Muscle pain and statins
In less than two years on Lipitor, I went from being able to climb the ancient temples at Angkor Wat, Cambodia, to being almost unable to walk to my mailbox. I felt like I had the flu all the time. I had pains in my fingers, arms, shoulders, hips, legs and feet. My doctor took me off Lipitor. Four days later, I could move my fingers again.
Many readers report that muscle pain can be a side effect of statin-type medications. There may be a genetic basis to this. A University of Buffalo study is aimed at tracking down responsible genes. Anyone who has experienced severe muscle pain, cramps or weakness while taking statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Crestor, Lipitor or Zocor may participate. Contact Cathy Kern at ckernbuffalo.edu or call (716)829-2695.
As a child, I had asthma and sniffed smoke from a burning powder called Kellogg’s Asthma Relief (containing stramonium and lobelia). Now in my late 70s, I have again developed mild asthma attacks. I would like to get some of this powder.
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Kellogg’s Asthma Relief was an old-fashioned remedy for asthma. The ingredients were burned and inhaled to open constricted airways, sometimes combined with cannabis leaves. Side effects include dry skin and mouth, dilated pupils, urination problems, rapid heartbeat and hallucinations. The Food and Drug Administration has not permitted medications with stramonium in years. Your doctor can prescribe far safer ones.
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist and Teresa Graedon is an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition.
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www.peoples pharmacy.com
