Zocor and cholesterol level

Started taking the Zocor generic Simvistatin just 2 days ago. My legs hurt so bad that I can not sleep. My right knee is swollen to the point I have very limited range of motion and can barely walk up stairs. It is after midnight and I can't sleep. Also having some angina and my little toe on my right foot is somewhat numb. I will be contacting my physician about this tomorrow. My cholesterol was 105 and this doesn't seem to be worth it to me!

Except for having high cholesterol (310), I'm a 29 yr old healthy active female, very petite and weigh 98lbs. My mother has had a quadruple bypass and 4 stents at the age of 54, high cholesterol is just hereditary in my family. My doctor put me on 40 mg of zocor. The first week taking zocor I started feeling strange, a little soar here and there and very tired at times, also I have become very forgetful. It's been almost 2 months now and I have severe pain in my legs. First it was the right leg and now both legs, the pain starts at my lower back all the way down to my cav. I have a burning painful feeling sometimes numbing feeling, its driving me crazy!!!! I can't stand for too long cause I feel tons of pressure on my lower back pushing down my legs, It feels like my sciatic nerve. I went to my doctor and he said he is 95% sure that this is from the zocor medication, he told me to stop it right away. This is my first day without it, I know I need to do something to prevent what happen to my mother, I'm on a strict healthy diet, staying away from all fatty cholesterol filled foods, but there has to be a better way then taking statin drugs! If anyone has some ideas of what kind of alternative meds I can take, please help.

I am only 42 years old and have been on zocor for the past 30 months. I've had mild tingling in my feet and achy joints along with slightly elevated liver enzymes and fatigue since then. Ever since my doctor increased the zocor to 80 mg per day ( because although my cholesterol level is normal, my triglycerides are still very high) , I feel like I am 100 years old! All my joints ache so bad and my feet and hands alternately tingle or feel very cold! I am also having trouble focusing when I look from something close up to something far away! I am also clumsier and more forgetful. Could these symptoms be caused by coenzyme-Q deficiency?

PLEASE HELP! My father, age 74, was on lipitor for a year or so and then was switched to zocor a few weeks ago to help control his cholestorol. In the past week, the tightening he experienced in his leg, while on lipitor, has become debilitating leg pain now while he is on Zocor. Ultrasounds have ruled out a blood clot. He has no pain when he sits, but he describes the pain has his calf wanting to explode when he stands and he cannot walk with out the help of a cain. The pain radiates from his leg up to his hip.

His cardiologist has taken him off the zocor for a few weeks to see if there is an improvement. It has been 3 days and he feels a bit of relief. SO here is the million dollar question: His labs indicate his cholestorol is normal now, most likely thanks to the statins.....can anyone suggest another form of meds that will help regulate his cholestorol....say COeq10 and fish oil? Any help is SO appreciated!!! Thanks to each of you for your posts. It is so comforting for my dad to know he isn't developing a new issue and that it can be resolved with the removal of zocor!

Over 6 years ago, the following Petition was submitted to the FDA, I would encourage every patient being treated with statins to read it and bring it to the immediate attention of their physician:

CITIZEN PETITION TO CHANGE THE LABELING FOR
ALL STATIN DRUGS (MEVACOR, LESCOL, PRAVACHOL, ZOCOR, LIPITOR, AND ADVICOR) RECOMMENDING USE OF
100-200mg PER DAY OF SUPPLEMENTAL CO-ENZYME Q10 TO REDUCE THE RISK OF STATIN-INDUCED MYOPATHIES (INCLUDING
CARDIOMYOPATHY AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE). http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/dailys/02/May02/052902/02p-0244-cp00001-01-vol1.pdf
May 24, 2002
Petitioner:
Dr. Julian M. Whitaker, M.D.

