Zocor and depression

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 recently had an extremely bad case of depression. I could not figure out what was wrong with me. I could not stop crying. It took me 2 month to figure out that my depressive episode coincided with my doctor putting me on 20mg simvistatin(generic zocor). I've been off of it for 5 days now and have already seen a dramatic improvement. I will never take cholesterol lowering meds as long as I live, I don't care if my cholesterol is 500.

Has anyone had severe headaches, loss of TASTE for food? My husband is taking 20mgs of Zocor and he has a terrible pain in his back in the center of his shoulders, knees crackle when getting up from a sitting position or bending to pick up something. His vision is getting very blurry, to a point he finds it hard to read, bouts of depression, cannot sleep, but, always tired, no ambition, thumbs lock-up like a Charlie horse, cannot lift anything heavy anymore. He started taking Zocor 40 days ago, and never been on any other cholesterol medication before this. 40 days ago he did not have any of these symptoms! I have a question for the people that have stopped taking Zocor and all other statins, what are you taking to keep your cholesterol and triglycerides down? Has anyone tried flaxseed; fish oil; cholesterol off and/or omega 3? I too, have many of these side effects, especially my left knee (my doctor says I will need a hip operation!!!!) sometimes I need a cane to walk, my eyes are also very blurry at times. We need help or suggestions, cannot get from doctors, they believe medication can do no harm. Would like to hear from those who stopped Zocor and all statins, thanks for reading, Helene

I started taking Zocor for raised cholesterol at 10 mg. I had none of the usual muscle pain side effects. I was then switched to 20 mg Zocor.

I now wake up in the morning depressed! There is NO reason for my depression or anxiety. I actually think it started at the 10 mg dosage.

Anyone find DEPRESSION and ANXIETY as a legitimate Zocor side effect?
Debbie

My doctor started me on Mevacor a few months ago at 40 mg - I could hardly stand up to walk - my back was killing me! Then she put meon 5 mg of Zocor - okay for the first few weeks, and my cholestorol went down so she told me to double it to 10 mg - then the leg cramps started. I stopped taking if for a few weeks and restarted at 5 mgs (again) last week - now my legs are aching and my ankles are swollen big time. Also noticing fatique and some blues/depression. I told my doctor today that I am not taking it anymore! Not asking her, TELLING her.

I've been on Zocor since December for high cholestorol, 20 mg. In july, after blood work, it had no effect on cholestorol so my cardiologist, increased dose to 40mg. I don't have the muscle issues described here, but I noticed in August, my eyes have become extremely dry and I can't cry. They are so dry especially at night. I've been on allergy and asthma meds for 2 years now- but those prerscriptions haven't changed. Also, taking zoloft for depression- that was increased also after my car accident in Dec. I don't know if this is a new problem or a result of meds- If anyone has this problem please write. I've changed jobs, my insurance now stinks and can't afford to see my doctors at the present time.

Practically the same as everyone else. I have PAD (so they say). So, I 'm not really sure whether the extreme pain in my calves and hips are a result of that (I don't think so), or the Zocor. I'm coming off of it immediately. I'll find something else to take for my cholesterol. The pain in my legs have definitely gotten worse. I've been on Zocor for 3 years. Started on 40 mgs, now on 80 mgs. I honestly think it's the Zocor that's causing the pain and not the PAD. Also have trouble with blurred vision and I just feel tired all the time. I hope this is not permanent, but I'm so afraid that it is. Also on Lexapro for depression. No wonder. I've made up my mind that if a label says "FDA approved", I don't want any part of it.

Like everyone here I have a lot of the same symptoms. Since starting zocor, I am on medicine for depression, gained weight, can't sleep well, tired all the time, legs egg when walking. My biggest concern and I didn't notice anyone having this problem; I am wondering if zocor can make your blood pressure rise. I stopped taking zocor about three weeks ago and my blood pressure (yesterday) was 128/68...perfect for me 55 year old woman. Prior to stopping the zocor (and taking blood pressure med's) it was 140/88. I stopped the b/p medicine too.

April 2007--I live with my elderly parents and am on the
constant lookout for side effects. We nearly lost my
father a few years ago because of a severe, gradual aller-
gic reaction to Hydrolazine. My mother was on Lipitor and
became so weak that she fell and was not able to get up
by herself along with extreme fatigue & muscle pain. A
couple months ago my dad's doctor put him on Zocor and this
past week I began to notice a gradual deteriation of my
father's health that included shortness of breath, muscle
pain & weakness, which also affects bladder control, memory
loss, depression & a flushed face. Some people notice an almost immediate change, but with my father it has been a gradual and subtle build up of side effects. He is now off of Zocor, and, we are praying his vitality will return &
his quality of life begin to improve.

