Lipitor and cholesterol

I'm a 47 year old male, with no medical problems except high colersterol. I took lipitor for a few months. After the first month, I noticed the general weekness in my legs and stiffining of my achilies tendon. By the third month, these problems continued to worsen. My achilies tendon would be so tight, I had to stretch my foot for a few minutes before getting up in the morning. Then, after getting up, I'd walk like Frankinstein for awhile. My achillies tendon was sore all day, and my legs were weak. My legs felt like there wasn't any blood or strenght in them; I felt like an old man who's leg were atrophing.

Anyway, I was playing tennis one night, and a friend noticed I wasn't moving. My wife remarked that I was on Lipitor, and we think it's hurting my legs. This friend knew of several people, including his father, that had experience the exact same problem. I quit taking Lipitor that very day. Since then, I've talked with others, and many have had this same side affect.

Please note, two guys in my office are taking Lipitor with no problem, so, it not universal. However, I believe it more common that the medical establishment is reveling. From what I've briefly read, Lipitor block the production cholesterol, but also blocks the production of CoQ10, dolichols and other vital liver biochemicals needed for healthy muscels and tendons.

I've been off Lipitor for a couple months, and my legs and achilies tendon are good. Not a 100%, but good. I still experience moderate stiffness in my achilies tendon the morning after playing tennis and very stight stiffness otherwise. During the day, my achilies tendon feels fairly normal, and my leg strengh feels normal.

I'm not a hypochondriac; however, I have no doubt, this drug is dangerous and causes muscle and tendon stiffness and damage.

can someone tell me the side effects of stoping Lipitor? I want to STOP....
w/o going into cardic arrest, been on it several months, 10 mg....
Chlos droped to 167......all other Blood work is great!!
so can I stop ?

Whilst taking Lipitor...Life wasn't worth living.....it felt like electric shocks zapping the muscles in my back and shoulder. I just couldnt live with the pain in my muscles and joints. Doctor changed me to Ezetrol to lower my cholesterol which only gave minimal pain in my shoulder and joints and this time even my fingers. I tried CQ10 but it never really stopped the pain. I read on the internet that TUMERIC (spice) helps clense the liver, and is a powerful antioxidant and anti inflammatory....AND IT WORKED for me....NOW I WONT MISS TAKING IT FOR FEAR OF PAIN RETURNING.
I take 1 teaspoon morning and 1 teaspoon evening in small amount of water to swallow {it tastes disgusting} Now I buy empty gel capsules from chemist size "000" and fill them with Tumeric, so taking 2 capsules morning and 2 capsules evening is more bearable.....I would recommend this to anyone, but first check with your chemist or healthfood store that it is safe for you.

I have been taking Lipitor for about 2 months. I have gained weight and found this site when I was searching for Lipitor and weight gain. I am scared because I get on the scales each morning and I have gained another half pound. I am going to quit taking it and see if the weight gain stops. I weighed 133 when I started taking it. This morning when I got on the scales I weighed 137.6. I am going to try and control my cholestral with diet!!

Pfizer and the rest of the pharmaceutical companies rule this country, and it seems to me, control our doctors as well. I am a young woman, athletic, a health-nut, my eating habits have always been excellent; HOWEVER, my body naturally produces an "excess" amount of cholesterol. My total cholesterol ranges from 215 to 250. It tends to fluctuate. High cholesterol is the only “contributing factor” I have of the multitude of abominable factors (the main one being STRESS). From what I have read, it seems to me that the "acceptable" total number, according to the AMA, has been gradually lowered over the years. In the 1990s it was acceptable to have a total number no higher than 250. Now, the number needs to be below 200. I smell a rat. This rat is the drug companies aiming to get as many healthy, young people on these statin drugs. It is actually quite sinister, in my opinion.

Before I became aware of this nonsense, I too, was prescribed Lipitor. I took Lipitor for about 4 years - 20 mg. During my fourth year I experienced muscle spasms, and on one occasion experienced thigh numbness in a very small narrow area that lasted for 24 hours. I told my doctor about this and he gave me a grocery list of the possible causes as to why this was happening, of course, not one of the reasons he rattled off was Lipitor. I took myself off of the drug and changed doctors. I now go to a holistic/Integrative medicine specialist (you know, the ones that are very knowledgeable about the natural approach, but lack the support of health insurance companies. For some reason we still live in era of 1692 as the health insurance companies are fearful of these so-called “voodoo/witch” doctors; therefore, refuse to carry them). My new doctor has been most helpful, and has alleviated much stress for me by relaying the TRUE realities of cholesterol that this society has built up into such a monster. I am now working on lowering my cholesterol naturally by NOT changing my eating habits as though they were poor to begin with, but adding foods that combat cholesterol. My spasms have subsided, but I do get an occasional twitch here and there. I am hoping it will go away altogether over time.

I would suggest that you all look into alternative medicine. Mainstream doctors are too busy, too entrenched in conventional medicine that is dictated by drug companies who are getting filthy rich at the expense of our health!

