Zocor and medication

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 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 have been on zocor for over a year, about 8 months ago I began to have pain in my left arm, got and injection and it was better it started again in my left arm , this time there was pain , tingling, numbness, swelling , it got better but it moved to the right arm which is twice as bad, I am often brought to tears from the pain..I sometime describe the pain like shutting your hand in a car door. My Dr keep giving me the same meds.

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 HAVE TAKEN ZOCOR FOR 4YEARS ALSO I HAVE VERY BAD PAINS IN MY RIGHT LEGS AND HIP. THIS IS SOMETHING I'LL NEVER HAD BEFORE IN MY LIFE. THE DOCTOR NEED TO STOP GIVING PEOPLE THIS MEDICATION BECAUSE IT'S NOT GO FOR ANYBODY.

The following article in the WSJ may explain the reason for the significant number of Adverse Reactions to statin drugs.

Why You Can't Tell Where
Your Medication Was Made
April 8, 2008; Page D1- Wall Street Journal
Bananas come with those little stickers listing their country of origin. Why not pharmaceuticals?
That's what some consumers -- and even some physicians -- are asking since the Food and Drug Administration linked the deaths of 19 people to contaminated batches of the blood thinner heparin from China.
*******

I encourage every patient with a bad experience taking statins to contact the FDA (see, July 1, 2008 posting for FDA contact info).

I'm a 52 year old female and have been taking Zocor for about a year. During the past few months, I've noticed increased muscle pains in my upper legs. It's to the point that I actually hurt when walking, even for short distances. I have also gained about 15 pounds in the past year. It could just be "middle age spread" but I can't help but wonder if this drug is the cause of it. I've also had some visual disturbances in the past month or two, like something that just won't clear out of my eye.....like a film across my eye. Anyone else with similar symptoms? I go back for a physical in a few weeks and am going to ask my MD about another medication. I have genetically elevated cholesterol and low cholesterol diet has not helped previously.

In my previous message I was wondering why the same medication has to have so many different names.

I haven´t had a reply to that, but I found some information on Wikipedia that migth be helpful when looking for more information.

Zocor (=Simvastatin) can have many different names as you can see below.

"Brand names: Zocor, Zocor Heart Pro, marketed by the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. and Denan (Germany), Liponorm, Sinvacor, Sivastin (Italy), Lipovas (Japan), Lodales (France), Zocord (Austria and Sweden), Zimstat, Simvahexal (Australia), Lipex (Australia and New Zealand), Simvastatin-Teva, Simvacor, Simvaxon, Simovil (Israel), Simvotin (India) and other."

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 took Zorcor for about 9 months and developed cramps and spasms in my legs. At one point the leg cramps lasted almost twenty minutes. I literally could not move my legs.The cramps kept happening more often then less. I discontinue using the medication and it took almost two to three weeks for the cramping to seize.

I did not know that there were web sites like this, I stumbled on another web site last night looking for some help for my husband and realized these are out here.

I was on Zocor last year, I took a total of 29 pills from June 16, 07 to October 20, 07. I took them when I remembered. During that time I had many problems and did not relate them to Zocor since I did not take it on a regular basis. I'm 58, both my parents were sick and baby sitting 3 little kids from 6 mos. 2, and 4. Side effects did not come into my thoughts.

Anyway I am right handed and I begin to have (pain in my right hand, pain in knuckle of middle finger, lost all strength in (R) hand, and my hand would be very stiff). I could not longer squat down to get into cabnets or get low for any reason, pain was so severe in the back of my knees. I had pain in my hip, pain down my leg between my calf and ankle that was so pain ful I could not move or scream it was worst that labor pains.

I was given xrays for hand, finger and my hip. Still I didn't relate it to taking zocor. Finally the pain was so severe in my leg I went to the Dr. I told her that I have had pain in my leg off and on since June and how bad it was she looked at my chart and ask was I taking the zocor, I told her not regularly but I would start.

Then she said not to take it for a month and come back because the pain in my legs was a side effect other patients had had.

Well after 5 months my hand has come back to normal, no pain in hip, from time to time a lttle discomfort in my lower leg, and now I can squat still a little pain getting up.
Before I could not lower my body.

Oh yeah, I wasn't sleeping, and extreme constipation. I am sleeping now and constipation is long gone. My Dr. assured me that all the symptoms would leave eventually.

Through this I have learned that medication effects us all differently and just because it is not a side effect the Dr. is familiar with doesn't mean it does not exist.

