Zocor and lipitor

muscle aches, NO sex drive or interest in sex at all been on zocor, and lipitor off & on for past 7 yrs. and I'm 59 yrs. old

I'am 45 year old female and I have been on simvastatin 40mg for at least 6 months. Here in the past 3 weeks I have had very weak legs and arms,they felt like they were wet noodles. I also was getting these week spells where it felt like I couldn't lift my arms or legs cause they was so weak.I had pain in my ear and big bad headaches that wouldn't leave. My heart feels like it skips a beat and I get very bad anxiety attacks. I have been to the ER several times and they can not find anything wrong. I even got very dizzy. The ER doctor told me that the dizziness and headaches was from a inter ear disturbance,well I think the inter ear disturbance might have come from the simvastatin after running across this web site. I'm going off the simvastatin tomorrow! Oh yeah and forgot to mention the weight gain and the tiredness and how I feel like a couch zombie. I think I'll stick to my salmon oil.

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 stumbled onto this website just today looking for information on another drug. Little did I know what I was going to find and so happy I did. I have been taking Zocor for nearly 5 yrs. now. My health has taken a spiral downhill. I too, have been experiencing almost every symptom that has been mentioned. Rt. shoulder pain, hand pain, pain and tingling in hands and feet, leg cramps, muscle weakness, numbness, memory loss, itching, fuzzy headed at time, can't concentrate, and trouble breathing. My doctor has told me my cholesterol is just fine the last two times I've had my checkup, but has never suggested I come off it. I guess I will be calling him tomorrow.

I was prescribed Zocor for high cholesterol. Almost immediately I began to experience body aches -- some days more severe than others. I would take ibuprofen and it would help. Then, I started getting a pretty strong pain on my hip which radiated down my leg onto my foot. The pain was so severe, even the Motrin 800 mg. pills didn't help it. I am 53 years old, but I felt like a 90 year old. I had problems walking, especially after sitting for an hour or so. I had problems with stairs. Even laying down was painful. I tried heating pads, ointments, etc. When I told my doctor about it, she said that this was a typical side effect of statins, and that because I am diabetic, I need to continue taking Zocor to keep my cholesterol down. Just the other day, I stopped taking Zocor for 3 glorious days and guess what? NO pain!!! I resumed it because my doctor insists that I stay on it, but I wish there was something else I could take that wouldn't cause pain.

i am a male 48 years old and have been taking zocor for only one month now and started getting a lot of heavy headache pain, and nausea,sinus headache and not feeling of working. ever since i feel always tired and not been able to proform at work also i m constipating with no bowel movements .

“The first heart disease indicator to be recommended by the American Heart Association in twenty years entails only a surprisingly simple, inexpensive blood test. This high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test takes the traditional cardiac check-up a step further, pinpointing those people who are at a much higher risk than others for heart disease, America’s leading cause of death. From hs-CRP results, doctors gain crucial insight into inflammation of the blood vessels around the heart, a factor not considered until now for patients at risk… People who have suffered a heart attack or stroke and those with at least one risk factor, such as family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking or diabetes, should be tested. While the American Heart Association and Centers for Disease Control just recently recommended hs-CRP testing as an option for those already at risk, The Cleveland Clinic has used the hs-CRP test routinely for at-risk patients for several years. Hs-CRP is a great test for people with one or two risk factors who wonder if they are really in jeopardy of a heart attack or a stroke (Greater than 3.0 mg/L High Risk for CVD). It’s probably less useful for people without any risk factors.” See entire article: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/news/hot/crp.aspx
Hopefully, your physician/cardiologist will do a C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test, and based on the results of the CRP, consider a low dose statin (5mg Lipitor –split tablet in half or 10mg Zocor), instead of a high dose. See article by Dr. Cohen, Associate Professor of Family and Preventive Medicine and of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego: “Overall, the risk of death was the same with high-dose and lower-dose Lipitor. In other words, high-dose Lipitor offered no advantage in the study's most important category: preventing deaths.” See, www.medicationsense.com (HIGH-DOSE LIPITOR FOR HEART ATTACKS: HOW EFFECTIVE, HOW SAFE?)
Also see, the recent article (Feb. 2008), by Board Certified Cardiologist, Dr. Peter Langsjoen, M.D., FAAC, which details the trouble with statins and the requirement to supplement with 300mg to 600 mg of CoQ10 daily: *******/magazine/mag2008/feb2008_Alleviating-Congestive-Heart-Failure-With-Coenzyme-Q10_01.htm, as well as, 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). *****/OHRMS/DOCKETS/dailys/02/May02/052902/02p-0244-cp00001-01-vol1.pdf.
In closing, I hope your physician/cardiologist will consider recommending CoQ10 in addition, should he/she make the decision to prescribe the above (Low Dose Statins to reduce inflammation of the blood vessel wall/endothelium). See, the following medical research/article: ******/cgi/content/abstract/57/1/1

