Simvastatin and medicine

My total cholesterol was 220 and LDL was 157; I started taking 40mg last week and within 2 days I just felt horrible. I felt weird and yuck in my stomach. There was a fog in my head and 2 days ago I was so dizzy I was almost falling over; I had to catch myself with the walls and doors. The next day, yesterday, I started having higher blood pressure and racing pulse with heart palpitations every 45 seconds or so, which makes me breathe deep often. I have felt pain in the back, arms, neck, and hips. I have also had weight gain and stomach irritability. Last night was the first night I did not take my medicine and even though I don't feel all that better I will see how it goes. I fought taking this medicine for over a year now and since my cholesterol went up I figured I'd try it in hopes my level would drop, but I can't handle this, I'm only 38!

Just started taking 10MG about 2 to 3 weeks ago, and now I get DAILY excruciating headache pain on the right side of my brain. It primarily occurs when I exert energy (I am an open water swim competitor, so I exert a lot of energy). When I train in the pool or ocean, I get the worst headaches imaginable, which has never happened to me EVER (I am 47, and have been competing in the water for over 30 years). I water skied last weekend with my kids, and once I got up on the ski I felt the worst headache in my life; I had to stop (which was a real bummer), and almost requested to go to the hospital because I felt I was having some kind of brain aneurysm (sp?). No way am I taking any more of this "medicine"; I have been healthy (and drug free) my entire life, and not a chance will I throw it all away as a guinea pig for big pharmacy. I don't think the link between cholesterol and heart disease is as iron clad as the Drs. and pharmacy companies insist, and even if they are right, I'd rather deal with the problems later than live with the symptoms now. If you doubt if this is real, you may e-mail me at ******

I was prescribed Simva 30mg to replace Lipex which is no longer government funded 6 weeks ago. Since taking this medication I am waking up with tingling in my elbows and fingers blurry eyesight and what really worries me and no one seems to have mentioned is low body temp 34.2 and then a reading of 34.8 now averaging around 35.2

Please is anyone out there suffering from low body temp

I was prescribed Simcor and had started taking it 4 days prior to an "attack". Out of the blue, the flushing, redness etc. No worries that is common I told myself. However, the severe burning and swelling set in. I had a splotchy rash that covered entire body and my face was the worst as it was swelling, effecting my neck, eyes etc. I did not wait to see what happens next. Straight to ER. Dr advised a good thing because it is potentially life threatening side effects for some. An IV with meds including steroids and 4 hours later the rash had subsided. Will not be taking this medicine again. Hope this helps.

Below is my original post from 7 months ago i am still waiting for most off these side effects to improve especially my memory which is still terrible and also the tinnitus ...the aches and pains are slightly better but that depends on the day only the severe itching is better but i still have the fatigue in the mornings ..

I am a 52Yr old male and was diagnosed with T2 Diabetes 2 1/2 yrs ago ....The doctor prescribed me simvastatin a few month later 20mg once a day all had been fine till about 6 months ago when I developed tinnitus and started feeling very tired...My concentration started to lapse especially when driving as i found i couldn't remember driving down a stretches of the road etc ie passing speed cameras etc ...my memory also seems to have slowed down and i have problems recalling recent conversations or things i have done etc...just recently i have been getting severe itching on the soles of my feet almost becoming painful i have pains /aches all over and now especially have pain in my left arm right knee and fingers...when i get up in the mornings i feel like i have run a marathon the day before as i ache especially my neck and shoulders...needless to say i have now stopped taking the tablets after reading this forum and i am seeing my doctor next week initially i put all this down to getting older ... S.

hi
I was on a stain for 1 1/2 years on a 80 mg didn't effect me at all, me and the doctor decide to bring me down to an 40mg my chol was at 119 now
on the 40mg for 3 weeks and all hell breaks lose.my joints and mucluse and my feet just hurt,i was walking like an old 100 year man,I took myself off now 8 days much better maybe at feel 80/90 percent better,lease im walking better joints still hurt a little,still cant sleep used to sleep like a rock now its like 2 maybe 3 hours a night and wicked night sweats,lets hope I sleep better in a few
im so glad I found this site,THANK YOU EVERYONE for letting read your letters

Hello,

I am a 55 year old Man and have been taking simvastatin for over two years now. Lately my back hurts from below the shoulder to my waist. Also my right arm and hand hurts. I feel numbness in my right hand a lot. My chest hurts on the left side as well.