I AM A 55 YR YOUNG WOMAN. I AM VERY ACTIVE , FIT , AND LOOK
1O YRS YOUNGER THAN MY AGE. I DECIDED TO GO ON ZOCOR 5 MG
BECAUSE MY CHOLESTEROL WAS 250. I WAS CONCERNED AND THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE THE RIGHT DECISION. I HAVE HAD DRY FLAKY SKIN ON MY FACE AND GET VERY DIZZY. I HAVE DIFFICULTY
ALSO WITH BLURRY VISION. IF THESE ARE THE SYSTOMS I AM WILLING TO GO BACK TO THE HIGHER CHOLESTEROL AND DEAL WITH IT. GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THE OTHERS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MEDICATION AS WELL. NO MORE ZOCOR FOR ME!!!
I HAVEN,T EVEN FINISHED MY 90 DAY TRIAL SUPPLY.

I have been having upper back pain since I started this medication. In addition it has aggravated a shoulder problem that has bothered me intermittently for years. I am a 47 year old active male. I exercise 3 to 4 times per week and lift weights. I have had lower back pain in the past but never upper like this. since my activities have not changed with the onset of this pain I attribute it to the medication. It started after I started this medication.

Cholesterol was up to 260 so doctor prescribed zocor 20mg to lower it.
I have been on this for six weeks and head back for a recheck next Tuesday. I am hoping it is low again so I can get off this drug.

Generic for Zocor. In Nov. blood which was drawn as a pre-op surgery for another health problem was drawn and showed high cholesterol levels. I was put on meds right away. Was not given the option to try diet alone. Not knowing (and still learning) #'s, I felt the Dr. knew what was best for me. I too experience the waking, weird dreams, nausea or bloating and pains in thighs,upper back,collar bone, hips (inside and outside) until I sometimes can barely stand or walk. Have actually attempted walking in 'bent forward' position to cross the room occasionaly as the pain and difficulty of standing errect would not subside until I have reach the other side of room anyway.

There are 3 doctors in the office I go to. As if I don't hear it enough from my family members, one of the Drs.indicates it is because I am OLD that I have some conditions. But the main Dr. has showed concerns that I am on the medication. But he always blames my pains on ARTHRITIS. They are the skilled ones.......I am the one in pain ....but the #'s are going down.

I am afraid to eat most things as I also have FATTY LIVER.

My doctor & I agreed I should go on Simvastatin 10mgm for a slightly high cholesterol approx March 2nd. My already tenuous sleep problems became more so immediately. Medication for sleep was ineffective.
After 3 weeks of Simvastatin I started dozing off & waking with sort of panic attacks-weird dreams & my heart fluttering.-several times during the night.
During the daytime when checking –occasionally my blood pressure would drop to below 100 systolic over 40 & my pulse dropped to 38-40/per min. The pulse was regular like a ventricular rhythm (when the atria of the heart is no longer the electrical pacer) This drop would persist for approximately a half hour & occur several times during the day. There were no other symptoms associated that I could discern.
I could find no side effects listed online or from the pharmacist like these for Simvastatin. Concerned, I stopped taking the Simvastatin 11 days ago. Three days ago I felt good, found no BP or Pulse problems & have had good sleep. Since this has continued I am feeling certain that I reacted in some way to the Simvastatin

Has anyone been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) after taking Zocor? My mother was just diagnosed and we feel it could be due to the medication. She is/was also taking Toprol.

I had been taking Zocor for 4 1/2 months, Soon after I became sick, muscle pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, stomach problems etc. Now they have been getting worse dizziness, hard for me to work. The only way I can explain is that I feel like I am dying everyday. Does anyone know about a lawsuit?

I took Zocor (40mg) for three weeks. The first week was fine. During the 2nd week strange things started to happen. I woke up un the morning with aching legs. Woke up 5-6 times a night. Lost muscle strength and in the 3rd week had knee joints and shoulder joints just seize on me !!1. I train 5 days a week with a trainer and during the 2nd week was puffing up the smallest of inclines.My doctor took me off the medication and its been 5 days and the effects have only slightly improved

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 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 a 48 year old male. Was placed on Zocor last year. Since the day I was placed on it, I have felt weak, no ambition, no drive, feel like a zombie. I eventually had pain in my legs so severe that I had to take Hydrocodone so I could sleep. The skin on my thumbs and two first fingers peels off. I haven't had a good nights sleep since the second day I was on this crap. I haven't been taking it since June and still have a lot of problems. I still am very weak, no energy, tired all the time, skin is still peeling off my fingers, can't think, can't keep a straight thought. I have pretty severe pain in my hips that started when I was on Zocor. Also, my knees are very weak, and they pop every time I get up. At the time I stopped taking it, I was unable to make it up a flight of stairs.
My doctor constantly denied any link between any of this and the Zocor, but amazingly, after I stopped taking it, some of the symptoms reduced. I still suffer from many.
I was a small business owner with 7 employees and have since lost everything. I have been unable to find a job now for almost a year. The doctors are all "programmed" to think and tell you that these are good for you.

