Coq 10 symptoms and conditions

I am a 60 yr old woman, and have been on statins for several years, most recently 40 mg. I have been getting more and more side affects over the years that I kept attributing to age, overweight, lack of exercise. After reading so many of these postings, I stopped the statin in March. Some of the side affects i.e. the aches in my arms, hands went away fairly quickly. But my legs still ache so much and the muscles in them seem to be weak, I have a hard time standing up from a sitting position. Do any of you know if it sometimes takes this long for symptoms to go away or is it possible that they won't???

Cure for side effects? CoQ 10 helped me it could help you to. I don't think the private mail on this site works. You can contact me: seekers999@hotmaildotcom if you're a real person you know what to do with the"dot"... "." But nobody needs me, do the research yourself! checkout coq-10 and how lipitor and other statin drugs deplete your body of it causing muscle atrophy. (see my previous post for link)
I don't recommend websites or charge (even though I'm on social security disability w/kids and financially challanged ;-) I;m just trying to help people get better by pointing them in the right direction.

I was crippled up on crutches! Worst pain in my life! Couldn't even get to the bathroom 15' away WITH THE CRUTCHES!! If felt like muscle was tearing with each step, within a week the pain was gone!! The mental fog was gone also and I quit taking the Prozac, but this might have been also due to the Acetyl-L Carnititne.(500mg 3X a day)

I just know that stopping the lipitor didn't stop the pain and confusion!

God Bless all as they try and work their way through these terrible side effects! Remember I had to increase the coq 10 to 900mg a day before I saw benefits on the 3rd day.... There is hope! I hope it works for you!

Lipitor NOT EFFECTIVE ON WOMEN!!

"Again and again, clinical studies have failed to show that the use of statins lowers cardiovascular risk in women who do not already have coronary heart disease or diabetes"

I am a 53 year old male on disability for a bad back and atributed a lot of my symptoms to my back. Leg pains, leg cramps, foot pains and extreme fatigue... Also occasional mental fogginess to depresion as I was on Prozac for depresion... When the side effects hit the hardest I was literally crippeled and barely able to get around on crutches although limited to one level of our split level home, the stairs were TOO MUCH. I had stopped the Lipitor immediately put that didn't help, the pain was overwhelming despite the Hydrocodone #10 I was taking 4-6 a day!! (I previously took 1 per day max) I found on the internet how statin drugs deplete the body of CoQ-10 and cause the muscles to atrophy.

For results of CoQ-10 see my other post...
I don't list website where I get mine because I don't want anyone to think I have anything to gain by making these posts. I am sharing what worked for me and got me out of a period of paid so intense. I only want to help others.
I had to find a cheaper place to buy because I'm on social security disabilty with kids and I don't get enough money to be able to buy it any where else so now maybe I can help them another way too. God Bless all who have been effected by this drug and may you have a complete recovery, if you refuse to quit taking it, supplement with coq-10 even drs and pharmacists agree (that know what they're talking about)

I was on Lipitor for over 4 years but had my dose increased about 7-8 months ago. During that time:

1. Loss of energy (sometimes severe)
2. Muscle cramps at night in thigh
3. Pains & numbness in feet
4. A kinda of fog in my mind at times, hard to think
5. swelling in both feet
6. Easily injured in feet and knees, and slow to heal. the smaller muscles in the legs and feet

I finally realized it was the Lipitor and stopped immediately but the symptoms DON'T! What I found out is that Lipitor depletes the body of
Coenzyme Q10 (Coq-10) an important part of our bodies heart and muscle health. I was crippled unable to walk for over 2 weeks! On crutches, it felt like I was tearing and ripping muscle with every step, in my feet. I was taking 300 mg of Coq-10 a day. I found a web site that stated to take 900 mg, after 3 days I could tell a small amount of differance. 3 days later I was off the crutches. I was also taking 500mg 3X a day of
Acetyl-L Carnitine but it is the Coq-10 for sure! With in a week, ALL SYMPTOMS WERE GONE!!
Unfortunately if you stop taking the coq-10 they come back, I found out the hard way. Apparently your muscles have become extremely weak and need to build back up. You need to take the Coq-10 until that is complete and I hope you can stop after that. You can get Coq-10 at supermarkets, heathfood stores etc... BUT it's much cheaper on-line. feel free to email me for more information or questions.