I take 40mg of this drug every day and never rally thought about it much till lately. Seems like in the past two months things have gotten worse. I go to the VA Clinic where I live and have a regular Doctor there.

I was about to go see my Family Doctor today with all these pains I have been feeling, but then I googled Simvastatin, and started reading about all the side effects. I think I will just cut my pills into, and take a lesser amount to see if things get better.

last thing I need right now is more medications from another Doctor.. I can relate to all the pains for the most part, that all these individuals have posted. I know one thing for sure, I can't keep feeling this way and something has to change.

I had very high Cholesterol levels before taking this medicine, and it has dropped my levels extremely. Hopefully a lower dose will not only continue to keep my levels in an acceptable range,but cut down on these side affects.

Nobody should have to suffer all these bad effects..

My experience is similar to most of the people here.
I am 40 years male weight about 155 lbs does work out regularly. I am a pre-diabetic and high-blood pressure. After initial check for BP, doctor found elevated levels of Triglycerides and prescribed simvastatin 10 mg and asked to continue workout. After taking about one-and-half month I started noticing chilling cold hands, pain in joins and SWELLING on my left chest. Then began observing my symptoms closely and surprised to see loss of energy, short term memory, gas, frequent urination, dry mouth, left hand , shoulder and left chest pain. I have discussed these with my doctor and the doctor tested blood, EKG,chest x-ray etc everything came as expected and no signs of cardiac arrest/or ill effects. The doctor also did stress test (treadmill EKG) and scheduled mammogram due to swelling(tender/no mass) on my left chest. Yesterday night I feel very concerned on my left chest and left hand pain and went to another doctor. The doctor immediately checked EKG, x-ray, blood test and none of them have any answers. They the doctor checked my ONLY prescription SIMVASTATIN 10mg and asked to stop this medicine for a while. I am going stop using this medication for a while and see if it improves. I will post my results here.

I am so happy to have found information concerning Zocor on the internet and this particular website. My husband and I started on Zocor about 3 months ago when our insurance company, Caremark would not pay for Lipitor which we were on for about 10 years prior with little side affects. I started to notice that my hair was falling out and I started to have insomnia, something I never suffered from. Also started to notice heart palpitations.
My husband, meanwhile had started to notice extreme joint pain in his thumbs and seemed to be spreading to his fingers. Since I'm fairly new to the internet and google, I goggled Zocor and I can only say that I was shocked to read about all the side affects that we were experiencing appear on the many websites. I feel sorry for all the men and women going thru the trauma of hair loss and pain and a lot of other side affects from this drug, who may not have access to this kind of information. I plan on emailing the FDA so at least Zocor should disclose these side affects.

Im a 32 year old male that was put on simvastatin 40 mg and cardizem 240 mg. I am now having severe headaches, so bad i cant go too work anymore, dizziness, fatigue, legs feel shaky all the time, cant stand up for long periods of times. Doctors claim its not the medications but its funny i never had these problems until i started taking these medications, after reading what people have too say about the simvastatin on here i am done with that, i cant live my life like this anymore. I have also heard my other medication can cause these problems so im going too talk too my cardiologist about a different one too control my heart. Im glad i have found other people having problems like me, i don't feel so crazy now.

Wow, i cannot believe what i'm reading. I have been taking Simvastatin for almost three years. My Doctor never mentioned any side effects. It has gotten bad enough for me to seek information on the internet. What medicine cause all my symptoms; Tingling in the hand and feet, weakness of muscles, dropping things, dizziness, memory problems, sore muscles, sinus problems sore knees, arms, shoulders, stomach,numbness, sensitivity to light. I'm sure glad i have found this web site. I think i am going to take myself off of it for a week and see if things improve. Drug companies must be making a killing on this medicine since they refuse to warn potential patients.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2001 and have been taking 10mg simvastatin ever since. Over the last six months have had severe increasing pain in right shoulder neck and arm. Out of the blue the doctor has since automatically changed dose from 10mg to 40mg. I have not taken the 40 yet as I am too scared and am using up the 10mg. Sometimes have diarrhea and nausea. I had to wait 2 weeks for xray and another 2 weeks for the result. Am to see the doctor in 2 days because I cannot stand the pain any longer. A month ago he told me to come off the simvastin as I would not have to wait long, but after 2 weeks thought I had better go back on it again. Have now stopped again because the pains are worse. wondering about taking herbal medicine instead.

