Vytorin and left shoulder

Yes, I have been taking Vytorin 10/40 for about 10 months, and it did reduce my cholesterol and triglycerides to 'normal', however, I slowly developed (initially) some 3 months back, problems in my left solder, diagnosed eventually as 'rotator cuff' ligament damage, however, it came on slowly and progressively worsened. I had not done anything strenuous to develop such a condition. It became so bad that I was basically redd to using my right arm. On top of this, the muscles in my lower arms became sore and felt strained even lifting a glass of water was painful. My Doctor was informed of increasing on-going muscle problems, did an emzine muscle test, which turned out to be 'clear'. And I also lost my sexual drive gradually.
I went off taking Vytorin a week ago on my own gut feeling, and my arm muscles and left shoulder have improved. I am also hoping no permanent damage. I am moving to a much higher exercise regime to 'burn' cholesterol and reduce triglycerides, and in the mean time look for 'natural' solutions as well.
I am not impressed with the medical responses I got, along with miss-diagnosed muscle / tendon supposed 'rotator cuff' serious problem that developed in my left shoulder, which I suspect may never be the same functionally. I recommend looking at other alternatives and natural remedies, this is my course of action. MM

Hey guys....I'm 27 and have been on this for about 2 years and everything was ok, until a month ago. First... abdomen uncomfortableness, not really pain. Then, I was driving and it seemed like I just couldn't hold my neck up and it was so tired. I just wanted to lay my head down. Weird random muscle pains in my legs like the calfs and thighs. Then one night a pain in my left shoulder blade.....more muscle pain. Oh...and really crazy sweaty feet and sweaty joints like in the back of the legs and in the arms. This went on for about a month. I am posting this because I want to get the word out that it doesn't matter what age and totally normal healthy people can get this. The side effects were not Terrible but weird and not fun. You don't have to have the whole gam-met of anxiety attacks and insomnia. I have been off for 2 weeks and it got a little better...we'll see. Time to take fish oil instead. I will post later. Cya

I'm crying reading these posts. I thought there was something wrong with me. I'm 41 years old - and my family has a health history of "making" cholesterol. Both parents were on statins. My total cholesterol was 267 a few months ago - LDLs were 171 and my HDLs were 42. I started taking flaxseed meal every day - and within a few months, my cholesterol dropped to 193, my LDLs were 117 and my HDLs were the same.
My doctor's didn't think it was the flaxseed - they had prescribed Vytorin which I reluctantly took for about a week. They attributed my lowering numbers to the statin, not the flaxseed - so I followed their advice and started taking the Vytorin about 3 weeks ago......
Now I don't know if it's coincidence, but I have developed a severe left ear problem....and have taken 2 separate antibiotics, but to no avail. I have also developed a severe pain in my left shoulder, the back of my left arm and sometimes it shoots into my chest.
I suffer from anxiety attacks, so of course, to me, this is a heart attack, but since I've been tested so many times and I'm a healthy woman, I know that's not it. I thought I'd log onto google today and search out what could possibly be causing these troubles. I read these posts and I literally have been crying for about 15 minutes. My doctors have told me that Vytorin is almost a "magic" pill. They said if someone could tell you that you could take this pill and it would reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke by 50%, why wouldn't you take it? Given the history of your parents, it would be foolish to not.
I have also been given instructions to lose about 25 pounds (not bad), and I know that if I could just exercise, eat well and take my flaxseed as well as making sure I eat 2-3 meals of fish a week, then I have to be better, don 't you think?
Do you think statins are the only way to go? I'm so happy to know I'm not alone - I'm not going crazy - I'm not experiencing any heart attacks....my anxiety is ten-fold lately - I wake up after a full-night's sleep feeling exhausted. I have four wonderful children and a wonderful husband - I live for them - and I feel so sad and depressed lately.
Oh my gosh everyone - do you really think that the Vytorin would have such an incredible impact on all of our lives?????

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.

My Doctor prescribed Vytorin becase my LDL was high (160), about 1 month ago. At the beginning, I didn't feel anything, but gradually I have been feeling stiffness and pain in all my joints and an incredible pain on my left shoulder, extending to the arm giving it a burning sensation. My mood has changed. I'm more irritable, depressed and my memory is worse than ever. I can't enjoy reading anymore because is very difficult to focus. My appetite increased enourmously and I gained 5 pounds since I'm taking Vytorin 10/40 every other day. I just read in this site that many people is experiencing the same side effects, so tomorrow (Monday), I'll notify my doctor I'm going to stop this poison. Iread in other websites that it causes muscle destruction and inhibits the synthesis of cholesterol in the brain, needed for well functioning. Who approved this crazy drug?