Zocor and fatigue

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!

I'm a 54y/o female prescribed zocor for slightly elevated cholesterol. Too it for 7 months before I clued in to the cause of my many symptoms. The muscle and joint pain, head fog, blurry vision, weight gain, stomach upset, fatigue, etc... The muscle and joint pain were excruciating at times --especially in my left hip...which had gotten so bad I needed a walking stick for support. Felt like I was 95--and never going to feel normal again!
After reading many postings I decided to stop my zocor 6 weeks ago and am very happy to report an improvement in many of my complaints...although far from where I want to be.
I am curious as to the withdrawal effects others may have experienced. The first week coming off I had stomach aches and I had awful headaches which thankfully did stop. The stomach aches and touchy digestive system still plague me though. Am I the only one experiencing this?....

I have many of the symptoms stated by readers. It started with general fatigue and muscle stiffness. I told the doctor that I have never felt this old before ( I am in my mid forties). I have gone from being healthy and fit to feeling old and fatigued. I have stopped Zocor after almost a year. I now have numbness and tingling in my right arm, legs ( including toes). My Doctor is trying hard to convince me that it could be because of diabetes when I have not been diagnosed as having diabetes? I am sure Zocor is the cause and the FDA needs to investigate. I do hope there are no long term repercussions!

Water retention, abdominal and thigh cramps, fatigue, mental fog. Try juicing greens, eating almonds, blueberries, garlic, eating the majority of foods raw, take plant sterols, lots of fruits and vegetables, fish oil, Complex B, and other supplements as needed. This happens because we are not eating the right foods and because we are eating mostly cooked foods, and in this way, we strip the foods from their medicinal value. We come from the Earth, and the Earth feeds and protect us. We are drifting too much away from nature and indulging into to much sugar, and processed foods which have so many preservatives, which can lead to many chronic and deadly diseases, including high cholesterol. Eating mostly raw foods allows for a high content of enzymes, minerals and vitamins in their natural form, to work to repair tissue and keep us healthy. And the best of it, I have as much vegetable juice as I want. I prefer to take the fruits in the morning. In addition, I have found that drinking Barley grass, even the bottled Green Magma, has been extremely beneficial. When I juice I am never hungry, and my body thanks me as to, "tabout time."

Everyone should check these web sites to keep themselves sane. I've asked my Doctor about numbness in my arms and hands. I was told that there is no way for it to be from Zocor. The burning pain brought me to tears. I've been on this medication for 8 months and I'm removing myself from this medication. I will advise if and when there is improvement.

I can't really say I have anything new to report. I had been taking Lovastatin for maybe a couple of years, first 20 mgs, then 40. I don't remember having any problem with that. Then about 4 months ago my Dr. switched me to Zocor, 80 mgs because my cholesterol was 240. First I started having numbness in my feet and legs, cramps in my feet and Charlie horses at night in my legs. I mentioned it to my Dr. but he just seemed to feel it's part of the aging process and not to worry. Then my knee started hurting so bad I couldn't bend it and could hardly get up and down the stairs. I went in and they said I had arthritis and gave me Nabumetone and Vicodin which I didn't want to take because of the side effects. I finally gave in because the pain was getting worse. I was supposed to take two pills bit I only took one and I only took the Vicodin if I just couldn't stand it any longer. I took the drug for about 3 weeks and I wasn't getting any better. In fact my other leg started hurting, and my elbow and two or three times my lower jaw felt numb and I thought, Oh my God, I'm having a stroke. Anyway by some miracle I found this web site and see that many others are suffering the same symptoms that I'm having. What is wrong with the doctors? I am trusting my Dr. with my life. I'm sure he's heard similar complaints before about these drugs, but he acts like it's no big deal. I told him I don't want to take this anymore and he said well sometimes people do get some muscle pain but you can take a over the counter medication, not sure of the name, CO-2, something like that.
I'm wondering what's happened to the Dr's integrity? Why do they keep pushing these drugs when they know they are harmful? I guess I have to look for another Dr. My Dr. is with Kaiser. I guess they all pedal the same poison. So sad that we are controlled by the drug companies for profit. They are killing us. Look what happened with the HRT drugs. Meanwhile I'm afraid to quit this drug cold turkey since I was on such a high dose so I'm cutting the pills in half, 40 mgs, and then in about 2 weeks I will go to 20 and hopefully by then I will have selected something natural and safe. I am 67 years old. Before this I was active and I used to walk my dog a mile everyday. I can no longer do that. Right now my leg hurts so bad I don't want to take another pill but I'm scared if I quit cold turkey something terrible will happen. It's a holiday...

