Lipitor and zetia

I have been on 20 mg Lipitor for years, and as I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis, all my symptoms have been blamed on that. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and put on Lyrica because of the muscle aches and depression. My lower back, hurt in a car accident when I was 17 years old, had gotten so much worse that I had 12 steroid shots in my lower spine a couple of years ago. They didn't help my back at all, but my blood sugar went from normal to diabetic levels, and I am now on Byetta to try to lower it.
I am a 56 year old woman who was the math specialist in a school district until last December when I had to retire early. My back pain was so severe that I could no longer go from school to school carting materials. I could barely make it from the parking lot to my office. Mentally I was not ready to retire, but physically, I was (and am) a wreck. I have severe muscle pain in my shoulders, sometimes one or the other, but always present. I have tingling in my right hand, especially in my fingertips, and have trouble gripping and drop things easily. In the last few months the pain in my right thigh and calf has gotten unbearable. I thought at first it was sciatica, but I have had sciatica before, and this isn't the same, although there is tingling, burning , but the pins and needles is so deep in the muscles I have just sat and cried, or wanted to scream. I have wished I could just cut my leg off. And...I am on some pretty heavy duty pain killers for the RA: a small dose of prednisone plus Enbrel, Methotrexate, and Vicodin, and this pain is cutting right through all these meds. I get severe headaches, I went off Lipitor for 5 days and seemed a little better, but then went back on, and it came back.
Since I no longer work, I sleep longer, am exhausted ALL the time, have terrible mental fog, am clumsy, cannot stand for more than a minute or so without wanting to scream, cannot walk more than a few yards...just getting to the car is an ordeal. I tell people that I can only shop in shoe stores and furniture stores...the only stores with places to sit down.
I no longer cook or clean, cannot play with my granddaughter, even holding a book to read can be too much, and I love reading. I feel I am just dying bit by bit as I lose parts of myself.
My doctor is really into lowering cholesterol, and has put me on Zetia in the past few months...and it has been in this time that the pain in my leg has gotten unbearable. He wants my cholesterol to be between 50-60, and has said that the Zetia along with the Lipitor will do that. Is this normal or in any way reasonable??? I am having a full blood workup done tomorrow morning, and I want to go off the Lipitor starting the day after.
I came across this web site tonight while looking up Lipitor side effects, and I am shocked. I have so many of these symptoms, and there are so many I had no knowledge of at all. I knew about the muscle aches, but that's all. I hope someone can help me with what supplements and vitamins I should be taking. I started taking CoQ10 a month or so ago. What else should I be taking for my health? I know vitamin C and fish oil, but don't know how much or anything else. Right now I am just stunned with the thought that all of these problems that have left me unhappily retired, exhausted and in constant pain can all be caused from a drug I have been taking to help me be healthier.

first of all i want to thanks from this side .it is very very helpful ,which is information from this side is truly life saving.no doctors are really believing that cholesterol medication has such horrible side effect,and if this side not exist ,so we would not know that cholesterol medication having this side effect.this side saved my father's life ,he had very severe reaction with lipitor and zetia in Australia called ezetrol .he quit lipitor 2 yrs ago and zetia 4 months ago he is doing very well since 2 days i hope this continue.he recovered from many side effect like(he was almost lost all his hair the front part after stopping the medication 70%restore so this was the first side effect that doctor relates to his age not medication ,severe shoulder pain subside,numbness in his legs subside,tremer in his left leg subside,blurry vision and poor vision subside,poor memory subside) within 2 days he feels more energy improvement in his walking some times it goes up and down and i hope this time his walking improve permanently he is now feeling 60to 70%good and not 100%but this % is quit lot for him after being disable for long time.i pray for all of you to recover fully and so my father .i found 3 thing that is really helping to bring the cholesterol down if interested plz research (turmeric,ginger,garlic)free of side effect .this is natures wonderful drugs for cholesterol plus vitamin c and lecithin.
thanks again and god bless

I HAVE BEEN ON LIPITOR FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW AFTER HAVING 3 STENTS PUT IN I AM A 50 YEAR OLD MALE THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE IN SPORTS, MY LIPITOR SIDE EFFECT ONLY STARTED A FEW DAYS AGO, I HAD SEVERE PAIN IN MY RIGHT SHOULDER SO BAD I COULD HARDLY USE MY ARM THE PAIN GOT SO BAD LAST NIGHT, WE WENT TO THE ER, NO PROB FOUND JUST INFLAMMATION, SO THE DR PRESCRIBED MOTRIN 800 AND A MUSCLE RELAXER, WHICH DID GIVE ME SOME RELIEF IN ABOUT 25 MINUTES .
TODAY WHILE SHOPPING I NOTICED A PAIN NOW IN MY LEFT SHOULDER AND NOW THROUGH THE DAY IT IS JUST ABOUT AS BAD AS THE RIGHT ONE THEN AFTER DOING THIS RESEARCH I WILL AS OF RIGHT NOW STOP TAKING MY LIPITOR I WILL POST MY UPDATE TAKE CARE

I ran across this site today and THANK GOD that I found it!! My mother wasn't initially given Lipitor because the first statin that her doctor prescribed made her very nauseous. He switched to 40mg of Lipitor about 2 weeks ago and she still gets extremely nauseous and have begun coughing and experiencing cold like symptoms. Her vision is EXTREMELY blurred; so much that she can't perform her job, and her previously prescribed eyeglasses are useless. She had been experiencing pain in her legs during walks that never seemed to get better. We NEVER associated it with Lipitor or the other statin until I decided to dig a little deeper.

