Vytorin and vytorin

On Vytorin for the first time 10/80 for 8 weeks -cholesterol numbers are fine now. My liver count was slightly high and my doctor said that was fine. I took myself off. This is the 3rd day without and I am less tired each day and I am feeling like myself again.

* Completely sunburned after 30 minutes in the sun
* Have to get up at least once a night to urinate (never had before)
* Extreme pain in my feet when I first get up in the morning. (Goes away in 30 seconds) If I feel it when I get up to urinate, I won't feel it later when I normally get up
* Decreased sex drive
* Cholesterol decrease from 310 to 147

Afraid these side effects are just the beginning

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

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 am a 45 yr old female and I have been on Vytorin for about 2 yrs or so for my cholesterol problems. Was on Lipitor before that and was getting leg pain so I stopped taking it. When blood work time came around it was still up so my doc put me on Vytorin. I have noticed that I feel like I'm dying. I have severe neck,back and arm pain, cold and hot attacks, can't sleep, chest pain,blurred vision, sudden stomach cramps, nausea, throat and ear aches, and bad stomach problems. I have had heart cath, ekgs,endoscopy, blood work and everything keeps coming back normal. Matter of fact, I went to the heart doc today and he put me on a 24 hour monitor and for low heart rate that has gradually gotten worse over the past few months.He even mentioned a pace maker. I don't even want to start about the depression and anxiety attacks that I have. They are AWFUL. But the more blogs that I have read, I think I know where the problem may lye. The Vytorin, so as of tonight I will NOT take another one..I just hope that there is no permanent damage done as far as my liver. I hope you all the best and I will let you know how I start to feel in the next few days...

every day my feet, legs up to knees, hands and up to mid forearm and face become tingly, numb and very weak to where I cannot get out of my chair or out of bed. Sweaty and chilled, headache, neck ache, thirst. I am on vytorin10/80. 63 yr old female. It sucks!

I'm 44 and have taken Vytorin for several months. Having a lot of the symptoms listed. Has anyone had a problem with the heart skipping beats? I took myself off the stuff yesterday and already I feel a lot better - not great yet but I'm hoping thats to come.

a lot of pain on the right side , back pain, nausea, gas, lots of stomach distress

I've had a heart attack at age 46 (2000) and had two stents put in. I have been on various cholesterol medicines. If my cholesterol went down my triglycerides went up, leg pains were horrible. In 2004 the Dr did another angioplasty my arteries looked clear. In 2007 I started having chest pains and went in for another angioplasty, I had two 90% blocked arteries and One 70%. I have been taking Vytorin for over two years, I started with 10/20, I had moderate cholesterol and a little high in triglycerides, and a little high in my liver enzymes. My doctor increased me to 10/40 since the angioplasty, yes everything dropped in to normal ranges except my liver enzymes which have now doubled.I have had very strange eye attacks, it is like my eyes go numb, anxiety attacks, depression, horrible lower back ache by my hips, shoulder pain coming on lately. The good thing is that this comes and goes, it is not constant, but when it hits it is bad. One thing I think I have been an example for, is Vytorin doesn't work any better than anything else, because if it did I wouldn't have had 2 more blocked arteries,
Now I am concerned about the 3rd one he did not put a stent in it and upped my dosage hoping it would keep it from clogging. I fear I am doomed...

1. Throbbing and radiating pain in thigh muscles, back muscles, and arms and hands.

2. Calf cramps when sleeping and Restless Leg syndrome.

3. Numbness in toes

4. Headaches when in a lot of pain.

5. Blurry vision throughout the day along with dry eye syndrome

6. Dry Skin problems, and bacteria infection of hair follicles on head.

7. Chest Pains like having a heart attack.

8. Forgetfulness, short and long term

9. Anxiety, Depression, disorientation, panic attacks, worrying about everything

10. Overly Aggressive behavior, not normal to past personality

11. Feelings of dying and death in general. Being overly concerned that life insurance is paid up etc...

12. Problems swallowing, breathing, and sleeping

13 Kidney & Bowel problems

14. CPK Test of 2300, 2600, and rising until medication stopped.

15. Glucose variations between 62 and 136 during repeated fasting FBG

16 Biopsy of thigh muscle showed Statin Drug throughout thigh muscle causing severe degeneration & inflammation.

17. Five months after stopping Vytorin CPK is down from 2650 to 900. I still have symptoms, but throbbing and radiating pains seem to be gone. Still have muscle pain & weakness, difficulty swallowing and breathing, and am being treated with an anti-inflammatory drug, a pill for anxiety and depression, a sleeping pill and CPAP machine for breathing when sleeping. However I still have trouble sleeping and pains in the night.