I can't believe what I'm reading, I too have been on Lipitor for four years now and in June of this year my right leg began bothering me, feeling crampy, foot felt like it was asleep, ached every minute, hurt to move my leg during sleep time. Continued to get worse everyday. Went to doctor, thought to be a strained muscle. But this was only in the calf of my leg, not my whole leg. All this time continuing to take my lipitor. Then this month, it became the worst, I got up one morning and couldn't put my foot on the floor, couldn't put any pressure on that foot at all, the pain was unbearable. Went to emergency and the doctor there advised me to get off of the lipitor. I've been off it for three days now and today I can actually put my foot on the floor, I do have to use a cane to walk but it feels ten times better. This has caused me to lose time at work plus ruined a week of vacation for me. This drug should be outlawed! Everyone beware of the side effects, it took me four years to see any but now I'm paying the price.

I am 53 years old and have been on 10 mg of Lipitor for at least 5 years. For the past 3 years I have been experiencing tight muscles in my back and muscle spasms on my right side. I have had the following tests done - all of which came back negative: CT scan, Ultrasound, MRI, gall bladder scan, kidney scan, pelvic exam, even had a colonoscopy (that sucked), and went for physical therapy which the therapist said I had weakness on my right side. The doctor never even suggested to stop taking Lipitor but after reading these posts, I'm stopping myself.

I have been taking Lipitor for about 5 years now and have had numerous things happen to me. Just trying to find out if they relate to the Lipitor or not. Have developed extreme fatigue and depression over the years. Always seems like I am in a fog. Have tried numerous anti-depressants trying to conquer this. Nothing seems to work and the problems continue. I was thinking that I just have to live with it and then I thought about the Lipitor. Has anybody experienced any of these symptoms too? I am on 20mg.

I have been taking Lipitor !0 mg since Aug. of 06.Recently I have experienced progressively increased back,& hip pain & stiffness. Sometimes when I get up from chair or bed it is becomung harder . I thought that It was osteoarthiritis but my recent bone scan was unchanged from 3 yrs ago. (I recently stopped the Fosomax due to Gerd) I had hip & hips xrayed last week and will get results soon. In the meantime it occured to me that the problem may be S/E'S from the Lipitor.even I take COQ_10 a few X's a week. Have been off the drug for4 days now and the severe pain is subsiding anf I actually went for a short walk today as test. What do you think? Iam a retired RN and knew to watch for muscle problems but have had back pain (not severe)for years so I thought it was joint problema when hips started to occur. I am done with Statins.

Burning & painful Heels also muscles and joints in both feet very painful. I have been on 20mg of Lipitor for 3 yrs

I am 40 years old and I was on Lipitor because my cholesterol almost hit 400 (this is due to a family history of very high cholesterol) and I had major problems with muscle aches and my body felt like I was 80 years old so I stopped taking it after two weeks. My doctor changed my medication to Zoccor, however I had HUGE heart palpitations and felt like my heart was going to explode, so I stopped taking it as well. Now I am on Vytorin at the highest dose 10/40 and I feel perfect with no side effects at all. I also take CoQ10 which helps keep your muscles and your heart strong. Do a search on the internet and see the benefits of adding CoQ 10 (over the counter, no prescription needed) with your cholesterol medication. Hope this helps you as well.

started taking zocor for 2 months and some fatigue, joint
pains in knees but worst side effect was rashes and lost
hair in large spots on my legs. Where loss of hair the
oil in the follicle has dried up and became hard. Doctor said
no relation. Quit taking for 2 months stop spredding. Started
again symptom got worse. Stopped taking again. I am sure
its Zocor. If its doing this to my skin whats happening to my
body organs? Started taking Red Yeast Rice Plus CoQ-10 with
flush-free niacin all in 1 pill from health food store for now.