This Petition is based in part on the clinical findings of Dr Peter H. Langsjoen, MD, which he also reported to the FDA:

Statins kill people - lots of people - and they wound many, many more. All patients taking statins become depleted in Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), eventually - those patients who start with a relatively low CoQ10 levels (the elderly and patients with heart failure) begin to manifest signs/symptoms of CoQ10 deficiency relatively rapidly - in 6 to 12 months. Younger, healthier people who's only "illness" is the non-illness "hypercholesterolemia" can tolerate statins for several years before getting into trouble with fatigue, muscle weakness and soreness (usually with normal muscle enzyme CPK tests) and most ominously - heart failure. In my practice of 17 years in Tyler, Texas, I have seen a frightening increase in heart failure secondary to statin usage, "statin cardiomyopathy". Over the past five years, statins have become more potent, are being prescribed in higher doses, and are being used with reckless abandon in the elderly and in patients with "normal" cholesterol levels. We are in the midst of a CHF epidemic in the US with a dramatic increase over the past decade. Are we causing this epidemic through our zealous use of statins? In large part I think the answer is yes. We are now in a position to witness the unfolding of the greatest medical tragedy of all time - never before in history has the medical establishment knowingly (Merck & Co., Inc. has two 1990 patents combining CoQ10 with statins to prevent CoQ10 depletion and attendant side effects) created a life threatening nutrient deficiency in millions of otherwise healthy people, only to then sit back with arrogance and horrific irresponsibility and watch to see what happens - as I see two to three new statin cardiomyopathies per week in my practice, I cannot help but view my once great profession with a mixture of sorrow and contempt.

I am 31 year old been on zocor for 8 months. Doctror prescribed it for cholesterol was 230. I have had muscle weakness, pain in shoulder, chronic neck pain,anxiety attacks, hives,and uncontrolled itching,and have been put on meds for depression.I am stopping the medication tomorrow thanks for all the posting very enlighting. Will post again in a few months.

