This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

By request, we've added a forum dedicated to statins. Statins, found in cholesterol drugs like Lipitor, have been shown in early clinical trials to have a beneficial effect on MS-- but in a much higher dose than is normally used for cholesterol reduction.

It would be great if those of you using statins would post your experience for the benefit of the others.

http://www.thisisms.com/modules.php?nam ... forum&f=33

-a

Finallly, the subject has come up. I have been on Statins for over a year now. Did not want to bring it up because there is no scientific data yet. Dr Youssef in California is looking very carefully into it and her results should come out soon.
If you look at 'statins and Ms' with a Google search, you will find many very interesting articles.
I started with only 10 mg of Lipitor per day and people noticed that my balance was better. By the time that I took 20 mg, my kids said 'Mom, why don't you come skiing with us. I am now on 60 mg of Lipitor. My liver enzymes are still fine and I have no muscle aches.
It is not a perfect drug but I can't do without it. I like too much the little it has done for me. Carole

Great report! Would you mind copy-and-pasting this into a new thread in the statins forum? I would do it but then it looks like it comes from me! ;)

Aaron, you say by ' popular demand' , you wanted to start a statins forum. Is it because alot of other people want to start /are/ask about taking statins?

I can't wait to hear about other people's experiences.

I became excited about statins when I read that they help by stopping the inflammatory reaction on the myelin and that it could even regenerate some of the nerves. They even say that in spinal cord injuries, the recovery is better in rats takin statins. My neuro said 'Statins are for rats' but I didn't stop taking it, he had nothing better to offer me....

Yes, lots of people are asking about statins and we want to provide forums for all promising treatment avenues Thanks for sharing your experience!

Carolew - when you say, 'It's not a perfect drug' can you elaborate. My clinic is testing Lipitor with Rebif. Once I'm on the Rebif for six months I will be trying it.

-A.

Hi Aaron,

Sorry for the delay in answering. I meant that the Lipitor has given me alot of balance back but it is not perfect yet. I used to carry my foldable cane with me to go shopping, not anymore. The Lipitor has given me a whole lot of energy and that is certainly back to normal. I must say I did not have the fatique that alot of MS pts have.

I have a weakness with my left leg. It never completely went away since it started but the Lipitor has given me more strength and stamina.Again, I can't walk a mile but I can cross country still.

I have no more spastic movements when I strech out my legs. I have no more clonus when the doc examines me. My leg is still stiff though when I get up from bed but only for seconds. So, overall, what I have gained is wonderful to me. Makes my day so much easier.

I know abot all the possible side effects of this drug but I don't have any.

This drug is for me what will keep me going until they find something that really works for MS.

Thanks for all the good work you do with this site. Carole

Also Aaron, very important. I did have a small relapse in Nov. 04. I have RRMS with attacks reallly rarely but incomplete recovery since the beginning fo this illness. I think my attack was mild because I was on Lipitor.

I went off the Lipitor when I was getting the solumedrol but had to get back on it 10 days later. Just couldn't wait for the tatal effect of the solumedrol. As soon as I restarted the lipitor, next day my walking had improved. It could be a coincidence but it would be a second one. That is how fast the lipitor made a difference at my initial start back in feb. 04. take care Carole

I started two and a half years ago and they have given me my life back. They don't stop attacks, but I have not incurred any additional damage. I recovered feeling and mobility with my legs. I don't get the fatigue any more. I use 80mg of Zocor and plan to continue indefinitely

Ha,ha,ha, the laugh is on me. I confused Aaron with Arron the site administrator. Sorry. Carolew