Neuropathy: What works and what are scams?

Re - Statins. I have been subscribed statins for several years with no noticeable side effects. August ‘23, I noticed tingling in my right foot. Over the year this progressed to both feet. My toe joints became sore and swollen, the tingling progressed up both legs and was more pronounced in my right leg. Next came pains in both legs and feelings of ‘compression’ particularly in my calfs. Next came pain in my right hip. This was followed by pain in the groin where mesh had been used to repair a hernia.
I am quite a healthy, fit and active 79 year old male and I began to think it this continues, I will be crippled.
My doctor was puzzled. After the consultation, I went home and had a good think. Knowing that leg pains could be a side effect of statins, I decided to not take them and see if they might be the problem or part of the problem. Over the next few days my symptoms gradually disappeared. Now, a month and a half later, I have barely a pain. The swelling in my toes has disappeared, the tingling and leg, hip and groin pain is minimal. It looks like the statins were the cause. It seems that a small proportion of statin users might be reactive to this very helpful, life saving drug. What to do now? I may have to try and control cholesterol by diet… a bit of a dilemma.

Totally unrelated to statins, but I took another prescribed medication (gabapentin) A few weeks ago, and it put me so out of it that I fell in my bathroom in the middle of the night and sustained an L1 compression fracture. I can’t believe how much information is not shared about the medications we are prescribed. I have so many bottles on my counter right now with this new injury after my hospital release. It’s ridiculous! Quality of life is down the drain with all of this stuff! I will be stuck in bed for I don’t know how long, and all because I was overprescribed. And in all likelihood unnecessarily prescribed, according to all the physicians in the hospital. Thanks for the response and I’m really sorry for what you’re going through. The overuse of pharmaceuticals is out of control! Good luck to you!

How much Alpha Lipoic Acid do you take and does it upset your stomach

I took rosuvastatin for a couple of years . I was not a diabetic before taking it . I did my research . I found out that Rosuvastatin can raise your blood sugars . My Dr Malachia Trout at the Fargo VA told me that she knew that the statin would raise my blood sugars . She said that she made a decision that was best for me . When I started having tingling in my toes and feet . I asked her if the statin could have caused the problems . She said no. But , she never once told me that the statin could take me from a prediabetic to a diabetic . I stopped taking rosuvastatin and my blood sugars went down . I now am taking Alphalipoic acid . It helps with the tingling and burning .

Re - Statins. I have been subscribed statins for several years with no noticeable side effects. August ‘23, I noticed tingling in my right foot. Over the year this progressed to both feet. My toe joints became sore and swollen, the tingling progressed up both legs and was more pronounced in my right leg. Next came pains in both legs and feelings of ‘compression’ particularly in my calfs. Next came pain in my right hip. This was followed by pain in the groin where mesh had been used to repair a hernia.
I am quite a healthy, fit and active 79 year old male and I began to think it this continues, I will be crippled.
My doctor was puzzled. After the consultation, I went home and had a good think. Knowing that leg pains could be a side effect of statins, I decided to not take them and see if they might be the problem or part of the problem. Over the next few days my symptoms gradually disappeared. Now, a month and a half later, I have barely a pain. The swelling in my toes has disappeared, the tingling and leg, hip and groin pain is minimal. It looks like the statins were the cause. It seems that a small proportion of statin users might be reactive to this very helpful, life saving drug. What to do now? I may have to try and control cholesterol by diet… a bit of a dilemma.

I am currently taking gabapentin . It has been a lifesaver for me . I had been on Lyrica . It is an evil medication . I was constipated , anxiety attacks and very dark, dark thoughts . Every person will react differently to medications . Do not give up . It is so hard to keep going when you are in pain . There is nothing you cannot do with planning .

I am having blood work too see how my numbers look after four months without statins. They’re going to have to be really awful to make me go back on that drug. Dietary changes aren’t as bad as they sound and you get used to them. I don’t eat baked goods anymore, no red meat, and I try and stay away from saturated fat and added sugars in all foods. I’ve lost over 30 pounds which I’m sure will help. Unfortunately, unlike you, I still suffer the numbness in legs and feet this many months after stopping. I can’t positively blame it on the statin, but I didn’t have it before I started them. I hope you are able to find a solution in one of the newer options that are non-statin like Repatha or Praluent. Good luck to you!

Thank you for your reply, it was very helpful. I haven’t got my diet sorted yet. It will probably take some time to make the changes. I haven’t heard of Repatha and Praluent, but I will look into them.
I hope your numbers are good at the checkup.

Please tell me what the brand of ALA is that you take and how much.