I was prescribed Zocor approximately 1 month ago. I began taking the Zocor and immediately on the first night I had slurred speech. It went away after two nights...but I continued to have horrible headaches for about a week. Finally, I thought I was in the clear. After about 3 weeks, I had a little spasms in my left leg...from the foot to the hip. It went away...and a few days later it showed up in my right leg...from my foot to my hip. My right knee is currently on fire...and I can't walk really well. I have a tendency to dray my right leg behind me. It gets better after a period of rest, but as soon as I try to walk...it's back again. I stopped taking Zocor a few days ago, and I see the doctor tomorrow.

i was a healthy 35 year old male but had high cholesterol, so the doctor prescribed lovastatin (mevacor) and tried it for a month but developed muscle weakness. months later, i'm still experiencing severe muscle spasms and my neurologist is stumped -- mri's, spinal tap, emg -- all normal. I just want to feel normal again. can anyone help? please email me!

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?

This is my second post on this subject. The short story is I had a stroke at 43 years old, doctor prescribed Zocor to me, 90 percent of side affects posted here.

I went back to the doctors afraid I was going to get the treatment from mmy doctor that most others got "your crazy, and it's psycholog". To my surprise the doctor knew exactly what I was going through with the only information that I was on Zocor.

The doctor was aware of the undocumented side affects and told me stop taking it immediately. She prescribed Lipitor and so far so good.

Most of the side affects have gone, the foggy head totally gone. The doctor said I was lucky to be recovering so quickly as most take months and some times years from the damage of Zocor. The longer you take it the longer the recovery time which makes sense. The doctor said that Zocor is cheap and highly dangerous.

I urge anyone coming across this website to see your doctor for a medication change ASAP.

I will post again in six months and give an update.

I am 39 years old. My cholesterol levels have been between 250 and 370 since my mid-twenties. I started on Lipitor and noticed after a few years that my loss of memory, muscle pain, fatigue and difficulty sleeping were just plain annoying. I quit talking in August of 2007. Since then I have changed my diet to a vegan diet where I have zero cholesterol intake. After 9 months my cholesterol levels are still 270. My body produces it anyway. The only time I saw my cholesterol levels drop (on Lipitor) was when I was doing Atkins (high fat, protein) and my levels were in the 170s. I was prescribed Zocor this spring by another doctor, however still found myself unwilling to take it. While only taking a diuretic blood pressure medicine, I began experiencing some chest pain, headaches, shortness of breath, numbness in the face and hands and got scared. I began taking the Zocor on Friday 4/25/08 - I haven't had a good night's sleep since. By Tuesday night I broke out with a rash on my arms and hands (itchy). I thought it was hives. By Friday 5/2/08 my head was in a fog - I couldn't remember what happened on Monday, it feels like it was 6 months ago. I stopped talking last night Fri. 5/2/08 and this morning the rash was gone and I slept fairly well. I believe in choosing the lesser of two evils; however, with the obvious effects of this drug I wonder what it does to the inside of my body where it isn't so obvious. As young as I am, I really worry about the long term effects of this medication, and others like it, that would make heart disease seem like a piece of cake.

