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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gator123 | @gator123 | Mar 26, 2022

In reply to @kbirchem "It can take you from being a pre diabetic to diabetic . It raise your blood..." + (show)

I need to stop taking this stuff I'm going to probably take a once or twice a week you're exceptionally correct it went from my lack of 6.1 - 7.0 in a little over two years that's how long I've been taking rosuvastatin is gone up I'm feeling of tingling and numbness in the legs

kennapie | @kennapie | Mar 27, 2022

I discontinued it several years ago due to muscle issues. My cholesterol has remained steady with no problems since. I tried Crestor and it did not help.

Guythomas | @gthalbrooks | Mar 28, 2022

I am in a study testing whether taking a statin can help prevent dementia. Each day I take atorvastatin or a placebo. During the time I have been in the study my neuropathy seems to have gotten worse. Could the study pill have caused this decline? Should I stop participating in the study?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 28, 2022

In reply to @gthalbrooks "I am in a study testing whether taking a statin can help prevent dementia. Each day..." + (show)

Welcome @gthalbrooks, Statins have a known side effect of causing neuropathy. If if were me, I would definitely discuss your question about the study with your doctor or the folks running the study. I have refused statins myself for lowering cholesterol for that specific reason - I don't want to make my neuropathy any worse. There are conditions requiring statins where I may feel different for myself based on the risks but I would discuss it with my care team. Here's another discussion on the topic you may want to read through.

Statins cause peripheral neuropathy?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/statins-cause-peripheral-neuropathy/

Have you talked with your doctor about your increased neuropathy symptoms and the study?

Guythomas | @gthalbrooks | Mar 28, 2022

In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @gthalbrooks, Statins have a known side effect of causing neuropathy. If if were me, I..." + (show)

No, and I don’t have another appointment until July. I’ll talk with her then.

anya40 | @anya40 | Mar 28, 2022

In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @gthalbrooks, Statins have a known side effect of causing neuropathy. If if were me, I..." + (show)

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I've been on a statin drug for several years and had no idea it caused neuropathy. I didn't know what neuropathy was until I was diagnosed several months ago. It started with a feeling similar to restless leg syndrome at night and has progressed to a burning feeling in both legs from my knees to my ankles. Because I only get intermittent sleep at night, I'm so completely exhausted during the day I can barely do anything and end up sitting in my recliner most of the day. My question to anyone out there who has stopped using statins is: - Once you stop does your neuropathy get better and to what degree? Also, how do you then treat your cholesterol? I would really appreciate any insite you could give me.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 28, 2022

In reply to @anya40 "I've beenfon a st\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ I've been on a statin drug for several years and had no..." + (show)

@anya40, Statins didn't cause my neuropathy but I've avoided taking them because I don't want it to get worse. Basically I just started exercising more, eating healthier and worked at losing some weight to help lower my cholesterol numbers. Mayo Clinic has some tips that might help - Top 5 lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/reduce-cholesterol/art-20045935

There are also alternatives to statins for lowering cholesterol that you could discuss with your doctor - https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/alternatives-statins

wwenerowicz | @wwenerowicz | Mar 28, 2022

In reply to @johnbishop "@anya40, Statins didn't cause my neuropathy but I've avoided taking them because I don't want it..." + (show)

Statins did begin my neuropathy. Chemotherapy than kicked it up considerably. I guess I can complain too much since I’m still alive, but this stuff can certainly get old.

darrenwilliamballs | @darrenwilliamballs | Mar 29, 2022

In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @gthalbrooks, Statins have a known side effect of causing neuropathy. If if were me, I..." + (show)

Yes Red Rice yeast from Nature’s Sunshine works well.

jjazzbel | @jjazzbel | Jun 26, 2022

In reply to @johnbishop "@nukhan my doctor wanted me to take a statin to lower my cholesterol but I decided..." + (show)

At age 72, I had slipped into less healthy vegan food options during covid and had a hypertensive crisis four weeks ago. I immediately resumed my whole food plant based (wfpb) diet/ life style.
A week later my doc prescribed 10mg rosuvastatin. I wish I had asked for baseline lipid panel before I started the statin because I am sure that being wfpb for 2 weeks had a profound effect.
So after the first week on the statin, I finally got the tests. Of course they were wonderful. Total cholesterol was down 86 points and LDL was down 74 points. But, how do I understand this? Was it my diet which can have a profound impact even after only 2 weeks, or the statin? I don't want to take any medication if I can manage without.