I asked her if her doctor had told her to take CoQ10 whilst taking these statins and he's NEVER mentioned it!! As of today, my mother will no longer be taking these "medications". Reading these posts has been eye opening, to say the least. Thanks!!

I am a 35 yr old male and have been taking lipitor about 7 yrs. I have a genetically high cholesterol and it has been up to 275. On lipitor its around 175. Over the years I have been on this drug I went from being a normal weight and active to pretty much lethargic and sedentary due to lack of energy and gained ~50 lbs. I couldn't sleep. I got random nausea and fogginess in my brain to the point I could not remember how to perform my job. I usually had minor aches and was bloated. the past year everything has gotten much worse. For a year now, I have been getting large rashes on my body that itch severely and no medications have worked to alleviate them. I found out recently from my doctor that I have a genetic marker in my cholesterol that makes me 3 times as likely to have a heart attack. Its a portion of the cholesterol, i think its called LDL-b or something like that. Anyways, My doctor prescribed zetia to help with my cholesterol since the lipitor wasn't doing it alon. I begin feeling very sick when taking the zetia and after a week or two stopped it. The problems didn't end. As long as I remained on the lipitor, the problems seemed to continue. Its like the zetia released a dam of problems. I stopped the lipitor 4 days ago and have noticed that I feel energy coming back to me and the rash is starting to go away, but I ache severely all over. My shoulders, forearms, and legs are so sore and painful that I can't do anything about this except sleep so I don't feel the pain. I am also very weak feeling and I notice stiffness in my fingers and my grip is very weak compared to how it normally is. I have nausea and stomach cramps and constipation. I feel miserable. I notice its worse in the morning and gets a little better towards the afternoon. I typically took my lipitor in the morning. I do not know if there is a relationship here. Please advise on any help you can provide.

KMJ
07-30-08

hi,daer777 i like to know the natural product that lower cholesterol.also since you stop the medication any changes or not if you don't mind?I took my father to many neurologist and they test many Parkinson medication and my father did not respond to any medication but he got worsed,yesterday he had another appointment to another neurologist he said if it is not Parkinson disease then must be genetic disorder witch is we never had in our family history and also doctor noticed that many my patient who are using lipitor responding very well with Parkinson medication ,and when i said about lipitor he got mad on me and very rudely said medication never doing this and don't blame medication,so every doctor that i saw never believed us that lipitor or ezetrol (zetia)is that cause.also doctor said if it is the medication then he must be symptom free by now ,he quit ezetrol just three months ago and lipitor 2 years ago.

I have been on Lipitor for over a year know after having a heart attack at 43 and having two stents put in. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia by in 2002. Recently, I have been having more arm, leg, back, pelvic, hip and hand pain then ever before. I am going to talk to my doctors now about the side effects. I have just know decided to start halving my Lipitor and may ween off of it completely. I'm on Niacin and Zieta in addition to the Lipitor. Have also been having a lot more digestive problems lately...am to be scheduled for a upper GI. I came here looking for info on the fact that although since being on Plavix (didn't realize Lipitor could be culprit) I have had bruising...today I found knots under two bruises on my upper arm. Not only are there knots but they (the bruises) are a different shade of blue (if that makes sense). Thanks to all who have shared their stories.

I wrote the message below on March 9th, 2008, but I think it might be useful if I repeat it.
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It`s very disturbing to read all these stories. I really feel for you.

My experience comes from seeing what happened to people close to me.

They all took statins.

I started to look for information on statins, and other medications in 2004 and it continues to this day although two of my relatives are dead.

I have nothing to do with the health or pharmaceutical industry.

I saw the suffering and it made me very angry.

I am an ordinary lady in her sixties who live in Sweden.

The situation is almost the same here as in the U.S.

There is very little discussion about risks/benefits with this kind of medicatications - or others.

I think it`s a good idea to turn to the Internet and books to get other views about the cholesterol issue.

Is it really true that it`s the cholesterol that is causing heart disease?

Are you sure?

Please visit:
******

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Also search articles etc on "Stopped our statins" and on the names of the different authors below.

Also read:

The Cholesterol Myths (Uffe Ravnskov)

The Great Cholesterol Con (Antony Colpo)

Book with the same title (Malcolm Kendrick)

Overdosed America (John Abramson)

The Truth about the Drug Companies (Marcia Agnell)

Malignant Medical Myths (Joel M. Kauffman)

There are many more.

Please look on the Internet for more information about each book.

It´s good to have some other information than the one given by doctors because most of them have been "educated" by the pharmaceutical companies themselves - and why should they talk about risks, side effects etc. They are interested in profits.

Finally - here are some side effects that I have seen:

pains in legs, hands, elbows, shoulders, knees, hips, cracking noise in ribs, muscle weakness, loss of hair, head ache, burning, tingling sensations in hands and feet, numbness, difficulties to swallow, loss of taste, ringing noise in ears, cramps, insomnia, irritation, depression, difficulty with short-term memory and then advancing into more serious problems.

These side effects - for 3 different people - all over 65 - did not come at once.

All of them had taken statins for years (Zocor)

It doesn´t matter which product -all statins have similar side effects.

Search for "Stopped our statins" on Google. It´s a very informative site and under "print articles" there are some articles that you can take along to your doctor for discussion.

