I now have peripheral neuropathy (numbness, aching, loss of sensa...

I now have peripheral neuropathy (numbness, aching, loss of sensation ) in my feet from 4 years of Lipitor use. I stopped Lipitor 12 months ago and had some small improvement in my feet ie I can now bend my ankle and stand on the balls of my feet and even flex some toes instead of all the toes being stuck together. Formerly my feet did not bend at ankle nor at ball of foot. The terrible pain felt when I bent my knees has gone and my legs are now more vertical rather than slanting in. In the course of visits to various specialists it was discouvered thAT MY THYROID WAS UNDER ACTIVE (Hypothroidism). (Under active thyroid might sometimes have some relation to high cholesterol ) There has been an article in the "Australian Prescriber" August 2005 noting adverse reactions to statin medication in patients with hypothroidism, dehydration, liver disfunction and decreased renal function. Their checklist for statin-induced muscle symptoms includes: * muscle aches,tenderness,soreness,weakness or pain * decreased muscle strength * difficulty in getting up from a chair or holding arms above head or performing usual tasks For Australian residents there is an Adverse Medicine Events telephone line operated by pharmacists at the Mater Health Services Brisbane. Their Australian phone is 1300 134 237 (Mon -Fri 9am -6pm EST) In my experience statins caused me general confusion, muscle weakness, difficulty in walking, needing a handrail for steps, unable to bend ankle, foot cramps etc etc. Years ago we survived without statin drugs. What have you got to lose if you give up the statins for a 6 month personal trial??? Patricia ***, Gordon, Sydney