I had Hodgkin’s Disease in 1981 at which time they removed my spleen.
I was given a supply of Erythromycin antibiotics as a prophylactic, as a result of my Splenectomy to counteract any ongoing infections etc. and I have used this now for years, on an as necessary basis rather than continual, with good results.
In 1994 I suffered a Heart Attack and they found my Cholesterol level to be 9.6. I had Angioplasty and a Stent was inserted to hold the artery open.
Following that, I was prescribed Zocor (Simvastatin) to reduce my Cholesterol level.
My eyesight, which has always been very poor as I have Cone Dystrophy, deteriorated over the next three years to a point where I was registered as blind in 1998. The form indicated “Primary loss of central field”.
I suffered various side-effects from the Statin including General Weakness, Panic Attacks and Palpitations. My Cholesterol during this period averaged around 7.
The Doctor changed my Statin to Lipitor (Atorvastatin) in 1998.
In 2000 I complained to the doctor that I had severe muscular problems, to a point where I had to wear knee supports just to climb the stairs. He referred me to the Physiotherapist who manipulated my legs and gave me exercises to help strengthen the muscles. I was unable to walk after that for about 2 weeks!
By sheer fluke, I went on holiday in 2001 and forgot to take my Statins with me. I did not start taking them again straightaway when I returned and I noticed my muscles improving. As I had an appointment with the doctor, I started taking Lipitor again and found that my muscles again deteriorated.
Apart from the muscle issues I experienced lethargy and some digestive problems.
I suspended taking the Statins in October 2001 and my muscles gradually returned.
My Cholesterol crept up to 9.2 and I was referred to the Lipid Clinic at St. Bartholemews Hospital in March 2002.
The specialist there put me on Lescol (Fluvastatin), together with a diet of fruit, beans and chicken.
My muscles continued to return but I suffered from sleeplessness, nightmares and headaches and generally felt unwell. My Cholesterol did, however, reduce to 6.1 and my Triglycerides fell from 14 to 2.3.
In July 02, I stopped taking Lescol (due to erectile dysfunction) and my general well being improved immediately.
I was not prescribed any other Statins at that time and by February 2003 my muscles had returned to almost normal but my Cholesterol had crept up to 8.7.
In February 2003 the Lipid specialist at Barts tried me on Supalip 180 Fenofibrate together with Ezetimibe, due to my intolerance to Statins
On this combination I suffered from fatigue, impotency and again, muscle wastage so I stopped taking any Cholesterol reducing medication for a few months and my Cholesterol rose again to 8.3.
Between May and August 2004 the Clinic tried me on Pravastatin and Ezetimibe but I still suffered from fatigue and impotency and stopped taking any Statins, with my Cholesterol at 7.3 and Triglycerides at around 7. Lipid clinic suggested trying Rosuvastatin (Crestor) but I had had enough by then and thank my good judgment for not taking it, as the side effects are reportedly worse than other Statins.
For the next 3 years, I felt fit and strong with no problems with my muscles nor any sleeplessness, panic attacks etc. In July 2007 my GP took a blood test. My Cholesterol level was 7.4 with Triglycerides at 7.
Over the last few months, I have been taking my glasses off more and more to be able to see more clearly. In the last few weeks the clarity of my vision has improved considerably and I can now see people’s faces and generally much more detail. Red things, like buses and traffic lights are now considerably brighter and I am now able to watch TV from a distance again rather than sitting a foot from the screen. I find I no longer need to wear glasses with a special red tint to improve my vision.
My vision appears to have almost returned to the level it was in 1994 before I had my heart attack and Statin therapy.
I have recently found that one of the side-effects of some Statins is blurring of vision, particulary the statin Zocor, and that this is also a symptom of Rhabdomyolysis which is caused by the taking of Erythromycin with Statins. I do not know what the nature of the blurring is, but nobody has ever mentioned that Statins could affect my eyesight.
Looking back at the timings, I had been on Zocor for 3 years when I was declared blind, and it could be only now that I have been off Statins for 3 years, that my eyes are recovering.
Whilst researching the side-effects of Statins which include, in particular, muscle breakdown and blurred vision, I have found that they should not be taken with Erythromycin!
I believe I suffered blindness, resulting and much discomfort for years as a result of misdiagnosis of the side-effects of the Statins and the prescribing of Statins whilst being prescribed Erythromycin.
I believe that Cholesterol levels in people who have had a Splenectomy are abnormally high and people who have a Splenectomy should be warned to immediately go onto a low fat diet and not have toasted bacon sandwiches on the way to work every morning as I did!
The Lipid Clinic also suggested that my complaints about various side effects were psychosomatic and even told me not to look at the side effects leaflet with the pills, just to give them a try for 6 months..
I recently visited my GP and suggested that the combination of Erythromycin and Statins was the cause of my severe muscle breakdown and eyesight deterioration and questioned whether the Statins should have been prescribed when I was on Erythromycin. He advised that he would not do so, would suspend one or the other, but that they probably knew more now than they did a few years ago.
I just wonder how many other people have been suffering for years, just thinking their health and vision is deteriorating with age, when it is probably the medication they are on!

I'm so glad I found this site! I took ZOCOR for 2 weeks. In that time I experienced severe muscle fatigue in my arms, back, and neck. My jaws even hurt while chewing food. I also experienced blurred vision, tingling feet & hands. I have been off the ZOCOR for 1 week, but honestly the symptoms have not really gotten better. In fact, I would almost say they have gotten worse. I was put on a ZOCOR due to a slightly elevated cholesterol level, & family history of cholesterol/heart problems. However, I would much rather have the elevated level than these unbearable symptoms. I am 37 years old and felt fine before the medication, but now feel like a 60 year old. I am exhausted ALL the time, and simple tasks tire me out.

I started taking simvastatin about 3.5 weeks ago, I've not had a decent nights sleep since. My entire life I've been a really deep sleeper, fire alarms have failed to wake me up in the past (don't worry, it was only burning toast in a student house). Yet since I started on 10mg to address a cholesterol level of 6.7, I've been waking up 5-6 times a night. The result is that I wake up in the morning still tired.
My Dr. has suggested that I try taking the pills in the morning rather than at night, failing that he will try reducing the dosage, but isn't the smallest dose 10mg ??

My doctor wants to start me on Zocor but after reading all these ill sideeffects, I'm rethinking that. I have questions for Guest #15708 who is diabetic. My HDL and trigs are excellent. Just need to bring the LDL down a bit. How long after you started the supplements indicated in your message from Jan. 24, 2006, did your cholesterol level come down? Was the 93 your "LDL" number? That's the number I need to bring down.