I particularly like the one from Weston Price Foundation
and explains the different statin studies and side effects. .

My relatives also had some other medications which makes it even easier for doctors (and patients) to say that it`s just old age.

I am happy for those who get problems right away because then there maybe a chance for the patient and the doctor to see that there is a connection.

You really have to look out for yourself and the people around you!

Good Luck.

This is an update from my first posting earlier this year. I still have localized pain in my neck and shoulder area sometimes extending down my arms to my fingertips. I am 58 years old and stopped taking Lipitor 5 months ago. I am always in discomfort but the very severe pain comes in waves at least 3-4 times a month and lasts for about 1-2 days. I have noticed an improvement since stopping Lipitor but my cholesterol count is on its way up so I am trying to control that. Not an easy task but at least I am not totally debilitated as I was in January and February. I am totally off all meds and vitamins as of this writing. I am trying to cleanse myself and start over with diet and exercise. Hang tough ... this is definitely the battle of your life!!! KooKoo

I took Lipitor for 2 years with all the pain in my shoulder, hand and arm as well as fuzzy memory. I had a friend over for Lunch an have no memory of anything that happened including his arriving and leaving on his Harley and we all know how loud they are. I ended up in the hospital with all kins of tests including an MRI all of which I have no memory of to this date. My hospital bills are still coming in as well as all the Doctors that saw me. I just received my Divorce and then this happened , I was out of work for a week , the Doctors thought I had had a heart attack, stroke or aneurysm.I also had all the foot pain making it impossible to stand up , leg cramps, sleeplessness, sheer exhaustion, depression, headache and nausea. The Doctor at the Hospital took me off of the Lipitor and said to take a 325mg. aspirin daily . This happened on March 23, 2008 . I am felling better but I still pain in my shoulder , neck , stomach , and feet and legs but is nothing like it was. Here I am left with a few thousand dollars of Doctor and Hospital bills. Why can`t something be done about all of this we are all going thru? I called the FDA to report it and got no where. Did I really expect anything to happen ! I hope someone gets something done for us . I would be one of the first to sign up to take Lipitor off the market and get what is due us.

I was prescribed lipitor, took ONE pill before I went to bed and woke up in the morning with severe pain in my right shoulder. I searched for lipitor and found so many side effects I have not taken another lipitor and will not. The pain moved to my left shoulder quite soon. Now it doesn't really hurt but there is a lump above my left shoulder blade, I was pushing on it and lifting my arm up and down hoping it might losen it up but the lump grew bigger. I quite often feel numb and week on my left side, kinda scary like I'm having a stroke. This has been going on for awhile so I don't think I'm stroking out or I would be gone by now. I do have high blood pressure, I think this ONE little lipitor pill made it worse as it's higher than it used to be. Maybe from stress as this shoulder problem and numbness upsets me from time to time. I also developed arthritis in two of my fingers, I have been taking FLAMMAGEN 1500 from the health food store and it has helped my fingers considerably, thank goodness. I'm not mentioning it to my M.D. as he was so excited about putting me on this stuff, poor guy is brainwashed. It really is a sin that our M.D.s are used in this way by big money pharmaceutical companies.

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.

I have been taking Lipitor for around ten years, up to last summer. In the spring of 2003 I began having severe pain in my heels and it was diagnosed as Plantar Faaschiitis. Last summer I suffered a severe rotator cuff tear, with no connection to any injury. Recently I have a small tear in my right rotator cuff. Even though it a small tear it is fairly painful. It seems to me that it is highly unlikely that all three of these conditions would occur in one person with no external reason. Does any one know of any connection with lipitor and orthopaedic injuries or break down? I have been told that there is a connection between Lipitor and connective tissue breakdown but haven't seen anything in writing. I have discontinued using all statin drugs and zetia.

My father has been taking Lipitor for 5-6 years. It wasn't until my mother passed away in Dec. '07 that I started looking into his health. He used to be a hard working and vibrant man, but sometime in the summer of '06 he started doing less and less around the house. His hands would ache and so would his joints, he could not grip things like he used to, he would wake up at night in pain. He is 77 years old and had a stroke about 8-10 years ago. After looking into Lipitor I saw all the possible side effects and it warns not to take if you are over 70, have had a stroke , etc., etc., BUT the doctor kept him on it. Feb 4th, I talked him into getting off of it. We will let the doctor know after a month or so. Hopefully he still has a chance to get somewhat back to the man and workaholic father I know him as.

I initially took Lipitor and stopped because of the side effects (muscle pain). My cholesterol went higher and my doctor. put me on Lipitor again and added Zetia. I took both of them since 9/06. Slowly, I started getting muscle pains in my left elbow,arm, shoulder, neck, hands, face, etc. My doctor told me it was arthritis and I tried several natural products to no avail. In the mean time, I continued to research for something natural to lower my cholesterol. I decided to try Pantethine while I was using the Lipitor/Zetia. I was surprised my blood tests showed that my cholesterol was lower due to Pantethine. Last week, I decided to stop the Zetia and when I saw this website and so many people and their side effects, I stopped Lipitor a few days ago and increased the Pantethine I am taking. Hopefully, in time, the pain will ease or stop.

I hope this information will be some help for other people.

In general, most doctors,nurses, health care people, etc need courses for natural/alternative products . . . . . . instead of surgery and dangerous drugs.

