Does anyone know anything about statins?

That seems a bit odd, I've never heard of statins helping with weight loss before. Is your cholesterol high? If so, then probably best to stay on it or if you have high risk factors (ie have had a recent stroke or heart attack). If it is just for weight management though, I would think about stopping it - maybe consult another doctor?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7481845/Health-warning-over-statin-taken-by-millions.html
Have a look at the the above.

My doctor wanted to put me on statins but i out right refused despite a bad family history of heart disease, and my own cholesterol raising to dangerous levels over the last 5 years.

If you have no underlining health issues diet & exercise, will overtime reduce your cholesterol.

I know quite a bit. They can have some significant side effects, so it is best to weigh the situation's benefits/risks before going on one. Have you asked to try diet and exercise modification yet? If not, try that first. More exercise, less fatty foods and eat more omega 3 foods like salmon, nuts, olive oils etc. While on statins, some people experience memory loss and confusion, muscle loss and loss of coordination, and some people even develop high blood sugar levels which leads to diabetes type 2. It is also important to make sure that your doctor monitors the function of your liver if you go on a statin, as this drug can have negative effects on it. All of this can be found ont he FDAs website, as well.

I work with someone who is on them andd she has put on weight. I haven't heard many good things about them.

I was taking this prior to joining MFP and losing the weight. I didn't like the side effects either, but thought I needed it. When my doctor saw that I was losing weight and starting to get healthy, he took me off it and endorsed what I was doing with my exercise and eating right.
I am now off all my meds (high cholesterol and blood pressure meds) since dropping the 55 lbs.
Good luck with this, I know how it is to be taking meds your really not sure of.

Simvastatin has no role in weight loss and should not be prescribed for that. It is an effective drug and can have an important part in cholesterol management.

If your doctor is prescribing it please take the insert to her and discuss it (http://secure.healthlinks.net.au/content/msd/cmi.cfm?product=mkczocor) As you can see from the the insert, it is for cholestrol. If your doctor insists that it is for weight loss - please ask her to show you the study or the Physicians Desk Reference or other source that states so.

Given what you have posted here, it does seem that your doctor has given you wrong information and an incorrect prescription - however, in many cases this is due to communication issues and should be discussed with the doctor to clarify (this is no just legalize because I work in the industry).

If you are concerned after that second discussion about the trust issues I suggest you consider another doctor and possibly reporting the prescription issue to your health insurance carrier.

Simvastatin has no role in weight loss and should not be prescribed for that. It is an effective drug and can have an important part in cholesterol management.

If your doctor is prescribing it please take the insert to her and discuss it (http://secure.healthlinks.net.au/content/msd/cmi.cfm?product=mkczocor) As you can see from the the insert, it is for cholestrol. If your doctor insists that it is for weight loss - please ask her to show you the study or the Physicians Desk Reference or other source that states so.

Given what you have posted here, it does seem that your doctor has given you wrong information and an incorrect prescription - however, in many cases this is due to communication issues and should be discussed with the doctor to clarify (this is no just legalize because I work in the industry).

If you are concerned after that second discussion about the trust issues I suggest you consider another doctor and possibly reporting the prescription issue to your health insurance carrier.

Sounds like prudent advice though I suggest you also speak with your pharmacist. My doctor is human and humans do make mistakes. I dont expect my doctor to have all the answers & I have learned that my pharmacist is often a great source to include in my health care.

One of my favorite adages: One out of every two doctors have graduated in the bottom half of their class.

I would absolutely advise taking a statin just for weigh loss. Statins are a serious drug with pretty significant side effects/risks. I am seeing so many older people on statins with severe joint/bone pain and once discontuining their statin, the pain stops. I really am surprised a doctor would even suggest that!