Chol symptoms and conditions

Well I have been on Lipitor 80mg for years (family history of high cholesterol) although no hearts attacks/strokes ever been attributed to the h/chol....without sounding like I'm a hypo I have 3 disk out in my lower back & years ago suffered intense back as a result...the pain which seems to be now all over is horrid ...I have been thinking that it was perhaps arthritis & old age (59yrs).....several months ago I mentioned it to doctor he said Lipitor could cause side effects but he'd keep an eye on it....well this morning after googling "Lipitor" iv'e made a decision & that is to get rid of this medication...everything I'm reading sounds just like what I have been experiencing...thanks for the input I think I have come to realize that it is the medication that is causing all my problems.

WOW! I have been feeling so bad lately, I decided to put my medications in google and do some research. I have been reading these peoples post like it was something that I wrote.I am only 36, but I feel 86. I thought I was loosing my mind. I have been on 40mg/day for 11 months now. In that 11 months, I have had to stop working, I can barely walk around because the pain in my ankles and knee. My right shoulder hurts all the time. I had been working 50+ hours a week for over 7 years. I pretty much have withdrawn myself from most friends and family, I just feel so bad all the time, I feel more like a burden than anything. The latest thing I have had going on is, this terrible pain in my upper right abdomen. Ive had blood work, Ultrasound, MRI all came back ok, with the exception of a small spot on my liver.(normal they say) I didn't refill the last Rx for about 2 weeks($$ issues) I actually was able to get outside and mow the yard, take a walk with my daughter, then 4 days ago I get it refilled and start taking it again. Now im back in the house, it hurts to walk again, I feel like im here but not here most of the time. I have asked my doctor about this and told her several times that I am not feeling right. She just tries to give me antidepressants! Yea just what I want more pills (NOT). I have also had terrible boughts with constipation and diarrhea. It was nice to see that I'm not loosing my mind here. My mother also takes this, I sent her a link to this site and we are both stopping this medication. Doctor says my chol. should be under 100 mine is 115, and she thinks she is gonna up my dose to 80mg/day. NOT! This is no way to live.

hi
I was on a stain for 1 1/2 years on a 80 mg didn't effect me at all, me and the doctor decide to bring me down to an 40mg my chol was at 119 now
on the 40mg for 3 weeks and all hell breaks lose.my joints and mucluse and my feet just hurt,i was walking like an old 100 year man,I took myself off now 8 days much better maybe at feel 80/90 percent better,lease im walking better joints still hurt a little,still cant sleep used to sleep like a rock now its like 2 maybe 3 hours a night and wicked night sweats,lets hope I sleep better in a few
im so glad I found this site,THANK YOU EVERYONE for letting read your letters

I posted several months ago on this string and wanted to update. I had bloodwork done for the 1st time since I quit the 20mg of Lipitor in August. LDL went from 123 to 210. Total Chol went from 191 to 285. HOWEVER all shooting pains I had been experiencing in legs, feet, and chst are GONE! Went back to my Dr. today, told her that same result and my serious objection to taking any kind of statin and she prescribed CRESTOR while telling me it was more potent than Lipitor! WTF!!!

I refuse this course, am drinking 30 - 40 ozs. of water each day now like I should have been, doubled my CoQ10 to 200mg/day, finally getting back into the gym to lose weight and get the HDL up from the level of 36 it is now. also started to drink the new yogurt type "shot" of Promise for cholesterol that provides 2 grams of plant sterols per day.

I will not take statins ever. I WILL find a natural way to keep my Chol under control. I've also been convinced that you don't have to be at or under the 200mlg of total chol to be healthy. Look at your C Reactive Protein and Homosiytes (sp?) If they are in range you should be good.

I know Lipitor was the cause of my rupturing each of my Achiller tendons a year apart while playing tennis in my late 40's Muscle pain soon followed.