I have been posted before about my father symptom due to Lipitor, he has been stopped Lipitor nearly one year's ago and doctor put him on Ezetrol another name for zetia in Australia, he had the same side effect with that despite CPK normal and no doctors believed his problem is due to Lipitor or zetia. thanks to this side it help us a lot after one year's that he couldn't walk , getting up from chair, stoop posture, low energy he is now improving not completely but 20 % which is a lot I took him to many many doctors but it is shame for doctors that prescribing medication but don't know about the side effect. now he is taking half ezetrol5mg but nutritionist gave him therapy to lower cholesterol with food (Apple cider vinegar one spoon in water before meal 2 a day,lecithin,coq10,fish oil 4tab,oat bran,and milk thistle or st mary thistle liver tonic to detox the liver from Lipitor toxin) it is really helped him apple cider vinegar not only normalizes cholesterol but also gives energy as well so his weakness is improved 20%and also milk thistle really helped him, dizziness is getting lesser now he has hope that he is going to improve which is he did .seeing nutritionist helped him a lot rather than doctors. i will post his complete improvement .I hope for every one to get better soon

My father was on Lipitor and he quit the medication almost one years ago, it looks strange that some times he felt good for about two days and back to his old symptom (weakness all over body, hard to turn around get out of chair or stinging down and many more) just 3 days ago he was back to normal almost 70%for 2 days and then worse gain does this happen to anyone else like this.by the way he is taking Zetia with 5mg he is doing good but with 10mg he felt very bad swell on feet very weak even felt like his heart is failing.

I am absolutely amazed at all the side effects that may be a result of Lipitor.I have been on Lipitor for approx.4 weeks. Accdg to my blood work, my cholesterol was extremely high...possible genetic factor.(father had hight cholesterol).My diet is fairly low in fat, exercised regularly, etc. I have had muscle, joint, breast, and all over body pain, nausea, headaches,decreased energy. I actually think I am having heart attack or stroke pain....I have become very anxious due to these symptoms. Having lipid profile done tomorrow, see the doctor next week. I am going to go off the Lipitor and see about an alternative from a health food store.(I am also a registered nurse)

I was put on Lipitor about 1 year ago and the dosage was put up to 40mg about 3 months ago. My hands went numb and tingling about that time and I never thought that it was the lipitor. I've gone to a couple drs and a chiropractor and no one thought that it was lipitor. They are convinced that its carpal tunnel and that I should have surgery. Now I have swelling in my hands and legs along with aches and pains and I've comvinced that its the lipitor. I've been off it now for about 5 weeks and still have the swelling and tingling. Has anyone else have these symptons and for how long? Also my Dr. wants me to take Zetia for the cholestoral but I'm afraid to take anything. Any suggestions!!!

hi.i am living in australia ,is there any one who suffer from lipitor and zetia side effect and found a doctor who helped them and believed them that cholestrol medication caused them this problem if yes i need the doctor address to go i am so desperate about the health of my father he is very weak and low in energy i need your help no doctor believe me that lipitor or ezetrol(zetia) caused him this the neuralogist checked him (four) and they said it is parkinsonism which is the cause is unkown but i know the cause is cholestrol medication (lipitor,and zetia) i live in melbourne.my email is aroozo_99@hotmail.com

I took lipitor for almost two years (42). Started having a pain in my upper thigh as if someone was turning a screw driver into my leg. The pain progressed into my right hip that felt like someone was trying to "unscrew" my hip out of the socket. The pain progressed down my leg - i.e. sciatica pain. The pain got so bad that I could not sleep at night and if I did fall asleep the pain would be so bad I would wake up crying.
I went to my regular doctor and an orthopedic doctor. Had xrays, ct, and mri's. Blood work for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, etc. No bad results. I asked my physician if the Lipitor could cause it - "no" was the answer. My prescription for lipitor ran out and I was off of it for three months. I noticed significant relief in the above mentioned symptoms but still did not relate it back to the lipitor until I had a new prescription refilled and within a week I was "crying" in pain again. I immediately stopped the lipitor and within a few more months all the pains were gone. It still took me a while to get "comfortable" in bed to sleep - the pain had obviously affected me psychologically as well and I was still afraid that I would wake up in pain.
I do sometimes feel the pain in my right hip if I sit for extended periods of time but nothing like the above. I am an RN. I have told the above story to several physicians at the hospital and they always react like they don't believe it.

I AM A 53 YEAR OLD WOMAN, I STARTED LIPITOR IN JUNE 2007, AS OF NOW I HAVE AS FOLLOWS.
HORRIBLE WRIST PAIN,
LOWER THUMB PAIN,
KNEE PAIN,
FOOT AND ANKLE PAIN,
SHOULDER AND NECK PAIN,
SCIATIC PAIN,
HEADACHES,
BLURRED VISION,
MEMORY LOSS,
PALM OF HAND PAIN,
TINGLY FEELING IN HEAD, SOMETIMES GOES INTO MY EYE.
I AM ON 20MG OF LIPITOR AND I AM NOT TAKING THEM AFTER THIS DAY, I HAD TRIED THEM IN THE PAST BUT AT THE SAME TIME I WAS ON ZETIA SO WAS NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED WHAT, NOW I KNOW, IS THERE ANY BAD WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS IF YOU QUIT COLD TURKEY?

