Zocor and zorcor

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 am so happy after taking myself off ZORCOR in mid August 2007. I have my ankles back. They had been swollen. My knees were swollen and were so painful. Although I am 66, I have been active all my life in activities which included running(now walking) aerobic dancing, swimming, hiking to name a few. In June 2006 following a strenuous down hill hike, I experienced knee pain and swelling. I was taking 10 mg. of Zorcor at that time. I went to see an orthopedic doctor and he gave me an injection of steroid in the knee joint. It did relieve the pain. Then the right knee started. My knees were so painful, that I could not sleep, I had difficulty doing stairs. In fact I began walking backwards down steps so the knees would not bear the weight. It was after I was advised to increase the dose to 20mg.that the addtional side effects began. I was having difficulty standing from a seated position and even purchased a sofa that was more firm so I could rise from it.
I could not sleep,I had shoulder and arm weakness and lethargy set in. Normally I am active from 6:30 AM until 10:30 PM still working and very involved in my community as well as hobbies. At 20 mg. I was tired, losing interest and was content to be a couch potato. So I went on the internet and read everything I could find on Zorcor. I noted that I had 5 of the 7 major side effects which included itching skin, particularly from the knees down, itching,scalp, trigger fingers (thumb index and middle fingers were locking as much as 3 times a week. Just touching my legs to put on body lotion was painful. I felt as though I was getting the flu, just really down(depressed) and tired. I decided to stop the ZORCOR so I could sleep. Within 3 days I found that the pain in my knees was gone. I had my ankles back (no swelling). It has been six weeks since stopping Zorcor and I am back to my former self. I will never take STATINS again!
I will continue to exercise and maintain a diet rich in fiber and fruits and veggies.
Quality of life still vies for Quanity in my book.

I am not sure that zorcor is the cause but do suspect it

I am on 40 mg of Zorcor and have been taking it almost a year. However, I have developed severe pain in my right should and sometimes my hand. I was told by my doctor that the xray revealed arthristis. Both I am convinced that its the Zorcor.

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 am 48 yrs old, invery good health, very active in sports, I run 3 times a week, exercise, and eat healthy. I have been on Zorcor for 2years now. I have been experiencing muscle pain in between my left shoulder and elbow for about 6 months now. I have gone to my doctor and he has treated it as bercitus. He percribed physical theropy treatment... a month has gone by and no changes. So I tried a chiropractor, it's been 2 weeks and no changes... so that promted me to check the internet for possible side effects and I came across this website....and I can't believe all the emails I'm reading on the side effects other people are experiencing! I also am experiencing other side effects that I thought were not related and now I believe they are, AFTER READING THIS! Beside the muscle pain in my upper arm , I am experiencing:::: hair loss, leg cramps, memory loss, ability to communicate, pronounce words, forgetting, depression, blurred vision, hot flashes(thought that was because of menopause! and could very well be!) I take 40 mg a day, it the evening. IS IT OK TO JUST STOP TAKING THIS DRUG SINCE I'VE BEEN ON IT FOR OVER 2 YEARS?

In Janyary 2001, I was diagnosised with diabetis. Besides the diebetic medicine the doctor put me on plavic and zocor as a preventative measure as my cholesterol was normal it was always between 160 and 189. I was 66 yrs at that time.

After taking the zocor for six months my legs and feet began to swell and I developed a bone spur in my right heal and could hardly walk. By the end of the year my legs were hurting, tingling, burning , numness and I could not stand on my feet for more than an hour. When I would discuss this with my doctor , he said I probably needed potattisum and calcium.

After a while I began to notice that my purse seemed too heavy for me to carry. I was suffering from depression and it took a lot of effort for me do do anything. I still had no idea that the zorcor was causing the problems. I got a walker to help me walk. My back hurt me so bad when I was on my feet that I found it impossible to keep up with my house work.

I began to have breathing problems, so I was put on oxygen.
I was gaining weight very fast over 103 pounds in three years. I was hungry all the time. I could not open my eyes in the morning. The muscles around my eyes just didn;t want to work. I would have to rub them and sometimes use a wet cloth so that I could get my eyes to open.

As of this year, I am no longer able to do my own shopping, or drive my own car. Using my walker to walk from the front door to the car is painful and leaves me breathless. My son has to help me into the car and buckle me up, while I am trying to catrch my breath. My last blood work showed my cholesterol to be 136. I stopped taking zocor about a month ago after seeing someone on TV that said they could hardly walk from using zocor. I was taking 40 mg daily since 2001.
I am now dependant on a wheel chair to get around the house . Will I ever be normal again and able to walk?