Have been on some form of statins since 2000 when I had a heart attack, Baycol until they recalled it then Zocor. Have had three stents since 2000, one in 2005 and one in 2006, a year apart all most to the day. Things got really bad after the last stent, was put on 40 mg. Then the Dr. was not happy with the cholesterol test after the 6 week checkup after the last stent, put me on 80mg, thats when things really went down hill , fatigue,eyes twitching,foot pain,joint pain, finally ended up in the e.r. with sever lower back pain. After morphine and muscle relaxer was sent home, when entering our house right leg gave out and fell, since then legs have been weak and can't stand to be on them for long periods of time. Have been recently told I have polyneuropathy. The Dr. don't think the statins have anything to do with all these ailments.Have since stopped using the statins and most ailments have been gradually getting better. I am getting to understand why they call it a wonder drug so many unexplainable side effects so many more $$$$.

I am 59. Not overweight and now eat intelligently .Had moderate heart attack in August 2001 and have taken 20mg of ZOCOR every day since.About four years ago I stated getting mild pain in right buttocks muscle and groin but thought this was just "AGE" setting in.Doctor thought it was arthritis in lower back and causing associated musle strain.Went to physio but no progress in pain alleviation, in fact pain and weakness kept getting steadily worse.Pain then started in left shoulder last spring (2007) then about three months ago really severe in left hip and buttocks. Sleep was interrupted every night by pain.Movement from sitting position to standing/walking was like a ninety year old,slow and stumbling.My legs felt nearly numb when walking.Getting out of bed in the morning and putting on my socks became an ordeal of PAIN.
Seen my doctor last week and told him of current status and that I couldn't go on like thisanymore.He said to STOP the Zocor immediately. I can feel the difference already, in one week!!! Not perfect but maybe 50% improvement!!!
He ordered a battery of blood tests including PSA . I just hope something else isn't now really F--ked Up from taking this stuff for six years ?
I will defiately NOT TAKE ZOCOR or any other STATIN again!!!

I have been taking zocor for about 3 years. Started out with 10 mg every other day, then every day; for nearly the last year I have been taking 20 mg once a day. It did lower my cholesterol enough to suit the doc. Did not really notice any symptoms at first. It seems I have been noticing more and more problems recently. Especially after my husband decided to tell me that he thinks something is very wrong. Maybe my problems are just age related. Most recently I have had two falls brought on by a simple "toe stubbing". For the past 3-4 months I have had unrelenting lower back pain and hip pain. Both to the point that I can't sleep and am having trouble walking. All of that I attributed to arthritis which I do have in my hands. The tingling, pins/needles sensations and foot pain started over 2 years ago but my doc said that couldn't be the zocor. My liver function was normal every time he checked. Diabetes has been ruled out. I am overweight so I just wrote off the fatigue to that. But - three years ago I was walking daily on our farm - up and down hills for over one hour at a time - and teaching high school full time. I am retired now and I don't think I could do that much walking because of the pain and stiffness. Does any body know how long it will take me to get rid of the symptoms? I stopped the zocor without the doc's knowledge day before yesterday.

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.

