Statin discontinued due to neuropathy. What are some alternatives?

I agree! My doctor insisted I try one, so I did.. one pill. lowest dose. Got terribly sick for 24 hours, delerious and in pain. My first husband was very healthy but decided to do what his doctor said. He went on statins and then shortly after died. heart attack.

@rois4richo I think this may be the article on statins and neuropathy back in 2002 that you were referring to:

Statin Drugs May Increase Risk Of Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/05/020514075710.htm

You are exactly correct. I hope it helps.

@maryflorida @johnbishop there is a short article in a Scientific American that gives some cautions for further investigation.. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-statins-produce-neurological-effects/.

@maryflorida As you know the body is a very complicated system of all sorts of interactions. Your post on reactions to Statins does not establish a "cause and effect or symptoms" relationship for the use of Statins. There are many statistical studies with hundreds of patients that try to establish what are the most frequent side effects of statins vs the real therapeutic benefits. You may find this Study in the UK interesting.. I must say that I take Statins and I do think there are side effects. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201115185935.htm

@jeffrapp, I'm new to Mayo Clinic Connect, just seeing this post and wanted to comment. I am in agreement with your take on the medical professionals, but I do see how people might feel "dismissed" after visiting their respective doctors. If I quote some of the things my neurologist has said, I can make him out to look dismissive, but, I can tell you he is NOT. Right now after some thorough testing, I've basically been told that I have polyneuropathy, some vitamins may help and it isn't likely to progress.
I wish that I could sit him down and discuss everything he knows and doesn't know about my exact condition; what he's learned from the research and from the hundreds of patients he's treated. I'd like for him to give me a detailed explanation of the terms used and results given on the tests I've taken. And I want him to explain to me exactly why he chose the diagnosis he did and his likely prognosis for progression of my particular disorder. Oh, and why the condition has so many variables.
But, that is really asking a lot. It would require having him over for dinner followed by several hours of discussion. And that's only because I have a decent background in anatomy and physiology. Otherwise, we might need a week-end together or maybe a semester of classes!
I've learned that I need to take on more responsibility for learning and understanding the details of my exact condition and it's status in the medical field. Basically, that's why I'm here! I want to pick the minds of those who know! So, if you're free for dinner, I still have a ton of questions, LOL!

Hello @mamamarch, and welcome to connect.
Thanks for the dinner invitation!
Unfortunately, by this time, you probably know almost as much useful information about PN as I do.
Like many neurologic diseases, PN can be quite maddening. The diagnosis is complicated, the causes are often unknown, and the treatment is usually barely effective, at best.
Further complicating things, neurology has become a victim of the ridiculous way physicians are paid in this country. Ones who mostly think (internists, pediatricians, general practitioners, etc.) are paid much less than ones who do procedures (various surgeons, cardiologists, dermatologists, etc.).
I was a board certified ER doc. We used to have a semi-serious saying: "Don't just stand there thinking, do something". The procedures we did were much higher paying than our thinking.
Neurology is especially hit hard. Before MRI's, etc., all they did was make an often difficult diagnosis the old fashioned way, and then be left with almost no effective treatments. Now, with MRI's, most of the diagnoses are made with imaging studies, and there still are no very good treatments.
So, no, your neurologist is not likely to spend hours with you. He/she will likely feel rushed to see you in the short time allotted for your appointment, complete your chart, order your meds and tests, fill out ridiculous insurance and other forms, etc. These same dynamics likely apply to other specialists you see.
If you would like to read about a neurologist who somehow found the time to spend weeks and months with one patient, read the books by Oliver Sacks, who became famous after the movie "Awakenings", which was about one of his stories.

Does taking it three times a week keep your cholesterol in check I have been getting a lot of muscle issues tinnitus had gotten worse your fam

Yes, the low dose suffices to lower my LDL to about 60

Welcome @donclemdds, It sounds like you have a similar plan to what I'm trying. That's really good advice to work with your PCP on a plan. My PCP also wants me to go on a statin due to my numbers even thought I've been working on weight loss with intermittent fasting, low carb and healthy fat diet plus 30 to 45 minute exercise daily also. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks and I'm sure we will have the conversation again but I'm not taking a statin at this point. My latest Triglicerides were 77, HDL 59, LDL 107, Non HDL-c 122. I also had them do a fasting insulin test and it was 7.4 and there's debate on what is good for that. The only positive thing I know is losing the weight will help my overall health.

I'm more worried about making my small fiber PN worse with the statins than I am about the possible effects of not being on a statin to lower my cholesterol when that has been shown that diet and exercise also works to lower your numbers.