I am totally shocked at what I have learned about Lipitor. My phy...

62 yo female. I have been on 20mg Lipitor for a few years and the doctor ignored my complaints of thigh pain when I wake up in the mornings. When last tested my cholesteral level was still higher than she thought acceptable so the dose was increased to 40mg. I lasted on that for about 3 weeks. Unbearable pain all day rather than just in the mornings. I am back on 20mg but only taking one every second day. I am feeling so much better - less pain and much more energy (which I never associated with the meds). I am wondering if anyone else has experienced a problem with urine output. I have had this problem for a few years and after reading doing some internet research last night I am now wondering if that is also a result of taking Lipitor. I am very close to ceasing the Lipitor altogether as I think the cure may be worse than the disease!!

I agree totally, The side effects seen so harsh. My plan is to get off of the Lipitor for a few weeks and just see how I do. Try to get back some normalcy in my life other than aches and pains. The cholesterol problem can be treated other ways besides medicine. ie, diet, exercise.

Sissy, Duane Graveline M.D. has a web site about statins. Just type in Space Doc. You will learn about the damage statins can do. Good luck. D Smith

I read your mail and I am amazed at how your experience with Lipitor is so similar to mine. I was put on anti-depressants, had severe neck and muscle pain, raw eyelids, memory loss, knee pain, deep coughing that actually made my chest muscles sore, etc. etc. Went to doctor today and have been taken off Lipitor. Doctor will wait a few weeks and if my problems lessen, he will put me on a non-statin drug. Would like to discuss our situation with you some more.

I have been off Lipitor for 3 days now. It appears the muscle problems are getting somewhat better. But by no means back to whatever normal was before taking Lipitor. I am also taking Zoloft and Wellbutrin. In conversations I have ben told the Zoloft causes weight gain of which it certainly has for me. About 30 pounds in that past year or so. I am really thining about gradually reducing it until I am completely off. Would love to hear from anyone regarding this.

This is unbelievable! I feel like someone's reading my thoughts. I've been on Lipitor for a bit over two years now. Yes, the cholesterol has gone down, but it wasn't that bad to begin with. I've experienced leg cramps, muscle aches of the back and shoulders, decreased, amber colored urine at times, even with increased levels of water consumption, swelling of the legs, ankles, and hands (can't wear my wedding rings any longer,) and finally, depression and anxiety. About a year ago, I was prescribed Lexapro after having a severe panic attack on an airplane 1/2 hour out of LA on a flight to Philadelphia. In the two or so years since, I have gone from 140-145 lbs. to over 175 lbs. despite maintaining the same diet and excercise as before, and I cannot lose the weight no matter what! I questioned my doctor (after reading numerous articles) about the Lexapro and Lipitor causing weight gain, and she shrugged her shoulders and said that these were side effects of neither drug. I discontinued the Lexapro about three weeks ago, and I plan to stop the Lipitor tomorrow morning and use what I spend on the prescription to join a gym.

Male 43. I was first put on Lipitor about 5 years ago. 10mg It brought my cholesterol doen to normal. Initally I had very few side effects such as a sharp pin in my foot that eventualy deminished. About 2 year in I began to have extreme neck and shoulder pain and without my doctor knowing I started to cut my tablet in half to see if the conditions changed. They did. My doctor said it was fine to keep cutting the dosage in half if I felt better and since my cholesterol didn't spike. So 5mg's and 5 years later I'm now waking up with hand pain and elbow pain. Last year I went to the gym on a regular basis and now I can't lift any kind of weights without pain. I'm about to go off Lipitor completely. Over the last few years I have been supplementing the lipitor with Coenzyme Q10 at 150mg and may be why my symptoms crept up so slowly. I'll be back for a report.

I have been off the Lipitor for almost 6 months now. Did not have to gradually stop it-per the Dr. My shoulder pain is much better. I had X-rays done and the results were my right shoulder has some bone spurring. So I was put on Tizanidine. It is a wonder drug but if I take more than the recommended dose--I have hallucinations at night. So I have to be cautious of that. has anyone been on Tizanidine? I would be interested in hearing any comments. I was also put on Levothyroxine for underactive thyroid. I dropped 21 pounds in 1 months time with no effort on my part. Thyroid is normal now but I am still taking it to make sure it stays that way. Once your on it-it is for life-or so the MD states.