MY WIFE HAS BEEN TAKING ZOCOR FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS, SHE NOW SUFFERS FROM BACK PAIN ,JOINT PAIN ,MUSCLE PAIN,GENERAL STIFFNESS ,BACK MUSCLE TWITCHING,STOMACH PAINS AND FATIGUE. IN THE LAST YEAR ITS GOT SO BAD THAT IT HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED HER LIFESTYLE(MINE TOO...I NOW KNOW WHERE THE HOOVER IS KEPT!!!!!!!)
DEXA SCAN MRI SCAN NEUROLOGIST ORTHOPEDEIC SURGEON
NONE COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG!! WHILE ALL THESE INVESTIGATIONS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT HER G.P. CONTINUES TO PRESCRIBE ZOCOR!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION FROM THIS MOMENT SHE WILL NEVER TAKE ANOTHER ONE

I cannot believe I am reading all of this. Almost every sympton I have had. I am only 50 (Ha!) but had a heart-by-pass 5 years ago. I was put on 20 mg of Zocor since. In the last year I have had dizziness, memory loss and of course the muscle aches I have had since taking the Zocor five years ago. I could put up with the muscle aches as I thought "well the Zocor is saving me in other areas". Not anymmore- I can't take the dizzines, lapse of memory and fatigue all day long- I have been to several Neurologists, Blood Samples, Brain MRI's etc-etc- all with the same results- "there is nothing wrong with you"! Well there is- and I believe it is the Zocor- no, I'm convinced. This is my first day off the Zocor- I'm staying off it- hope I get better.

I have been taking Zocor for over 4 years after having problems with Lipitor. I have recentley developed muscle and joint pain in the neck, shoulders and elbows and sometimes in the knees and legs. I have a great amount of fatigue and general weakness at times. Occasionally, I have a pale colored stool. I have also noticed a loss of muscle mass particularly in my arms. I am also experiencing easy bruising. After reading these testimonials, I am discontinuing Zocor to see if the problems improve. I am a 61 yr old male.

I have suffered from Fibromyalgia for over 12 years so muscle pain, fatigue and memory loss is a way of life. It concerns me that some of the increased pain and fatigue could be related to Zocor. I have been on it approx on year. The new thing I am experiencing is knots, cysts, tumors what ever they are are showing up all over my body. I have one in the muscle of my left shoulder and have experienced extreme pain with limited use. Has anyone else experience this happening to them? Taking Zocor is the only thing that I have done differently in the last year. Going to the Doctor about all of this in 3 days. Thanks Debbie

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.

took 10mg of zocor for 1 whole month and so far I've experienced muscle weakness, fatigue a piercing pain in my right heel and muscle spasms. When lying down my body easily losses sensation specially when I sleep on my side the blood flow to my exremities easily cuts off so when I wake up my fingers feel numb.

started taking zocor for 2 months and some fatigue, joint
pains in knees but worst side effect was rashes and lost
hair in large spots on my legs. Where loss of hair the
oil in the follicle has dried up and became hard. Doctor said
no relation. Quit taking for 2 months stop spredding. Started
again symptom got worse. Stopped taking again. I am sure
its Zocor. If its doing this to my skin whats happening to my
body organs? Started taking Red Yeast Rice Plus CoQ-10 with
flush-free niacin all in 1 pill from health food store for now.

after reading the testimonials of so many people who have had problems with Zocor. I know I am going to stop taking it.I am 61 and have been on Zocor for 8 years. I was a healthy 53 when I had a stress related heart attack. Even the nurses told me I did not fit the heart patient profile and that I looked more like a 40 year old. My doctor put me on 10 mgs. of Zovor a day. About 2 years ago, I changed doctors and she increased my dose to 20 and then 40mgs. I have not been taking 40 mgs, I split the pill but I have experienced just about every side effect that I have read about today. The most noticeable are weakness, fatigue, headaches, fuzzy head, ears ringing, irratibility, vivid dreams, mostly bad dreams, and trouble sleeping even though I take Klonopin,and doxipin. I truly believe now that I have been on Zocor too long and probably a higher dosage than I need. My cholesterol is way below 200 about (140). I am so happy I found this Web site. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences, and thank you for the Web site

