I thought all illness was caused by histamine Winnerhofer!!!!
Sorry
Pace your question is spot on. A lot of the anecdotes do not reflect well on the healthcare provider. There are some patients who definitely do need statins - those with type 2 diabetes for example. This group should already be monitored by a doctor and side effects picked up and dealt with.
When it comes to the worried well, a good GP will provide lifetime care and within this relationship discuss lifestyle choices and ongoing cardiac risk. Selective and proven screening such as blood pressure and later virtual colonography will selectively try to identify and manage common pathology.
Statins are one cog in this, not started on a whim but as part of the process, recommending statins that reduce diabetes (statins do not cause diabetes but some appear to accelerate its onset) and only with the patient's agreement. We would always monitor liver function tests and monitor for side effects, if necessary changing the brand and then if necessary stopping. Doctors will review new research but give it weighting according to its providence. Newspaper selection is vital!
I recognise that this perfect world doesn't exist and the NHS in particular is in crisis but only by identifying the cause can we improve