I am a 67 year old female who has been in good health. I was put on 40 ml of Zocor about three years ago. After taking it for six months I asked to be changed to Lipitor because of stomach pain I felt was caused by Zocor. I didn't have stomach pain with Lipitor.

A year ago I must have had a senior moment because I changed back to Zocor. Generic Zocor was much less expensive than Lipitor.

During the past year I developed most of the side effects that everyone is mentioning: stomach pain, nausea, memory loss, sleep problems. I didn't relate this to Zocor.

Then I woke up one morning and could not stand without severe pain in my left knee. It hurt to touch it. A week later my right knee developed the same symptoms. This didn't happen gradually. It was very fast. I can also identify with those who say that back pain makes them walk bent over. The pain also radiated into my shins and one heel.

I wept when I found this site and read all the posts about similar symptoms. I decided to go off the Zocor for a month and see what happens. I've been off it for three weeks today. The pain is MUCH less but not gone. I'm hoping that it will continue to get better.

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.

Sounds like everyone is having the same symptoms...I was taking lipitor and my doc changed mine to ZOCOR ..he started me off on 40 mg..and just recently upped it to 80 mg..my legs are so sore when I stand up , I can hardly walk up the stairs...I have unexplained pain in my legs , shoulders, arms...and recently have been having anxiety attacks...I have felt horrible since being on this medication. I thought it was supposed to help , not make me feel worse..I am fatigued all the time, dizziness, heel and leg pain..I am 43 years old and feel as though I am nearing 70....I think I am going to stop taking this medication and see if there is a difference in the way I feel, especially after reading everyone else's side affects. it's very scary after reading all this, but I am glad I found this site ...

Is anyone here when referring to Zocor taking the generic or the brand name? I have had trouble with vivid dreams and after several months I am exhausted from this sleep interruptions. I used to take the name brand before they had the generic
and had no problems at all.
The vivid dreams started after taking the generic.
Any responses would be appreciated.

thanks

I have been on Lipitor for several years, but switched to generic Zocor (Simvastatin) for 3-4 weeks because of the high co-pay. I didn't seem to have any bad side effects with Lipitor (or not as bad as Zocor), but have had swollen ankles, sore knees, and difficulty walking for the past couple of weeks--that's why I'm here--to see what others are experiencing.

I was reading the various side effects and I have one more to add. Has anyone experienced vertigo--not dizziness but spinning. It lasts for about 15 seconds and it's enough to scare you to death! I've also noticed that the whites of my eyes turn red.
I've also experienced pain in my legs, heels and knees. It's so difficult to walk that I had cortisone shots in my knees and three series of epidural in my lower back. No doctor ever thinks it could be from medication. I've been on Zocor 10mg for two years
I've gone to more doctors now than I have in all my years. Everyone is a specialist. No one treats you as a whole. Now I have to go to a neurologist for the vertigo.
I'm thinking all this is related to Zocor. The only other medicine I take is Protonix.

I am male 37 years old. In June 2007, my blood test shows 249 total cholesterol. After that, I was taking super B-complex, fish and flax seeds pills. It went down to 213 total cholesterol (40 HDL, 136 LDL and TRI 176). And I asked my family doctor to give prescription for Zocor(I asked particular drug because I will get good discount rate at my employer's place). he gave me Zocor 20 mg. After taking 1-month medication I felt some inconvenience during sex . You don’t feel it normal. I can’t do much exercise and some times feel depressed. I usually do 1-hour exercise or any form of exercise (Yoga). After Two months I tested my blood cholesterol level. It shows now total cholesterol 181(LDL 93, HDL 42 and TRI 223). And also showed ALT and urine protein little elevated. Now I stopped medication for past two days, feeling better at day time but night I am having weird dreams and indigestion problem. I guess these are withdrawal symptoms. I would go for natural medication like regular exercise, diet (oat meal, high fiber content, less sugar, less white rice). No more Statin drugs. Any one have same problem?

