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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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Hi
This is interesting. I never put those two things together. I take crestor every other day. Will have to check out
Yea they aways say that, do what you feel is right for you!
I was prescribed Rosouvastatin
20 mg at bedtime and to take CoQ 10 while taking it. I also developed symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. I.e. numbness, tingling, burning, very poor balance, sometime numbness in my face and head. The neurologist tested me with EMG and says it isn’t PN. He did RX Gabapentin up to 1500 mg per day. Due to side effects ( weight gain, fatigue, hair thinning, brain fog , anxiety) I weaned myself slowly down to 100 mg 3X a day. Primary care Dr says I must stay on simvaststin or risk stroke or cardiovascular problems.
Alphalipoic Acid 600 mg and limit sugar intake seems to lessen the neuropathy symptoms during the day. My balance and replaced hips have also contributed to a difference in length of my legs so I use a cane or rollator after falling 9 times in 2023! Simvastatin did improve my LDL and HDL but I hate the possibility it is causing neuropathy symptoms to worsen. I take alprazolam with the 100 mg oh Gabapentin at bedtime and until I began a monthly infusion of Evenity for my osteoporosis, I was able to sleep well for 8 hours.
Just a note: I have been on the voyage for 12 years. The severity of symptoms have worsened. I am 82 years old, widow, drive and live in an apartment alone. Cook every day. Children visit and call but do not contribute to my daily living chores.
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3 ReactionsYes, I was recommended something called a "pcsk9 inhibitor" about 2 years ago, but the doctor never followed up. They mentioned something about my insurance not paying for it, or being reluctant to make the attempt to present to my insurance for pre-authorization. I guess doctors no longer prescribe, but just rubber stamp what the insurance company dictates (?). I was also recommended these drugs again earlier this year by a different Cardio doc, and again nothing has changed.
By the way, I had read somewhere that there are generally 2 types of statin drugs, some are fat soluble and some are water soluble. The fat soluble ones tended to be associated more often with neurological side effects, whereas the water soluble ones tended to be more associated with muscle-related side effects. I don't know enough about biochemistry to be at all sure about this though.
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2 ReactionsPhysicians’ Experiences as Patients with Statin Side Effects: A Case Series:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5316517/
I know there are two types of statins, but am unclear on their distinctions. I was told my type, that includes Simvastatin, can cause memory loss. I’ll deal with it.
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1 Reactionhttps://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Medications-that-Can-Cause-Peripheral-Neuropathy.pdf
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1 ReactionCholesterol is needed in the body! Dump the statins!
Take co q 10 for what he statins have depleted your body of.
If you read my comments you’d know that I have familial hypercholesterolemia. I went off statins for 5 1/2 months because of the side effects of Rosuvastatin which my doc had changed me to from Simvastatin. My LDL rose to 240 and my total cholesterol was 369! She immediately put me back on Simvastatin. So far so good.
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1 ReactionI recently had the EMG test done, to my surprise it came back normal, but I have the symptoms of tingling hands and feet. Would this be because I had the test done too soon after feeling the symptoms?