I am 51, 5 years post-menopausal, with night sweats, high bp and a last recorded cholesterol level of 5.8
I have been on lisinapril for a couple of years for the high bp with no apparent adverse side effects. I no longer have daytime hot flashes but the sweats continue in the evenings and early mornings.
I have been taking simvastatin for some months now.
My biceps seem to ache after the slightest effort.
My optical prescription has changed.
My night sweats are absolutely horrendous if I take my tablet - I retire at about 11.30pm then spend the night from 2am dozing in between throwing covers off and on and searching for a cool, dry bit of mattress and pillow - I feel as if I haven't been to bed at all and have an itchy sweat rash at the back of my head and neck.
If I don't take it, I sleep until dawn (5.30am) then doze between sweats until I get up and take my lisinapril at 8am but the sweats are not nearly so frequent or severe and I can function during the day.
I am tempted to blame my sleepless nights on simvastatin but am I being fair?

See my previous entry below at: "Fri, 26 Mar 2004 18:48:12 -0500 by balinaidoo, #4960".
I have since read "The Cholesterol Myths" by Dr Uffe Ravnskov (bought from Amazon). This man is as straight as a die and just completely and scientifically honest. Believe me, I am always on the look-out for "snake oil salesmen" and would run a mile if I smelled one nearby. I am now utterly convinced that cholesterol DOES NOT CAUSE HEART DISEASE. It is the innocent bystander trying to help at the scene of the accident. It REPAIRS damage for heavens sake. Read this book and be amazed (?) at how the drug companies, so-called "scientific" research study groups, government regulating bodies, physicians and cardiologists etc etc have mostly shown venal greed, total lack of care for you and me, lethargy and laziness, desire to go along with "revered authority" etc etc to foist on us the huge lie that high cholesterol is a problem and that the diet-heart theory is to be believed. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE! This is your health (easily damaged and very precious to you) and your money (Absolutely BILLIONS) that they are mis-appropriating. The message is FORGET ABOUT CHOLESTEROL LEVEL. Unless you are in the minority group who suffer from familial hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition), then cholesterol is NOT going to give you heart disease. I exhort you to read this book.
Statins appear to faintly reduce the number of cardiovascular events in very high risk patients (are you sure you are one?) although even this result may be down to pure chance. What they do is to increase the number of deaths overall! So, you may well increase your chances of dying from cancer. Is this good?
The true villian appears to be Homocysteine a sulphur bearing amino acid in the blood. A test for level is readily available (on the NHS in the UK). Now buy and devour a book called "The Heart Revolution" by Dr Kilmer McCully. This is another revelation and the answer to high levels of Homocysteine seems to be Vitamin B6, B12 and Folic Acid. How difficult is that? This Homocysteine may also be implicated in Alzheimers, Cancers, Arthritis etc. The fact that no expensive drugs are involved explains why those famous drugs companies (and all those who are in their very deep pockets) don't want you to know about this.
Finally get "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon. Wow! Those lovely tasty foods we were warned to spurn are OK after all. She also gives you a very thorough and expert introduction to the good and bad points of almost anything you may want to eat. Read, go back to good old-fashioned food and enjoy your life again. Just who are these ghastly people who have been foisting the failed diet-heart theory on us at huge profit to themselves and at huge cost to our health and to our enjoyment of decent food? Why did we let them do it to us?
I am not a doctor and I have no vested interest in promoting any of the above mentioned works except that I have ditched statins and have found that these people give a totally refreshing and deeply honest take on the problems that so many of us have suffered from. Best of all, get your doctor to read them too. We need to get this monkey off our backs.

I am a 48 year old male, who have been using zocor for just over a year now since I suffered a major hear attack. My cholesterol level dropped from 224 tyo 184 my HDL remained the same. However I have noticed that my skin has become extremely dry and discoloured especially my face. I have also noticed cracking of my feet and upper thigh.