DEAR PEOPLE’S PHARMACY: I think the cholesterol drug I was put on caused my glaucoma. I was diagnosed with spontaneous acute glaucoma at the same time as diabetes. My doctor, a cholesterol specialist, was almost excited when he said, “Well, you finally have full-blown diabetes!”
This was about six months after I started taking the cholesterol drug. He suddenly needed to check my blood work more often. He refused to take me off it even after I started having severe leg pains and then chest pains.
My pharmacist told me to stop the statin immediately. The leg and chest pains went away.
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A. Statins can increase the chance that someone will develop Type 2 diabetes (Journal of the National Medical Association, December 2024) or even glaucoma (Ophthalmology: Glaucoma, November-December 2024).
Doctors often recognize the link with diabetes, although they may feel the cardiovascular protection a statin could offer is more important. They may be less likely to have noted the increased risk of glaucoma.
You can learn more about the pros and cons of statins as well as additional approaches to blood lipid control in our “eGuide to Cholesterol Control & Heart Health.” This online resource is located under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
Q. I have suffered from lifelong serious asthma. Eleven months ago, my doctor diagnosed an infection in my lungs due to Aspergillus. He prescribed azithromycin, rifabutin, ethambutol, and something hideously expensive called Cresemba (an anti-fungal).
Now, at almost 74, I feel spectacular. Probably the best I ever felt in my lifetime. Perhaps my “asthma” was actually an infectious disease. Is that possible?
A. Some cases of asthma may be infectious in origin. Your drugs suggest you may have been experiencing both a fungal infection and tuberculosis.
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”