Hi ,did you ever heard of blood type diet ?every blood group has different chemistry and different way of metabolism.there is a book called live right 4 blood type and this is a wonderful book.type O people are really need to eat more meat and less carbohydrate while type A need to avoid meat and high in carbohydrate.personally i follow this blood type diet i am type A and i got the benefit.for type A meat raise cholesterol while for type O people carbohydrate is the cause blood cholesterol,and actually red meat lowering their cholesterol and weight.this book is amazing and has many cure for disease that most doctors have no clue about it .this is the food that we eat are making our destiny so why not know about it.you can check the side *****

To send a report to the FDA about Lipitor and the side effects, go to ****** Hopefully, if enough people will complain about this dangerous drug, the FDA will ban it and it will be off the market.

I am a 58-year-old woman that changed from zetia to zocor about 6 months ago because of the price of zetia AND I had tolerated the zetia ok but my chol was still elevated. My initial dose of zocor was just 10 mg, even though I had a lot of aches and pains from the slighest exertion I really did not connect this to zocor. After my last checkup, the doctor wanted to up my dose to 20 mg daily because my chol was 228 (liver functions were all ok). I have been doing that for 6 days and my legs have become very achy, my left knee has swollen above my kneecap (which is very painful), and my lower back hurts. I have been having a lot of trouble sleeping and feel draggy all the time. I got on the net to research these symptoms when I found this site. I am going to go off this med and see if my condition improves! I will post an update as to the results.

I started using lipitor from my doctor, it lowered my cholesterol all around but I started to have lower back pains. At first I thought it might be prostate cancer, but after having to MRI's done they found no cancer, thank god. But I went to an orthopedic surgeon to see what the problem was. He looked at the mri's and saw lower dics hitting my nerve endings. He also thought that it might be muscle problems so he gave me 3 epidurals and that helped for a while took away about 50% of my pain, but I still have the pain, It is hard for me to get comfortable when I sit or even when I am sleeping. I don't want to think that it is the lipitor that is doing it to me but after talking with others I feel it is time to talk to my doctor about it. My doctor said that lipitor is the safest one that will do very little harm to my liver. I am not a doctor so I would not know.. My cholesterol level was 246 at one time now it is 175. I am now facing possible spine fusion to help correct my disc problem. But will also ask doctor to prescribe something else.

Alan

I started taking Lipitor 12 years ( 1997 ) ago as my Cholesterol was at 315. I was always athletic but had a crappy diet. My Cholesterol dropped to 200 within a year. However, in 2001 I ruptured my left Achilles playing tennis. Thought nothing much and that I hadn't stretched enough. Recovered from that and started playing tennis again in 2002. Within three weeks of playing again, I ruptured my RIGHT achilles! At that point I started to question the effect of Lipitor on muscles/tendons with various medical "professionals". ALL said it was nothing to do with medication. I quickly developed a tingling/numbness in both feet that doctors said could not be happening but it WAS!

I've had MRI's, nerve conduction tests, wondered if it was diabetic, alcohol, etc. Finally found sites such as this where real life experiences validated my concerns over this statin. I told my Dr. I was quitting Lipitor last Monday, she had no problem with that. This is Saturday night and I'm sitting here with a NOTICEABLE decrease in my numbness/tingling in both feet that I've had for the past TWELVE YEARS!!

I hope that the statin did cause my "mild sensory polyneuropathy" as was diagnosed in 2002. As of right now, it seems to be getting better in less than one week! I can flex my toes with NO pain and my feet don't feel like dead weights.

I WILL NEVER USE A STATIN AGAIN!

I have been on Zocor for 3 months and until I found this site I thought
my pain was in my head. I am having difficulty raising my arms over my head or reach around my back because of severe shoulder pain in both shoulders. I had normal chol until last year it was 240 and doctor put me on zocor when diet did not work. The shoulder pain is terrible. I have felt terrible on this drug and now I know why. I am seeing my doctor Weds for a blood test and will not be taking zocor again.

