Statin discontinued due to neuropathy. What are some alternatives?

I have been taking cholesterol medication for the last 20 odd years and a year ago I was diagnosed with PN... burning, numb, painful lower legs and feet... no doctor or neurologist seems able to help me so I have decided to make peace with the fact that my condition cannot be cured. Can anyone tell me if there is any natural cholesterol medication I can use in stead of the chemical one that contains the harmful statins? Will it improve my condition if I stopped taking the chemical cholesterol medicine?

Hello @jacquespierre, welcome to Connect. I have the same concern as you about statins since I think they contributed to my peripheral neuropathy. There are natural ways to lower your cholesterol. Here are a few articles that may help you.

How to lower your cholesterol without drugs
-- https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/how-to-lower-your-cholesterol-without-drugs

Lowering Cholesterol Naturally – 6 Tips
-- https://www.pritikin.com/your-health/health-benefits/lower-cholesterol/1468-7-tips-for-improving-your-ldl-cholesterol.html

You may be interested in reading through another active discussion here on Connect and meet other members sharing your symptoms.

Groups > Neuropathy > Living with Neuropathy – Welcome to the group
— https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-neuropathy-welcome-to-the-group/

Are you able to share how you were diagnosed or any treatments you use that help you with your symptoms?

I have read that if you eat RED apples, carrots, and beets ALL of the time, your cholesterol will go down naturally, by many points. I do this, but have not been to the doc yet to get cholesterol levels. I do have high cholesterol, but not too high, and the ratio of the good to bad is good. Lori Renee

Hi @dutchman09, There are also two related discussion similar to yours that you may want to join to meet other members who have discussed statins and neuropathy.

> Groups > Neuropathy > Statins and peripheral neuropathy
— https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/statins-and-peripheral-neuropathy/

> Groups > Neuropathy > Statins cause peripheral neuropathy?
— https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/statins-cause-peripheral-neuropathy/

Since you mentioned you have never had high cholesterol, do you mind me asking what condition were you being treated for with statins?

Has anyone here been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy caused exclusively from orally ingesting a statin medication for 8 years? I have never had diabetes or high Cholesterol.

Hi, @dutchman09 - you may have noticed that I moved your post here to this existing discussion on statins and neuropathy so you can talk with others also interested in this topic. Is this what you feel has led to neuropathy in your case?

After my heart attack on February 8, 2010 I was introduced to a local Cardiologist who started me on Plavix, Metoprolol Tartrate, Isosorbide and Crestor. After being diagnosed with PN I discontinued the Crestor on Oct. 15. 2018 and the Plavix on April 20, 2019 at the suggestion of another doctor because I also take 81 mg aspirin. Never during the 8 years of' 'treatment' was I told any Cholesterol level numbers, just that it was high and that I also had diabetes when on my last office visit to this Cardiologist HER own test results showed my Glucose at 101 and I blame my own naive 'respect' for the medical profession for not wanting to second guess this woman until it was too late! I am stuck with this condition and after consulting 27 legal offices was repeatedly told that all the court cases, judgements and class action suites against statins and Astrazeneca (the maker of Crestor) were closed. After extensive research there is no doubt in my mind that this is the only cause for my contracting PN.

After extensive research over the past year there is no doubt in my mind that being prescribed Crestor for 8 years is the only and absolute cause of my contracting PN.

I stopped taking the generic version of Crestor last October 15, 2018. I now take one tablespoon of Bragg® Organic Raw-Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar with the "Mother" mixed in an 8 oz. glass of apple juice every morning on an empty stomach. Do not take a higher dose or drink it out of the bottle because it could damage your esophagus. You can find it in a 16 oz.bottle in most large grocery stores. You might want to look it up on line. The last time I went to my Nephrologist she said my Cholesterol was "well within the range for my age group".

Hello @marymaurer, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You may be interested in reading through another active discussion here on Connect and meet other members sharing your symptoms and asking your question here where it will have more visibility.

Groups > Neuropathy > Living with Neuropathy – Welcome to the group
— https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-neuropathy-welcome-to-the-group/

There are also two related discussion similar to yours that you may want to join to meet other members who have discussed statins and neuropathy.

> Groups > Neuropathy > Statins and peripheral neuropathy
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/statins-and-peripheral-neuropathy/

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

Are you able to share how you were diagnosed or any treatments you use that help you with your symptoms?