New Comment Posted to: Bad News About Statin Drugs
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www.newmediaexplorer.org/cgi-bin/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=660
Is there anyone else out there who feels their parkinson's diagnosis is
associated with one of the statins? please contact me. thanks
The following is a translation of "Statin induced Parkinson's Syndrome"
which is a letter responding to an article in Der Nevenarzt (German
Medical
Journal) authored by J. Finsterer (2003) 74:115-122.The article sounds as
though it is a review of myopathies induced by statins. The letter is
authored by Dr. Th. Muller "To the excellent review about the development
of myopathies following long-term medication of cholesterol level
decreasing fibrates and statins, there should be considered in regard
additional differential diagnostic possibilities. Because of the similar
clinical symptomatology with muscle aches and increased stiffness, the
diagnosis of statin-induced aggravated Parkinson Disease Syndrome should
be discussed.
The development of such muscular side effects is seen more with
statins than with fibrates. The case report in Table 1 indicates the
history of a 60 year old patient with statin-induced Parkinson Syndrome
occurring over a long time. On the other hand, with central effective
statins, a possible neuro-protective effect in neuro-degenerative diseases
has been considered, especially in dementia. But long term use of statins,
especially Lovastatin, leads to the reduction of coenzyme Q10 and can
cause damage of the mitochondrial breathing chain. Co Q-10 is an electron
receptor in the mitochondrial complexes 1 and 2 and very effective
absorber of radicals.
This antigen substance increases the complex 1
activity. Co-Q10 shows a certain therapeutic effect with encephalomyopathy
where there is a lack of various enzyme functions of the breathing chain.
Dysfunction of various parts of the mitochondrial breathing chain is also
considered in the pathophysiological mechanism of idiopathic Parkinson's
disease. Treatment with Co-Q10 in patients who are not treated with
Dopamine for Parkinson patients, caused less disease symptomatology and
progression than patients treated with placebo, though placebo treatment
can cause stimulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission. Therefore, the
long-term treatment with Co-Q10 possibly is neuroprotective in idiopathic
morbid Parkinson, though new evidence shows it appears to cause mild
symptomatic effect. prophylactic medication of Co-Q10 which has been well
tolerated in doses up to 1200mgm in patients with neurodegenerative
diseases should be considered for statin myopathy or statin-induced
Parkinson syndrome in addition to discontinuation of the cholesterol
decreasing medication.
The Table 1 summarizes a patient with Parkinson
syndrome. 1995start of therapy with Flurastatin 40 mg. 1997 increasing
weakness with shoulder and hip pain on the right 1999- diagnosis of right
sided Parkinson syndrome of akinetic dominance type. Careful induction of
Pergolid with daily doses of 3 mg and Salagen 7.5 mgm 2000 complaints
about
increasing edema development in legs, loss o hair, start of a
pot--------ium sparing diuretic and increasing of Pergolid medication from
4.5 mg in June 2000 to 6 mgm in December. March 2001 discontinuation of
Flurastatin, continuation of Pergolid 6 mg June 2001 reduction of Pergolid
to 4 mgm Sept 2001 Pergolid 3 mgm Improvement of edema December 2001
discontinuation of Pergolid and diuretics March, 2002 discontinuation of
Salagen" sounds as though the german medical community is/was at least open to discussing
statin induced myopathies and statin induced parkinson's