Hello: Posting about simvastatin. I have been off of the medication for about six weeks. Initially the symptoms led me to hop on an ambulance gurney and visit my local ER due to dizziness, lots of palpitations, and the feeling that I was going to drop on the sidewalk. I followed the ER with two days on the heart unit, and have pretty much have had just about every test but a brain scan (or at least it has seemed that way).

My symptoms progressed to intense burning in my torso, pronounced in the shoulder blade areas, upper chest, and into my forearms. A week after stopping the statin much of the intense burning was gone.

I still have pain and discomfort, but I have not been "white knuckling" to get through the nights like I had been, which is a relief. I read somewhere that someone described the muscle pain as feeling like he had been repeatedly punched with a bag of oranges. I can relate to that feeling, and recently I have felt the symptoms in my thighs as well.

Pain management takes up my days (although I have continued to work). I have begun massage therapy, and I am going to attempt acupuncture next week. I am trying to sort out what supplements may be the best and which ones won't interact with each other or other medications that I take. I am taking CoQ10, Omega 3 capsules, a multivitamin, and a B complex.

Anyone with similar symptoms or comments, please jump in. We are in similar boats, as they say. I have gotten the impression that some people out there (not on this site) don't see this as real. For those people, unless someone is bleeding profusely from an artery, they remain non-supportive or non-believers....

I am 54 and began taking Simvastatin 20mg on Jan 11, 2008 my blood panel showed chol 319 ldl 251hdl 44 trig 118 on Jan 26 I experienced chest pain like I had swallowed an ice cube for fifteen minutes and thought it was a side effect of the Statin I went to the surgicenter and was checked in with Troponin at 0.1 after one hour there I had another pain and they gave nitro g and it continued the Troponin level went to 1.6 They sent me to get an angiogram and I ended up getting two stents. just before the procedure after not having eaten for 22 hours my blood panel was done again and my chol was 155 ldl 89 hdl 38 trig 136. my ldl had gone down 162 mg/dl in fifteen days. after two weeks now taking Plavix as well I began having extreme pain in my joints and both knees forearms and calves, so bad I can hardly walk and have been prescribed Darvocet for the pain. I want to stop taking the Simvastatin I am alarmed at the rate of decent and wonder if my symptoms could be a product of too low of cholesterol. I can't get a straight answer from three doctors I've spoken to. I'm being crippled by the cure

Is anyone here when referring to Zocor taking the generic or the brand name? I have had trouble with vivid dreams and after several months I am exhausted from this sleep interruptions. I used to take the name brand before they had the generic
and had no problems at all.
The vivid dreams started after taking the generic.
Any responses would be appreciated.

thanks

My husband is taking Lipitor for high chol. just like all of you. In June 2007 he began to complain of mild pain in his body...including joints and muscles. He also had a very painful stomach ache with a feeling of tightness. He takes many meds. due to Parkinsonism and depression. As time has passed the pain has become so increasingly bad that I took him to a neutologist to determine if the pain could be a Park. symptom. His doctor is no dummy. He first determined that it was not parkinsons, but did order some tests to analyze a number of other possibilities....one being a form of rheumatiod arthritis that suddenly attacks the entire body without warning. ..it is very rare. In addition he ordered an immediate rheumatology appointment to have another doctor give him an opinion from that specific area of expertise. When we get there the rheumatologist will determine if it is a rheumatoid syndrom or not and then put him on a regimen to help that.if necessary...BUT, HERE IS THE THING THAT THIS FANTASTIC NEUROLOGIST ALSO DID....HE ORDERED HIM TO STOP TAKING ....LIPITOR.....FOR A MONTH AND SEE HIM AGAIN AFTERWARD FOR A FOLLOW-UP FOR THAT POSSIBILITY...LOVE HIM...DON'T YOU!!!!!!
For all those doctors out there who don't want to test the possibility that LIPITOR could be the cause for these life dibilitating symptoms....may ALL THE ATTORNEYS BONE UP ON THIS PROBLEM...AND PREPARE TO GO TO COURT. WE WILL BE FIRST IN LINE.....I am almost positive it is the Lipitor...and I will try to get back to this site and let you know what happens.
God Bless you all.....and God help all of the care givers who also feel pain from their loved ones' physical dilemas.