I've been on Lipitor for three years. I've been having pain in my hip joints. I also have had swelling of the lips and eyelides. Has anyone else had swelling as a symptom?

only been on lipitor 10mg for a week, already so tired all of the time, mouth very sore, bloated out 4 inches on stomach and constipated...what on earth are these medics doing to us? my GP says she will try another statin....Oh no she won't...informed choice and all that..its good diet and excersize for me. I will live with my 6.9 chol. my fatty liver etc. I am 51 dont drink or smoke and am usually alert and active...on this stuff I am feeling like I have been sedated. Oh and blurred vision

I have only been taking lipitor 10mg for a week, I am so bloated, exhausted, blurred vision in the evening....I am stopping this nonsence tonight!

I've been taking Lipitor for over two years. I have been to 3 doctors about the rash on the bottom of my feet and ankles. If they knew what is was, they didn't tell me. They all gave my oral steroids and ointment. It comes back as soon as I stop. By reading this site, it has to be the Lipitor. Damn it!!! I have spent a fortune and been scared and miserable just because idiot doctors never asked about my medication. I literally feel sick to my stomach as I type this.

I am 53, 114 lbs, and in good health. I eat healthy but exercise moderately, not regularly as I should. My cholesterol registered 280 with an increase in my LDLs and an decrease in my HDLs. I started taking fish oil omega 3, eating much healthier, no saturated fats in diet. The doctor prescribed 20 mg of Lipitor once at night. I just started to take it on day 2 with no side effects however, I have noticed insominia even when I took melatonin 10mg it didn't work. I am afraid to continue taking this drug after reading all the side effects. I thought about taking red yeast rice but the FDA has removed the lovastrin from the product so it is only good for maintaining healthy levels. It doesn't lower cholesterol wo the lovastrin included. I have also tried taking the new centrum that contains a natural product from a plant that lowers cholestrol.

I was going to try the lipitor for a month, at 10 mg, and then take it every other day once the cholesteral drops to a respectable level.

My question to those here who experience joint pain: do you take a Q10 enzyme supplement with the Lipitor? Merck has patented a Statin drug that now includes Q10 the enzme that Lipitor depletes which is said to contribute to joint pain. Also drink plenty of water to filter your liver and kidneys.

After 7 years plus on Lipitor starting at 10mg and 5 years ago going up to 20mg I think I have experienced it all. I have literally experienced I feel every side effect possible but was oblivious because my doctor didn't advise me that it was the Lipitor when I complained. Because of my age he always put my complaints down to peri-menopause. Every bone in my body ached every joint every muscle, but because my job was very physical I thought it was my work. I would take two weeks holiday but my body never seemed to recover. I gained weight and contracted an ugly dimpled midriff and stomach which I had never had but this was always attributed to peri-menopause. My hair started to fall out 2 years ago and my long thick blonde tresses became like a rats tail. The hair fall was put down to iron deficiency but did not stop for nearly 8 months even though I took double the recommended daily dose with vitamin C for absorbtion. The worst part was the loss of speech and not being able to finish a sentence due to not being able to remember a word. Next was the agressiveness and the depression that nearly tore apart my marriage. That too although it was supposed to be handled by hormonal drugs I believe was partly to blame due to the Lipitor. Then the insomnia over the last year has been worst. I think after 7 years I had finally completely poisoned my system and was awake for a week at a time....no drugs would help. Then the week before Christmas I woke up screaming as my arm had become numb and tingly like I had slept on it funny but the joint pain was out of control. Boxing Day 09 I put the drugs in the cupboard and vowed never to take them again. It has only been 7 days and I have slept 12 to 14 hours a night (thank goodness I am on holidays) my stomach and midriff have almost dissappeared I am clearer in the head than I have been in a long time, my shoulders still ache a little but I am not running to make an appointment with my osteopath or remedial masseues, the dry mouth is dissapating and I walked 2 hours on the beach yesterday at high tide on soft sand which I have not been able to do for 5 years without complaining of sore muscles/joints etc. This stuff is poison....I will never touch it again and wonder how much of my quality of life it has stolen from me over the years as I felt so bad I could not or didn't feel I could participate in life. I am mid 40's so plan to change everything, starting with going to a good Natropath. I eat a fantastic balanced diet but if I have to give up dairy and red meat so be it. I want my life back and a chance to make it up to a husband who stuck by and watched his wife deteriorate over 7 years and relied on my doctors advice. High CHL won't kill you and in my case it was or is hereditory due to Mediterranean decent but all my family live to their mid 90's. I went Cold Turkey and wished I had done it years ago.......Don't touch this poison.

I have been taking Liptor for a couple of years with no drastic side effects but last spring i suddenly developed a blister like rash on the soles of my feet and on the inside arch. I presumed it was from the heat as I come from a warm climate.my doctor put it down to a bacterial infection. i medicated with creams all summer . there were times that it got better but never cleared completely. looking forward to the cold winter in the hope that it would go away. no such luck. i began to suspect that maybe it could be an allergic reaction to medication. now reading about all these side effects i wonder if Liptor is causing it. Has anyone else had this problem. its driving me crazy

I've been taking Lipitor for about five years. Several months ago I started getting an ache in my left leg which progressively got worse during the night so that by morning I was tossing and turning, trying to get in a comfortable position. Yesterday I woke up with hip pain on the left side so bad I could hardly get out of bed. Last night I got very little sleep on account of the pain, which was dull, deep and throbbing, like a tooth-ache. Starting today I'm going off the Lipitor just to see what happens. If there's improvement, I'm going to ask my doctor to put me on another statin, because it's important to keep the cholestorel down.