I am a 61 year old female. I have been on Zocor eight years. after a heart attackat age 53. At first it was 10 Mg, then when I changed Doctors,about 2 years ago, my Zocor changed to 20 Mg, then about a year ago she moved me up to 40 Mg. She does't know I am splitting the pill and taking half of 40 Mg each day. After reading all these other patients problems, I am going to stop for a while to see if I feel any better. I have just about every side effect that I have read about today.The most noticeable is severe fatigue, weakness, ears ringing, fuzzy headed, trouble sleeping,headahes,vivid dreams,mostly bad dreams and irritability. I also take celebrex, klonopin.doxipin and an aspirin a day. I am so glad I found this Web site. I feel sure that I have been taking Zocor toooo long. Bye Bye Zocor.

Someone mentioned the their doctor resisting the idea of Zocor causing muscle cramps. Here's why they resist. Believe it or not, and according to a senior sales rep from a major pharmiceutical company whom I know, most physicians receive compensation for prescribing certain medications to patients. If you look for this practice on websites in the United Kingdom for example, it is clearly a well documented, open practice there, however this practice is frowned upon by many in the U.S. so it is not formally acknowledged. I too recently quit years of Zocor therapy realizing that it was causing fatigue.

I have started taking 30 mg of Zorcor a month ago. I am so fatigued, I hardly have the strength to get out of bed. I feel fuzzy headed, my eyes feel strange. I just got over a bout with the flu, so I don't know it these symptoms are from the Zocor. If these are side effects from Zocor, do they go away after long term use, or should I quit taking the medicine? Is any body else suffering from fatigue and just feeling like YUCK? Please feel free to email me at ****** Thank you. I am shocked after reading many of the posts of the side effects of Zocor. I hope you all feel better soon!

I have been on Zocor (20mg) for about 40 days. I am an active, 33 year old male. I have a very balanced diet, and am not overweight, and an ex smoker. Unfortunately, my cholesterol is high. (at one time, it was 289 as a vegetarian).
After 40 days, I was rechecked, and the cholesterol went from 249 to 169. Tri's went down to 140 from 200... HDL and LDL are now in the good range. There is no evidence of liver or muscle damage.
Here's the problem. I'm severly fatigued. I can't get out of bed in the morning, even after getting a full nights rest. I feel "depressed" although I don't know if it is just because I'm tired. I quit smoking a week before starting Zocor, so I"m not sure if the lack of nicotine is contributing to the malaise.
I've had some
The doctor is taking me off of Zocor for a month, to see if things improve.
I could live with the fatigue if it would eventually go away, because Zocor has done what it's intended to do....

I started taking Zocor in Feb 02,since then i have had tingling in my fingers, muscles soreness all over, and general feeling of fatigue. Seemed to have lost strength in hands also. dr put me thru every test imaginable,(one dr wanted to do hysterectomy because of my severe lower back pain) finally some told my husband about someone they knew who was having problems because of Zocor. Went to dr twice this week, he did realize it could be th Zocor and wants to wait and see how i feel after a couple of weeks. I am praying this is the problem and it is not too late to stop it and have no other side effects.

My husband has been experiencing leg cramps, shoulder cramps, arm cramps, foot cramps, headaches, and muscle spasms in his chest. Has anyone heard of muscle spasms in the chest being caused by zocor? I have told him to go off the medication and see if the side effects disappear. Loss of strength in arms and hands as well. Fatigue too.

I am 38 years old, put on 40mg Zocor 3 months agao because of high cholesterol. While it lowered my overall numbers, I started having a fuzziness in my head, not sharp minded, fatigue. I exercise 4x a week and was losing energy. At first, I associated it with stress until my stressful project was finished, doctor upped my dosage to 80mg and it hit me, it was the Zocor. I have been off for 10 days now, headaches still there, but hoping they will go away. If anyone has thoughts, let me know at build2suit@excite.com