I'm a 28yo male. my over all cholesterol was elevated at 248. I am a very healthy person otherwise, and active. My HDL chol is very good. My Dr. had me try to lower my chol by diet and excersise at first for a little over a year, but didn't work. About two months ago he decided to put me on Zocor 10mg. The day i started taking it I felt very tired, weak, very dazed. I told my Dr. and he said it was a likely side effect and to keep taking it. After a week I was still feeling bad to the point where I had to call in sick to work. My Dr. finally told me to stop taking the Zocor and come in to the lab to get my blood drawn. A few days later my results showed that my liver and muscle enzymes were way elevated. My Dr. called me and said to drink copious amounts of water to flush out my system. After about a week of still feeling terrible my liver and muscle enzymes were back down to normal range. That was almost two months ago and still feel terrible. I've been very fatigued,muscle weakness,muscle spasms all over my body,dizziness,very sharp headches, stiff neck,but mostly pressure in my head and in my ears which cause them to pop and ring. My back even got really stiff and sore for a couple of weeks. I've been in such a daze. After 8 hours of sleep when I wake up in the morning, I feel like I've only had about two hours. I've been back and forth to my Dr. many times over the past couple months, and he's started telling me that because of taking a low dose of Zocor for only a week, he doesn't think it was the statin that is making me feel like this and said it could be a virus, and has been drawing blood for lyme disease and mono etc., which have all came back normal. I believe this is ALL from the Zocor!! I think I have drug induced myositis. I am scheduled next week to see a Neurologist. Hopefully he can give me some answers. I hope my experiences can help one of you out there. Alot of Dr.'s out there aren't aware of how dangerous these statins really are!.

my experience with Lipitor. Cholesterol a hereditary problem Ive taken so many types of Meds they work to get my nbr down but after a few yrs ended up with dbl
bypass surgery. Went from 20 to 40MG by cardio doc. Which is what the common nbr shudbe for lowering chol. nbr
Now I also take 10mg Ezetrol and now my nbr is down to 4.3 which is great for me. I hv not had any serious side effects with taking this drug in all these yrs. I hv bloodwork done every 6 mos. to check out liver nbr etc and all is great so far. I am 70 yrs old. But I can tell you my son on 80mg is having trouble swallowing 1st bite of food, and he thinks it is the Lipitor, but yet to be proven.
Very interesting comments on this site

I have been on lipitor for 2 yrs. Finding that it has reduced my chol.from 238 to 144 is great. Now the side effects.
I itch all over, I am yellow -skin and my whites of my eyes.
My urine is almost brown and my stool is white. I found out that my liver is effective. I am not secreting protein from my body. If anyone needs to read anything , there is the time magazine from week of December 19th and the side effects
on Lipitor. My Dr. tells me no it is my liver but I am not a drinker or smoker and I am 58 yr. female and never to any drugs till Lipitor.

I had a heart attack july 4th 2002, one stent was put in , i took zocor for sbout a year I became unable to work in june 2003, my insurance expired, I go to the free clinic, they give me lipitor, I been taking it for a little over a year, it keeps my chol. level in check, I have been to the emergency room 3 times for violent muscle spasms under my ribs,,,,,,very scary
the doctor told me today it may be the lipitor, anybody else had these symptoms? please reply?

Lipitor..
I'm only on 10 mg. of Lipitor a day but I have gained weight increasingingly fast in my eyes.. Is anyone having weight gain problems.. Also my cholestoral level was approx. 166 but I have 3 stents so my Dr. put me on Lipitor.. I have always had lower chol. My arteries plugging up is Genetic.. It scares me to see these terrible side effects people are having.. Tghank you, L. G.