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?

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 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".

I am using Zocor 20 mg once day for the past 2 years. I am exercising regularly and seem to have no problem there. I often have leg muscle twitching in the evenings/nights that I am pretty sure is due to the medication.
Furthermore, recently I have a pain in my right ankle/calf when walking, that feels like a stretched or torn muscle or tendon, but there is no external redness or heat or swelling. I suspect it is due to Zocor as well.
Finally, I have nightly shoulder tenderness that might be due to the durg.
All symptoms started within the past 2 years.

My mother is diabetic and was put on Simvastatin 20 mg by her doctor.. both her feet are swollen... and has pain in her knees ..like crazy... we went to the doctor and he just gave her a steriod to counter it... unbelievable!!!!!
after i read this i told her to stop taking the medication.... so now we are gonna see if she improves.... after i read the side effects..i freaked out..... she shouldnt be on these due to the warnings ... these docors are killers!!! i want to sue them fo rthe pain they causing her....bunch of idiots!!!

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

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 started taking Vytorin 10 months ago. This medication is a
mix of zocar and some other medication. I began to feel
muscle pain immediately but dismissed it because I started a
new job and was on my feet. Everyday my legs hurt and
everyday I just thought it was because I was up on my feet
more than usual. I stopped working after 6 months but my
legs have continued to hurt. I decided to get on line to see if
anyone else was experiencing this sort of problems with this
med. Boy, have I been enlightened. I have an appt. with my
doctor. I just hope this muscle pain will not be permanent.

I have been on zocor for 7 weeks and almost immediately upon taking have experienced leg cramping. When I saw dr. about 4 weeks after starting zocor I told him that 2 hrs. after taking med's I have muscle cramping. He disregarded my concern. Since then, I have experienced more severe pains in my legs, shoulder tightness , back of neck spasms. This morning spasm were severe in neck, feet, calfs plus blurred vision. I am in route to the dr. to tell him that I am discontinuing this medication.

I started taking generic Zocor 5 days ago and I too feel like I've been hit by a truck. My neck is so stiff and I seem wide awake at night and have trouble sleeping. After doing some research I thought perhaps I had adrenal fatigue because I had most of those symptoms. I'm going to quit the Zocor cold turkey today and see if I start feeling better because it's difficult getting up and going to work. My muscles are aching and when I get up I seem to be stiff all over, even felt some weird chest pain this morning and lightheadedness. If this is how I have to feel on cholesterol lowing medication then I'll just keep my high cholesterol (258).

My problem is itching. I have been on Zocor for 3-1/2 years and it did its job by lowering my cholesterol. I started itching about three months ago (all over). I have been to Primary Care physician, dermatologist and allergist. The itching seems better but still have it after being off the Zocor for almost four weeks. I take other medications so I don't know for sure about the Zocor but had to start somewhere. How long after stopping the medication should the side effects disappear?
pg

My doctor just put me on Zocor a month agao. Both my bad and good cholesterol were high. My total cholesterol was 273. I am already thin and have a good diet so medication was the next step. I have had back pain, muscle stiffnes in my joints, especially my legs. I can hardly get out of bed in the morning. My chest on the left side hurts all the time and I feel a throbbing in my back on the left side. My doctor has done a ton of blood work and also a cat scan. Everything has came back normal. I did not have any of these symptons until I started the Zocor. I have asked my doctor to take me off of Zocor. One last thing, I have also experienced the diziness and blurred vision just for a moment.

I think this medication should be pulled off the shelves!
My father was having weakness in his legs and arms that started overnight. He got so bad we had to call an ambulance to take him to the hospital because he could not walk. Simvastin took over all of his muscles in his body which 2 weeks later killed him. The physician said his mylogan was over 2 million and he had not ever seen it that high. If you know of someone that on this medication please warn them!

I've been on simvastatin for about 8 years - recently increased to 20mg pd. Side-effects seem to match up very closely with other posters. Back and shoulder pain, often quite acute. Pain in left side under ribs. Various stomach pains and a general feeling of being unwell. Recently had treatment for trigger finger on right hand.
I'm fairly certain that the longer one takes this medication,
a/ the side-effects gradually get worse and
b/ the side-effects last longer when you stop taking the drug.