38-yo Male. Been taking Lipitor for about two years now for high cholesterol, otherwise healthy. Experiencing occasional cramping/muscle spasms in left forearm that sometimes cause my hand to form a fist. Slight tremor in both hands. Also experiencing lower back ache (again left side mostly) that is most apparent when getting out of bed in the morning. Blurry vision. Tests performed last year by a neurologist for the arm/hand cramping came back negative. This site is truly a valuable resource, as I am stopping Lipitor TODAY. Will follow up in a few months (or sooner if symptoms change).

I thought I was going crazy. I am 49 year old female. I just finsihed Chemo and radition in April, 2004. I thought my aches and pains were the result of this treatment. My oncology doctor states it was not related. I started taking Libitor 10 mg in October2003. Since that time I have been feeing tired ( hard to do house work without stopping to rest) Also, especially in the morning, I dread getting out of bed because the bottom of my feet appeares to be swollen and my legs and body aches. I have a double whammy regarding memory loss ( from chemo and lipitor combined) I will be talking with my doctor on Monday. This is serious.
thanks for the web site. This pain goes on daily . When I sit for long periods of times, b ody stiffiens up.

There's got to be a better way.

I don't take Lipitor but I do take Pravacol and Zetia together. They are statin drugs. I take 20mg. of Pravacol and 10mgs. of Zetia. I am so glad I was sent this info from other people. I just know that since taking these drugs that I have experiened extreme pain and stiffness in both shoulders. Went to orthopedic dr. and was told I had forzen shoulders. Since reading all of the complaints from other people, I am inclined to believe that it is coming from these drugs. I can't sleep at nite due to the pain and soreness. Been thru physical therapy and cortizone shot with no relief. I am 50 yrs old and feel like 80 sometimes. I was always very active and I just don't want to do anything anymore. I just make myself do it. Thank you all for this info. I hope I can reverse this whole ordeal. Debbie ***

YES YES AND YES, I HAVE A BUNCH OF THESE SYMPTOMS. RATHER THAN ADDING YET ANOTHER SAGA AND PILLIORING THE DRUG AND ITS EFFECTS ON ME
HEREIN ARE A FEW THOUGHTS

1. There seem to be several groups of "Lipitor Sufferers" (LS) People who have taken it for Short Term versus and Long Term Takers.

2. One group of people appear to have reversals of symptoms or similar following ceasation of the drug taking, whilst another group seem to appear stuck with the symptoms.

3. NO-ONE SEEMS TO BE OFFERING A TREATMENT FOR ACHIEVING A REVERSAL OF THE EFFECTS OF THE LIPITOR.
Several People Are Asking.

4. this space is vacant because there seems far too many questions to add in to this debate.

I ask if I am to stop taking this drug, what is the best way in which to cease? And what is the manner or modality of action of this drug in order to take the optimum supplemennt or the like to try to achieve the best I can NOW.

So in a nutshell... WHat can I/we do to help ourselves Now?

Has anyone gotten relief from lipitor side effects after having discontinued this drug?

I have been on zocor, mevacor, and lipitor for five years or so. After I complained to my new doctor that I was experiencing killer fatigue, calf pains, muscle loss, and tinnitus, among other things, he put me on zetia and coreg and CQ-10. My status has improved much, and I am now laying off the zetia and coreg for a couple of weeks.
I am most disturbed by accounts from individuals who have quit lipitor but have gotten no relief from the symptoms most commonly attributed to lipitor.

I wasprescibed Lipitor and took it for four days and got the usual leg pains and disorientation that many of you talk about.
From that point on my life has descended into hell. I had a month of daily migraines(which I had not previously suffered from). I have severe pain in my shoulders, arms, chest and back and sometimes feel as though my skin is on fire. I am 55 and feel 85 to 90. I can no longer pick things up that weigh more than 5 pounds, cannot walk more than a couple of blocks ( it feels as though my rib cage does not expand) and can only drive about a mile before the dizziness and muscle spasms start. The depression and tears at what feels like a never ending condition is sometimes more than I can bear. It is now 11 months since I am off Lipitor and I have yet to see any improvement. I don't know what is worse the pain or the complacency of the medical community and their disbelief of our suffering. At least this site tells me that I am not nuts but I am sorry that so many of us are suffering.

