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Is my statin causing peripheral neuropathy?
In June 2023, my physician prescribed Rosuvastatin Calcium 40 MG to lower my LDL below 70. In September 2023, I started to experience numbness and tingling in my fingertips so I was referred to a neurologist who ordered an EMG for carpal tunnel. The test results indicated that there was no Electrodiagnostic evidence of neuropathy in either upper extremity or of right cervical radiculopathy.
Based on that diagnosis, I was left with the conclusion that I did not have neuropathy and started to pursue other reasons this could be happening.
In the meantime, I noticed that when I took Doxepin 10 MG; a medication I had been prescribed for insomnia, the pain when away. So, I started taking 1 capsule of Doxepin each night and the pain subsided for the entire day so I continued taking them on a daily basis. Over time, the numbness and tingling in my fingertips stopped and that’s when I started experiencing what felt like I was being stabbed all over my body throughout the day. At this point, I was taking 1 Doxepin capsule twice a day and it helped manage the nerve pain.
In November 2023, I received the lipid panel results of being on Rosuvastatin. My LDL was reduced from 78 to 55.6; which achieved the desired results. On a positive note, my HbA1C remained at 5.4 but my Creatine Kinase increased to 300 (Normal Range: 60 – 270). Also, for the first time, I had protein in my urine with a value of 30 mg/dl; which is the highest level of normal. At this point, I stopped taking Rosuvastatin and started taking Atorvastatin Calcium 80 MG. In addition to this, I started taking Gabapentin 300 MG; one capsule three times a day. I have an appointment to see a neurologist to hopefully diagnosis what’s happening with me but that’s not until May 2024. In an attempt to better understand neuropathy and taking a statin I learned that the National Institutes of Health indicated that neuropathy was observed in a neurological examination performed within the first year in 50% of the Rosuvastatin users and 18% of those taking Atorvastatin. The severity of the polyneuropathy increased with the duration of the treatment in the Atorvastatin group (p=0.030).
Meanwhile, I continue taking the Gabapentin every eight hours but there are times when the pain is almost unbearable. My current schedule is: 7am – 3pm, 3pm – 11pm, and 11pm – 7am. The time frame that’s the most difficult for pain is 3pm – 11pm and for whatever reason, the medication’s effectiveness during this time frame only provides relief for and average of four hours versus eight hours during the other two periods.
Has anyone had any experience taking either of these statins and have been diagnosed with neuropathy? If so, are you aware of a statin that effectively lowers your LDL without causing neuropathy?
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I have a very high “good” cholesterol HDL of 139. I am not concerned at this point. My neurologist thought that I probably don’t need a cholesterol lowering drug. My LDL isn’t horrible, although it is above 100.
I definitely will not take a statin again, which my neurologist also suggested. He’s very knowledgeable and teaches at Harvard. I think he knows what he’s talking about. I trust him.
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1 ReactionI had my appt with the neurologist in Boston. He confirms small fiber neuropathy caused by the statin, Rosuvastatin. My symptoms are lessening over tine and he assures me the tingling and numbness will eventually go completely away. This neurologist also reaches at Harvard. He knows his stuff and I trust him.
I neglected to say that my symptoms are lessening AFTER STOPPING ROSUVASTATIN 6 weeks ago
I've been taking the same statin drug for a couple of years and now have peripheral neuropathy in both feet. This has made muscle spasms in feet and legs more intense. I'm not getting much sleep and need more info on how to manage this.
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1 ReactionHave you been tested? Is it small, fiber neuropathy p, meaning tingling, pins/needles in toes only and no weakness in legs, etc?
If you haven’t been tested, get an appointment with a neurologist and see exactly what kind on neuropathy you have, long fiber or short.
Also did your neuropathy start just after (or within a couple months) of starting the statin? That’s what happened to me which is when I stopped taking it and started to see slow improvement after 4 weeks or so.
Best of luck to you. I know what it feels like and it’s no fun!
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2 ReactionsI was on Rosuvastatin and was concerned it was causing my neuropathy. My cardiologist switched me to Pravastatin, which he said was less likely to cause a problem. I am only taking 20 mg 3 days a week but am still having tingling and numbness in my feet. Is anyone out there having issues with Pravastatin?
How long have you been off the statin that caused the neuropathy? I’ve been off for 7 weeks (after taking it for 5 1/2 months). My symptoms have lessened maybe 1/3 of what they were……still have 2/3 to go, but the neurologist told me it could take several more months to go away.
Be patient. It could take quite a while.
Best of luck! I know how it feels and it’s no fun!
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2 ReactionsMy N came in overnight with Stage 4 sensory nerve damage snd 95% damage to my feet and toes, WHY? I was not on station and they put me on one.I had fallen and I had a concussion which was not known for about a month. It has been awful ever since. One cannot get into a neurologist in Tulsa. My EMG was the only time I was able to see one and then he would not take me again for neuropathy. I’ve been trying to get into Mail for a year and a half. How is it figuring out how you got it, is your neurologist able to determine that I don’t take pain medication other than a strong Tylenol as the others don’t seem to work and only make me feel horrible all over and a zombie I feel like most of the clinics are nothing but a way to make money with Medicare and are short term happy fix. My primary says you have an offer. He just got home and deal with it, and my new primary says don’t give up. We need to know why how do you find out why. how did you find out why?
Your health issues seem to be very different than mine. You fell and had a concussion. Your onset on N happened very quickly for unknown reasons.
I’m 71 and have always been extremely healthy and active with walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, and skiing a minimum of 100 days in the winter.
My on,y health issue has been high ldl cholesterol. My father had extremely high cholesterol and I guess I got it from him because I eat very healthy. My primary care physician (PCP) had put me on Simvastatin about 8 yrs ago which I had no problem with ever. Last Oct (2023) my ldl had risen a bit and my PCP changed my statin at the time to Rosuvastatin. A coup,e months later I started with tingling (pins/needles) in my fingers. I didn’t pay too much attention to it because it wasn’t very bad and I was doing my skiing thing! As time progressed, the tingling and pins/needles stated in my feet. At that point I went to my PCP who ordered bloodwork, cervical MRI, EMG and nerve conduction study.
On my own, in May, because I’ve always been so healthy, I went back to see what I’d done differently. My only thing was change in statin. I did my own research and discovered that Rosuvastatin can cause neuropathy. I contacted my PCP and forwarded the information I’d collected. She’d never heard of it before, but told me to stop taking the Rosuvastatin. All my tests she’d ordered came back normal, ruling out “long fiber” neuropathy. She sent me to a neurologist. After some testing in his office, different bloodwork, and discussing my history timeline, he agrees that my neuropathy is “small fiber” neuropathy and was cased by the Rosuvastatin. Unlike you, I never had any pain whatsoever, just the tingling, pins/needles and sone numbness.
It’s been getting better slowly. I’d say since I stopped the statin mid May I’m about 40% better! He assures me it should go away completely over time, even the little bit of numbness I have on three fingertips. .
That’s my story. I hope you find some kind of resolution with your N/P. I wish I could help you more. Take care and keep your chin up!
Also, I’m from New England and went to a Boston neurologist who also teaches at Harvard. He’s extremely knowledgeable and I trust his judgment.
Sorry you’re having a hard time getting an appointment in Tulsa.