My side effects are the same as Guest #26472. The pain is so bad in my legs and ankle musles sometimes I can hardly get up from a chair or walk across a room, I find myself walking bent over to relieve the pain I have in my shoulder and upper arm musles, my hands feel like pins and needles and my ankles and lower legs swell. In January I had a triple bypass and have been taking 80mg Zocor ever since. I have talked with my Dr. about this and he has never said to stop taking Zocor or recommended any other medication, he has only adjusted other medications I am on.

I'm 57 and started taking Zocor 20mg 1 month ago. Within one week I was experiencing severe pains in my upper arm muscles so that I couldn't even sleep on either side or raise my arms to wash my face. The pains are sometime on one side then the other, then both. It also moves to my shoulders on both sides. I began suspecting the pain was a side effect of the medication. It also made my heart feel funny at times. I stopped taking the meds 5 days ago and still need to take a pain pill to sleep. I'm calling my dr tomorrow after reading all of this!!! I'm praying the pain with soon go away!

I strated suffering from pins and needles which immediately diminshed after I stopped the medication. My doctor is skeptical as to the connection. Has anyone else experinced pins and needles as a side effect

After taking 20mg of Zocor for four weeks, I became very weak, almost zombie like; I had no energy and felt the worst I have ever felt on any medication I have taken in my life and I am 62 years old. I stopped taking the medication after four weeks. I donated a kidney 2 years ago and don't know if having only one kidney played a part in my side effects from Zocor

My mother was prescribed zocor a month ago and 2 weeks ago she started having terrible abdominal cramps and muscle weakness. I had to take to ER and doctors could not find anything wrong bec all tests came back OK. A week later she went back to the ER because the muscle pain was so bad she could hardly walk. She took herself off the medication. Now she's getting blisters and nodules on her legs and torso. Is this going to get better?

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.

This is the second time my Doctor has put me on Zocor. Since taking this medication, both times I have experienced pains in my hips and down the sides and backs of my legs. It doesn't bother me as much on soft, carpeted surfaces, but becomes very uncomfortable on hard surfaces. I also have a good deal of pain in my legs if I try to pick up a heavy item to move it. I am 67 and have always been strong, but this has caused me to feel like a really old lady. Has anyone else been successful changing to another medicine that does the same thing? I feel as if my muscles are tied up in knots, and I guess they are since I also experience more charley horses.

I have read sveral testimonies on this drug zocor. I to have been considering that my simptoms are the same, I thought it ws just my age finally catching up, but now consider that it my all be the meds..! The thing that is most bothring me is the ringing in the ears and the heart pallpatations, this is scary sometimes when it happens of course the ringing never seems to stop.. but do not notice any lose of hearing.? I had my gall bladder removed about 2 yrs. now. But only have been on this medication for 4 months but seems that the pain i feel from the area where my gall bladder was is like i never removed it. I'm a 44 yr. old white male with a slight rise in my cholesterol according to my dr. ( I am also taking lisinopril.) seems with these to meds in my system i feel worse, but my dr. said its part of the program.. Is it??????

after 12 months of taking 10mg/day of simvastatin i am experiencing extereme deep muscle pain in my right thigh. It is so severe that I feel i could pass out. It is like a severe prolonged cramp and nothing relieves it. I have to endure the pain un til it subsided (from 30 secs to many minutes). I am convinced that this medication is the cause. I stopped taking the tablet yestrerday. I hope the symptoms will go. Only time will tell.

I am 61 years old and have always exercise and watched my weight. exercise and diet was not enough and the doctor put me on 10mg of Zocor for the last 5 years.
For the passed 3 years I have experienced severe pain, mostly on my knees and ankles that prevents me from walking, at times the pain is so bad that my wife had to take me to the emergency room. This year the pain is occuring more often, almost every week. I had several blood test and MRI's and the doctors can not find the reason for the pain. My cardiologist tells me that the pain is not related to Zocor because it should had happen at the begginig of using the medication. I know that I need to lower my cholesterol and tryglicerides, but after reading this page, I will be affraid to take this medicine.
Does anyone know any other method to lower Cholesterol and tryglicerides??????.

I have only managed to take Siomvastatin tablets (1 x 10mg) per day for 5 weeks. the headaches have been terrible.
I already suffer from stomach problems (intolerance to wheat, corn, maize starch etc..) and I cannot say this medication has made it worse, as I would not know.
Stopped medication for a week and then startedagain today--within 2 hours a headache, slight dizziness and nausea.

I have been taking Zocor for about one year, I have had both of my knees replaced.Suddenly I began to get body aches, fevers of 101 and above,during these episodes I could barly walk. I thought my knees were falling apart. I told my physician about this and without hesitating he told me to stop taking the Zocor. Why did they approve this medication??