1. < Neuropathy

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 ?

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rustyh904 | @rustyh904 | Aug 26 8:05pm
In reply to @auntcabby "I’m currently on Ratha and it’s doing a great job. I also have a co-pay card..." + (show)
@auntcabby

I’m currently on Ratha and it’s doing a great job. I also have a co-pay card which I pay five dollars per prescription, and it’s good for a couple of years. Just go to their website and they’ll give you instructions to apply for the copay card.

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Did you quit taking your statin medication?

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26sabrina | @26sabrina | Aug 27 11:56am
In reply to @mamamarch "I hate to be a pessimist, but I don't see my Dr. helping much at all...." + (show)
@mamamarch

I hate to be a pessimist, but I don't see my Dr. helping much at all. I do the "figuring out possibilities" and then basically ask permission to take particular actions. The Dr. seems to not really care and I even worry that she thinks I'm a bit whack-o.
As to the thigh pain, I'm wondering if a physical therapist might be more useful. But, again, it can be hit or miss.
Overall, I'm with you on the attitude that at least we are ahead of where we were years ago. And I definitely think that progress is being made!

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If you are unhappy with your doctor, you must change doctor.

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fferreira | @fferreira | Dec 5 7:35am
In reply to @mamamarch "I wish! I eat no meat (just fish), no dairy and practically the only sugar I..." + (show)
@mamamarch

I wish! I eat no meat (just fish), no dairy and practically the only sugar
I get is in a bit of dark chocolate after dinner. For years I have only
used olive oil (very little, at that) and I take an Omega 3 supplement. I
have aerobics, strength training and stretching classes three times a week.
I am 5' 4" and weigh 128 lbs. Still, my cholesterol was at 336!
I always avoided statins because my Cardiac Calcium Score came back
as Zero! No blockage of any arteries. But, last year my CAC (Coronary
Artery Calcium) score crept up to 20% and while that is not bad, I'm not
comfortable with the somewhat sudden increase. So, here I am,
experimenting with the lowest dose of statin that might keep the
cholesterol levels in check, but not exacerbate the peripheral neuropathy.
While diet and lifestyle are the answer for some, it is not
necessarily going to work for everyone.

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Olá! Tenho acompanhado seus relatos, muito ricos e interessantes. Descobri recentemente a polineuropatia periférica comprovada por eletroneuromiografia, provavelmente por tomar estatina por aproximadamente 30 anos. Tomo desde os meus 29 anos. Parei de tomar estatina recentemente, em 14/11/2024. Pergunto: quanto tempo em média as pessoas levam para descontinuar os sintomas de queimação em pés e pernas? Esse remédio que você toma Repatha pode agravar a neuropatia periférica? Agradeço sua ajuda.
I write in Portuguese, if you can help me, translate please. I'm not fluent in English. Thanks.

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dieterreuther | @dieterreuther | Dec 6 10:27am

I briefly stopped taking my 40 mg Atorvastatin (Lipitor) for 10 weeks, but did not see any difference in my polyneuropathy symptoms.

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2 replies
fferreira | @fferreira | Dec 6 10:54am
In reply to @dieterreuther "I briefly stopped taking my 40 mg Atorvastatin (Lipitor) for 10 weeks, but did not see..." + (show)
@dieterreuther

I briefly stopped taking my 40 mg Atorvastatin (Lipitor) for 10 weeks, but did not see any difference in my polyneuropathy symptoms.

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Olá!
Pelo que tenho lido de pesquisas, a melhora ocorre de 4 meses a 2 anos, após a estatina ser descontinuada. No seu caso, só se passaram dois meses. Minha cardiologista aqui do Brasil, passou ácido alfalipóico 600mg, duas vezes ao dia. Total= 1200mg para atacar a neuropatia e compensar a descontinuação da estatina.
I write in Portuguese, if you can, translate please. I'm not completely fluent in English. Thanks.

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26sabrina | @26sabrina | Dec 6 12:15pm
In reply to @dieterreuther "I briefly stopped taking my 40 mg Atorvastatin (Lipitor) for 10 weeks, but did not see..." + (show)
@dieterreuther

I briefly stopped taking my 40 mg Atorvastatin (Lipitor) for 10 weeks, but did not see any difference in my polyneuropathy symptoms.

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Stopping the statin most likely will not reverse the neuropathy. I am taking other meds for my cholesterol. My neurologist is now treating the symptoms quite successfully

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2 replies
delia74 | @delia74 | Dec 7 7:16am
In reply to @26sabrina "Stopping the statin most likely will not reverse the neuropathy. I am taking other meds for..." + (show)
@26sabrina

Stopping the statin most likely will not reverse the neuropathy. I am taking other meds for my cholesterol. My neurologist is now treating the symptoms quite successfully

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Would be helpful if you expand on what you posted:
•What drugs specifically are you now taking for cholesterol?
•HOW is neurologist treating the symptoms so successfully?

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evans1 | @evans1 | Dec 7 10:41am
In reply to @26sabrina "Stopping the statin most likely will not reverse the neuropathy. I am taking other meds for..." + (show)
@26sabrina

Stopping the statin most likely will not reverse the neuropathy. I am taking other meds for my cholesterol. My neurologist is now treating the symptoms quite successfully

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Please say how neurologist is treating.

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