Colesterol symptoms and conditions

Hi I started taking Lipitor when I was about 41 and gradually noticed a big toe becoming numb. Then later another toe became numb. I had just started swimming about this time with fins and thought at first it may have been caused by them. But then I stopped swimming and the numbness continued. I visited a Neurologist a couple of years ago who tested for everything and found some peripheral nerve damage to the feet. I said the only thing I could think of was Lipitor. He said here was no conclusive evidence it causes this but explained how nerves are made of Lipids and lipitor limits the production of lipids. I stopped taking it but later my GP said I need to go on something for my cholesterol. He put me on Crestor. I took a Lipitor the other week and my toes tingled that night. So I am convinced it is Lipitor. I am not sure how to reverse the damage though.

I came home from work and opened my new bottle of Niaspan er 500mg. It was late and my wife was asleep. I read the bottle and it said take 2 tablets before bed with food. I did and about 4 hours later, my entire body was on FIRE and my hair felt like needles pinching my skin when I moved. I can deal with a hot flash or flushing but I was literally RED hot to touch, forget the feeling that I was having a heart attack or stroke.
I am only 41 years old in good health and a little low good cholesterol. I tried again few days later with one pill(after my wife had a good laughed) and experience the same nightmare. No hot flash, I was BURNING RED and my hairs were needles pinching my skin as I put ice packs around my neck.
I understand this is just a form of vitamin B-3??? Has anyone tried some form of herbal version of a B-vitamin?? Has anyone tried to take during the daytime????

I recently lost my brother Marty to ALS. Marty asked me to tell everyone about his experience and I promised I would. Marty began taking statin drugs in his early 40's. He took them off and on at the suggestion of his PCP. It began with Lipitor and progressed to Crestor. In Dec of 06 tests revealed elevated muscle enzymes, he was also having pain in his left leg. His PCP called and told him to discontinue the Crestor, which he did. The pain continued and other symptoms began to materialize. Symptoms included muscle weakness, toe drop, fasciculations and continued pain in his leg. In June 07 after many tests he received the diagnosis of ALS. He passed away in August 08 at age 52. He believed as I do that statins caused this most horrible disease in him. He also believed that cholesterol is a symptom not the causal agent of heart disease. Now you must decide.

I recently had an extremely bad case of depression. I could not figure out what was wrong with me. I could not stop crying. It took me 2 month to figure out that my depressive episode coincided with my doctor putting me on 20mg simvistatin(generic zocor). I've been off of it for 5 days now and have already seen a dramatic improvement. I will never take cholesterol lowering meds as long as I live, I don't care if my cholesterol is 500.

I had a mild heart attack 14 months ago (aged 56). A stent was inserted in an artery. I was put on four medications (Lipitor was at 40mg) so what caused what is up for grabs.
Friends told me I was slurring my words - which I experienced as an inability to find words and hence I could not talk at talking speed. The Metoprolol was reduced and I also started taking Co Q 10 as I had read that Lipitor reduces both cholesterol and Co Q10. The slurring reduced. I also had sudden pains as if a sharp object was being pressed hard on the ends of my fingers and toes at random. The doctor shrugged.
Since my heart attack my memory has been poor and I have been noticeably clumsy.
About 6 months ago I started to get left knee discomfort - I can relate this to water on the knee from an impact at age 11. It hardly ever caused a problem since. I went to Physical therapy and had ultra sound and it seemed to take ridiculously long to improve. And at that time I was becoming increasingly aware of a "bruise" to my left elbow (I am left handed). I felt like a complainer! I had bruised my left elbow but could it hurt 3 months later. I had an X-Ray and the elbow was fine. I was getting similar sensations on the other side of my body (knee and elbow) but at like 10% of the intensity so I dismissed it as nonsensical.
Then I awoke at 3.00 a.m. one night with incredible pain in my lower left arm.
The orthopedic surgeon I saw said I had tennis elbow and I got a cortisone injection. I was beginning to feel as if my body was decaying and getting torn internally.
I then read a blog and a disability insurance assessor said she always asks if people who have been diagnosed with tennis elbow are taking Lipitor. Ping!
I quit Lipitor. Two nights later I had unbelievable cramps in my lower left leg. I have had the pins in the end of the fingers and toes again and the inability to find words appears momentarily.
But I have far more energy. My biggest surprise is that I am breathing more deeply. Spontaneously I am taking really deep breaths. I started at the gym within a week of quitting. However I am being careful. I will take a cholesterol test in a month, and have gone almost dairy free, and am vegetarian every other day and will continue with CoQ10