I am a 54 year old woman with a family history of heart disease and premature death. Even though my cholestrol levels fall within the normal range, because of my family history I was prescribed a low dose of lipitor just over two weeks ago. After only 1 week I began experiencing tingling all over my body, from tips of toes to my scalp. I also felt nauseous, irritable and tired. I persisted for another week on lipitor thinking I may need to just ride it out. However tingling has worsened so I stopped the medication two days ago after being on it for just over two weeks. I still have the tingling, however it has only been two days since I stopped the medication so am hoping there is no long term damage.
Carolyn

I took myself off Simvastatins three weeks ago,as I had been to the Dr and he said just soldier on ,but I was really feeling ill,so took the decision to come off statins after looking into the internet we all are suffering the same symptoms more or less . I was on them two years I had slowed dowed down ,couldn't think , was being sick ,had diarrhea and constipation ,cramps ,cramp in my legs , depression,coughing ,memory loss,and speec difficulty,I couldn't get a word out ,it was coming out rubbish !!!!!!!1 must say in only three weeks being off the dreaded Simvastatins Im coming back to life again I have a cholesterol reading of 2,this is living here in Scotland dont know what that reads anywhere else,good luck everyone ,yes I agree time to listen to our bodies and not just as I was told to soldier on !!!!!!!

I was taking 10mg of Lipitor for years, with no noticeable side effects. However, last April, I had 2 stents put in and the doctor increased the Lipitor to 40mg. I immediately started suffering from extreme constipation, and it seems to get worse all the time. I also started taking Plavix, but I have not seen any information on Plavix and constipation. (64 year old male)

I have been on Lipitor for a year. I could walk ten miles without leg Fatigue before lipitor but walking a mile is killing me I know it is the lipitor I cant find a doctor who admits this plus I am limited to Medicare doctors only. Is there a doctor that can advise me how to stop the use so I can walk my miles which should be better for my heart? I can change my diet.

After just a couple months on 40 mg of Lipitor, I experienced a serious allergic side effect with very swollen lips, area around the mouth, and facial cheek area with skin peeling. Also, pain and much weakness in my right shoulder. Had to use the left hand to help the right hand lift anything. Problems were starting with other joints when I stopped taking the Lipitor on my own. Within three days the face was healed and the problem did not return. Shoulder also is much better. Will NEVER take that med again!

My husband has been taking Lipitor for the last three years, along with lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure. Back in the summer he noticed that he had tingling and numbness in his left arm, and eventually he felt it in both legs and even complained to his doctor when he went for a physical, but the doctor had no idea what it could be. Then the charley horses and muscle spasms started but nothing was done.
But in late October he came home from work and started feeling light headed when standing up from a sitting position and we tested his blood pressure, which was dangerously low. Off to the ER he went, and spent the night in the hospital after being admitted for observation. He had mentioned the pain, numbness and tingling in his left arm but no one addressed this, and he was released the next day after having no other issues. By the way, after an IV of saline he perked right up and felt immediately better, but they kept him over night anyway.

The following week he followed up with his primary doctor who paid attention to his apparent weakness in his arm and legs after testing reflexes. He ordered an MRI of his brain which he had the next day. The doctor called that very afternoon and threw out things like MS or eschemia and referred him to a neurologist. So off we went to the neurologist and had more bloodwork and more MRI's of his spine and neck. After reviewing all the scans.......don't know why he is feeling this way. I brought up medications: Lipitor and she said oh no, this shows up bilaterally and it can't be. He is experiencing pain, numbness and tingling in both arms and legs and having muscle spasms in both legs that seem to go up his legs and stop him in his tracks. He walks with pain but keeps walking.

After reading these posts, I am convinced it could be the lipitor....am I wrong? I had him read some of these posts and he decided to go off and see what happens. Any advice would greatly help.

I am a 58 year old white female taking 10 mg Lipitor for a couple years along with hydrochlorthiazide for high blood pressure and Effexor for depression. On Sunday night I was awakened by sharp intractable pain in my right thigh. Neither aspirin nor Tylenol reduced the pain at all. As Monday progressed my thigh, above and below my knee began to swell and throb, reduce my range of motion, and continue to cause increasing pain. It was the worst pain I have ever experienced. I finally could bear no weight on that leg. It was warm, swollen, and tender to the touch. Nothing made it better. I was alternately hot and chilled. I went to the ER where they did xrays and tried four times to tap what they thought must be an effusion. But there was no fluid in the joint space and the joint looked good on xray. They gave me an orthopedic referral, pain medication, and crutches. I now think I suffered extreme and sudden toxic side effects to the Lipitor I stopped taking on Monday because I could not hold anything down - another side effect of the Motrin. My range of motion in the right knee is much improved but the swelling and discomfort is decreased but not gone. I hope that it will improve over time. I had originally thought I was suffering from overuse of the muscles but I had not done anything unusual beyond my usual yoga, walking, strength training.