I am a 54 year old male who has a chronic a-fib. My cholesterol was a wee bit high so my now retired MD put me on Zetia, which just about killed me- constant stomach pains and associated GI problems-we all can guess. So I went to see my cardiologist- he took me off Zetia and put me on Lipitor. It dropped my cholesterol levels significantly but the side effects are horrendous. My new MD was gooing to look into it because I was on 80 mg a day- but never did and never lowered the dose-229 is not all that high to warrant 80 mg a day.
I am now experiencing severe pain in my right rib-cage area, making sleep an event every night. Also have severe leg cramps the size of golf balls constanlty at night while sleeping. Pain in both elbows, and in the right foot, which when I can sleep wakes me up with a severe pounding pain. I am also experiencing severe neck and shoulder pain and am generally fatigued all the time- So I quit taking the stuff as of today on my own, I am seeing my MD in two week and I want to see what the difference is pain wise being off of the med for two weeks. I have always been a strong physical guy, played football all the way through college and am in pretty good shape for my age, but this stuff is killing me!! Hope this helps someone else also-Thanks for listening-John in Napa, CA.

I am a heathy 63 year old male. Completed a half marathon last year. Run 15-20 miles a week and bike 20-35 miles a week. I've never had any medical problems except to be on blood pressure medicine for 20 years. It is controlled.

Last April I had a bout of plantar fasciitis in my right foot. The podiatrist recommended and I purchased orthotics.

The heel pain did not subside, in fact the whole foot became sore all the time. The other foot joined the party and within a couple of months I could not run because of pain.

I used stretching exercises recommended. Purchased two foot splints to hold the foot at 90 degrees at night to reduce tearing of the tendon. I mixed Aleve and Iboprophin to help with the pain. No relief.

The discomfort in both my feet was at a level it hurt to get out of bed and walk. I did not wish to walk to the mail box or go shopping with my wife. I hold national computer workshops. I could not stand all day. I had to use a bar stool. When I finished for the day, I'd go to my hotel room and order from room service. I had no interest in walking.

I was wondering if it was the orthoditics. Tried it without them. No change. It was now into the 8th month. I was thinking I was just an old man who had worn out his feet running.

Then I did research on the Interent and discovered Lipitor side effects. I had gone on Vytorin (Lipitor/Zetia combo drug) a couple of weeks before the plantar fasciitis started.

I slowly reduced my Vytorin until it was zero. Within 3 weeks 95% of pain was GONE! Within 2 months it was completely gone including the heel pain.

I now run again, walk and have my quality of life back.

When I went for my annual physical I explained what happened. The doctor did not say wow, that is common. He was kind enough not to make a judgement call. He said well, you must have had a side effect not well known. I told him it was muscle pain in my feet rather than large musle groups as is usual with this side effect of Lipitor.

My lipids are not over the hill bad but he is aggressive in treating carcio vascular issues. So we are going to try Zetia by itself and then possibly Niacin.

Let me say, I am not an extremist about statins nor do I believe there is a conspiracy wiht drug companies. Statins do work for most people.

I have a strong opinion that we must have a equal relationship with our doctor to determine our treatment. The Internet gives us that opportunuity to get the knowledge we need to talk to our doctor. Without the info on boards like this I would been a broken down old man with bad feet using the electric cart at Sams and selling my RV.

Best wishes in your search for satisfactory health.

I was taking Lipitor (can't remember how long and what mg) and started feeling like I was continously in a fog and having memory problems. These were so bad that my GP sent me to a Neurologist for MRI and CT scans with results showing nothing wrong. I decided that this started after I went on the Lipitor and took myself off of it. The "fog has lifted" but I still have some memory problems. I am now taking Zetia and have started having muscle pains and cramps. I'm going to give up on cholesterol lowering medications. If I can't lower it with diet and exercise I'll just take my chances with the high cholesterol!

My father was on lipitor and it is being 5 month which is he is stopped that medication and no significant change he is also taking karvea for blood pressure,losec,aropax,aspirin and sish oil and it is being 5days which is he add 50 mg of coq10 and he is also taking aspirin and doctor put him on zetia(ezitimibe)but since he stopped lipitor he is still weak and barely walk and very strong shoulder and back pain .
1.My first question is does coq10 has interaction with aspirin?
2.Is there anybody who recoverd from side effect of lipitorand if yes how long does it take?
3.does zetia(ezetimibe)10mg has the same side effect like lipitor?could you email me on aroozo_99@hotmail.com
thanks

hi,iam writing regarding my father he was on lipitor for the period of 6 years and being 4 months which has been stopped lipitor but no significant change he is very weak the change is only that he is before feel numb and didnt feel the pain but now he feel pain and just 2 days ago he was changed felt abit better and then declined back i dont know what to do he is taking fish oil 3 tb per day and also doctor put him on zetia and alsohe is taking asprine ,losec,karvea for blood pressure norvox and aropax for deppreion is there any one who recoverd from lipitor side effect and if yes how long will it takesplz email me ***** i am so desperate for help plz plz help