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 have no experience of statins - or hardly of any other medication either, but I have seen the consequenses in some relatives/friends. That´s what made me do some "research".

This is what I think everyone should do before they embark on taking medications.

There are so many interesting - and eye opening books and information on the Internet.

Don´t think that Zocor is the only statin with these kind of side effects.

Most of the statins have similar side effects so therefore please also go to the pages that deals with Lipitor etc.

I have made some suggestions there in November 2007 (swedish) and also "Pasted in" a very interesting text with many links.

Good Luck to all of you.

Your stories are heartbreaking.

Most people, where I live (Sweden) has no idea, but I try my best to spread the "news".

on zocor since dec 2006, i have alot of other medical problems, arthritis, fused foot, very bad lower back and some osteoporesis, but i believe more so, than not; that my symptoms increased after a change in dosage. now i'm very tired, extreme muscle weakness, knee pain, having trouble walking, weight gain (10 lbs in last 2 months) and unbelievable swelling in ankles and top of foot, very painful
It's hard to blame zocor on this, but i don't just want to wear compression socks and so forth, because that could be masking the cause, and maybe just a change in lipid medication will change things around. it's a vicious circle, cant work out or walk, to tired to do anything, but work 14 hours a day, it's such an effort to walk (I keep blaming the weight gain) but maybe its really the swelling and joint pain along with the muscle weakness that's to fault.

When I started taking Zocor a few months ago I also had added aqua jogging to my exercise routine and I thought that the tiredness, fatique, muscle aches and the swelling in my knee were from exercising. I thought it was strange the my body never adjusted to it because it should have become easier with practice. At that time I was also walking 3 miles a day. About two months ago the doctor increased my dosage. The pain in my legs became unbearable. I tried walking and it was difficult when starting out and became increasingly harder until I started feeling light headed and just couldn't go any further. I have also been experiencing blurred vision and pain in my shoulders and I thought that was from aqua jogging. I called my pharmacist to see if I was taking anything that could be causing those symtoms. Immediately he said it was the Zocor. My doctor doesn't agree. He has since diagnosed me with diabetes but my meter has never shown and readings that would indicate high blood sugar and he has ordered ultra sounds on my legs that showed nothing. Where does one go to get help with this problem? I have missed so much time from work that I have gotten a "warning". Also, I am registered to go back to school in the fall and I am afraid I may not make it if I am not feeling better by then.

I had my first MI at age 57 on Oct. 29th 2004. I was given Zocor 40 meg. and my problems started in the hospital. I had terrible leg aches and they even looked for clots. Finding nothing I was sent home after 5 days with two stents and told if I got tired just rest. I had to take two months off work. In January I returned back to work but the leg aches continued at night. In January I returned to the hospital with another episode and received three more stents. My cholesterol was at 110. The Dr. continued me with the Zocor 40 mg. twice a day now. I continued to have problems with clogging arteries and in the next four months I had another 4 stents. In the summer I walked a lot and still continued to have leg aches at night. After a year of complaining I was put on Vytorin and things really got worse. In six months I couldn’t walk right, kept falling, couldn’t sleep with the cramping, my joints all felt like they no longer supported my frame. I was put on Crestor, then Lipitor, then Zetia, and then I took matters in my own hands. I stopped the statin drugs. My cholesterol skyrocketed of course to 289. It was only 189 at the time of the first MI. I have slowly regained my ability to walk and joined Curves. This is about all I can do and am slowly getting better. I tell everyone I can about my horror story with statin drugs. I’ve been to an arthritis specialist, negative on all forms of arthritis causing this. I went to a gastric specialist and no stomach problems. I was sent to a neurologist who told my muscles were very weak and not to take statin drugs, but like all the Dr.’s I’ve been referred to none would touch the statin drug issue. My last referral was to an orthopedic surgeon because of my walking problems, and at first I was told that if my hips didn’t stop degenerating I would need them replaced to be able to walk. Last month after 9 months off statin drugs he retook x-rays and said my hips are looking fine. There is hope. I have been on a strict diet and exercise program and am ready to start stationary bicycling to try to rebuild muscle mass lost during the 2 years on different statin drugs. I also took C10 150 megs. after getting off statins to see if that would help and I don’t know, but I am told to keep doing what I’m doing. I hope the cholesterol will come down as I eat more oat bran or oatmeal. I hope my story helps some of you because I do believe I am getting well.