I started using 10mg Lipitor a little over a year ago to lower my cholesterol. Three months after starting Lipitor, my left leg began to hurt (mainly my left knee) but other areas of my leg were effected. I asked my doctor about this and he said that it probably wasn't the Lipitor since if it was the Lipitor causing my problem then the pain would be on both sides of my body. The Lipitor worked really well on my cholesterol (Lowered it by 47% in three months). I wanted to believe my doctor since the Lipitor was working and the pain in my leg had faded to the point of being no problem at all. Then one day "Wham" the pain really came back. I went to my doctor. He had me do a lot of medical tests (blood, Xray of my left knee, and EMG). All the tests came back normal with the exception of the EMG which showed that I have neuropathy. I went on the internet and asked: Does Lipitor cause neuropathy. The response that I got floored me. It said "Neuropathy is widely known to be associated with statin drug use". Goes without saying that I stopped using Lipitor but now how about Lipitor withdrawal. Now both of my legs hurt. The big toe on my right foot has a stabbing pain. My back hurts. My neck hurts. My arms feel weak. I'm really all to pieces here. I really want to maintain my current position of being above ground but there is a real good chance that I could very well be on the way out.

I'm the 70 year old woman who posted my severe side effects from Lipitor, a few weeks ago and that I had stopped taking it.

Well good news, I now feel 99% better. I can walk again up the stairs and get out of my car without any problems. My atopic dermatitis, eczema has almost completely cleared up, all this happened after taking Lipitor for 4 years. This is just amazing to me and I thank God I discovered the culprit before it went on any further. Wow all this due to unnecessary prescribing of a drug.

Plus I had gone to a foot doctor about the pain and rash in my feet and ankle, he didn't ask me what drugs I was taking at all and that should have been the first obvious question. The foot doctor said it was eczema and inflammation only, no mention of it being drug induced. Another doctor said it was not my hip, but my knee, again, inflammation.
Good news, I now have no inflammation, swelling and pain is all gone! I feel like a new, regular, normal human being again :D

So this is a warning and a good proof to all of you with muscle & joint problems after being prescribed Statins/Lipitor. Stop taking it as a test and see if you get better. It's now been 1 1/2 months since I stopped taking it, I'm 99% better :D I can walk up the stairs and get out of my car without a problem now. My atopic dermatitis is 99% gone :D This is after I had been on 20mg Lipitor for four years when it started.

If I hadn't realized this and done my own research thru the marvelous internet I'm sure I would have been told I needed knee or hip surgery. Then of course prescribed even more dangerous unnecessary drugs.
It's a vicious cycle, doctors prescribing more and more drugs to combat the side effects they don't contribute to other problems. I'm glad I did, I won't take any ore drugs without doing my own research for now on.

I read that to much homocysteine in the blood my be responsible for heart disease, not cholesterol and to lower this naturally, the same way as high cholesterol with the correct foods, mainly greens and supplements of minerals and B complex. I read it here, always great articles of truths,
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/12/05/Does-High-Cholesterol-REALLY-Cause-Heart-Disease.aspx.

THE BEST OF BETTER HEALTH TO ALL OF YOU. MY ADVICE? STAY AWAY FROM DOCTORS, GO ONLY WHEN YOU MUST. TAKE DRUGS ONLY IF YOU MUST AND NO OTHER NATURAL REMEDY AND AS A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH ONLY. OTHERWISE TRY ALL NATURAL OLD FASHIONED REMEDIES FOR AILMENTS FIRST AND FOREMOST. BEST TO YOU ALL :D

I am a 37 year old man who weighed approximately 188lbs when I prescribed 20mg of Lipitor and fish oil to combat my high triglycerides(437) and my high total cholesterol(212) in August of 2009. I have a high stress job and was experiencing occasional chest pain and heart palpitations. In addition, I have psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis and take Enbrel injections weekly. Prior to taking Lipitor, I had normal liver function tests.

At the same time that I began the fish oil and Lipitor, I began to change my eating habits and began a regular exercise routine. I began to feel better and lose weight. I was enthused about my progress. I took my Lipitor at night, however, I found it difficult to get up in the mornings and I was a little more tired than normal.

Roughly 3 months after beginning Lipitor, I developed a condition of EXTREME thirst. Blood tests from my doctor revealed elevated Liver Levels. His first inclination was that it was Lipitor so I stopped taking it ASAP. A subsequent test a week later indicated little improvement in my liver tests. My doctor suggested we give it two more weeks to test it. I just got my tests back and they actually increased!(ALT 197, AST 90, ALP 571).

My cardiologist does not have anything to suggest other than the possibility of a fatty liver, gall stones, or liver disease. His recommendation was that I get an ultrasound next week of my liver and meet with a GI doctor.

My excessive thirst and fatigue continues. I am not jaundiced but I do frequently experience dark urine. I weigh myself every morning and my weight is now down to 174. I seem to be losing very gradual weight now though my eating habits have returned to my old routine. This worries me. I am now worried that this drug triggered something terrible in my system. Does anyone have any advice?

I started taking Lipitor in April 2009 and my Dr prescribed 10 mg per day. As I usually have negative reactions to medications I compromised & agreed to take it every other day. I am a healthy 56 year old woman and the only medication I take is hormone replacement therapy. I am also in pretty good shape physically. At the end of July I herniated two disc's in my lower back, the L6 & L7, after a day of normal yard work. I could not move for two days and experienced the worst pain of my life. At the time I did not make any connection between Lipitor and this event. The recovery was slow and painful. In Sept I also began to experience sharp pains in my thigh. I read the side effects again regarding Lipitor and determined that this drug is most likely the cause. I decided to stop taking the drug and after three to four weeks the thigh muscle pain disappeared and my back pain significant decreased. Just to make sure I was not imaging the whole thing I took Lipitor twice in the past week and my back pain symptoms returned and I experienced the muscle pain in my thigh again. I was so bad it woke me up. After reading more about Lipitor and the effect it is having on my quality of life I am done with this drug. Although it did reduce my cholesterol I will find another way to control the LDL's & HDL's.