My mother has been taking Lipitor for four or five years. We moved and the new doctor increased her to 80 mg. He also put her on Zetia. Mother is 86 and weighs barely 100 pounds. This past year her short term memory started getting worse,more so than normal for her age, according to doctors. I was also noticing cognitive problems. She went through a battery of tests. She did not have alzeimers and nothing could be pinpointed other than she was worse than normal for her age as I already stated. Then this last week of the year, her muscles all over her body started hurted and feeling very sore. Then she started have lots of trouble walking, getting in her car, etc. It was so bad so quickly that I became extremely alarmed. My sister mentioned Lipitor and I started the research. I talked to two pharmacists, since we could not reach the doctor. They were both alarmed at the symtoms I described. We stopped both medications three days ago and she is already improving. I now believe that even the memory problems and other things that were gradual were because of the Lipitor. (the pharmacists did tell us it would be okay to stop both for the time being.) I was ready to take mother to the emergency room. That is how bad she had gotten is such a short time. I watched her and talked with her. She was very discouraged at the rate of decline in her walking. It was as if paralysis was setting in. I believe she would have been in a wheelchair soon had we not stopped the Lipitor. We are going to try some natural things to keep her cholesterol down. The quality of life is important too. This has been very scary for us but we are hopeful as she is already experiencing some improvement. We do understand that it can take time to get back and at her age that is expected. Being an elderly person though does not justify that all of these symtoms were 'just' her age. She has always been very active and alert and could outdo me (and my sisters) on most days! I will check this site often for comments and stories of others on this drug. Thank you for the help to those of you that I read your stories and good luck to you that are having difficulties.

Been on Lipitor for 3-4 years plus Zetia. Periods of leg and hand muscle cramping have become more frequent and more severe. Got so bad yesterday I couldn't take any more. Left Lipitor and reverted to Zocor. Still plan on taking Zetia. Don't know if this is a good idea or not. Please, SOMEONE, let me know! Thanks!

Male age 50. Used Lipitor 20mg for 10 months, having previuosly taken Lescol and Zetia. I am suffering very serious side effects including: slurred speach, loss of muscle mass and strength in right arm and hand, sore right foot, muscle tremors, severe cramps in legs and abdomen. I stopped Liptor 6 weeks ago. Cramps have stopped but little improvement in other conditions.

Heart attack 15 years ago, bypass 5 years ago. Have been taking 40 to 80 mg lipitor per day for about a year after being switched from zocor due to high triglicerides (400+), high LDL & diabetes. Also taking zetia & niacin since March. Results, over last 5 months fatigue and short term memory impairment have become debilitating, affecting home & work. For awhile I thought it was all in my mind.
Stopped lipitor about a week ago and have noticed less fatigue & way better short term memory.
Lesson: Pay attention to what your body is telling you.

I used Lipitor for 10 months after previously using Lescol and Zetia. I have experienced severe muscled cramps, muscle tremors, loss of strength, slurred speach, tendonitis, and muscle wasting. I stopped Lipitor one month ago but have not yet seen much improvement in my symptoms.

I am a 58 year old female. I have been on Lipitor (40mg) fir 10 years. I had high blood pressure and did not know it. It damaged my kidneys. I am working with only ONE or less. All my doctors say I have to continue taking Lipitor because of pressure and chols. They have addeed 10mg of zetia.

After 3 months taking lipitor, woke up during the night with full body muscle spasms. Emergency crew took me to emergency wherby morphine was injected over a three hour period to loosen the tightened muscles. Use of lipitor ended that evening.

For the next 26months, 8-12 major spasms occurred within a 24 hour period. Methocarbanol was and still is being used as a combative tool against spasms.

Currently determining what should be taken to provided nutrients to the muscles to help them to repair the damage done by the spasms that occurred.

Presently, major spasms have diminished to 4-6 per month, tight muscles persist, and its very easy to have muscle cramps when doing miscellaneouls medium to heavy duty chores. Medium would be reaching out to help pull yourself up and heavy would be snow shoveling with medium size shovel.

In my case, Zetia (non-statin) has brought my chloresterol levels down to an acceptable level & no side effects have occurred.

Just thought I was getting old or something. After quin bypasses ,TMR and various angioplasties, taking 80 mg Lipitor,
2000mg Niaspan and max dose Zetia. Pain in my lower left back so intense, I cannot stand upright for the first hour after rising. Cannot get up from a kneeling position without support.
Just assumed it was arthritis or something.
Now not so sure, however my total cholesterol is down to 180 from 460 some years ago so maybe the pain beats the alternative?

After taking Lipitor for several years, I developed a stabbing pain across my abdomen. May be the diaphragm. Also had numb thighs and legs.

Had to quit working for a while because I could not get in and out of my car.

Doctor said it was not related but I told him I was done with this product and quit taking it. The pain lessoned considerably and I was able to work again. After being off it for several months, the Doctor said Lipitor was not the problem and had me start again. Within a few months, I developed severe pains in the thighs and told him that I will not take it again and I quit.

Now, I have occasional pains in the abdomen but the leg numbness and pain has lessoned.

He started me on Zetia a few months ago. Then, I started developing pains in the right side just under the rib cage. He said it could no be related to Zetia but I quit it two weeks ago and while there is still pain, it went from being daily to just being occasional now. I will not take either of these products again.

Monday, I have an appointment and will tell him and also tell that I do not want to hear any more about either of these products. I will not take them again under any circumstances.

my side affects from statins (Lipitor) have been muscle pain in my legs and back. I also get aches in my knees and elbow joints. When I stop taking Lipitor, the aches dimish. After 4 weeks they are almost gone. If i go back on lipitor, even as little as 5mg, the side affects gradually reappear. i also take Zetia, it seems to have no side effects. the good news is my total cholesterol has dropped from 160 to 104 and my LDL is now 46. I also drink and eat a lot of soy products and take 1000mg of niacine a day. Before Lipitor, I used Pravacol and had similar side effects. I will know in another 4-8 weeks if the light headedness i have had for the last 4 years goes away.

