Is my statin causing peripheral neuropathy?

Posted by natejr @natejr, Dec 22, 2023

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?

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

Gabapentin at 300mg figured out it doesn't stop pain. aspirin or Motrin work pretty well for pain. I tossed the gabapentin in the trash, the dizziness is gone a couple days later. now I am dealing with not being able to get to the bathroom quick enough and so have a chamber pot. taking duloxetine instead of Wellbutrin. would like to stop other medicines too.

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@kforrest

Gabapentin at 300mg figured out it doesn't stop pain. aspirin or Motrin work pretty well for pain. I tossed the gabapentin in the trash, the dizziness is gone a couple days later. now I am dealing with not being able to get to the bathroom quick enough and so have a chamber pot. taking duloxetine instead of Wellbutrin. would like to stop other medicines too.

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I didn’t have any pain. I had Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) whose symptoms are numbness, pin/needles. Necrologist gave me the smallest dosage (100 mg) to take the edge off the pins/needles to help me sleep at night.

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@kforrest

Gabapentin at 300mg figured out it doesn't stop pain. aspirin or Motrin work pretty well for pain. I tossed the gabapentin in the trash, the dizziness is gone a couple days later. now I am dealing with not being able to get to the bathroom quick enough and so have a chamber pot. taking duloxetine instead of Wellbutrin. would like to stop other medicines too.

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The bladder problem I have. I set the alarm on my clock go to the bathroom every hour. It stopped my going in public all over myself. Every hour going since I could not tell if I had to go to the bathroom or not. This is what the bladder and kidney doctor told me to do. It works well great for me.

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I also experienced sf neuropathy in feet and legs after 20 years on high dose of simvastatin. Diagnosed myself after drs didn’t help and went off the statin. I now take red yeast rice at a lower dose and it is controlling ldl.
My symptoms were not painful as such but included freezing and burning sensations and numbness.
After about 4 years off the rx statin I can now sleep without socks and have a little more feeling in my feet. Nerve regeneration is a slow process. I feel very fortunate to be without pain and really empathasize for those who endure it.

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@marymaurer

I also experienced sf neuropathy in feet and legs after 20 years on high dose of simvastatin. Diagnosed myself after drs didn’t help and went off the statin. I now take red yeast rice at a lower dose and it is controlling ldl.
My symptoms were not painful as such but included freezing and burning sensations and numbness.
After about 4 years off the rx statin I can now sleep without socks and have a little more feeling in my feet. Nerve regeneration is a slow process. I feel very fortunate to be without pain and really empathasize for those who endure it.

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What is a high dose? I take 20 mg daily

Thank you

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I take 40 mg daily of Atorvastatin. I have taken 20 mg for many years and then 40 mg starting about three years ago. For the last year I have had freezing or burning sensation in my feet and lower leg which is unbearable at night and just annoying in the day. My GP suggested I try 30 days without the Atorvastatin to see if that is the cause. Blood tests have not shown anything out the normal. I am wondering if 30 days is long enough to know?

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@patriciaschulz1950

What is a high dose? I take 20 mg daily

Thank you

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Which statin are you taking? Their dosages vary.

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@janieel

Here you go. Copy/pasted

“Potential side effect
Statins, including rosuvastatin, can increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy, especially with long-term use. In one study, 66% of patients taking rosuvastatin or atorvastatin for hypercholesterolemia developed peripheral neuropathy. The risk of neuropathy increased with the duration of treatment.
Talk to your doctor
If you develop neuropathy symptoms while taking statins, you should talk to your doctor. They may reconsider your use of statins.”

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In that particular study, they considered long-term use one year!!!

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@jan64

In that particular study, they considered long-term use one year!!!

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Yes, and my side effects started in about 2-3 MONTHS!

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