2 genetic mutations in the gene that encodes for the transporter protein responsible for moving anti cholesterol statin drugs into the liver to be detoxified. have been identified. This gene is "SLCO1B1" (also referred to in the scientific lit as "OATP1B1"). Drugs must be "detoxified" by organs within the body and then eliminated, otherwise the drug stays in the blood stream, building up to toxic levels. With either of the 2 mutations, statins have been found to be (from various studies) anywhere from 122% to 400% ABOVE NORMAL plasma statin levels. How many people have either of these mutations? (Population genetic studies were done in Finland on Caucasian pop--so all the #'s refer to Caucasian population) 25 % to 38% of ALL Caucasian possess one of these 2 mutations. Thus, for however many yrs someone with one of these mutations has taken a statin, the level of the statin in their blood stream conceiveably could have been 400% ABOVE normal statin levels. ALll those pharmacologic effects of statins--decreased coenzyme q10, depressed manufacture of dolichols, depressed manufacture of selnproteins and thus glutathione, interrupted production of GTPases and glycoprotein function, decreased brain cholesterol levels--neuron synapses and new growth of neurons depend upon brain choelsterol--are intensified unrelentingly for the length of time the drug is taken.

I am 39 years old and work for an interventional cardiology medical device company in Tokyo, and so know the importance of controling one's cholesterol, keeping the LDL's low and the HDL's high. About two years ago, my doctor put me on 10 mg of Lipitor. Several months later I herniated a disc in my neck between C6&C7. From that point onward, I attributed all of my neck and back pain, and newly acquired total body muscle and joint pain, to the herniated disc, it made the most sense. Over the last seven months, I have really worked on my diet and began to exercise more (even though quite painful) and was able to lower my cholesterol. This resulted in my doctor lowering my Lipitor prescription from 10 mg to 5 mg. I noticed a slight alleviation of the pain I felt in my hip joints and calves. About two weeks ago I took myself off Lipitor completely and found further improvements in my total body muscle and joint pain. It's still there but greatly improved. In retrospect, I now believe the Lipitor may have been the culprit (or at least a contributing factor) to my herniated disc due to muscle degeneration in the neck, and all of the subsequent muscle pain, especially in my hips and calves. I fully understand I am not going to die from calf-pain, but may from heart disease. However, I have found my quality of life has improved tremendously over the last few weeks. Less irritability, better sleep, less pain, clearer head. I feel like I have lost two years of my life on Lipitor via personal suffering and lack of ability to do much of anything with my wife and two young daughters. We all need to take charge of our own health and therefore I encourage anyone who feels completely different after taking Lipitor to engage your physician, and make sure its the right option for you. If damage has been done to my musculature I hope I can reverse it. It is evident to me that some serious clinical studies should be done to investigate Lipitor's effect on muscle degradation and hope others will consider carefully whether or not do go on this drug. If you do, monitor yourself closely.

I am a 70 year old woman, I have been on 20mg Lipitor for high cholesterol, 200 total and 25mg of Spironolactone for a not so high blood pressure, for 3 1/2 yrs. Oh, my God, the Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic that is very dangerous and has many uses I didn't know about or the terrible side effects, it causes breast cancer. It's also used to treat women who have an over growth of hairiness, or on a higher dose to treat hair loss and I've gone bald on the top of my head! Plus all of the good foods we're supposed to eat for high cholesterol, fruit & veggies one isn't to eat on this drug, because of lot's of potassium, what a huge contradiction. And muscle pains, and rashes, (eczema, atopic dermatitis) that I've suffered from both.
Anyway, Lipitor, had know idea about the side effects until I looked it up on the internet and read these posts on here.
I stopped taking Lipitor last week and Spironolactone 2 days ago.
I had cholesterol test last week too and saw my dr. Wednesday. He said it was okay that I stopped the Lipitor, but not the other one, why not the other one worse then Lipitor and why am I on this strong drug, geez.
The pain and burning started in my hip for no reason, then my ankles with eczema which started soon after Lipitor, then my fingers, numbness, can't pick things up, tingling, burning. Then my feet, yes, just like all of you I have these same problems. This is not just coincidental, this is from the drug Lipitor. I get severe joint cramps in my legs, feet and fingers.
For now on before I take any drug I've prescribed I will thoroughly check for side effects and not take it if they're seriously impairing like Lipitor. I feel like a cripple and older then I should feel, I almost just felt like why live anymore if this is how it's going to be.
Since I've stopped Lipitor I feel a little better, I read that it causes permanent muscle and nerve damage though, oh I hope not, I can barely walk anymore or get up out of my chair. This is all drug induced toxicity of my system. Thanks so much everyone who posted for sharing and enlightening all of us who are suffering from this drug and others.
It should be banned along with Baycol, (a statin) which was banned a few months ago because of these same side effects. With the studies that it only helps maybe to prevent heart attack, well I'd rather be able to walk again and hopefully all this will go away, the rash, etc.