Had a heart attack? 10 years ago, now 57.
Cardioligist wanted bad C under 100. 2 years ago
80 mg Zocor was really killing me. Lost taste
sensation, fingers got arthritic?, muscle cramps.
But, bad C went to 90. I felt like ***.
1 year ago I stopped Zocor, finger movement
came back, cramping stopped, still can't drink
cola as taste is still affected.
Dr started Zetia (non Satin) which works in the
gastric track. Side affect minimal and is minor gas
at nite and stool slightly loose. bad C went to 120
but Dr now wants bad C to 70 or less, as new studies
show.
Put me on Lipitor 10 mg a month or so ago along with
the Zetia. All fine till last week... Now upset stomach
all day, with Nausea and sometimes dry heaves. Head
light headed, dizzy like in a fog, and can't walk without
holding on to wall. Outside I must look like a drunk.
Cramping on finges is returning. Had 2 strips bacon one
morning and remembered it through belches all day
with aggrivated symptoms.
I got the message.... And STOPPED the LIPITOR 4 days
ago and no more nausea, I can walk without loosing balance
and finger movement slowly returning. I can live with the
vivid dreams......

November 23rd, 2004 - Tuesday

I have been reading all the postings about Lipitor.
It would appear the reactions from Lipitor has not
been good from all the postings. I have been taking
Zocor 40 mg. for over 5 years now. I have never
had one side effect from Zocor. In fact since being
on Zocor my HDL's have gone up and LDL's have
gone down and Trigs are maintained by diet. I have
a CBC done every 3 months for HDL, Trigs, LDL,
Liver Function and White Count (I don't have a Spleen)
and have always had good results. I have had a problem
getting my LDL's where they should be so had added
Zetia 10 mg. added daily with the Zocor 40 mg. and
the Zetia has corrected the LDL readings. I keep reading
what Lipitor has done to everyone. I am permanently
paralyzed and disabled and can not do the physical P.T.
that many have done when getting of Lipitor. Excercize
is not something I am able to do since I am bed bound and
have limited use sitting up in my electric wheel chair. It
would appear some people are going to have reactions to
different medications. I have always been very careful about
what px's I take. I am on 9 px's daily and Zocor and Zetia
have never had one negative effect on me in anyway. I would
feel after reading all about Lipitor and other Px's like it that
Zocor and Zetia are the only two I can speak of, and for me
they work great. The only thing I would impress on everyone
taking Zocor and Zetia is to when you have a CBC done to have
your doctor always have your Liver Function checked. In my
case I also have the White Count done. On these medications
it is always wise to read up about the medications before ever
taking. I am aware to always note if I was to have any muscel
pains or other side effects it can cause in some people. For my
Doctor who is a Cartiologist, I keep very good communication
with him and myself I keep up with the information about Zocor
and Zetia. After 5 plus years of taking Zocor I feel very blessed
to have a medication that gives the results it provides. I sure feel
for those of you that have had reactions. There are some antibiotics
I have had reactions to and know what it is like to have a reaction
to medications. It is a hit and miss when it comes to medication. I
for one read everything there is to find on any medication before I
put it in my system. Knowledge and self Management of your health
is something we must all do. The days of having your doctor give you
a PX for a medication and getting it filled at the Drug Store and never
asking any questions is long gone. The Pharmacy can surely answer
any reactions with other medications you are taking. I have found
through the years to have all the Medications your taking so when
you go to your doctor they know what your taking. I have 6 Specialist
and I keep them all updated on what each Doctor does and what the
medications I am taking. Any CBC Lab Test done I have sent to my
other Specialist who treat me. You would be amazed how much this
means to the other doctors and keeping everyone informed. As in any
medication, one can have a reaction even if it something you have taken
for years. The chemistry in the body can change at any time. In my case
I am very blessed to be able to take almost any medication to maintain
my life. I know many people who have many reactions to many medications
and for those I surely feel for you. Diet is very important and I stay on a
very basic homecooked meals. Never eating out due to the fact if I could
it is not safe with all the chemicals they put in processed foods. The saying
20 hands have touched your food and plate before it is served when you eat
out is very true. How many washed their hands before it arrived at your table?
So eating at home where everything is home made is the best. I use to be able
to use Bactrim antibiotic but now I can not. I found out I am not able to deal
with any antibiotic with Sulfur in it I can not handle. Cipro is the best in my
case for 2 of the 6 Chronic Illnesses I live with. You can always type in Google
any medication and read about everything about it. Just remember 100% of any
medication are going to have those who had a reaction from. No one is the same
and this is the hard part for any of us when needing to take medication to live.
I hope this has helped in someway and check into Zocor and Zetia. For me they
work great and I have told people about them for years. I have read about the other
medications like Zocor but if you take 40 mg. of Zocor and not 80 mg. you
should not have a problem unless your system reacts to it. The only danger I have
discovered with Zocor is those who took 80 mg. daily. Always remember to
always keep a list of any medications you are taking and always have the doctors
office make a copy so each doctor you go to even your dentist knows what your
taking and keep them updated to any changes. It is your body and you know it
better than anyone. It is also each of our respondsibility to manage our own
medical care because if you don't who will do it for you? You can not expect
all your doctors to do everything for you all the time. For many as I also remember
the days we would go to a doctor and get a shot and on your way. There were not
the medications we have today to help our medical. At the same time common
sense is only logical with taking any medication. ä

I have extremely high cholesterol (in the mid-400's)--it's been high since I was a teenager. I was taking 80 mg of Lipitor, but my leg pain was so bad, I couldn't sleep and was in constant pain whether I was sitting or exercising. I switched to 20 mg of Lipitor and 10 mg of Zetia, and I had no pain at all. However, my cholesterol was still too high, so I've increased the amount of Lipitor to 40 mg. The leg pain has returned. I'm sort of tempted to risk my health to have pain-free legs.