43 yr. woman on second try with Zocor. The first time was 6 years ago, and I thought the muscle and hip pain was a side effect from another medication that I was taking. Recently, I've been taking Zocor for 6 weeks and the muscle pain and deep bone aches along with the severe fatigue have been unrelenting. It's not worth such a change in my quality of life and I'll be researching for other alternatives. PS. When I first told my doctor about the symptoms, he said it wasn't the Zocor and that is was in my head. I found that depression is also a side effect of statins. Hmm, my research has consistently directed me to information that tells me it's not in my head. Needless to say, I'm frustrated.

Am 61 and was taking Zocor for 2 1/2 months when I noticed that I could not tolerate normal exercise, had muscle weakness and and extreme fatigue. I later developed anxiety and finally depression and sought therapy. My psychiatrist and threapist told me that they have had a number of patients that also came in with depression who were taking Zocor. They said that they think that Zocor may be lowering certain brain chemicals that affect mood, thus causing depression. I decided to stop the Zocor and within two days the muscle symptoms and fatigue disappeared. I was also prescribed Lexapro to help with the depression. I am afraid to take Zocor ever again for fear that the whole syndrome I experienced will come back.

I had been involved in a research study about Zocor. I had previously been on 20 mg without any seemingly side effects. Had a brief 'wash out' period and was rx'd 40 mg. On 40 mg I have had the eye twitching, face numbness, weakness, especially in my hands and fingers, fingers became sore, and general muscle stiffness. However, the most troublesome side effect was depression to the point of teariness. I have been off the 40 mg of Zocor for a week and a half and the depression seems to be lifting and I am sleeping much better. Hope these comments help others.

I have been on 20mg of Zocor for 18 months and have had a steady downhill spiral with reflux disease, depression, numbness, stiffness and tingling in toes, muscle cramps and shooting pains and trouble sleeping. After much research, I am begining to suspect the Zocor although my doctors don't want to hear it.

I have been on and off of Zocor twice and with this second effort at a low dose I am convienced that it creates both a muscle stiffness in my shoulders and a general sense of malases (sp?). It is not bad enough to call it depression, but I just feel blah and this is not my typical state of mind. Have others had this experience?

Was on ZOCOR 20mg for about 2 years and suffered from leg cramps and malaise... lost interest in sex, etc. Dr. increased dosage to 40mg and noticed bad rash on forehead and scalp area that came and went unexplainably. Skin disease speacialist called it "acute dandruff". Changed to LIPITOR and head rash disappeared but left red and patchy areas where rash would normally have been. After 2 weeks on 10mg LIPITOR, noticed loss of strength in legs, pain in muscle from armpit to elbow area.. thought it was heart-related and scared me... pain became fairly constant... Also, had "white-outs" for minutes at a time while walking or excercising, feelings of irritability and depression. I am quitting taking ZOCOR and LIPITOR, plus, any similar drugs and will go as "natural" as I can to improve my Triglyceride and Cholestorol levels. The resultant side effects of these two drugs are more ominous than their benefits. It scares me that Doctors do not consider the drugs as a cause of your symptoms when you describe problems to them.. there seems to be no acknowledged connection to the drugs but yet I read on forums like this one similar effects that I experienced. People to people will always be the best source of information, I suppose. I would suggest to anyone taking Lipitor or Zocor and experiencing muscle pain, joint pain, malaise, depression, "white-outs", loss of memory, leg cramps, unusual headaches, any form of insomnia and possibly darkening of urine or yellowing of skin, eyes, etc., to quit taking these drugs immediately and tell your doctor about what you are experiencing. It could possibly save your life.

I am responding to the most recent post about Zocor side effects. Yes, I had the same response about not being believed about the side effects that I was experiencing. One of the most troublesome for me was the depression to the point that I was teary every day. Slowly, this seems to be lifting-I have been off the Zocor approximately 8 weeks. I also experienced the eye twitching that was so severe it interferred with my everyday life. Also, I had breathing difficulties with chest pain.

I'm 36 w/high chol. Dr. has me on 80mg Zocor-its lowering chol. but cannot stand side-effect of eye pressure(puffy eyes), lowered sexual drive, headaches, rashes, and most of all loss of short-term memory and some depression. I notice that if I do not take it for a few days most of them go away. Does anyone know if any of these could become permanent?? The dr. does not seem to believe what I am saying about the drug. The side-effects are very real to me!! Whose interest does he have in mind??? I have heard similar storys here. Good luck folks!!!

High cholersterol runs in my family and my has been high for years, it just lept up to 415. I was on 40mg of zocor daily and my ears started ringing and I felt that I was having constant panic attacks because my heart rate went up to 160 and was short of breath. My doc told me it was because of my thyroid was elevated. I stop my zocor for a week and then started again. After 10days the ringing of ears, shortness of breath, chest pain, tachycardia and a new one depression started all over again. I have an appointment with my doc I know that she will think that I am crazy, but I will not take this drug again.

31 years old male; extremely athletic military man. Started Zocor due to hereditary cholesterol. Gained 10 pounds in 10 weeks and have chronic fatigue/depression now. Looking for holistic approach to naturally lower cholesterol. Any suggestions?