No side effects yet - coz I haven't taken it!!! I recently had my blood work done, it had been 2 years slightly elevated cholesterol so, in those 2 years leading up to latest bloodwork, I've eaten oatmeal every morning, taken Flax/Omega 3, B-complex, olive oil for all cooking, I have a glider, 20mins. 5 days wk. but had to watch myself, lost too much weight, I'm only 105lbs now, etc. etc....so, shock and horror my latest results: 232 Total Chol. 157LDL 57HDL-good number really, and best thing, 91 triglycerides, glucose 87 - so I guess some of the above improved some numbers. Dr. suggested a doppler/carotid.....a note received yesterday "some build up" and enclosed prescript. for 40mg. of this poison which seems kind of a high dose to me? So, is he not telling me the extent of "some build up?" what's "some"....I need to find that out first - but I really don't think I'm gonna be taking this stuff - there is so much info out there debunking this cholesterol thing....I'm 58, would there be natural build up in arteries, I mean your plumbing pipes don't stay pristine forever - there's bound to be build up, surely? Or am I kidding myself. Any suggestions out there, people!????

Have been on Simvastatin since May 2007. Have experienced debilitating headaches every day for the first three months, neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, tiredness to the point of having to stop what I am doing and go to bed and am wondering now whether any other female taking Simvastatin has experienced a burning sensation when passing very hot water and extremely uncomfortable and painful sex.

Unable to focus eyes on any target while moving. Later extreme muscle soreness and weakness. Unable to do some simple chores. Lower back and upper legs ached mostly first thing in the morning, got a little better later in the day. Have stopped taking Simvastatin. Will wait and see. Have taking statins since an angioplasty 11-12 years ago. T.

Despite having a brush with the big C last year (I finished chemotherapy in January) I have been very fit and healthy during my 61 years! A few weeks ago I started having palpitations, hence a visit to the doctor revealed high blood pressure and cholesterol reading of 9.9!!! Shock, horror. He informed me that it was genetic and prescribed Simvastatin 400mg and Bendroflumethiazide 2.5 mg daily.
Not being satisfied with the enclosed leaflets I have looked up more info. on the net. Should I have done this!!! After reading some of the posting on the site I am feeling a bit apprehensive. Last night I had a terrible night couldn't sleep for the pains in my legs and a bit nausea this morning.
But I need to be sensible, I really don't have any choice but to take these drugs just hoping that I won't have to stay on them for the rest of my life and I don't get any of the side effects that some of you have suffered. I also wonder if the chemotherapy could have caused by raised cholesterol?
Hope to keep you posted and would welcome any comments!

please can u tell me does anybody on this site suffer from memory loss cause they are taking simvastatin

I was taking Lovastatin until the VA told me that it was not on their formulary any longer and I had to take Simvastatin. Within a couple months my feet started burning and a numbness began creeping up my legs. I began falling, staggering and lost the ability to walk without two canes. I thought I was in the early stages of MS or ALS and feared I was dying. My fiance' did research on the internet (Spacedoc.com) and discovered that the symptoms I was suffering from were the result of Statin Poisoning (don't take my word...look it up) I took myself off the Simvastatin at the doctors request and began taking 4 1000mg of Omega 3 Fish Oil, 2 50mg CoQ10, 1 50mg L Carnitine, a multi vitamin, and 1 81mg coated aspirin per day. I still have numbness in my legs and some burning in my feet one and one half years later. My Neurologist has told me (and written a letter to the effect) that I am permanently disabled...that this will never go away. Statins (all Statins) are poison...don't take them....the pharmacutical companies only push them to make MONEY they don't care about you or your health. If you need more information contact me anytime and I'll be happy to share any research I have. ******