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@lynnkay1956

This from Harvard....a reliable source...Getting the most from your statin

You can do several things to make sure your particular statin is working the best it can.

Take Mevacor with food. This almost doubles the amount of medication that gets into your bloodstream.
Take some statins at night. It’s best to take Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor, and Lescol with your evening meal. That’s because these statins block a key cholesterol-making enzyme in the liver that is most active at night. Lipitor and Crestor last long enough in the body that it doesn’t matter when you take them.
Beware of drug interactions. Mention all other medications you are taking when talking with your doctor about a statin, to avoid potentially harmful interactions. If you are on other medications, you may want to try Pravachol, which is less likely than the other statins to interact with other medications. http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the_healthy_heart_preventing_detecting_and_treating_coronary_artery_disease

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Replies to "This from Harvard....a reliable source...Getting the most from your statin You can do several things to..."

As long as we are discussing statins, I have a question that I wonder if you might be able to point me in a certain direction or shed your personal knowledge on? After my HA, my cardiologist put me on 80 mg of atorvastin (in the evening). Over time I noticed that I was having problems with numbness developing in my legs & feet when I walk after a while or even when I stood still for a period of time. I have had testing done to look at different possibilities such as ultrasound for blood pressure in my lower extremities and also nerve testing in my feet and legs. None has turned up anything. This has been a continued source of frustration especially sense I love to walk. I have been discussing this with both my doctor & cardiologist and both seem to think that this is not a typical side effect from statins. I asked if I could consider either reducing the amount taken to see if there may be a difference and have had mixed responses. My regular Dr. suggested switching to 40 mg of simvastatin. My cardiologist is suggesting to stop taking the statin altogether for a few weeks to see if anything changes. Any thoughts?

@thankful Check out this thread https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-there-any-connection-with-statin-use-and-neuropathy-i-have-had/

@sjpphil asked Connect members "Is there any connection with statin use and neuropathy?" Her doctor was suspected that Zocor might be an issue with night cramping and the neuropathy. And a Mayo Clinic pharmacist also added her thoughts.

I absolutely believe that the statin caused your and my problems which are similar. I am shocked that your cardiologist suggested stopping for a few weeks. My experience with 2 cardiologists is that they are in love with this drug and would rather lose their license than try another drug. Your post is dated 5/8/16 so I would be interested how this all turned out. I stopped taking Atorvastin for 7 wks this July -August and the folks in our ride group ask me what kind of drugs I am taking since I've gone from the drag up the hill to near the front riders. This means nothing to the cardiologist. One told me I didn't have to be first up the hill. (Never was or will be.) Another reiterated that my Neuropathy (July 15) was causing my muscle soreness from 2005 to the day I stopped the statin. Yes, I've heard that old idea that I'm not as young as I used to be - twice. I gets old having sore muscles for 10 years. Hope you found an answer. Check out The University of San Diego's study of statin side effects.

Thank you so much for your insights, @downhillbob. I'm certain that @thankful and other Connect members appreciate all the information and support.