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.

Anyone have peripheral neuropathy on Zocor? I had shooting pains down both arms for a few days one month into taking Zocor. This stopped but is replaced with intense muscle pain in arms, hands, shoulders and back - and recently hot flashes. I stopped taking the Zocor 3 days ago AMA (against medical advice) as my doc said the neuropathy is not a side effect of Zocor.

I had hot flashes while taking Lipitor and now am experienceing them with Zocor. Anyone else experienceing the hot flashes.

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.

I had been taking Zocor for about five years when I developed a tingling in my feet & toes. I went to my Doctor
and he said I probably had a pinched nerve that was causing the problem. So I went t a chiropractor for about a month, but the problem got worse. Went back to my doctor and he immediately said that I had neuropathy. I went to a neurogolist had tests taken and sure enough I had nerve damage to my feet & legs with severe shooting pains and tight
muscles. I asked the neurologist what caused the problem, he said it was the statins in the Zocor I was taking. I stopped
the Zocor the immediately but the damage was done. The neurologist told me the statin break down the fatty tissue covering the nerves and could take months even years to heal. Now I was a very active 70 year ald man went to the ymca three times a week walked 3-4 miles a day, worked the weights even played golf 2-3 days a week. Well, all that has stopped. walking has become a chore. because the pads of my feet feel like they have big knots in them. But the good news is I wont give up and let this rule my life. I still work the weights and still struggle thru the pain of walking that 1 mile a day. oh yes I have started taking vitamin C for my cholesterol

My father started taking Zocor, after being on Lipitor for almost 3 years.(He had to stop taking Lipitor, because of the memory lapses and confusion.)After reading these testimonials, I am not expecting Zocor to be the greatest thing either. I am starting to believe that the doctors, and the drug companies are working together to make more money. If this doesn't work, I have seen some adds for lowering your cholesterol with vitamins, and I will most likely have my dad try that.(Against medical advice of course!)Since doctors seem to laugh off natural remedies.

when I was on Lipitor I had cramping in my legs and pain in my back. Since May have been on Zocor and now simvastation and have developed severe itching in my arms
no matter what I do nothing is helping. So, as of Oct.9th I haven't taken any of them no change yet.
Barbara

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 been experiencing neuritis symptoms (pins and needles} I have been taking 40mg of zocor along with a niacin product on the advice of my Dr. I am going to stop all the meds and see if these symptoms disappear..I forgot to mention I was on lipitor for years but ins. stopped paying for it and was switched to zocar one month ago.

I was on Lipitor for several years with no problems until my insurance company stopped paying. My doctor put me on Zocor. I have been on Zocor for 2 months. Within the last few weeks I've noticed my knees being stiff. I'm a teacher and am up and down so this is not only painful but inconvenient. I mentioned the stiffness to my pharmacist this evening when I went to pick up my new prescription and he took it from my hand and told me it was not a good thing to have and to call my doctor with the problem. Just from the little he said I assume the side effects can be really bad. I'll call my doctor tomorrow.

I now take zetia because the Lipitor I was origonally on caused the aching in my legs and back as well as my shoulders. Zetia does not cause this but my Cholesterol isnt as low as the Lipitor so my doctor wants to put me on Vytorum which is a combo of zocor and zetia. Hearing about the same symptoms from zocor makes me heitant.