Dizziness, back ache, severe hip and shoulder pain, transient global amnesia, after discontinued taking of Lipitor, speech problems, loss of words.

I have been on and off Lipitor for 2 years approx.
After a typical week on LIP I have left arm weakness, can't breathe fully, can't walk far, my pulse slows down to almost nothing, I get chest pains, my left side chest and around my shoulder is in such pain that if I try to gasp for a deeper breath my heart starts jumping missing beats. If I have some cheerios (low bad stuff) with soy milk (cow products are bad for anyone middle age or above) I can push what ever it is through my system to make it through the night; however if I don't have something to eat or an aspirin I'm sure with the worsening shooting chest pain and shooting pain in my neck and left hemisphere of my head area with accompanying foggy feeling, i'm really feeling that i'm having a stroke....
Get off th LIP and you heart muscle will attempt to repair itself somewhat.
There may be long term damage, so this needs to be solved.

On separate notes:The food companies like Zehrs keep adding fats and sugars into our foods, then the drug companies and doctors are scooping wads of cash to treat the symptoms. When they finally forced the food companies to eliminate trans fats from kids snacks, they added twice as much sugar so now along with obesity they can get diabetes. They rarely work on a cure or fixing the problems because they won't make money on it....
I find it strange that a lot of ladies getting cancer are working hard to raise money for treatments (the pink ribbon effort) but no-one will speak up against all these companies dumping tigger chemicals into our environment (water, air, landfills, products etc) as long as we all have cool hair dyes and appliances and stuff that is on the market making dollars before properly tested. We are the guinea pigs especially now that we are eating cr_p from China.... Guys, get off the drugs if you can;;; Too bad also, my kids are getting bombarded by tv commercials pushing sugar cereals and drugs for every little problem which cause worse side effects. I would like to invent a new good pill so I can become rich!!! ...Thanks, I have enjoyed reading that a lot of people are having similar side effects that I have had.
A higher power (not Al Gore) has given us internet technology to help solve a lot of problems, and protect innocent people from the huge worldwide companies. They have the money, we have the internet hopefully to use for the common good.
P.S. Nothing against Al, He is a great leader trying to do good things for mankind.

Joint pain in fingers, joint pain in knuckles, wrist weakness after a week on 10 mg daily dose of Zetia. Amazing reduction in bad cholesterol and triglycerides when used with daily maximum 80 mg dose. Zetia was discontinued because of these painful side effects. 68 year old male.

Just had to comment on these side effects I'm reading about Lipitor and other Statin drugs. I don't take anything and I never will after finding this site. Guess what, I have had high cholesterol since I was in my early 20's. When I say high... it ranged from 240 - 260...remember when 250 was OK? Well folks, it's 30 years later, my cholesterol is just about the same range, and Oh My GOD...I'm still here without any drugs.!!! They lowered the range so they could pass out the pills!!! Greed, greed, greed. Do you wonder why our Healthcare system is out of control? Well, when you keep feeding people medications that are presenting the side effects they do, making them sicker, they just keep testing and testing and testing for other things. Let's do blood work, MRI's, CAT Scans, Spect Scans, Pet Scans...Scan away...and guess what...all comes back OK...hmmmm why not look at the drugs you're prescribing. We need to see "all the side effects" listed. Not just some. They're misdiagnosing, Alzheimers, Fibromyalgia, MS, Lupus, Dementia, Arthritis, and on and on when it's been the drugs causing the diseases!
Ween off everything and anything you can...take your chances...when God wants you, he's going to come and get you no matter what you're doing...right or wrong!

I am a 52 year old female and my bad cholesterol is fine but my good cholesterol is low. I have been taking Lipitor now for a few years and have numb hands and feet to the elbows and knees. My feet are extremely sensitive, worse at night and now I'm getting sharp pains that feel like a bug just bit me. My tongue is also always numb and I do get migraines.I have insane stomach issues and food intolerance. I also take medication for high blood pressure, acid reflux, & thyroid. I have now been diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes but control that with diet so far. Until four years ago I had nothing wrong with me. I am slim and healthy. I had a lump in my thyroid which was removed and there was a trace of cancer. Then like dominos all the other conditions lined up. I have had MRIs and all the tests and doctors insist that I am not a severe enough diabetic to have neuropathy. I can hardly wear shoes now and it hurts when I wear runners while I walk and exercise. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? I hate that my health has become so much a part of my daily life. Does anyone have neuropathy as a result of Lipitor and am I even taking the the right medication since I don't have high cholesterol?

I am a generally active and fairly healthy 77 yr old who had been taking 10 mg of Lipitor for over 12 years with no obvious adverse effects. Recently I started having pain in my right leg, severe enough to wake me at night. This was followed by a significant weakness in both legs, and for a while, accompanied by a lightheartedness. The doctor had me take a series of lumbar and leg x-rays which didn't show much of significance. He wrote a prescription for physical therapy, which I did not follow.
I did internet research on my own which made me aware that Lipitor could be the cause, in spite of the fact that I had tolerating the drug for so many years. I told the Doctor of my suspicions and we agree to stop the Lipitor for at least 6 weeks to see. A few days later, all my symptoms were gone. So be cautious, adverse effects from Lipitor can occur anytime.

