I have been taking simvastatin since June 28, 2008. I am 44 year...

You might want to bring to your doctors's attention the following article by Dr. Peter H. Langsjoen, MD, FACC, Board Certified Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease from Tyler, Texas in LifeExtension Magazine (February 2008), which describes in detail the trouble with statins http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2008/feb2008_Alleviating-Congestive-Heart-Failure-With-Coenzyme-Q10_01.htm, describes in detail the trouble with statins:
“All statin drugs block the biosynthesis of both cholesterol and CoQ10, which explains statins’ common side effects of fatigue, muscle pain and muscle weakness, and a worsening of heart failure. When CoQ10 levels are lowered by statin drug therapy, one of the first changes to occur is a weakening of heart muscle function… In 2004, a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology showed that diastolic dysfunction (heart muscle weakness) occurred in 70% of previously normal patients treated with 20 mg a day of Lipitor® for six months. This heart muscle dysfunction was reversible with supplemental CoQ10. Heart failure that develops after years of statin drug therapy can be termed statin cardiomyopathy and may well be playing a role in the epidemic of congestive heart failure in the United States. In an effort to determine the prevalence of adverse effects from using statins, we studied 50 consecutive new patients, all of whom were taking a statin drug at the time of their initial visit. All 50 patients were found to have one or more side effects from statin therapy, so we discontinued their statin drugs and began supplemental CoQ10. Patients were followed for an average of 28 months with the following observations in the prevalence of adverse effects:
• A high prevalence of skeletal muscle pain and weakness at 64% on initial visit was reduced to 6% in follow-up.
• Fatigue decreased from 84% to 16%.
• Shortness of breath went from 58% down to 12%.
• Memory loss was reduced from 8% to 4%.
• Peripheral neuropathy decreased from 10% to 2%.
There were no adverse effects from stopping statin drug therapy with no cases of heart attack or stroke during follow-up. Overall, there was an improvement in heart muscle function on discontinuation of statin therapy and addition of supplemental CoQ10. However, due to powerful propaganda surrounding both cholesterol and statin drug therapy, many patients and physicians are afraid to stop statin therapy…Over the past five years statins have become more potent, are being prescribed in higher doses, and are being used with reckless abandon in the elderly and in patients with "normal" cholesterol levels. We are in the midst of a CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) epidemic in the US with a dramatic increase over the past decade. Are we causing this epidemic through our zealous use of statins? In large part I think the answer is yes. We are now in a position to witness the unfolding of the greatest medical tragedy of all time - never before in history has the medical establishment knowingly (Merck & Co., Inc. has two 1990 patents combining CoQ10 with statins to prevent CoQ10 depletion and attendant side effects) created a life threatening nutrient deficiency in millions of otherwise healthy people, only to then sit back with arrogance and horrific irresponsibility and watch to see what happens…Statins kill people - lots of people - and they wound many, many more. All patients taking statins become depleted in Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), eventually - those patients who start with a relatively low CoQ10 levels (the elderly and patients with heart failure) begin to manifest signs/symptoms of CoQ10 deficiency relatively rapidly - in 6 to 12 months. Younger, healthier people who's only "illness" is the non-illness "hypercholesterolemia" can tolerate statins for several years before getting into trouble with fatigue, muscle weakness and soreness (usually with normal muscle enzyme CPK tests) and most ominously - heart failure.

I was prescribed 40mcg of Simvastatin 10 days ago. I didn't notice any real changes for the first couple of days, however, on day 5 I started to feel numbness down my right arm, headaches, palpitation and an upset stomach. I just thought this was my body getting used to the tablets but over the last couple of nights I have been having really bad nightmares which have woken me up in a terrible state, confused and suffering with nightsweats - I've never experienced these symptoms before. Today, I have been suffering from a very bad headaches, eyestrain and at several points throughout the day, found my legs, feet and hands tingling AND my normally quick mind has gone to pot! I couldn't remember how to carry out simple tasks that I normally do as part of my job.

I returned home from work, still feelling ill with the aches and my worsening headache (bad flu symptoms) and decided to look for side-effects to Simvastatin. I found this website, read through the list of experiences and have decided to stop taking the medication IMMEDIATELY!

I will see how I am feeling over the next few days and keep you updated with my progress.

All sounds like symptoms of statin poisoning. Go to lipitor side effects another statin. I was on your one and very very nearly died. Also go to spacedoc dot com you will really learn. Check all of bobby and drmike profile and answers on this site (lipitor) these 2 are informed and a huge help to a lot of us. You would probably really benifit from coq10 but it must be the UBIQUINOL form (3-5 times more effective than other formulations) 2 - 3 x 100 mgs per day plus magnessium citrate powder 400 mgs per day these were both recommended to me and helped considerably. Be patient in the end it comes right for most people. Best for your health.

Ditto all your symptoms. I am off S just now till I see my GP a week Monday. Still dont feel 100% - have been off for one week and only took this 40mg dose for one week. I have just ordered from Amazon The Great Cholesterol Con by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick. Dont know if you are in UK but GM TV Dr. recommended to read it!! I have felt so sick, so tired, aching joints (maybe the joint problem is just a coincidence) but the rest is not. I dont have any enthusiasm and still feel tired and really down.