Statins not required for 89-year-old woman

Q. I am the caretaker of my elderly mother, age 89. She is a patient of a heart specialist because she has six blockages (both carotid arteries, two with the heart and in each leg). She is too fragile for surgery; she barely survived her angiogram in 2002. She is now taking 20 milligrams of Lipitor.

While she was taking 40 milligrams of Lipitor, she became very tired and generally too weak to get out of bed to walk. She also had frequent muscle cramps in her legs.

I stopped the Lipitor completely, and within three days she recovered very well. She was talkative, lively and walked around the house well. I asked the doctor to replace Lipitor with Zetia (a nonstatin drug). He told me that Zetia wouldn't reduce her cholesterol count by very much.

My mother's total cholesterol count is 341 without the Lipitor. The doctor said she needs to continue with the Lipitor. I resisted and compromised with him. He agreed to restart my mother on 20 milligrams of Lipitor, but now I'm concerned that she is becoming weak again. Can you suggest what I should do to lower her cholesterol without Lipitor?

I thought of fish-oil pills combined with Zetia, but I suspect I will meet resistance with the heart specialist. My mother's primary care doctor says that she's old and doesn't need anything to lower her cholesterol anymore.

A. I agree with your mother's primary physician. Your mother appears to be intolerant of statin drugs. She certainly has the right to stop Lipitor and try omega-3 fish-oil capsules. You could also try using nonflushing niacin (start with 500 milligrams per day). Many people have had success using this vitamin.

At the age of 89, her quality of life is an important issue.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Understanding Cholesterol."

Q. I went to many doctors for psoriasis on my elbows and knees for 40 years. About 10 years ago, a friend told me she heard vitamin E cream was good for this. I picked up some and applied it instead of the costly prescription ointments and stopped picking at the scales. The psoriasis left, and it's been gone for nine years. It is worth a try, and there is nothing to lose.

A. If the vitamin E cream works, continue it when needed. This therapy is safe and inexpensive.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Eczema and Psoriasis."

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