Well I have been on Lipitor 80mg for years (family history of high cholesterol) although no hearts attacks/strokes ever been attributed to the h/chol....without sounding like I'm a hypo I have 3 disk out in my lower back & years ago suffered intense back as a result...the pain which seems to be now all over is horrid ...I have been thinking that it was perhaps arthritis & old age (59yrs).....several months ago I mentioned it to doctor he said Lipitor could cause side effects but he'd keep an eye on it....well this morning after googling "Lipitor" iv'e made a decision & that is to get rid of this medication...everything I'm reading sounds just like what I have been experiencing...thanks for the input I think I have come to realize that it is the medication that is causing all my problems.

I have been on LIPITOR for years 10mg. at least 8years my doctor told me as long as my blood tests were normal "I had nothing too worry about" through the years I had so many health problems,along with so many tests I thought this pain was normal.My pain was gradually getting worse I started to think this pain has to be because of my age.I'm 67yrs old. Last week I had an appointment with one of many Drs. I mentioned that I felt more pain than usual when I told him I was taking Lipitor he was concerned I was told this medication I should stop but it was up to me if I wanted too or not. I had an appointment with another doctor the same day to found out the results of all my blood tests. I was pleased that all my blood were within normal range but there was the blood test for muscle enzyme,CPK was mildly elevated. I was told that Lipitor could make that test elevated. I had another test that that day and was called and was told that that blood test was elevated a little more.I have been off Lipitor for one week now and never going back to taking Lipitor again. I'm so glad I found out about Lipitor and the damage it could do to your health. I'm also grateful for finding this sight by accident. I hope one day I will feel better also I'm not going back to the Dr. that started me on Lipitor and wanted me to stay on it!

After several attempts to lower my cholesterol, my doctor has settled on 40 mg of Lipitor, but, after reading these comments, I'm going to self-medicate and work my way off the drug completely. My main complaint is the fatigue and brain fog others have experienced. I do have a shoulder that has developed pain and weakness, and my legs don't seem to be as strong as they used to be, but it's the fatigue and memory/cognitive slowness that concern me the most. Also, like others, I assumed it was normal aging (I'm 58 and have been on statins for about eight years). I'll report my results after getting this stuff out of my system. Good luck to everyone going through this...we're not crazy after all, huh?

I have been taking Lipitor for about 6 years suddenly developed a rash on my shoulders and chest. My doctor diagnosed SCABIES!!so I treated myself for that then the rash progressed so I had a biopsy done and after 3 months of agony my slin specialist had taken me off Lipitor as theh test showed a reaction to a drug. I am still itchy prickly and burning on arms legs and hands and cannot tolerate cortisone cream so am on tablets for a week..can anyone relate to this condition? My scalp is also very dry and scaly.

i have never taken lipitor and i never will but here's a warning for everyone- there is actually a company that sells reports for stock investors and they are advising people to invest in the company that makes the one of the only drugs used in the management of ALS. they predict that the ALS patient population (code for customers) will grow as a result of all the people on lipitor.

ok, aside from the fact that it made me sick to my stomach that wall street views the potential suffering and death of ALS victims as a business opportunity (what else is new?), this is a pretty good indication that there is a link. it will probably take years for "science" to conclusively state the connection and for the FDA to take lipitor off the market

in the meantime, save your own life. if you're not taking it, don't start. if you are, stop NOW! cholesterol is not the enemy

Now it makes sense why doctors were so eager to prescribe Lipitor. Pfizer has been hit with a 2.3 billion penalty for illegal marketing promotions of 13 drugs that includes LIPITOR. They were awarding doctors free golf, massages, and resort junkets for "pushing" Lipitor, Viagra, Zoloft and 9 other drugs.

I have not had good experiences with various statin drugs through the years. I was on Zocor a few years ago. I suffered from a tripping gait at times (seemed as if the bottom of the toe area would stick to the sidewalk and I felt as if I was going head over heels and balance issues), so much so that I was referred to a neurologist. My internist poo-pooed my symptoms at the time until I mentioned the formation of cataracts. That did it. Zocor stopped. On to Crestor. Crestor was briefly tolerated until I was walking up four flights of stairs. While on the second flight, my legs literally locked. I could not raise my legs (thigh muscles had tightened so badly, that I had to stop, regroup, and start again. Next course after a brief respite, Lipitor. I am taking between 5 and 10 mg. as tolerated.

I have had issues with Lipitor as well, despite the 'pediatric' dose. I have felt occasional ankle tweaks, and most recently over this past weekend, upon going down a flight of stairs, my left knee buckled. Thank goodness I did not fall, but the weakness was there for the day. I have not taken Lipitor since last Friday night. My cholesterol level (off the statins) had reached a high of 357. As of the last testing (my first after being started on Lipitor), it was 255 - my LDL was 137. I know that if I stop the medication that the numbers will start to rise. This yo-yo effect is very frustrating but my overall well-being is of my utmost concern. Both parents had heart disease. My father passed away at 63 years of age (heart attack, recuperation, then massive heart attack 22 months later), and my mother had angina pectoris, bypass surgery and recurrence of blockages, only to die from multiple myeloma at the age of 89. My newest symptom is pain in the right side, outer portion of the rib cage area. This started two days ago. I had this when I was on Welchol as well.