Have been on Lipitor for just 4 days. I've been taking just 5 mg per day (prescribed dose in 10 mg), and already I'm feeling very irritable and depressed (also insomnia and headache). I know this isn't considered to be a "common" side effect, but it looks like I'm not the only one out there who has experienced this. It was almost like a "switch" was thrown in my brain chemistry within the first couple of hours of the first dose. I don't think I'm going to be able to continue with this (I'm even afraid to go up to 10 mg). I'm thinking of asking my doctor about Zetia. Has anyone had depression problems with Zetia?

I am 63 and have been taking this drug for over ten years following bypass surgery. I makes me feel weak most of the time. I cut the pills in half and my blood checks still look good but mostly because of a restricted diet. My doctor just added another newer drug for the same thing called zetia.

A friend sent me to this site. I am a 52 y.o. female that has dealt with high choelestoral for 18 years. Levels exceeded 362. Triglycerides threes times normal. I started out 18 years ago with them knowing very little about what caused it or how to prevent it so I started with the diet routine. THis is at a time when no labels read content of fat. Consequently, I read the two books at the library published at that time and reported to my doctor who honeslty told me I probably knew more about it than he did. It did not work after nine months it had actually elevated, so we started a drug regime. The powder, the pills, he finally gave me a new drug that had just hit the markt, lopid. I was on that for many years with no success. I was on the treadmill, very active, no results. I went off. I told him, I am putting something in my body that we do not know for sure is doing anything for me but could be causing damage to my liver. He agreed. He retired. My new doctor to me many new drugs she would like me to try something again. I went on Zocor. After 1 1/2 year on that, very little change. In October of 2003 she put me on Lipitor. After 90 days it had dropped to 187 and triglycerides to 186. I was ecstatic. I too felt that due to my age, rheumetoid arthritis and weight gain that it had nothing to do with meds. I have seen my doctor on numerous occasions and complained about the problems. She said no way is it a side effect of a drug. I have been to this site on several occasions and read my symptoms over and over again from each of you. It scares me to death to go off and have my choelestorol shoot up again, but I can hardly get out of bed now. I also take zetia with it. I am on 40 mgs. of Lipitor. My sister is on the same dose after a massive heart attack at 53. She can hardly walk up the stairs or get out of bed. I told her to go back and read some more and go off the Lipitor. After reading todays posts I too am going off. Without the doctors permission. I feel very strongly that we have to sometimes take charge of ourselves. We know our body best. I have a wonderful doctor but they are only human and they have to decipher a lot of infomation and come to a conclusion. Their job is to keep us healthy and alive. I beleive they think they are doing that for the most part. If she had to get around in this body, she would drop the meds until she figured out what was causing the symptoms also. Fatigue, water retention, left shoulder feels like I have been hi with a baseball bat, right hip joint is so panful it hurts to lean down to put socks on. Achiness, dizziness and the list goes on. I have to say some of it must be contributed to Lipitor, I had none of these symptoms prior to starting it 10 months ago. Thank God, we have a place to feel like it is not just in our heads!
Sherri

I have been on statins for 20 years. Started with Mevacor and then Lipitor 10 mg. Had a triple bypass 4 years ago and at that time my Lipitor was raised to 40 mg. I didn't seem to have any problems. About six months ago Zetia, Actos and Glucophage were added and since then it has been a nightmare. I have had general body cramping, fasciculations (twitching) in my legs, muscle pain, lethargy, atrophy of the muscles of my legs (right>left), and foot drop on the right side. Saw Neurologist and had EMG/Nerve conduction studies showing motor nerve deficit in my legs. This is the picture of ALS. I stopped Lipitor about 1 month ago and the rest of the meds about 1 week ago and everything is better (except the foot drop). Hopefully that will improve with time. The problem is that I need those meds. Anyone had problems with lipitor that then switched to another statin without problems? Anyone had problems with Zetia alone? Anyone had problems with Actos or Glucophage?
Thanks,

I don't take Lipitor but I do take Pravacol and Zetia together. They are statin drugs. I take 20mg. of Pravacol and 10mgs. of Zetia. I am so glad I was sent this info from other people. I just know that since taking these drugs that I have experiened extreme pain and stiffness in both shoulders. Went to orthopedic dr. and was told I had forzen shoulders. Since reading all of the complaints from other people, I am inclined to believe that it is coming from these drugs. I can't sleep at nite due to the pain and soreness. Been thru physical therapy and cortizone shot with no relief. I am 50 yrs old and feel like 80 sometimes. I was always very active and I just don't want to do anything anymore. I just make myself do it. Thank you all for this info. I hope I can reverse this whole ordeal. Debbie ***

I have been on zocor, mevacor, and lipitor for five years or so. After I complained to my new doctor that I was experiencing killer fatigue, calf pains, muscle loss, and tinnitus, among other things, he put me on zetia and coreg and CQ-10. My status has improved much, and I am now laying off the zetia and coreg for a couple of weeks.
I am most disturbed by accounts from individuals who have quit lipitor but have gotten no relief from the symptoms most commonly attributed to lipitor.