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 am totally freaking out while reading these Vytorin postings. I have everything listed plus more....I have never thought anything more than it was me 'aging' or what ever. I started working out almost a year ago, just to make me 'feel better' but continue to battle with bad health. About 1 month ago, I got pneumonia (2nd time in 2 years), 3 weeks ago I started having deep 'tennis elbow' type pains in my arms. I mentioned this to a lab tech friend and she flip replays 'sounds like a side effect from a drug you are on.' I am taking Vytorin (and only Vytorin) so I decide to look it up: As I am reading these other postings, I find a familiar string with ailments I have experienced and told my physician but have never been led to think any possible connection with Vytorin. I have had several problems including: shooting, electrical pains in my lower and upper back and chest, elbow pain, pneumonia, diarrhea/constipation flux, anxiety, strange visual thoughts and memory loss.

I started having extreme pain in my shoulder. Then in my hip and lower back. Then one day I was fifty miles from home and I had extreme pain in my stomach and back. The pain was so bad I couldn't hardly drive. I had to call someone to come and pick me up and take me to a doctor.
I was given a pain shot and an antibiotic shot. He said my white blood cell count was pretty high. The pain shot did nothing for me.I've been given a round of antibiotics, Z pack, inflammation tablets, and muscle relaxers.
The pain has eased up a little, but the pain is still pretty bad. The doctor wanted to know if I had started a new medicine recently. The only new medicine I was taking is Vytorin. I had also had chest pains. I had no idea that any of these pains had anything to do with each other.
To me Vytorin has been a nightmare.
My whole Christmas was ruined because I was in extreme pain.

I have been taking Vytorin for about 10 weeks. During this time, I have experienced aches and pain in my neck to the point of tears. Hands get numb, lower back, now....knees, joints, fingers, hips, EVERYTHING HURTS. At first I thought it was due to the fact that I just started work (bar tender/food server) which requires a lot of lifting, reaching, stretching etc. As far as I know all that motion would make me healthier. Right? Common sense tells me......hmmmmm if I've been working for a month and I still HURT and it's getting worse....what the????? The Dr who prescribed the Vytorin then suggested that I go to physical therapy; The PT told me that I had strains in my back from working. What the? Then I'm told that I'm experiencing aches and pains because I'm in recovery????? What the????? I'm in so much pain when I wake up, my hands are stiff, I can hardly move my entire body. This is like it's a drug induced fibromyalgia. I'd rather go home to the Lord from high cholesterol than live with this pain. Today I am stopping the Vytorin. I had one of those AH HA moments that was posted on this site. It's really sad that I had to do the research on what has been the cause of my aches and pains; when the first thing any doctor asks.....what medications are you taking? BOLD LETTERS......VYTORIN!!! I'm going to take a nap, try to rest the next two days off work being that I have a doctor's excuse to do so after marching myself to the medical facility where I live and BEING ANGRY and letting them know........I should not have to have had to diagnose myself. WE ALL KNOW OUR BODIES....I kept insisting that I hurt so bad and it wasn't from "work" or being in "recovery". So, I certainly can relate to all the posts. I'm going to be 50 on 12/19 and I feel as if I'm 80. Thank God (lol) I "look good". A sense of humor goes a long way......but it's so hard to not be a little grouchy when we hurt, right? You are all in my prayers.

I have been on Lexapro for several years to help with migraine auras brought on by anxiety.
6 months ago my doctor put me on Vitorin for my high cholesterol (280 total) which was not being controlled with Lipitor. Lately I have been having the auras again and thought maybe the Lexapro had stopped working.
I also have a problem sleeping straight through the night, have recently started having strong frequent urges to urinate, and some strange mental/visual experiences. e.g. I was recently in route to JFK terminal and I swore that a sign said "Jet Blue-terminal 4". My daughter said that it was 6 but my brain literally SAW 4. She was right.
The other day I was taking a frozen dinner out of the freezer for lunch. The package said "Stouffers" and I was surprised because I didn't think I had bought Stouffers. When I went to open it it was a "Smart One" frozen meal, but I SWEAR I saw "Stouffers." I'm 54 but thought maybe I had a brain tumor or early Altsheimers or something.
I came upon this forum by mistake looking for answers. Maybe Vytorin is my problem, even though I do not experience any of the joint or muscle pain.
I need to go back to my primary physician to have the cholesterol rechecked. This better all end soon because its scaring the daylights out of me!

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.