It appears to be, not quite all the facts in yet, but my cardiologist put me on a Lipitor hiatis to see if some of my arrhythmia issues, dizziness and light headedness may be associated with Lipitor.
After just 4 days, I am feeling pretty good! Could be placebo? I don't think so.
After being taken from work in an ambulance to the hospital and experiencing 48 hours worth of testing for a possible coronary, I asked my doctor to examine the possibility of Lipitor causing the symptoms.
I do not have a family history of heart disease. I eat well and am a moderate exerciser. When I was bumped up from 20 mg. to 40 mg. around 6 months ago, my symptoms started.
I have to decide now how much of an elevated cholesterol level I am willing to "live" with. My cardiologist said if it turns out to be the Lipitor, we'll try Zocor and maybe get a higher cholesterol level on my labs, but that's okay. How low does the low need to be??

42 and taking Lipitor 40mg for 6 months. No other issues. 20 lbs overweight but also work out 4 times per week and feel to be in good shape. Lower back pain in middle of night that last until I get up out of bed and it started about a month after taking the Lipitor. If I get up, it goes away. Was so bad that I went and bought a sleep number bed thinking it was my old spring bed. Did not get better. Tried not taking the Lipitor for one night and the pain stopped. Took it again the next and it was back. Going to doctor to ask what is up?

I have used Lipitor and/or other satins for many years. I had to get off a generic a year ago and went back to Lipitor. I believe it caused my tinnitus and muscle and nerve issues all over my body. I recently stopped taking it and now 4 weeks later I am getting some relief. I did find something that has really lowered my triglycerides and my cholesterol. It is a brand new diet supplement that contains a new source of omega 3 and antioxidants. contact me and I will give more info on this wonderful all natural wellness product. It really helped me.

I am a 61 year old mail. Two years ago I suffered chest pain resulting in the fitting of two stents was placed on Lipitor and had the usual liver function test which proved normal. Initially I was put on a low dose but as my cholesterol level did not improve eventually I was placed on 80mg which is the highest dose and this did lower my cholesterol level to a satisfactory level. A few months ago I had severe unexplained back pain which I thought might be due to the statin and when I stopped taking it, very quickly the pain went. I have restarted the medication for about 6 weeks now and in the last few days have had intense pain in my lower legs, hips and lumbar region. I have decided now to stop taking the drug and will be seeing my doctor shortly. Although I am taking other medication (amlodipine, perindopril and bisoprolol) for blood pressure I feel quite sure that my intolerable pain is due to the statin.

1 minor heart attack 5 stents placed over past 6 years thru 4 angio episodes. each hospitalization plavix and statins prescribed each time the side effects started within 2-3 weeks, some times sooner . same crap as most...serious leg fatigue, joint pain, skin is tender to touch. But my FAVORITES are the chest/heart pain that mimic heart attack 'feelings' and the 3AM sweat and anxiety/panic attacks.......3 different statins all the same results symptoms
so intense that i have been admitted 3 times for heart cath, ALL false alarms
S-O-O-O DOC what the hell is going on????? ANSWER: must be reflux, must be stress, must be ANYTHING BUT THE STATINS!!!! each time i quit the statins soon after rehospitalization and each time the symptoms went away......last episode was Friday July 31st. i was really bad....constant chest pain and pressure, legs so fatigued that 1 flight of stairs felt like 10 ...shortness of breath...body aches like you feel when first getting the flu etc. etc you guys all know the crap
they rushed me in to the Cath Lab....nothing wrong...must be stress!! must be reflux!!! bullshit. I quit the Lipitor that day
Today is Tuesday.....I am WAY BETTER each time the same thing, on the statins ...feel like crap, get off the statins and feel almost normal within a week
I will NEVER take a statin again
I am lucky that I have been recovering quickly

I had a small stroke associated with weightlifting--my neurologist put me on lipitor 80 mg (despite the fact that my cholesterol was totally normal)--now about 3 months later my liver enzymes have doubled and I have developed a heart arrhythmia I never had before. I have had to go to the emergency department twice from palpitations and diaphoresis

statins are poison...bring back oat bran with niacin...the big drug manufacturers killed it...it is more effective than all the statins in the world...the big drug manufacturers are killing us slowly...

I was taking Lipitor about 15 years ago, and it worked great...My cholesterol went from total: 240, HCL 65 to total 60, HCL 6, yes 6. It has been 15 years and I can not get my HCL past about 25. This stuff is poison!
If that was the only problem I ever had, then no big deal...right...My muscles were destroyed! My CPK reading was almost 2000 and I ached constantly. Nobody should take this garbage, it is pure poison.

Taking Lipitor for about 8 months. A pattern of vomiting attacks every two to four weeks emerged. Usually dizziness and clammy cold sweats precede the attack. Feel perfectly fine again immediately after that vomiting session. Can happen on full or empty stomach. Also usually feel less active and less inclined to initiate tasks at all times, don't seem to be able to think as clearly as I used to. Male aged 67 and generally fit and active. Stopping Lipitor today.

Cholesterol slightly elevated Dr. recommended 10mg dosage. Began experiencing neck and shoulder pain, dizziness, nausea, foot stiffness and leg numbness up to the lower thigh. Voluntarily stopped the medication after four months. All noticed side effects disappeared except for the foot stiffness and leg numbness. It has been 2 1/2 years and these remaining side effects are constant. Not optimistic for recovery. Anyone else with similar symptoms?