Vytorin and calves

Was on Vytorin for 2 years & experienced no noticeable side effects during that time. It lowered my cholesterol to 179. Had a hysterectomy (complete) in Dec., 2007. In May, 2008, I began a sudden on-set of severe numbness in both hands (especially when lying down)--classic carpal tunnel symptoms and intense pain in all joints. When I move from a sitting position to stand up, I can hardly do it. This is what I thought I would feel like at maybe 80 years old--not 46 yrs. I thought maybe it was because I'm not taking hormone replacements, but my doctor said it could be the Vytorin & he took me off of it. I've been off for 2 months, but the symptoms are not improving. The carpal tunnel seems to have lightened up a bit, but the joint pain (especially hips) has not gotten any better. I wonder if it ever will????? Also experience fatigue, foot pain, & weak fingers.

I was on Vytorin for about 3 years. Originally I was prescribed 40 mg and when my ldl didnt go down enough for the doctor. I was prescribed 80 mg a day about a year and a half ago. A bit of history....I had a heart attack at 33 years of age and at that time was given angioplasty. I am now 44 years old and have not had another attack. I have been having muscle pain for over year, although it feels more like my syatic sp? nerves in my lower back. My knees are so bad that I have been having to wear knee braces periodically and can no longer kneel without falling over in extreme pain. My muscles in my thighs have been deteriorating even though I have been working out with a personal trainer for over a year and my calves were getting huge to compensate. I also went to an eye dr. as I was having trouble reading and driving at night due to blurry vision. They said that I still had 20/20 vision and to start using very light reading glasses when reading and that should help. The last straw was when I was on vacation and had a terrible bout of paranoia. It was so bad that I can't even tell anyone what it was about. Another major effect that I have had over the years from any statin is the fact that my sexual urges are basically non existent.

Now for the good news!!!! In late April, after returning from my vacation, I decided that I wanted to see if the Vytorin/Simvastatin was giving me a majority of these symptoms and decided to quit cold turkey. Well 2 months later I can say that I feel about 90% better. I haven't had to use the reading glasses within 48 hours of stopping (I'm not even sure where they're at now). Within a week I noticed my libido returning and the paranoia completely gone. Within the last 2 weeks I have noticed my thigh muscles coming back and the muscles around my knees getting stronger. I am so thankful that I am returning back to normal!!

I will never, ever take another Statin again!!!!

I just started taking Vytorin and my doc told me if I had any muscle aches to call him. I haven't yet. But my symptoms are very tired all the time, my hamstrings and calves ache all the time as if I have the flu. I have an ache in my left arm, my joints ache like the flu, also my right him feels like its going to slip out of socket sometime when I stand and turn. My back hurts a lot as if I have bee lift weights with my back.My appetite is almost gone, that part I like however I go all day sometimes without being hungry or eating. Some mornings I wake up very, very thirsty. The worst symptoms is the body and joint aches. I was attempting to have sex with my wife everything started out fine then all of a sudden whammo, it turtled-up. I've experienced this before but only after playing 3 hours of basketball or weight lifting. I've only taken Vytorin every other day.

I began taking Vytorin and within a week I had terrible muscle and joint pains. Pain in my hips, calves, knees, shoulders, arms. With each day that I took the pill, the pain got more intense to the point where I couldn't walk without limping. After reading multiple entries about this side effect, I immediately stopped taking the drug and the pain is beginning to subside. I absolutely cannot take this drug and will try to find other alternatives to lowering cholesterol as the side-effects in my situation far outweigh the benefits.