Zocor and shoulders

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.

My arms are hurting very bad and my shoulders are out of joint. I feel awful and have zero energy. I have been off for 10 days now and am still in pain. I bought some fish oil caplets and will go with lifestyle change. I will never never take another statin.

I have been on Zocor for 3 months and until I found this site I thought
my pain was in my head. I am having difficulty raising my arms over my head or reach around my back because of severe shoulder pain in both shoulders. I had normal chol until last year it was 240 and doctor put me on zocor when diet did not work. The shoulder pain is terrible. I have felt terrible on this drug and now I know why. I am seeing my doctor Weds for a blood test and will not be taking zocor again.

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 ...

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

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.

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'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!

So glad I found this site! I have been on zocor for several years and began having pains in my hips and had tension headaches. X-rays were taken and the dr. said I had arthritis in my neck and back, ok, I accepted that but what about my fingers, elbow, arm and shoulders? I know I have carpal tunnel in my right hand but getting on and off the toilet was very difficult with the pain. I could hardly move, my legs ached so bad. my memory was terrible, i thought old age! I am 55 years old! I have hot flashes, night sweats, don't sleep well, vision is getting blurry. I decided after reading everyones comments which sounded like I was writing them, to go off of zocor. Within 3 days I began feeling less achy. I do wear a brace on my hand for the carpal tunnel, which helps some but not totally. It has been a full week and i can move so much better. My hands and wrist are still sore but my arms and legs are feeling better. I just hope in weeks to come I feel alot better. We got back to the doctor the beginning of May so I am hoping he will agree with me for going off the medication. After all, it is my body!

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 had a light heart attack in February 2005, then had two bypasses. Upon release from hospital I was prescribed Zocor to control cholesterol (previous cholesterol levels were between 200-220). My family doctor had not prescribed medications previously but cardiologist said I should have been on this medication "long ago." When I had my heart attack I did not have chest pain (which I understand is fairly common in women); rather I had intense pain in my arms, shoulders, and back. Since the surgery and being placed on Toprol and Zocor, I have had continuous nagging pain in my arms and back. Of course this makes me think I am going to have another heart attack. I have been told by medical personnel that this "probably could not be a side effect of the Zocor, might be "in my head," etc. My family has a history of heart attacks, high cholesterol, etc., so would be very hesitant to stop the Zocor (or some other statin drug) unless I could be very sure this is causing the pain. The pain is not high level (possibly 2-3 level; occasionally higher), but is always there! I am now going to chiropractor but he has been very straight-forward about his ability to help me.

I have been on Tricor for about two years, but due to creeping up in my cholesterol numbers, my doctor has put me on Zocor, too. All has been fine for about six mos., but recently I have been having soreness in my upper arms/shoulders, which I attributed to having lifted something heavy and driving for a very long distance. However, that was over a week ago, and it has not gone away. In addition, my feet hurt all the time. It is the muscles in my feet and I have difficulty walking, after sitting for awhile. All I have read points to the Zocor, but I am wondering if the combination is the real problem.

I am a 58 year old male and have been on Zocor for about 2 years. Over time I have noiced joint pain particularly in my big toes, both thumbs and my shoulders. I also, when getting out of bed in the morning, sounded like a broken machine -everything popped and cracked when I first started moving. In addition to the pain and noisey joints, I have more recently noticed fuzzy vision in the morning. I stopped taking the Zocor a week ago as an experiment to see if that might be the cause. Well the result is the toe, thumb and shoulder pain is pretty much gone as is the popping and cracking. I think the fuzzy vision is better but I'll give it a few more days to be certain before I make that claim for sure. I'm really not sure what to do now. My wife is afraid I'm going to keel over but I'm tired of the pain.

FATIQUE,NEASEA,NO APPITTITE,PAIN IN SHOULDERS, ELBOWS,ARMS,SWEATING,PAIN IN ANKLES,KNEES,HEAD.HAVE HAD ALL KIND OF TESTS.NOTHING SHOWS UP. BEEN IN HOSPITAL 2 TIMES FOR FATIQUE, AND DEHYDRATION.MUSCLE PAIN IS DEVASTING. MY ENERGY IS ALL GONE TO HELL. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED MY MARRIAGE.I;M ON 80MG OF ZORCOR.I HOPE IF I QUIT IT WILL GO AWAY.I;M PRAYING FOR US ALL.

