Statin discontinued due to neuropathy. What are some alternatives?

Posted by Nazir Khan @nukhan, Jan 19, 2020

I have been using Lipitor since 2007 for lowering my cholesterol which is on the list of those medicines that are suspected to cause neuropathy. I am thinking of discontinuing this menace but before doing so want to check with those members who have discontinued using statin and what is their experience. What alternative methods have they since adopted for lowering their cholesterol .. diet, alternative medication, exercise or anything else ?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

terry1976 | @terry1976 | Aug 19 4:29pm

In reply to @celia16 "I see. If I wanted to get tested, whatv would I ask for?" + (show)

Lipid panel covers all the cholesterol tests
Complete or comprehensive metabolic panel covers most of the other parameters. Thyroid levels & vitamin levels would need yo be requested separately.

cheyne | @cheyne | Aug 19 9:24pm

In reply to @celia16 "I understand those tests and results. My total cholesterol was around 150 last time, but where..." + (show)

Hi,
Different measurements are used around the world. IE a US gallon is only 5/6ths of a "real gallon"! It was like learning a different language when I lived in USA. When in Rome, I guess. No doubt there is a conversion chart somewhere out there.
Cheers

mdamiani57 | @mdamiani57 | Aug 22 8:11am

In reply to @celia16 "How long after you stopped med did symptoms leave?" + (show)

2 or 3 days but still have a little but he wants me to try another statin with less side effects.

charliesophiedaisyro | @charliesophiedaisyro | Aug 22 8:21am

In reply to @mdamiani57 "2 or 3 days but still have a little but he wants me to try another..." + (show)

What statin was discontinued ?I have horrible leg cramps with statins. What about Repatha?

mdamiani57 | @mdamiani57 | Aug 22 8:27am

In reply to @charliesophiedaisyro "What statin was discontinued ?I have horrible leg cramps with statins. What about Repatha?" + (show)

Oh sorry it was Atorvastatin I'm going to start a different one tomorrow starts with Pr something I think it's Pravastatin or Provastatin

charliesophiedaisyro | @charliesophiedaisyro | Aug 22 8:33am

In reply to @mdamiani57 "Oh sorry it was Atorvastatin I'm going to start a different one tomorrow starts with Pr..." + (show)

Please let me know how this works. I know my GP will push statins on me next time I see him. I swear I will not go back to Statins because of the horrible leg cramps.

MamaMarch | @mamamarch | Aug 22 9:13am

In reply to @charliesophiedaisyro "Please let me know how this works. I know my GP will push statins on me..." + (show)

After years of being told to take them, I finally gave in when my Total Cholesterol levels reached 330. This is clearly a familial problem as I have a very heathly lifestyle but a family history of cardiovascular issues.
They said they'd start me on a low dose; Rosuvastatin (Crestor) 20 mg! After only a few days, I called and said I'm cutting them in half! Was still able to get my levels down to 170 in no time, but still having leg pain.
Just curious to see if those levels would hold on their own, so I stopped the statin completely for several months. Levels went back up! I agreed to go back on at 5mg! Leg pain is greatly reduced, but not gone. I have blood work tomorrow to see what my levels are. If they are reasonable (not necessarily low!) I think I can live with this dosage.
If my levels drop down to 170 again, I swear, I'm going to cut these tiny little 5 mg. tablets in half, LOL!

swilkins1974 | @swilkins1974 | Aug 23 8:00am

In reply to @mamamarch "After years of being told to take them, I finally gave in when my Total Cholesterol..." + (show)

Some people take every other day

vaniag | @vaniag | Aug 23 8:17am

I cannot take statins or Zetia, so I am taking Nexletol with Repatha. I had some side effects from Repatha, but they went away after a month. You need to take a statin with Repatha to work well, so my cardiologist added Nexletol. It works different from statins - a different process. I have not had any side effects from Nexletol, and I have been on both meds for over 3 years.

Just a warning, my insurance doesn’t like paying for both meds. But my lipidologist put extra effort in and got it approved. There are no generics for Repatha or Nexletol, so they are expensive. Repatha is doing most of the work because Nexletol doesn’t lower cholesterol as much as statins, but every little bit helps.

All the best to you. 😊

ebero | @ebero | Aug 24 6:28am

I am managing high cholesterol with diet. I was never able to tolerate statins, and I have PN. I avoid red meat, dairy and sugar. Plus I use olive oil in my cooking and salads. Good luck to you!