Zocor and drugs

60 year old male on zocor for approximately 10 years. taking 80 mg daily.
only recently (within the last 18 months) i noticed some changes going on.
first i had joint pain in my feet, both feet, same areas. the foot pain went away but then the pain traveled up to the back of my legs, behind the knee,
when the muscle or tendons attach. every time i sat for awhile, then got up, the pain was brutal. that lasted about 3 months. later the pain shot up to the joints in my hands. both hands, same place on both hands. when i rotate my thumb or move it, the knuckle area of the thumbs, same place,
hurt bad. i will confront my health care provided at the va on these issues.
she disregarded my previous remarks and said arthritis, hands and feet and perhaps i overextended something at the gym on my behind the knee issue.
i think she is wrong. recently i had a severe cold and did not take the zocor for two days. the thumb pain subsided substantially. i resumed and the pain came back. now it feels as if the pain will travel back down to behind my knees again as i am beginning to feel a pull. any others out there with these issues???

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!

I am currently 58 years old and lead a very active, healthy lifestyle. I began taking 10mg of Zocor, along with 1000mg of niacin in the summer of 2004 to reduce cholesterol (251) and triglycerides (571). The therapy dramatically improved my blood tests, however, within 6 weeks, I began to experience minor chronic skin infections, both fungal and bacterial. They were easily controlled with topical over the counter type medications, but they were annoying. At no time was this new condition linked to the statin/niacin therapy by my doctor(s). The infections became progressively worse over the next 3 years, and evolved into chronic folliculitis in my scalp, neck, and face, cystic acne, and persistent fungal infections that were becoming more difficult to control. In addition, I began to get chronic eye infections. It was as if my immune system was becoming ineffective. I stopped taking niacin in December of 2007 and the symptoms immediately lessened. I stopped taking Zocor in March of 2008 and within 2 weeks, all the skin problems and eye infections completely ended. My health was restored completely and I am glad to have put that whole mess behind me! I have been taking Omega 3 supplements to control my cholesterol and triglycerides and have had results that equaled the Zocor and Niacin therapy, with cholesterol at 160, triglycerides at 91, and a favorable HDL/LDL ratio. My physician is skeptical, but I know that my body was not functioning correctly with the statin/niacin treatment. I have found anecdotal reports from others who seem to have experienced a change in their immune system, but no mention of this as a side effect by the medical establishment.

To Kevin II and others

It doesn`t matter if you are on Zocor or Lipitor or any of the ot her statins.

They all have similar side effects. They can all can cause permanent damage to your body.

The side effects can come right away (lucky you) or after years.

Therefore, when you are reading messages, please also read those for other statins - including for Lipitor.

But the most important of all is to educate yourself when it comes to the cholesterol issue.

Are you sure that it`s the high cholesterol that will cause heart problems?

Please visit ****** and read some of the books that I have suggested in an earlier message.

Now I ask for some help.

Drugs can have many different names in different countries.

Please tell me (us) if Zocor (substance Simvastatin) also has other names.

It will make it easier to find more information.

In Sweden it`s called Zocord and Simvastatin.

How is it in the US and other countries?

Heart palpitations, erratic heartbeat. Discontinued both drugs

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.

Hi. I am in remission from Multiple Myloma and have had compression fractures so I am on a lot of other drugs also. It is hard to separate them all. But since taking Zocor and have been experiencing light headedness and just a general wooziness like I am off balance. It is worse when I have been sitting down a great deal of the day. Today has been awful. I am always hurting, and am frustrated I am not getting better faster. After reading this I am wondering if some of my pain isn't from the Zocor, not the after effects of my other problems. They have done tests and can't find pinched nerves or anything. Is anyone having problems like this? Thanks Linda

After by-pass heart surgery in 2002, my cardilogist put me on 40mg of zocor.
I was in good health with no physical limitations. I had no heart damage. The restriction of heart arteries were found due to my stress test that was performed each year as a part of my annual Physical. After surgery I was on zocor for three years, during that time I experienced a little tiredness, little weakness, a little muscle aches. some tingling in my right arm and shoulder. I went to my heart doctor Jan. 2006 and he changed me to vytorin (10mg zetia and 40mg zocor). about 6 months all of the about symptoms got worse.
By Jan. 2007, my muscles became so stiff, I could not walk, had balance problems, severe muscle aches and cramps, numbness and tingling in both arms and hands, also stifness and pain in my hands, stiffness and pain in both feet, stifness and pain in my back and weird nerve sensations over my entire body. During Jan. and Feb 2007, I was seen by my family doctor, a neurologist, and a muscle doctor. Thanks to the internet, I found info on zocor and zetia, which is the drug vytorin. Warnings described the same symptoms I am experiencing. I stopped vytorin, I am not taking any statins drugs now. My doctor order a blood test to check for muscle damage, It indicated severe damage, a Creatine level of 770. This level should not be over 200. After being off the drugs for 30 days the creatine level dropped to 645. My condition has improved by 25%. I am walking a little better, but I still having muscle problems, there is improvement. I think there will be a very long recovery. There seems to be some evidence that these Statins affect people of age much more than the young. I am 70 years old. PLEASE PEOPLE, IF YOU ARE TAKING STATINS DRUGS, STOPPED NOW! SLOVE YOUR CHOLESTROL PROBLEMS BY OTHER MEANS. Since I stopped my cholestrol has gone from 157 to 280, but I am not going back taking these drugs. I am trying the natural way now. I have read post after post on many web-sites of people with the same symptoms that were using these drugs. The drug companies and the FDA are responsible for the the degradation of people's health taking these statin drugs.