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

my father has diabetes and we got a letter in mail about a month ago and the letter simply stated to my dad to come off the zorcor. because he had elevated muscle enzymes or something to that effect. and he had stated that he had tingling in his arm along with chest pain. my fury is with his diabetes spclst, why couldn't she be honest and tell us that this medication could possible be the culprit of his elevated blood readings. i am very disappointed in this doctor.

I have been on Zocor about 3 months and have severe back pain, leg cramps, and now my knees are so sore that I can hardly walk very far. I also have the tremors in my index fingers and sinus pain and headaches. I also have blurry eyes sometimes and often it feels like a haze covers them. I have been wondering why I have felt so "lazy" and stiff and sore for the last little while. I was on an anti depressant and even with that, I have felt more emotional lately. Also sex drive has decreased noticably for me. I am (or was) a healthy 53 year old female who has always enjoyed good heath until the doc noticed my cholestrol levels were up and prescribed statin drugs to lower it. This morning I woke up with the distinct impression that it is the zorcor and that is when I started researching on the internet and found this site. It is interesting to me that all the symptoms I have been having are described by others taking this same medication. I will not take it again.

Water Retention.... weight gain, loose stool, no energy.. all after starting the zorcor 10 mg pill.... its working, lower counts, but the side effects are not worth it. I am comeing off.. any one else haveing a problem with swelling due to water retention, and also shortness of breath. especially at night.
Rose

I Have been takeing zorcor for about 5 months now and have noticed a few side effects too. I dont seem to have as much energy, and find that I am retaining water, which i never did before takeing that pill..(I am on 10 mg) also a weight gain of about 5 or 6 lbs, which normal dieting dont seem to work anymore, and believe me I count every calorie and what use to work, no longer dose. Also have had a problem with Loose stool.... and cramping. I also have been out of breath mostley at night when going to bed. This has started only after starting the zorcor. No real pains to speak of that were not there before, but have noticed rough patchy spots on my left arm, and that is very un normal for me too. The colesterol did come down, but I think I am going to stop the pill, and do this by diet and exercise. Its my belief that the pill may do more damage, then it will benifit. If any one else is haveing a problem with swelling, water retention, and weight gain after starting this pill, please e mail me so I can present the facts to my Doctor.
Rose

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

I have been on 20 mg Zocor for some years. No problems. Due to my cholestrol count going up recently, my physician upped my Zorcor to 40 mg. I have been having the sore muscles and insomnia, but most of all disturbing dreams. Has anyone else been having these. I am a otherwise healthy 65 year old widow.

why are we givin zocor...if it is not safe. will taking the garlic pill be enough to fight high cholestorl this really bothers me have been on zorcor since i had heart attack and bypass surgery... firs of sept..i already had fibromyalgia. i am on 400 mgs.

Don't know if it's the Zorcor or not but I have severe right hip pain & right leg pain plus numbness of the lower right leg. I've been on 40mgs. a day for a month after heart surgery by pass. I'm stopping the zorcor today, and will moniter my own results. there's got to be a better way

I am a 62 year old male I have been in excelent health all my life. Ive been on zocor for 3yrs and complaining to to my cardioligist for two years about leg pain and cramps.Ive been off zorcor for 6wks with little or no improvement, I have severe leg pain and spazims my arms are numb my face is twiching my chest is giving me similar symtoms which scares the hell out of me. Ive had to take zanax anti depressant meds. How long will it take to go away? After reading about all the other people with the same symtoms, it's deplorable that the doctors are still handing this stuff out to paitienst. HELP! HOW LONG TO GET RID OF THE PAIN. LETS GET TOGETHER AND SUE. JERRY

I am a 68 year old male and am now on 40 mg. of Zocor for 4 weeks. I have never been on any Rx medications since I have always been in excellent health. My annual physicals have always been perfect except for elevated chlosterol (237). My doctor put me on Zorcor 5/9. Now my ears ring,neck hurts, tenderness of skin, tired all the time, hard to sleep, vision problems, headaches, and outlook on life is not as it was.
I am stopping Zorcor now. I plan to pursue a natural method of lowering my chlosretol. Diet change, excercise (treadmill) and a product put out by Twinlab (non-Rx). If this doesn't work, at least I won't hurt so much and can again enjoy life as I was before taking Zorcor.

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