Simvastatin and persistent cough

I took simvastatin about a year ago and took myself off it because I had really agonizing night cramps in my legs. A different doctor recently persuaded me to take the drug again because my cholesterol was high, but after only two weeks this time I have a swollen throat and tongue and a persistent cough. Last night I had a breathing problem and thought I was going to die - I just couldn't get any breath into my lungs. I woke up every half hour or so in the night, unable to breathe. I'm thinking I shouldn't be taking these things into my body if they have such dreadful effects. Are they common> Does anybody else have these effects?