I am a 49 yr old physically fit female who began taking Lipitor around 2 yr ago. I began having leg pain/cramps and went off of them for two weeks or so. I have to admit I felt much better. I went back on them for fear of having heart problems with high cholesterol. Two weeks ago I started having severe pain in my left leg/hip area running all the way down like muscle strains. I can literally push on the muscle and it is so sore like someone has beat me. I can't lay on my left side anymore when sleeping. I think I am going to go off of it again and if the pain subsides, find other ways to lower the cholesterol. I am worried that this has caused some type of muscle degeneration. I am also experiencing numbness in my right hand more than ever. I am scared...

I have been on Lipitor for some time, but only recently realized that it might be causing my severe calf-muscle cramp.

A few weeks ago I went to hospital, as I had continuous high-level pain in my left calf and couldn't walk. They thought it might be DVT after flying.

Although one of the two blood tests came back positive for DVT, the ultrascan revealed nothing.

Since then I have experienced moderate pain (especially when first getting out of bed in the morning) in BOTH calves and the right one has had a large area of bruising.

It doesn't seem to be getting any better and I am going to STOP Lipitor and see my doctor.

I am rather worried, reading the experiences of others, that Lipitor may have caused permanent damage, from which I will never recover.

Colin *** (70)
United Kingdom

Extreme swallowing/choking problem and extreme fatigue.I've been taking Lipitor since it came out and have been on 20 mg per day all this time.One time several years ago when I had a cough my throat completely locked up and I couldn't breathe for what seemed forever...VERY SCARY! It was never diagnosed.I recently had my Lipitor raised to 40 mg and immediately not my swallowing ability degrading.I had every test is the world and nothing was found.I just got off the drug and few days ago and hope to improve.Also I have experienced EXTREME FATIGUE ! If anyone has experienced similar symptoms please send me an email.

Well, this site explains alot. I took 10mg of lipitor and complained to my doctor of:chest pain, dizziness, alot of gas, and so much leg ache I cant sleep. My dam health care provider wont pay for the alternative drug either. Aghh!

PLEASE HELP FIND AN ANTIDOTE TO REVERSE THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY LIPITOR. IT CAUSED MY MOTHER MOTOR NEUROPATHY, THEREFORE SHE IS ON A RESPIRATOR & NOW IN A COMA.
THERE MUST BE SOMEONE OUT THERE OR THE PHARMACY COMPANY WHO MANUFACTURERS LIPITOR TO REVERSE THIS TERRIBLE SIDE EFFECT.
HELP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
******

I am 63 and taking 10 mg of Monopril for mild high blood pressure / under complete control. Just put on Lipitor 20 two weeks ago and for two night straight I had muscle cramps. Hamstrings (both legs), and upper legs the next night. Cramps lasted about 5 minutes. No other noted side effects. The fact that both legs were involved tends to indicated it was not just a fluke... Watching very carefully.

I'm really glad I found this board. It reassures me I'm not nuts. I'm a 53 yr old woman. I'm overweight and underactive. I'm on 10 mg Lipitor and just started 2 days ago. I also take Toprol to reduce my blood pressure which is now at 120/80. I started the Toprol last week. The Toprol puts me in a daze during the day. I take the Lipitor at night. This morning I woke up groggy. I felt light-headed and spacey. Funny taste in mouth. Tongue kind of burns. Some pressure in ears. My feet were freezing and the left foot tingly. It took hours for my feet to warm up and feel normal. Sometimes my scalp feels tingly too. I went to my doctor because I was feeling light-headed and had other symptoms. So I'm going through a series of tests: stress test, brain MRI etc. Most of my labs came back great. Here's my plan: if there are no other problems with my heart or brain I plan to move my diet toward vegetarianism. I've already started doing that. I also found a gym that I hope to join. After 6 months of a good diet and exercise I'll ask my Dr. if I can come off the Lipitor for a certain number of months. We can do a cholesterol test and see where I'm at. Staying on any statin long term doesn't sound safe at all. Thanks!