Comments on: When drug side effects scare patients away from treatment http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/when-drug-side-effects-scare-patients.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/when-drug-side-effects-scare-patients.html#comment-88614 Anonymous Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:04:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/12/when-drug-side-effects-scare-patients-away-from-treatment.html#comment-88614 I think statins are overprescribed and the risks underestimated. Given the pervasive control of research by drug companies, we do not know the true extent of the side effects of any drug until after it is off patent--and the industry has an alternative to promote.<br/><br/>They still deny cognitive and mood effects of statins and yet they nearly destroyed my life. I didn't believe that was the cause and went back on twice thinking it was coincidental but the effects were clear. Their is evidence of this in the data but they deny it and ignore. Statistics can show (or obscure) anything if you play with them enough.<br/><br/>The NNT for some of the promoted uses is ridiculously high I think statins are overprescribed and the risks underestimated. Given the pervasive control of research by drug companies, we do not know the true extent of the side effects of any drug until after it is off patent–and the industry has an alternative to promote.

They still deny cognitive and mood effects of statins and yet they nearly destroyed my life. I didn’t believe that was the cause and went back on twice thinking it was coincidental but the effects were clear. Their is evidence of this in the data but they deny it and ignore. Statistics can show (or obscure) anything if you play with them enough.

The NNT for some of the promoted uses is ridiculously high

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/when-drug-side-effects-scare-patients.html#comment-88606 Anonymous Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:32:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/12/when-drug-side-effects-scare-patients-away-from-treatment.html#comment-88606 Sometimes these warnings attract patients: "Call your doctor if you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours".(Viagra, cialis, levitra). Sometimes these warnings attract patients: “Call your doctor if you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours”.(Viagra, cialis, levitra).

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/when-drug-side-effects-scare-patients.html#comment-88598 Anonymous Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:55:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/12/when-drug-side-effects-scare-patients-away-from-treatment.html#comment-88598 anon, you obviously don't understand the concept of risk-benefit analysis. <br/><br/>There is risk to ANYTHING. Even tylenol. Even crossing the street. <br/><br/>The isolated episode of myopathy from a statin does not mean that they do not confer some benefit in cardiovascular risk reduction. And your episode doesn't mean your physician didn't consider this.<br/><br/>Does getting hit by a car while crossing the street mean you shouldn't ever cross the street? The only difference between the two scenarios is that in the first (statin-induced myopathy) you feel you can blame your doctor. anon, you obviously don’t understand the concept of risk-benefit analysis.

There is risk to ANYTHING. Even tylenol. Even crossing the street.

The isolated episode of myopathy from a statin does not mean that they do not confer some benefit in cardiovascular risk reduction. And your episode doesn’t mean your physician didn’t consider this.

Does getting hit by a car while crossing the street mean you shouldn’t ever cross the street? The only difference between the two scenarios is that in the first (statin-induced myopathy) you feel you can blame your doctor.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/when-drug-side-effects-scare-patients.html#comment-88593 Anonymous Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/12/when-drug-side-effects-scare-patients-away-from-treatment.html#comment-88593 My statin-damaged leg muscles do not agree that my physician properly weighed the risks. My statin-damaged leg muscles do not agree that my physician properly weighed the risks.

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