Is there any connection with statin use and neuropathy?

Hello @wrogers -- welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing. You raise a good reason why a person needs to be their own advocate and do their own research. It's good to know all the facts and side effects before starting a medication. There is actually quite a bit of research on statin induced neuropathy available. I shared some of it with my doctor when she wanted me to take Simvastatin to help reduce my cholesterol numbers. I explained that I already have peripheral neuropathy and one of the side effects of statins are that it can make PN worse so I declined and said I would work on lowering my numbers with lifestyle changes.

@wrogers are you able to share what made you research statins?

Here are some of the links I've found:

The implications of statin induced peripheral neuropathy
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3103035/

Statin Neuropathy Masquerading as Diabetic Autoimmune Polyneuropathy
-- http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/28/8/2082.1

Medication Induced Neuropathy
-- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11910-003-0043-8

John

@johnbishop I’m new to connect. I have the weirdest thing going on. First of all, I took it. Had a ruptured Achilles playing softball and now 2 years later after reconnect reparative surgery, still having numbness and pain. I wish I knew what to do. I’ve lost quality of life. Never do anything but work. And go home. I also have high bp and high cholesterol so I take atvorastatin. My fingers on left hand feel weird and almost wrinkle a little. I think the drugs might be causing this sensation. Any ideas kind sir? Thanks so much in advance.

Hello,I’m new here! For the past year and a half have been on Pravastatin 20 mg.
8 months ago started having tingling in my toes and fingers. With some pricks and itching . All test were negative including those for neuropathies. Symptoms aren’t worse. Was off the statin for a month and there was no change. My Dr. Says no relation between statin and my symptoms. Any advise? Thank you!

Hello @interest, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. I shared some references in an earlier post here you may find helpful when discussing your symptoms with your doctor - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/100046/

I had the discussion with my doctor about simvastatin because I already have neuropathy and didn't want to make it any worse even if it may be a small possibility. I said I would make some lifestyle changes to lower my cholesterol numbers and the doctor was OK with that. Here are a few tips from Mayo Clinic to improve your cholesterol.

Top 5 lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/reduce-cholesterol/art-20045935

Are you able to share a little more information about your diagnosis and why the Pravastatin was prescribed?

Thank you John. I have coronary calcification and the statin keeps it stable and prevents the bad cholesterol from getting higher.
My neurologist can’t make a diagnosis. Luckily all the bad diseases were ruled out. My symptoms fluctuate. Tingling in toes and fingers, pricks and itchy skin here and there. When I go to bed at night they go away and restart during the day. I don’t know anyone who has these symptoms.. that’s another reason I like to connect with people who have similar. Trying to avoid for this thing getting worse. I don’t know if this is how neuropathy starts, or how long it takes to fully develop. So far it’s been 8 months.
Thank you.

Mine started in the toes probably around 30 years ago (age 78 now) and gradually got up to just below the knees. My symptoms are just the numbness and some tingling once in awhile. The numbness is now back to just the above the ankles and in the feet. I shared my neuropathy journey in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/

One of the things that makes my legs feel better is to keep the skin hydrated by using a good moisturizing lotion on the feet and legs daily. I actually put the lotion on before going to bed and it has a calming effect for me. There are a couple of sites that I like for learning more about neuropathy which may help provides answers for you. An 80 year old neurologist was presenting at the Minnesota Neuropathy Association a few years back and gave me a few smiles when he said if you live long enough you will get neuropathy, nerve cells die as part of the aging process.

Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy - https://www.foundationforpn.org/
Neuropathy Commons - https://neuropathycommons.org/

Hello,
Is there any particular lotion that you recommend?

Hello,
Is there any particular lotion that you recommend?

Thank you John. I have coronary calcification and the statin keeps it stable and prevents the bad cholesterol from getting higher.
My neurologist can’t make a diagnosis. Luckily all the bad diseases were ruled out. My symptoms fluctuate. Tingling in toes and fingers, pricks and itchy skin here and there. When I go to bed at night they go away and restart during the day. I don’t know anyone who has these symptoms.. that’s another reason I like to connect with people who have similar. Trying to avoid for this thing getting worse. I don’t know if this is how neuropathy starts, or how long it takes to fully develop. So far it’s been 8 months.
Thank you.