that nearly a million people are affected by statin-induced muscular pains and reduced mobility. It is not necessary to be a conspiracy merchant to suspect that something fishy is going on here.

The need to find out what is really happening is all the more urgent as medical leaders and prominent cardiologists are now pressing for a yet lower "ideal" cholesterol level, with a target of less than four, which will catch yet more millions in the statin trap. Several readers report that their family doctors have already doubled the doses of their drugs in the last six months. The time has surely come, with such vast sums of public money at stake, for questions in the House.
The Sunday Telegraph, 1st April 2007

Letters to the Editor

I May be Dead

Dr James LeFanu received more than 400 letters about his view on statins (Second Opinion, March 25th). I gave up statins last Sunday and will let you know how I feel in a month's time. On the other hand, if you don't hear from me, I may be dead. Frankly, that would be better than going on as I have been while taking statins: legs getting weaker every day. I am nearly 80 and until recently enjoyed golf and gardening.
Martin Hime
London SW15