I have had diabetes 47 years, and have been treated for high cholesterol for nearly 25 years. First with Lopid, then with Lipitor which causde my leg muscles to weaken and hurt after minimal exertion. Was swtched to Zocor about 1 year ago - the weakness and pain in my legs are still present, although not with too much difference that I have noticed. Weight-bearing exercise does seem to help the weakness, but the pain during the exertion is very unpleasant. Interestingly, the strangest thing did occur after starting Zocor. Suddenly I could hear my heartbeat very loudly inside my head. This seems to occur for a few days, then it will quiet down (although it will not disappear completely) for awhile. My cardiologist was certain that I had to have some blockage in my heart, and was sure that I was experiencing major blockage in my carotiids. The result: no blockage in my heart, and minimal blockage in my carotids. The doc was quite shocked, but let me say that vegetarianism pays off! So there is no explanatin for the loud beating in my ears. I take several supplements and they do seem to help, and they are strongly recommended for diabetics with high cholesterol: vitamin E - 400 IU daily, CoQ10 - 60 mg daily, cayenne pepper - 1 capsule at each meal, and Garlic - 1 talet or capsule at each meal. The medication did not seem to be very effective (diabetics' bodies produce an inordinate amount of their own cholesterol for some reason), but since taking the supplements, I have noticed a significant reduction in my cholesterol levels. I went from 238 in January 2005 to 93 in January 2006.

This post is about my mom she was put on Vytorin which is a combination of Zorcor and Zetia. Her cholesterol was not all that high but her Dr wanted her to try it to see if it would come down. She was on it for one month and her cholesterol droped from 195 to 86 BUT she was having really bad headaches and her neck would be stiff her legs hurt and she had blurred vision in her left eye only and shooting pain in the left side temple. Before taking Vytorin she was in pretty good shape for a 71 year old but not she is so tired all the time, I am really worried about her overall health. Yesterday when I took her back to her Dr to find out why she was still having these problems he said the medician should already be out of her system since she quit taking it on Nov 17. I requested that he send her to the hospital for blood test since Vyortin had been known to make blood test abnormal. I also requested a CoQ10 Blood Test which should show any damage to the muscle tissue which can be a side effect of the Vytorin it breaks down muscle tissue in some cases. I really think MD's need training on these drugs before giving to patients. Also do anyone know how long it takes these meds to get out of the systems. Has anyone else had these problems. Thanks for any response and help. Sharon

I have been taking Lipitor for the past 6 years without I thought any problems. I now have pain in my left shoulder that feels like a rotator cuff injury. Doc sent me for an X-Ray
which showed no abnormality. He then wanted to send me to
an Orthopedic dr for an MRI which I didn't do. I just had my
blood work done for the 6 month check and it revealed tha I
was anemic. He referred me to a hematologist to check
further. His preliminary diagnosis is multiple myeloma. I have lower back pain along with pain just under my rib cage
on my left side. I have felt all along the problem is from the Lipitor, but the doctors don't think so. How does this pain take to clear up. I have been off the Lipitor for nearly 3 weeks with no change. If anyone else has had this pleas let me know asap.
Thanks

I am a female age 47 and was taking Lipitor for a year and devoloped leg pain and also pain in my left elbow so the doctor took me off of it and put me on Zocor about 6 weeks ago. Since being on the Zocor the pain in my left elbow has come back and I also am having trouble with my right ear pulsating like a heart beat. Has any one ever had this side effect from Zocor?

I AM A 64 YEAR OLD MALE, With 2 installed stents in 99. been on lipitor till a year ago, and switched to zocor. I can,t sit in my recliner for a half hour and get such bad right knee pain that I have to get up and walk around. can't sleep good until its time to get up. Is it the zocor?

