Simvastatin and sleep

Initially felt depressed, then suffered from severe fatigue, don't sleep as well, and in the last few months have had difficulty getting and maintaining an erection. I can't believe several others have spoken about this very same issue on this site. I never had any issue for 47 years and then suddenly a noticeable difference in the last 3 months. Based on everything I read, I'm getting off this drug, and will try to control via exercise and eating habits. Thanks to everyone for sharing their symptoms.

simvastatin causes nightmares that's why your sweating so bad. I have never had nightmares since I was a kid. I started taking simvastatin (zocor) and the first night I sweated and woke up with a racing heart. I didn't know why. The 2nd night I woke up and thought someone was in my room I saw someone in the dark run across the room. I jumped up jammed my hand into my draw pulling my hand gun out. Now that Im fully awake I don't see anything. I'm so wound up I can't sleep the rest of the night. The next day today I do a google search about nightmares and boom found a new study that Statin's cause nightmares because it penitrates into the brain. Its made out of a fungus. Anyway i'm done with statin's My ratio is 3.63 so not too bad but I think diet and exercise with fish oil will do it. If you have to be on this stuff there are 2 that don't get into the brain. Check it out Pravachol and Crestor.

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

28 year old 6 ft 4 in 200 pound male. cholesterol approaching 300 on 80mgs a day of simvastatin. Legs and arms immediately sore after a round of horseshoes. How ridiculous. trouble concentrating, can't sleep, have sour stomach. have the trots daily. Great way to live. This sucks!

I have been on Simvastatin for nearly two months , the first 6 weeks fine, then I felt as if I was on another planet!
Severe headaches, dizziness, neck and leg aches and a horrible consistent buzzing in both ears.I went to my GP , who advised me to come off of Simvastatin for two weeks. Now off of these horrible tablets I am still suffering from slight headaches and achey joints, and as for the buzzing in the ears, its driving me mad. I felt perfectly fine before I took Simvastatin. Will I go back on them ----- I don't think so!!

omg, im 32 years old been on zocor for 3 months now and am experiencing dizziness and disassociation with myself. I know now that it is from the drug. It seems like i want to sleep all the time. I was pretty convinced it was from stress but i have been in war in Iraq and under stress-post war depression and its nothing like statin side effects!! I went on statins because of a genetic disorder that runs in my family, the cause, well high cholesterol. Now my levels are fine but i feel like im a zombie most days? i know in the long run its healthier for my heart and veins to have low levels but at what extent? i think im going to go off for a few weeks and then back on it.

I am 38 years old and had my second child 7 months ago. My family history for heart disease is very poor and my cholesterol was 6.2 so my doctor prescribed 10 mgs of simvastatins in November. Before taking them I felt fine in myself, since taking them I have felt exhausted, not just tired, I have insomnia, very bad nightmares when I do manage to sleep. On top of this I have started to feel depressed and anxious, short of breath and my hair is falling out! I had myself convinced that i had post natal depression but decided to stop taking statins a few days ago, feeling slightly better. My doctor prescribed me an anti depressant today, should I take them? Does anyone know how long statins stay in our system?

I am so glad I found this site. I have been having hideous headaches and just today thought perhaps it's the Simvastatin that I started this summer. I had an occasion this summer where I lost the vision in one eye (half way up). The doctor said that is called "window blind" vision loss. So after doppler and MRI he said I had to absolutely take 81 mg of aspirin a day (baby aspirin) and started me on cholesterol lowering meds. I didn't want to take the cholesterol lowering meds so at first I resisted completely. However, in the past month I have started to take them. Every night I would wake up with a headache and my neck and shoulders were hurting also. I kept thinking that I was going to have a stroke. The pain was so bad I would vomit but the area of the headache was not where I would get migraines. The pain was more in the back of my head and my neck and shoulders. I decided to do some reading on the internet and found that headaches is a major symptom of simvastatin. I will do my own experiment now and stay off of it for 10 days. I will then start it again and see if the symptoms return. My doppler said I had mild build up of plaque...at 57 I would imagine most people of mild build up of plaque. I don't want a stroke or heart attack but I can't live with these headaches and the lack of sleep.

I was prescribed simvistatin 20mgs a month ago. I have been off work unwell for three weeks now and have only just realized that it is this drug that is causing me all my problems. Poor sleep, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, brain fog ...bla ...bla... I thought i was going nuts until I googled simvistatin. I stopped taking it 3 days ago and I feel like I am gradually recovering. I just hope I haven't done any permanent damage.