Boy! It is funny how all of us posting here have all these side effects and the doctors for the most part say nothing or keep an eye on it. I to have symtoms ranging from bad headaches, the tickle in the throat and cough with it, to lower neck across shoulders the pain is intense. I was started out with a 20mg dose and on july 2007. There are differences with me as i have a hard time now getting to sleep. I toss and turn most of the night. It is now mid september and the doctor has never called to ask how i was doing. My blood pressure has not gone down but up. ranging from 174/110 on sept. 9 to 158/104 on sept16 2007. so i am taking myself off this crap and doing something different if only what are for-fathers did most of the time........they lived with it. Any thing has to be better than this.....thanks for all your help!

I have been off lipitor for about a week and am beginning to feel less pain in hips and thighs. My CPK test came back a little elevated so will remain off the lipitor for the 30 days and then begin trying another cholesterol lowering treatment (no statins). Due to a heart attack the doctor wants the colesterol to be in the lower range. I feel less fatigue since going off the lipitor and not as weak in my legs. It is still too soon to know if lipitor has been the cause.

MY HUSBAND WAS RETAINING ALOT OF WATER IN HIS LEGS AND VERY WEAK. THE DOCTOR HAD DONE A NUMBER OF TESTS ON HIM TO FIND OUT THAT HE HAS NEPHRITIS AND WAS LOSING 8,500 MG OF PROTEIN IN URINE A DAY (NORMAL IS 100-200 MG PER DAY), AND COLESTEROL WAS AT 400. HE WAS PUT ON PREDNIZONE AND ALSO HAD A KIDNEY BIOPSY. WE WERE MARRIED 1 WEEK PROIR TO HIM BEING PUT ON PREDNIZONE AND IT HAS BEEN PRETTY TOUGH TO DEAL WITH. HE WOULD COMPLAIN OF ALL THE SAME SYMPTONS, WEAKNESS, BACK PAIN, NAUSEA, BLACK OUTS, MAJOR WEIGHT GAIN, AND CRAMPS THAT WOULD KNOCK HIM ON THE GROUND. I NEVER REALIZED PREDNIZONE WAS SO BAD. I FEEL ALOT OF GUILT BECAUSE I WOULD SAY OH, IT CAN'T BE THAT BAD. I FEEL HORRIBLE NOW READING ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. HE HAS ABOUT 1 MONTH TO GO WITH 60 MG OF PREDNIZONE A DAY AND WATER PILLS.

I have been on Lipitor for 2 days and have had more sleeping problems than I already have. I have heavy hot flashes at night and wake up often. I have no trouble going to sleep, but now waking up is what I do all night long. Lipitor has made it worse. Will this subside? I have read your blogs and hope I don't have the other horrible side effects, I already have the start of arthritis in my knee and back, but it is bearable due to exercise, massage, and choirapractor. Should I get on the Co-Q10? I am 54 years old, in pretty good shape, but my colesterol is at 264 and never had to take this sort of drug before; always adjusted by diet, but not now. Please help.

I Have been takeing zorcor for about 5 months now and have noticed a few side effects too. I dont seem to have as much energy, and find that I am retaining water, which i never did before takeing that pill..(I am on 10 mg) also a weight gain of about 5 or 6 lbs, which normal dieting dont seem to work anymore, and believe me I count every calorie and what use to work, no longer dose. Also have had a problem with Loose stool.... and cramping. I also have been out of breath mostley at night when going to bed. This has started only after starting the zorcor. No real pains to speak of that were not there before, but have noticed rough patchy spots on my left arm, and that is very un normal for me too. The colesterol did come down, but I think I am going to stop the pill, and do this by diet and exercise. Its my belief that the pill may do more damage, then it will benifit. If any one else is haveing a problem with swelling, water retention, and weight gain after starting this pill, please e mail me so I can present the facts to my Doctor.
Rose