AFTER ABOUT 3 DAYS OF ZOCOR MY LOWER BACK SUDDENLY BEGAN TO HURT SO BAD I CAN HARDLY MOVE. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH PAIN, IT IS ALMOST LIKE A GALDBLADDER ATTACK PAIN. I TAKE CELEBREX FOR ARTHRITIS IN MY SHOULDERS, BUT MY BACK HAS NOT BEEN BAD. I RAN OUR OT CELEBREX AND HAVE BEEN OUT FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS, I HAVE TO GET BLOOD WORK DONE BEFORE I CAN GET A REFILL, BECAUSE I HAVE LUPUS. DOES ANYONE THINK THE ZORCOR COULD BECAUSING THIS PAIN? MY DR SAYS KEEP TAKING. THANKS FOR ANY HELP.

I am guest #2020 who suggested that when your physican suggests Zocor that you RUN , DON'T WALK. I have been off Zocor since December '02 and have had no relief whatsoever from the intense pain in my shoulders coupled with weakness in my legs and arms. Please be aware of the May '03 issue of National Geographic (rear) there was a very carefully worded "DISCLAIMER" for Zocor which covered every possible malady except an "ingrown toenail". Why would such a successful and beneficial drug be given such attention except for the benefit of "We told you so" in case of litigation. Inconspicuously, it suggests that you call Merck to see if you qualify in the "patient assistance program" (1-888-merck-68). May I suggest that we test the sincerity of Merck by calling to inquire if there is any explanation for our Zocor induced misery. Finally, if there is no logical response to our misery, would any of you care to join me in publishing our Zorcor related problems/benefits in a prominent national publication? Also I would be most anxious to be apprised if the famous "BE THERE" coach is still a "BE THERE".

I was on Zocor for 1.5 months. I developed muscle pain & weakness. My Doctor was on vacation when this first began occuring. By the time I was able to see the Doctor, I had developed Trigger thumb on my left hand accompanied by carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger in 3 fingers of my right hand and carpal tunnel syndrome in the right hand as well. I am in custom splints for my hands/wrists and can barely lift my arms to shoulder height. The extreme fatigue and muscle pain in my shoulders, neck, back,hips,legs and feet was significantly reduced when I was taken off Zocor. However, I still have significant problems with my arms and hands.

i just started zocor 1 week ago and now have severe muscle pain in my right shoulder running down my arm. i also am feeling muscle pain in various parts of my body but mainly in my shoulders and arms. tonight i decided to stop taking zocor. i cannot handle the pain. i work in a pharmacy and muscle pain is the number one complaint i here from the customers taking these types of medication.

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

Took Zocor for 8 months, have been off 6, quit because of leg cramps and hands and arms losing feeling at night and muscle pain. Continue to have muscle pain in arms and shoulders even after being off so long...in fact, it seems to be getting worse. Could this be caused by Zocor?

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that one bad side effect for me was tremor. I thought I was getting some disease it was so bad. Now off Zocor, tremor has gone expect when I get a flare up of muscle back in upper arms and shoulders. I have sore spots on arms, almost like bruises but not. Anyway, I wish I could talk to you all.

I was taking 40 mg. Zocor for about 5 months;although successful, I now know that I would have much preferred the higher chloresterol. Almost immediately I felt strange sensations in my legs and arms. At times I had trouble with balance. After 3 months the pain in my right thigh became extremely intense. All the usual remedies were without relief. The pain then went to my left thigh, then to the right elbow and then to the left elbow. I had great difficult in rising from a sitting position followed by difficulty in walking for about 20 steps. I still cannot raise my arm over my head or dress with some assistance. I stopped taking Zocor without my physicians permission (he later agreed on the unilateral decision)but relief has not been forthcoming. The most acute pain is while I am in bed; my shoulders feel as though a truck ran over them. Relief comes only after rising for 10-15 minutes three or four times each evening. I have been given every medical test known to man without avail. I could go on and on but will finish with this
IF YOU ARE PRESCRIBED ZOCOR, RUN, DON't WALK

29 Male 250Lbs..
I have had most side effects talked about here.. Worst was when DR. bumped me to 40mg because my levels wern't coming down fast enough for him.. Had a major side effects. This was last summer. swollen ankles , could barely walk. muscle soreness in legs, arms, shoulders and chest. Weight gain.
Felt like I was always in a cloud.
I was on holiday's when most of it hit, and my son had just turned 1. after a 3 weeks on DR visits he dropped me back to 20 mg.. my levels where perfect.. but what a cost.. my levels have good ever since.. but I have changed DR's..
Muscle soreness comes and goes now.. headaches are very frequent.. Gas is a big problem. more for the people around me.
I am to the point now I am going to try alternative methods.
I have a yearly physical with blood work in 4 months.. it should show by then if I stop now. I'm just sick of feeling like this.. and I think without Zocor and some hard work I can get down to my ideal body weight..