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Low Pseudocholinesterase. Will I Get ALS If I Take Statins For High Cholesterol?
Question: Good Morning:
My concern is that I have low pseudocholinesterase and my mother died of ALS, and I have muscle weakness with statins. I read an article that statins may not cause ALS, but there may be some correlation. My doctor is pushing the statins as I have high cholesterol and mother did as well. She died in 1989, and she was on the early versions such as Questran which isn't a statin, right? Should I be nervous about taking statins? I'm 62 year old female, with normal blood pressure, and a normal calcium scan score of 0% in 2005? I don't have any other health issues, just seasonal allergies.
My concern is that I have low pseudocholinesterase and my mother died of ALS, and I have muscle weakness with statins. I read an article that statins may not cause ALS, but there may be some correlation. My doctor is pushing the statins as I have high cholesterol and mother did as well. She died in 1989, and she was on the early versions such as Questran which isn't a statin, right? Should I be nervous about taking statins? I'm 62 year old female, with normal blood pressure, and a normal calcium scan score of 0% in 2005? I don't have any other health issues, just seasonal allergies.
Brief Answer:
You should not worry about ALS or statins
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I can understand your concern, as your mother died of ALS.
However, I would like to reassure you that there is no increased risk of getting ALS, due to statin use. I agree that sometimes, statins may cause muscle pain and weakness, which completely reverses on stopping it.
The benefits of taking statins (such as decreased risk of heart attacks and brain strokes) far outweigh any risks with it. So, I would urge you to continue taking statins without any fear of ALS or any other serious side effects.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
You should not worry about ALS or statins
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I can understand your concern, as your mother died of ALS.
However, I would like to reassure you that there is no increased risk of getting ALS, due to statin use. I agree that sometimes, statins may cause muscle pain and weakness, which completely reverses on stopping it.
The benefits of taking statins (such as decreased risk of heart attacks and brain strokes) far outweigh any risks with it. So, I would urge you to continue taking statins without any fear of ALS or any other serious side effects.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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