I have spent the last hour reading these messages. Yes i can believe that many Drs refuse to believe you when you tell them what is happening to you. I was told I am a hypochondriac, anxious etc. Funny how physical symptoms are there though huh? 2 days I have been taking Zocor and I have 12 symptoms described in others posts!! I remember many years ago I was on Zocor, then went to Lipitor for some reason (possibly side effects then stopped that too) but haven't been on any statin meds for several years. I am not taking Zocor EVER again. The chest and back pain was the worst for me. Blow that!! I have hereditary cholesterol even though I was vegetarian for 5 years weighed 130 pounds, (I am 5'5") rode horses, swam, did all the great stuff, still didn't make a difference (aint I lucky :| ) I will do it without meds from a western pharmacy!! I have emailed larryhor@optonline.net and I am telling you this person seems like a genuine wonderful man, wanting to share his experiences with lowering levels with everyone. What have you got to lose folks? ALL the horrible symptoms and your cholesterol levels right??? I will let you all know how things go with me over the next few days and weeks. I hope all of you get relief and are able to resume your normal lives real soon.
Blessed be to you all and THANK YOU LARRY!!!!!
Raine.....

Lipitor, pravacol and zocor have the same effect on me. They are, swollen ankles, palpitations, dizziness, chest and stomach pain and nausea. Once I was hospitalized for a few days while tests were taken. The stress test had me running uphill on the treadmill. When my legs were about to give out, they decided it was not my heart. I have not been watching my diet, and my total cholesterol went up from 165, to 185. Doc wants me to increase zocor to double the dose. I don't want to do that. I'm 70 years old, work out and swim on a regular basis with no chest pain. Any suggestions??

With my lipoprotein levels at 105 (0-30 normal range), the doctor prescribed 10 mg Zocor. After a couple of weeks of taking it, I started experiencing skipping heart beats. No chest pain but I'm worried that when their side effects lists that muscles are affected, the heart is also affected since it is a muscle, right? Now, I'm about to go for the 2-D echo exam to look for the reason for this skipping heart beat and the new doctor wants me on Lipitor.

I am 36 years old and started taking lipitor about 2 years ago when it was discovered in a physical that my cholesterol was at 315. It came down to 135 within six months along with regular exercise and losing 25 pounds but in the fall of 2002 I started developing sudden attacks of pain in my chest along with dizziness and overall feelings that something bad was getting ready to occur (thought I was having a heart attack, but all extensive cardiac tests came back negative). It was discovered to be gall bladder attacks from cholesterol crystals forming in my gall bladder as my levels came down. The gall bladder was removed in Nov. 2002 and I felt fine for a few months. My doctor also switched me to zocor. Similar symptoms came back, the sudden pain and tightness in my chest along with a pain just inside my right shoulder blade although some of this discomfort tends to stay around for days at a time. I never had a medical problem in my life until I started taking lipitor and zocor and I stopped taking it about three weeks ago. Still not feeling good but hopfully things will improve. I think I will look into something natural.

the drug-zocor and lipitor--if u are experiencing any muscle pain-weakness-it is a side effect and your doctor will take u off of it,(u can lose all your muscles-very seruois side effect,-if u feel like your moving in slow motion-with your bodyfeeling heavy that is side effect of liptor also your dr will take u off of it,,)try some garlic pills to get the cholestrol down--taking a diet pill will bring cholest,,down too=and alot of walking,,kswiss

From what I see on this message board and from personal
experience You may not loose the effects. Since the Dr
says it might be the Zocor why not change to Lipitor.
On their discussion board I se no postings. What vested
interest can the Dr have.

I am a 69 year old with elevated cholesterol (280). I have been on 20 mg Zocor for 27days. It seems to have effected my sleeping pattern, some headaches, throat irritation, and most recently soreness in my calves and feet area. Normally I could be on my feet for hours at a time with no problem, but not now. I have several friends who are on Lipitor with no reported problems. I felt great before starting Zocor, so plan to talk to my Dr. about either stopping or switching.

I have been on Zocor for only three days and am already experiencing sudden intestional cramping followed by diaharrea. My husband took it for several months and experienced the same symptom- plus mucle weakness/atrophy of leg muscles, fatique. Lipitor has worked much better for him.

Muscle cramps so bad that my right big toe locked and it took me a few minutes to get it to release. I had similar problems with Lipitor. I get leg cramps and muscle cramps in my right forearm.

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.