How to Avoid Getting a Statin Drug from Your Doctor

Sunday, February 17

With all the bad news about cholesterol-lowering drugs lately, you may be wondering if you shouldn't challenge your doctor's decision to put you on a statin like Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol or Crestor, a triglyceride-lowerer like Tricor, or the recently debunked non-statin Zetia.

Recognize that even with new doubts cast on the efficacy of these drugs for patients with mild to moderate elevations of cholesterol, especially for women and seniors, your doctor may be AFRAID not to prescribe a medication. Surely it is simpler to proffer you a prescription as a stop-gap against mortality than to engage in a lengthy and protracted discussion about diet and exercise and cardio-protective supplements.

Additionally your doctor is under the gun to adhere to "clinical practice guidelines" or "standards of care" that have been created to take the thought process out of treatment. This "paint by numbers" approach to medicine substitutes algorithms and numbers for individualized care. It's one of the reasons that veteran doctors are retiring in droves from medical practice.

Everyone eventually dies, and heart disease remains the leading cause of death--with or without drugs. Woe unto the doctor who fails to take a "CYA" approach and fails to prescribe a statin to every patient with a cholesterol of 200, or with parents who died in their 70's of heart attacks, or with borderline blood pressure, or who has inquired about the latest TV ad for Lipitor--the reasons FOR prescribing cholesterol-lowering drugs are endless. The trial bar is only too happy to capitalize on such a misstep--at the same time they sue doctors and drug companies over the side effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs!

I was discussing this sad state of affairs with one of my medical colleagues at poolside during a break at one of my medical conferences. He said: "No problem, we just have our patients who decide not to take drugs sign an informed consent stating that, aware of the potential risks and benefits of cholesterol-lowering drugs, they have opted to pursue a non-pharmacological approach to their cholesterol problem."

I have decided to reproduce this ingenious document below in its entirety so you can copy and paste it and take it to your doctor if you opt not to take medication for your cholesterol. Here it is:

I, __________________________, have been informed that with my current level of cholesterol, most physicians in the USA following the usual "Standard-of-Care" guidelines would prescribe a cholesterol-lowing medication, such as a statin drug.

I am choosing to manage my lipid levels by utilizing lifestyle measures, such as nutrition and exercise, along with natural nutritional supplements. I am aware that there are risks in not taking cholesterol-lowering medications, such as possibly an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. I am also aware that there are risks in taking statin drugs, such as muscle pain and liver damage. The advantages and disadvantages of these approaches have been discussed with me, and my questions have been answered to my satisfaction.

Being informed, if I choose not to receive cholesterol-lowering medications, I assume all responsibility for my choice. I do not hold Dr.___________ responsible for my decision and outcome.

_______________________/ ________ Signature of Patient /Date

_______________________/ ________ Witness /Date