Statin discontinued due to neuropathy. What are some alternatives?

@dskellchock do they have a website?

The new PCSK9 inhibitors lower LDL cholesterol significantly in many cases replacing statins altogether.
Just google "PCSK9 inhibitors" for an explanation. Worked for me!

I'm very interested in giving this a try! I've been on statins for 20 years or so, and back when prescribed, I ate terribly! (knowing what I know now)
Now I eat healthy, although I do eat some red meat. (but mostly fish and chicken).
What is "crescents", did you mean croissants? (bread)?

Thanks! and congratulations on getting your cholesterol under control without statins!

I can only say that I stopped taking statins (and related Stanols) due to intolerable reactions, including a damaged Achilles tendon. 🙁 So, I decided to try ingesting 5 tbsps of a very high quality EVOO (Virgeen from Italy). Lovely people own the vineyard and they are So transparent. You can write to ask them ANYTHING and they will answer, unlike most others. You know exactly what you are getting in their product. Took me a looong time to fine them!

I had a blood draw Sept. 23, 2025. Got the results today, Oct. 4, 2025. This is what happened:
Aug. 31 got my first 2 bottles of EVOO from Italy (Vergeen); From Sept. 1 to Sept. 23, 2025,
I consumed 4 tbsps.. of EVOO per day.
As of Oct. 4, 2025 my LDL had reduced from 157 to 111 - 46 pts.
HDL/LDL Ratio is 3.0 : range: < 5.0.
Total Cholesterol was 134: minus HDL: 66 = 68 : Range: < 130.
Triglycerides: 114: range - < 150 (Down from 151 – reduced: 37 pts.

I was shocked, since I thought I had ruined my experiment by using Crescents to mop
up my EVOO (mixed with a little Balsamic vinegar). Now I skip the Crescents and just
consume 2 tbsps in the a.m. and then one or so with lunch and same with dinner.

So, it would seem that my EVOO experiment has been totally successful by lowering my LDL by 46 pts.
Looks like I still have 12 pts. to scare away to get "in range" for LDL below < 100. I am ecstatic!

Admittedly, I completely rearranged my diet to align with the Mediterranean diet and eat lots of
nuts (the good ones) and seeds, salads, green tea, avacados etc. etc.

I had to look up the date I first started taking EVOO. I couldn't believe my eyes. 🙂

I have been taking Pitavastatin for about 10 years. Prior to that, I took Zocor, Crestor, and Lipitor for about 30 years. The move to Pitavastatin (Livalo), did not prevent me from developing idiopathic PN. I have had the PN for about 15 years starting with coldness, and now I have numbness and pain. I do suspect 40 years of statin use as the culprit in my PN, but of course, can't prove it.

I resisted a statin for many years because of my PN. I made a concerted effort to eat the right foods and exercise regularly, but couldn't get my total cholesterol below 350. I am 75 years old, 5'4" and weight 130 lbs. So, I finally gave in and my PCP prescribed rosuvastatin as it was less likely to exacerbate my PN. I talked her into letting me try a very small dose and it worked beautifully. By taking only 5mg of rosuvastatin every OTHER day I have kept my total cholesterol below 200, which is fine by me! And after more than a year of doing this, I have not noticed the slightest increase in PN symptoms.

Hi John,
I don’t think Pitavastatin is currently available in the UK

I've read that Pitavastatin is less likely to cause neuropathy and it might be something to discuss with your doctor. Here's a reference that might be helpful - Pitavastatin: Finding its Place in Therapy: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3513875/.

I took Simvastatin for many years until I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in my feet and lower legs. I made the decision to stop taking the statin ,there was no improvement in my PN. I tried to eat cholesterol reducing food, mainly porridge. I have existing heart problems so my GP has put me back on Atorvastin but I am concerned about it worsening my PN. Should I be concerned and what are the alternatives. I have not been back to my GP yet but I would welcome any advice before I do

I can't take statins because they drive my blood pressure too low (hypotension). My triglycerides are climbing, so I plan to ask my doctor for a prescription omega 3 (https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/08/19/prescription-omega3-medications-work-for-high-triglycerides-advisory-says). Note that the brand (Lovaza) is outrageously priced, but the generic is reasonable even if is not covered by insurance. OTC omega-3s have not been shown to have the same benefits, so you want the prescription form, which is processed/manufactured differently.