November 23rd, 2004 - Tuesday I have been reading all the post...

November 23rd, 2004 - Tuesday I have been reading all the postings about Lipitor. It would appear the reactions from Lipitor has not been good from all the postings. I have been taking Zocor 40 mg. for over 5 years now. I have never had one side effect from Zocor. In fact since being on Zocor my HDL's have gone up and LDL's have gone down and Trigs are maintained by diet. I have a CBC done every 3 months for HDL, Trigs, LDL, Liver Function and White Count (I don't have a Spleen) and have always had good results. I have had a problem getting my LDL's where they should be so had added Zetia 10 mg. added daily with the Zocor 40 mg. and the Zetia has corrected the LDL readings. I keep reading what Lipitor has done to everyone. I am permanently paralyzed and disabled and can not do the physical P.T. that many have done when getting of Lipitor. Excercize is not something I am able to do since I am bed bound and have limited use sitting up in my electric wheel chair. It would appear some people are going to have reactions to different medications. I have always been very careful about what px's I take. I am on 9 px's daily and Zocor and Zetia have never had one negative effect on me in anyway. I would feel after reading all about Lipitor and other Px's like it that Zocor and Zetia are the only two I can speak of, and for me they work great. The only thing I would impress on everyone taking Zocor and Zetia is to when you have a CBC done to have your doctor always have your Liver Function checked. In my case I also have the White Count done. On these medications it is always wise to read up about the medications before ever taking. I am aware to always note if I was to have any muscel pains or other side effects it can cause in some people. For my Doctor who is a Cartiologist, I keep very good communication with him and myself I keep up with the information about Zocor and Zetia. After 5 plus years of taking Zocor I feel very blessed to have a medication that gives the results it provides. I sure feel for those of you that have had reactions. There are some antibiotics I have had reactions to and know what it is like to have a reaction to medications. It is a hit and miss when it comes to medication. I for one read everything there is to find on any medication before I put it in my system. Knowledge and self Management of your health is something we must all do. The days of having your doctor give you a PX for a medication and getting it filled at the Drug Store and never asking any questions is long gone. The Pharmacy can surely answer any reactions with other medications you are taking. I have found through the years to have all the Medications your taking so when you go to your doctor they know what your taking. I have 6 Specialist and I keep them all updated on what each Doctor does and what the medications I am taking. Any CBC Lab Test done I have sent to my other Specialist who treat me. You would be amazed how much this means to the other doctors and keeping everyone informed. As in any medication, one can have a reaction even if it something you have taken for years. The chemistry in the body can change at any time. In my case I am very blessed to be able to take almost any medication to maintain my life. I know many people who have many reactions to many medications and for those I surely feel for you. Diet is very important and I stay on a very basic homecooked meals. Never eating out due to the fact if I could it is not safe with all the chemicals they put in processed foods. The saying 20 hands have touched your food and plate before it is served when you eat out is very true. How many washed their hands before it arrived at your table? So eating at home where everything is home made is the best. I use to be able to use Bactrim antibiotic but now I can not. I found out I am not able to deal with any antibiotic with Sulfur in it I can not handle. Cipro is the best in my case for 2 of the 6 Chronic Illnesses I live with. You can always type in Google any medication and read about everything about it. Just remember 100% of any medication are going to have those who had a reaction from. No one is the same and this is the hard part for any of us when needing to take medication to live. I hope this has helped in someway and check into Zocor and Zetia. For me they work great and I have told people about them for years. I have read about the other medications like Zocor but if you take 40 mg. of Zocor and not 80 mg. you should not have a problem unless your system reacts to it. The only danger I have discovered with Zocor is those who took 80 mg. daily. Always remember to always keep a list of any medications you are taking and always have the doctors office make a copy so each doctor you go to even your dentist knows what your taking and keep them updated to any changes. It is your body and you know it better than anyone. It is also each of our respondsibility to manage our own medical care because if you don't who will do it for you? You can not expect all your doctors to do everything for you all the time. For many as I also remember the days we would go to a doctor and get a shot and on your way. There were not the medications we have today to help our medical. At the same time common sense is only logical with taking any medication. ä