I was diagnosed with high chol. in 1987. 360 now 260. I have taken Zocor for some 16 years now. Within 1 month the leg pains and cramps began. The Dr. told me I wasn't getting deep REM sleep and put me on Ambien. Still leg pain & cramps. I accepted the pain as a trade off for lower chol. My chol. is hereditary, not diet related. I can't recall my last egg, butter, milk, etc. I now see the long term effects of Zocor, 2 years ago I went to 40 mg. I suffer from depression, more medication, can't work, do simple chores, play golf, even walk around the block. I am now taking Oxycodone for pain. Severe, all joints, leg muscles, neck, knees, elbows, you name it. The Dr. finally said it must be heredity and put me on Crestor. Too little too late! My girlfriend is disgusted because I am half what I used to be since all the other meds to offset the Zocor effects. I have lost friends and career. I am tagged a hypochondriac. I have sought help from specialists and alternative measures to relieve the pain. No-one, I mean no specilalist even suggested the damaging results of the Zocor until I stumbled onto the "net." I can't walk, much less get out of bed in a reasonable amount of time. I am severely limited in my ability to do anything. I am glad I know what has caused this situation but fear my diminished quality of life and ready to give up. I am not crazy as has been suggested and can now give my detractors a name for my condition. I am relegated to SSD instead of working. DON'T TAKE A STATIN BASED DRUG. Seek alternative methods. They are liars and have cheated me out of my life!

44 yr opld white male dx'd w total chol of 290. Rx'd 20 mgs of Pravachol per day. Had increased liver enzyme in blood and very sore muscles (esp arms and legs). Reduced dosage to 10mgs per day and ulitmately to 10mgs every other day in combination w Zetia. Muscle pains reduced but liver enzymes still high and was switched to Zocor. Now have whole new set of side effects.
Seriously wondering if its worth it!

44 yr old white male in excellent physical condition. Dx'd last yr w total chol of 290 and elevated liver enzyme, probable fatty liver disease. I was on Pravachol for 3 months and had problems w muscle aches. Also had problems w increased liver enzymes, so reduced dose from 20 to 10mg and went to every other day. Still had some side effects and was switched to ZOCOR.
Have been on zocor for 3 weeks in combination w ZETIA. Worst side effect for me is the lightheadedness (like being stumbly drunk) and malaise that others report. Some muscle pain in legs and arms (though not as bad as w Pravachol). Cannot sleep through the night, but am tired and worn out all day. Some increased level of depression, some sexual side effects. Have had pain "behind" my eyes. Some difficulty breathing.
Will be having blood work again in 1 week to see if probs still exist w liver.
Are the side effects worth the reduction in LDL? Worst part so far is that my chol has not been significantly reduced. It may be better to leave the drugs alone and concentrate on diet, excercise and try some herbal ("snake oils") remedies instead. I have an MBA in mktg and am married to a physician.. i wonder if these statin drugs are more of a well marketed product rather than a proven treatment protocol.

I'm 36 w/high chol. Dr. has me on 80mg Zocor-its lowering chol. but cannot stand side-effect of eye pressure(puffy eyes), lowered sexual drive, headaches, rashes, and most of all loss of short-term memory and some depression. I notice that if I do not take it for a few days most of them go away. Does anyone know if any of these could become permanent?? The dr. does not seem to believe what I am saying about the drug. The side-effects are very real to me!! Whose interest does he have in mind??? I have heard similar storys here. Good luck folks!!!

I am 36 yr old. female, 134lbs. I had been on Lipitor for 1 yr. til today 4/30/2003.results of blood qork came back in. my count in Feb,2003:Triclycerides 241 H, Cholesterol Total: 428 H,HDL Cholesterol (in range 50, LDL Cholesterol: 330H,
CHOL?HDLC RATIO: 8.58...April 2003 Triclycerides 146 H, Cholesterol Total: 323 H,HDL Cholesterol (in range 49), LDL Cholesterol: 285H,
CHOL/HDLC RATIO: 7.6. Doctor immediate concerns switched me to Zocor. I took my first dose tonight @ 9pm (4/30/2003.
Does anyone know of or has heard that Xenical would help or reduceCholesterol? I have been told it does?
Email me : DoSaye@aol.com

Thank you