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!