Lipitor and shuffle

I recently lost about 25 lbs and decided after about 8 years of 10 mg of lipitor, to go off of it, cold turkey. I consulted both my MD and my pharmacist about whether or not I should wean, and both declined.

I now feel that my sweats, hot flashes are out of control. I am so hot and tired. I feel as though I cannot do the daily functions that I am responsible for.

I truly had NO side effects that I know of ON the drug. I just figured I'd see how I do now that I lost some weight. I wonder if going OFF lipitor is dangerous?

If anyone knows, please reply!

Thank you!

I'm 57 years old and have been on Lipitor for probably 5-7 years (was initially on ZOCOR). I have neuropathy in both feet and have recently begun to have muscle aches in my legs and lower back - have the "lipitor shuffle" and have to take a few minutes to get my balance and fluid movement when I begin to walk after sitting for any length of time. I think it is strange that they reference a "seldom but dangerous" side effect concerning the muscles "which should be reported to your Doctor immediately" As others, my GP who is an internist is very much a statins guy - even went so far as to reference that Lipitor could possibly reduce the chances of Stroke.... After reading the stories on this website, I'm setriously considering dropping my Lipitor and reverting to Viatmins and Diet to moderate my Cholesterol.....Any suggestions?

My brother is taking Lipitor for bad cholestrol. He displays symptons of feet not wanting to walk if he gets up at night - he seems to shuffle. Is it possible this is due to the Lipitor? he is in his 63rd year. Thank you. Joyce Dykman

I'm just really looking for more information on this. My husband has been taking Lipitor for a little over a year. He has had the restless leg thing at night - in his sleep. His right foot constantly feels like he's walking on a wadded up sock. The doc prescribed B-complex for this. And just within the last month he has been losing his balance alot, and I've recently noticed that he no longer walks - it's more of a shuffle - almost like his knees are bent all the time while he's walking. He says his legs hurt most of the time. I made an appt. with the doc for him. He is having him tested for nerve damage. This is really scary. He is 52. Does anyone have advice? Do you know if this will reverse? He stopped taking the Lipitor two weeks ago.

My husband was also recently diagnosed with Parkinson's. He just turned 60, was active and healthy, but had according to the new guidelines high cholesterol. When he first started the "shuffle", muscle pain and weakness, sore joints, etc. his doctor's first thoughts were the symptoms might be caused by Lipitor. He was told to stop taking Lipitor for two weeks. His condition didn't improved and he was instructed to start taking the Lipitor again and his doctor referred him to a neurologist. After testing the neurologist diagnosed early Parkinson's. The neurologist also said that there is no test to determine if a patient has Parkinson's, i.e. blood test, and that the diagnosis is based on the physical condition of the patient. The neurologist gave my husband a prescription for the Parkinson's and when I picked it up I spoke to the pharmacist about the side effects of the Parkinson's and Lipitor medications. He said he would suggest my husband discontinue the use of Lipitor and try other ways to control his cholesterol. I found his comments very interesting and started researching Lipitor. After reading page after page of the same side effects I'm certain my husband's diagnosis is incorrect and all the symptoms are side effects of Lipitor. A week ago he took my advice and stopped taking the Lipitor. He said the dizziness is mostly gone and I think his walking and arm movements have improved, but he has a long way to go and hopefully, the side effects are reversible.