i thought my life was over. not even fourty years old and ask my doctor to write an order for a toilet lift. thats how bad my muscle hurt. getting in and out of cars, as though i were a 90 y/o. horriable! and we didn't know why. doctor did not make any refference to 'statins" . In addition to muscle death, restles leg syndrome found me as well. really thought i was dying from an unyet diagnosed disease. and where did that come from? all of a sudden everyone has it.
this was nonexistant not that long ago. similiar to the " bi -polor. every other person seems to have it or someone they know. I'm still mad. iwill never be the way I was prior to all this. I want to sue the shorts of the maker;'s and or the F.D.A.
don't they approve these drugs first? all comes back up the drain pipe . Does it not?. the cost alone from ill considered passage of such drugs does more harm than good. not only suffering but death. millions of dollars from the side effects. all these costs are passed on to the state and or one pocket book.
my cholesterol is o.k. now but with each blood test and blood donation i give mentions enzymes.. now i willl also check reports for(cpk) lookin to sue you ZOCOR..

Trigger finger developed in fourth finger of both hands. More severe on the right. This comes and goes with exercise and if I am careful to sleep with my hands open. I've never had this problem before and am not prone to joint problems. My father had severe gout. I've asked if my reactions to the statin drugs might be related to this potential hereditary problem but was told there is no relation. Anyone else with family (or personal) history of gout who is also having side effects from statin drugs?

I have been off ZOCOR for 3 years, but still suffering effects from the drug, which I took for 4 months only...20 mg. I lost all muscle strength in my arms, dark urine, leg cramps, continued after I stopped taking the drug. The first 6 mos of stiffness were terrible...then slow improvement. I still have difficulty going up stairs and standing up in spite of exercises for leg muscles. My arm strength is slowly coming back along with some energy. My doctor prescribed VIOXX and then BEXTRA to counteract Zocor effects. Amazing that I'm alive -- but refuse all drugs now.

I began taking Zocor May 11, 2004. On June 1, I developed a rash that was diagnosed as Shingles. It is believed that the virus that causes Shingles comes from Chicken Pox and lurks dormant in the body until a suppressed immune system provides conditions for eruption. My internet research shows me that Zocor has been shown to alter immune system response. I think the medical profession needs to re-think prescribing Zocor to patients until it is fully understood whether its benefits outweigh its apparent negative effects on the human immune system. I have stopped taking Zocor and plan to look for a means other than drugs to lower my cholesterol levels.

DRAMATIC RESULTS!! Cholesterol Can Be Lowered Without Drugs ..See Results Below

Doc told me to go on Statin Drug to lower my cholesterol. I refused knowing just some of the many dangerous side effects possible. After a thorough investigation I developed a regimen that gave me the following dramatic results.
......................Before......After......
Total Cholesterol.208.........146...........
LDL................140..........85...........
HDL.................45..........41...........
Triglycerides......120.........100...........

This was accomplished with just 2 nutrients and 1 vitamin. I will gladly share my 2 page protocol with you Free of Charge with no strings attached. Just e-mail me at...

LARRYHOR@OPTONLINE.NET

Here is your opportunity to kick the drug habit

I have been taking 20mg Zocor (simvastatin) for 14 mos post heart attack/stent placement(2) in L. ventricle. About 2 monts ago I developed severe muscle pain and weakness in right forearm/elbow, left elbow, dexterity problems in the hands from time to time. I have had for some time; a burning sensation in the right leg, foot cramps, fuzzy vision and other symptoms. I am also taking other drugs; atenolol, lisinopril, asprin and venlafaxine, so they all had their part.

I'm a 64 year old active femal and I've been taking Zorcor since the 22nd of April 03. I have developed a lovely case of tremors that are getting worse. I have gained weight, become really irritable and developed pain in my left knee.
I was relived to see the symptoms I've been experiencing could possibly be due to Zocor. I can at least stop taking the drug. I have taken two other types of Stanin drugs (both about 15 years ago) on one I became ill and the other I would have increased episodes of my scalp getting the creepy crawly feelings crossing it. It got so bad that it would go on almost all day long. My doctor kept telling me that it wasn't the drug. I did stop taking it though and slowly it went away but it really took years. My doctor told me if I experience side effects with Zorcor, to deal with it and try and get my cholestrol down again, it's over 300.
Good luck to the rest of you guys and thanks for sharing. It's been a help to me.

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.