Lipitor and thyroid

Glad I took the time to read the noncommercial posts! During my thyroid check last year bloodwork showed high cholesterol. I was put on Crestor in addition to having my Synthroid dose adjusted. A few weeks later I was absolutely miserable. Couldn't get out of bed. Everything hurt. My doctor thought I was "depressed" and asked if I wanted anti-depressants. Not needing to add another pill to my daily repertoire - I declined. Six weeks later I am feeling worse and just want to lay down and cry. The doctor had no idea why I would be feeling that way and was convinced it was either depression or thyroid issue. I was getting ready to leave for a trip to Mexico that had been planned a year in advance and was non-refundable - and I didn't have the strength to even pack the stupid suitcase. The trip was a bust - I laid in a pool chair just feeling crappy. What a waste!

Funny thing - nobody stopped to consider I've had a thyroid problem for 20 years and this horrid nightmare just started after I started taking Crestor! A few weeks later I stopped the Crestor entirely and after a couple of months I felt back to normal. Now, three years later - I've been talked into taking Lipitor. In my naivety (because I explained to the doctor that Crestor made me ill) I trusted that it would be different. It's taken three weeks for me to put two and two together - but here I am again - muscle aches - can't get out of bed. Everything just hurts. My knees, arms, mostly shoulders and in between. With all that is an overall lethargic feeling. Lipitor stops today -and if the pattern continues and I feel better in a few weeks - it's no statins for me ever again. I'll just have to eat like I'm supposed to and hope for the best!

I have been reading about the side effects of lipitor for several days now and am scared silly! I have been taking it for nearly 5 years now. My doc warned me about the muscle weakness/pain when I began taking it, but I didn't have any problems and it definitely provided good results for my cholesterol level. During the past several months though, I've begun to have severe symptoms. Actually, looking back, I realize I've had some of these symptoms for awhile but they were so easily attributable to other causes that I didn't pay close enough attention. I am weak to the point of not being able to walk a city block without being tired; my breathing is so labored sometimes just moving around my apartment is a problem. My knees and lower legs are painful, especially after walking. I get frequent, painful spasms in my lower arms and wrists. My speech has become slurred (I sound drunk) and my voice very hoarse - both so much so that people have trouble understanding me. I have trouble concentrating, am forgetful and am often dizzy and light-headed. I take medication for GERD, hypothyroidism, depression and asthma. But in case you think these symptoms could be from one of those (as I did!), I can assure you that I have had multiple tests which determined my thyroid levels are good, my BP is excellent, I have no signs of cardiac disease or diabetes, no sign of any type of stroke, no signs of any type of cancer or blood disease, no sign of pulmonary problems (other than asthma). I stopped taking Lipitor four days ago after consulting my doc. But I got to tell you, I am scared to death that I've been on this drug so long these symptoms won't go away. Any advice or suggestions would be most welcome.

Have been taking Lipitor for about 11 years. Fairly recently increased dosage from 10mg to 20mg. For about the past week have begun to experience tingling, numbness and general ache in legs, arms, sometimes cheeks and fingers. Spoke to doctor who seems stumped by these symptoms. Will be doing blood tests to test thyroid, anemia, B-12 levels etc.etc.etc. Given what I have read here I can't help but think I know what the problem is. I should mention I had quadruple bypass 12 years ago so the doctor doesn't want any spike in cholesterol levels.

I am totally shocked at what I have learned about Lipitor. My physician prescribed 10mg for me over 4 years ago. No major problems until recently. Severe neck/shoulder pain for about 3 months. Dr said it was a pulled muscle. Gave me Skelaxin. No help. Went to Chiropractor--yanked, cracked, beat, etc--no help. In the past 2 weeks or so I have developed pain in my hips, back and legs. Blamed it on being 52 years old. As I read some of the experiences on here I could relate to each one. I also have gained about 30 pounds in the past 4 years, short term memory is terrible. NO ENERGY> 3 years ago-Dr started me on Wellbutrin for depression, then added Zoloft. I am to the point now I want to get off of all this and see how I could really feel. Not sure about withdrawals. Any comments on stopping the meds?

I now have peripheral neuropathy (numbness, aching, loss of sensation ) in my feet from 4 years of Lipitor use.
I stopped Lipitor 12 months ago and had some small improvement in my feet ie I can now bend my ankle and stand on the balls of my feet and even flex some toes instead of all the toes being stuck together. Formerly my feet did not bend at ankle nor at ball of foot.

The terrible pain felt when I bent my knees has gone and my legs are now more vertical rather than slanting in.
In the course of visits to various specialists it was discouvered thAT MY THYROID WAS UNDER ACTIVE (Hypothroidism).
(Under active thyroid might sometimes have some relation to high cholesterol )
There has been an article in the "Australian Prescriber" August 2005 noting adverse reactions to statin medication in patients with hypothroidism, dehydration, liver disfunction and decreased renal function.
Their checklist for statin-induced muscle symptoms includes:

* muscle aches,tenderness,soreness,weakness or pain
* decreased muscle strength
* difficulty in getting up from a chair
or holding arms above head
or performing usual tasks

For Australian residents there is an Adverse Medicine Events telephone line operated by pharmacists at the Mater Health Services Brisbane. Their Australian phone is 1300 134 237 (Mon -Fri 9am -6pm EST)

In my experience statins caused me general confusion, muscle weakness, difficulty in walking, needing a handrail for steps, unable to bend ankle, foot cramps etc etc.
Years ago we survived without statin drugs. What have you got to lose if you give up the statins for a 6 month personal trial???

Patricia ***, Gordon, Sydney

High cholesterol. currently 56 y/o. been on lipitor a total of 4 years. put on lipitor 10 in the beginning. triglycerides doubled on this dose. changed to lipitor 20. cholesterol went down from 259 to 144. triglycerides came down to normal.

stated suffering the following symptoms within one month of going on lipitor. doctor has ignored my complaints of constant tiredness & weakness. i don't think he knows that lipitor can cause these side effects. i will be educating him on friday. when my triglycerides doubled again recently, he raised my lipitor to 40mg. i have only take it one month & stopped taking it yesterday. my symptoms are getting worse with the doubled dose. surely there is something else they can do to lower cholesterol.

(1) numbness & shooting pain in my right leg from hip to foot (was put on neutontin 600 three times per day)
(2) short-term memory loss. sometimes i just can't put a coherent thought together. sometimes i reach for a word & i just can't grab hold of it. i have felt like i was getting alzheimer's.
(3) bloating of the abdomen
(4) so hot at times i feel like my body thermostat is going haywire or i am going to spontaneously combust.
(5) muscle weakness in legs when walking, weakness/tremors in my hands when trying to hold something.
(6) pronounced changes in vision
(7) weight gain (especially at the abdomen)
(8) occasional dizziness combined with nausea
(9) alternating constipation & diahrrea
(10) total and complete exhaustion
(11) severe depression (treated with zoloft 100)

thyroid was checked. everything a-ok (although i still believe i could be having some thyroid issues inspite of those normal readings).

Barbara