Vytorin and doctors

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.

Shortly before Christmas 2007 my doctor decided my LDL was too high (104) so changed me to Vytorin from just Simvastatin. Shortly after the new year I became so weak that I would look at my stairway and wonder how I was going to manage going up for the night. I was extremely tired and terribly weak, hurting all over. I didn't even want a back rub from my husband because I hurt so bad. I arbitrarily stopped taking the Vytorin and resumed my Simvastatin (40mg/day) When I called my doctor he poo-pooed my symptoms and said if I had those symptoms with Vytorin I would have them with the Simvastatin. 2 weeks later my cardiologist assured me that I was not imagining the symptoms and increased my Simvastatin dose to 60mg/day which seems to be fine. Three of my co-workers experienced the same problems and took themselves off medication. Doctors...listen up!!!

I never thought about Vytorin being an issue until I went to the ear, nose and throat guy the other day for an earache and bronchitis I had been having for the last month. Reviewing my chart, he said what ever you have heard in the news about Vytorin just ignore and keep taking it. Long story short, every since August I have been having what the doctors might think is MS, but they can't peg it. Tremors and seizures, constant pain in my legs and arms, a vision problem, tired all the time, numbness in my face legs and arms, headaches, depression. the list goes on. I had stomach problems but they could never find anything wrong for my feeling sick all the time, so I'm on another med for that. I was just hospitalized again, this time for pancreatitis, again they have no idea why this occurred, they can't explain it. I just know that I am tired of feeling like crap and being sick and being in the hospital all the time. I am going to talk to my doctors about being pulled off the Vytorin and we will see how I feel then. Plus I guess I need to consult my attorney also.

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.