Thought I would come online to check up about another possible side effect and caught a posting about male libido. I off Statins on 9th July this year after suffering all the pain related side effects mentioned on the site and in my previous posting in August. Last week my normal monthly cycle started up again after 8 months. I thought that I had gone through the change but with no side effects. Seems to me that Statins might also effect hormones, but as we all seem to be of a similar age groups, we blame the way our lives are effected on our age. I know that I thought that everyone who hit 50 experienced exactly the same fatigue, pain (arthritis - gout), weight gain, loss of drive etc. I have been off them for 13 weeks now and I haven't looked back. I really can't remember now just how bad I was feeling towards the end, but I know that I was very close to giving up I just didn't think that I could live feeling the way I did at the time and knowing that I was getting progressively worse. Now I am just very angry that people are having to go through what we have. I just wondered if any other women had their monthly cycle altered/ stopped whilst on this drug, only for it to return after coming off?

I have corrected my typing error I am not on 400mg it should have read 40mg. Thanks to the reader of my experience who very kindly pointed out my error!!!!
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 40mg 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!

I have been taking Simvastatin for 2 mos & I have been experiencing horrible insomnia,fatigue, and frequent nocturia with urgency. I would particularly like to know if any one else has experience the urinary urgency?

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!

This site may have saved my life! My blood pressure & cholesterol meds were changed last Sept., and like Virge, 3 months later I had a severe vertigo attack (while driving). Long story short, I have been a wreck ever since...feeling dizzy & faint, anxiety attacks, spiking BP, acute insomnia, soreness in the back of my neck, overly sensitive to bright lights and loud sounds, and several reactions to anti-anxiety meds & vitamin B pills (some of which placed me in ER!).

I've seen over 20 different doctors & specialists, and NOT ONE has ever questioned the Simvastatin. A couple weeks ago, I Googled Simvastatin & vertigo and saw that vertigo was listed as a side-effect...then I saw the notes on this site. This prompted another visit to my doctor.

I've been off it ever since, and have noticed a substantial change for the better (I can sleep well again!) - although I'm still always dizzy and my BP has risen. I'm hoping that by taking it for so long, I haven't incurred any substantial long-term side-effects! I'm also wondering why some of us react so negatively to the drug - if there is another underlying medical condition that would cause such an adverse reaction?

I was prescribed Simvastatin following experiencing a stroke- the first time I took it I threw up seriously an hour later - but it was so close to my recent stroke that it was not recognized as having connection with the drug. The day I came home from hospital I threw up again -seriously and yes, in the projectile manner- I rang the hospital for advice - they told me to come in- and I was left waiting , desperate for sleep in accident and emergency- having been traiged as a non important case. On this occasion I was given some medication to control vomiting and sent home. The vomiting continued and eventually I realized it was the drug. I had to return to work a month after leaving hospital and I couldn't do this if there was any risk of sudden and projectile vomiting! I am quite angry that I was not told of the side effect and had to work it out- during a time when my brain was not at it's best!

I've been on simvastatins for about 2 years after TIAs. I'm 56. I had two small Strokes about year ago despite being on simvastatins. Had brain scan which showed two small areas of scarring and carotid artery scan- arteries fine. Started experiencing dizziness last year and GP diagnosed vertigo and gave me seasickness pills which didn't do much good. Since then I've experienced headaches which last for weeks, increasing fatigue (now struggle to get out of bed in morning) muscle pain which is getting really bad and sore feet (?). Increasing memory loss, confusion, lack of concentration, eye problems (when I first wake in morning my vision is blurred for ab out 30 minutes or so. I've been worried i mmay be developing Alzheimers. I've also piled on weight and the texture of my hair has changed - it has become very soft and silky and become thinner - normally my hair is very thick. Also I've had two perms in last 6 months which won't hold curl - been having perms for years and never had this problem. I've had several blood tests including for under-active thyroid and they have all been clear. I've been really worried about all these problems and did some research and came up with this site. I am beginning to think my problems stemm from taking 40mg Simvastatins so am going to stop them and book appointment with GP. Any comments/advice would be appreciated.

I'am only 26 but I have been a insulin dependent diabetic since the age of three. Being a diabetic for so long has made it difficult for my body to maintain normal cholesterol and triglceride levels. (I'am not overweight and I am very active) At 19 I was put on lipitor but it gave me severe stomach pains when I called the doctor they told me "it was just a side effect" and should subside. I wasn't on it for very long when I found out I was expecting and had to stop taking it anyway (can't take statins while your pregnant it can cause severe birth defects) Anyways, after I had my daughter they said my cholesterol was fine and they weren't going to put me back on anything. Yes! Until just recently my doctor discovered that my triglceride and cholesterol levels were so high he had the lab re-draw my blood tests! Odd because I feel perfectly fine. Because of the stomach pains years ago with Lipitor he put me on Simvisatin and Antara. Every since I have been on the Simvastatin my cholesterol levels are perfect but I am soo tired all the time. When ever I tell my doctor he says it's because I am a young mother of three and work full time. But this is a different kind of tired. I seriously could drink a five shot extra strength espresso and fall asleep this isn't normal. All my blood work is fine. It has to be a side effect.

My husband was prescribed 40mg of this drug 2 years back,for his high cholesterol reading. He is an ex-services and has always been extremely fit, he was tired for almost a year, then he began having headaches to the point he had a brain scan, because he thought he had a tumor. He also has had knee and neck joint problems and now the joints of his fingers are giving him pain He now wakes up each morning feels really ill and feels as though hes being strangled, the sensation lasts sometime for hours and he has to lie down. His doctor said it was blood pressure but he keeps a monitor and his pressure has been normal. His doctor said he should continue to take it, but when you read all the symptoms that people are getting while taking this drug it makes you realize they are all just guinea pigs for a large scale trial of the drug

I was prescribed Simvastatin four days ago, against my wishes, as I had heard about the side effects of muscle pain and numbness in the joints and feet. However, what I had not expected were the terrible nightmarish dreams that followed. On the fourth night I stopped taking Simvastin as I was literally too afraid to go to sleep.
I then slept fitfully but did not experience the vivid and disturbing dreams of the previous three nights.
I shall ask my doctor for alternative medication. If she cannot offer me anything other than statins, I shall stick to Benecol and research further!

Jacqui M.

I have been taking Simvastatin 20 mg. for about two and 1/2 months now. It really lowered my Cholesterol but I have been extremely fatigued and now I am getting really dizzy when standing up and having some nausea.

Beside the joint pain and nausea experienced day after I started medication, was waking up each morning at 3 a.m. and not being able to get back to sleep again. Doctor suggested I come off for 3 months to see now that my cholesterol is down to 6.0 whether I can control it by diet alone. I was on 20mg at night.

I have been on Simvastatins for a number of years, with no apparent side effects. Then last year I moved house and had to find a new doctor, who reviewed my medication. He doubled by dosage from 20mg to 40mg and now I feel as though I want to go to sleep all the time and my feet are very painful to walk on, its like walking on cobbled stone in your bare feet.

I started on it in June 2007, by December, I had gained 20 lbs, was out of breath most days and was weak all over. Had general sore muscles and felt out of strength. Been off now 5 days, strength is returning and am feeling much better. No weight loss yet but at least I feel much better. Sleeping was not affected one way or the other.

Severe insomnia,have been two two M.D. sleep clinics. Only answer was sleeping pills. Had pain in shoulder but MRI showed nothing. Chronic fatigue and depression (which is what happens when you go 54 hours without sleep). My daughter had same symptoms and figured it out. Problems started going away 3 days after quitting Simvastatin. Now have to get off of the sleeping pill addiction.
Dale972

Weight gain, headache, stomach pains, fatigue, balance issues, not able to sleep sound, itchy crawley feelings at night keeping me tossing and turning. I was just chalking this up to over work, I was concerned about the the weight gain and decided to check if there was a site that would let me know if anyone else had that issue and found this site. Nothing changed diet or otherwise, started taking the pills gained 15 pounds and all the other extras noted above started showing up. If anything my activity level was up so I don't understand the gain. Lots of mental foggy stuff lately with some depression, but depression seems normal when dealing with all the other stuff. I'm an "ok, get over it" type, so nice to know it isn't just me.

My husband just started taking Simvastatin for cholesterol a couple of weeks ago. Has begun having sleep problems, tosses and turns and wakes up consistently about 5 hours after taking his 20mg dosage before bedtime....Any others out there?

I have been on Simvastatin for about 3 yrs my feet constantly ache. The muscles in my arms feel really weak and sometimes I cannot hold a cup without being in real pain. My nails are brittle and easily broken. I do not sleep very well