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Statin discontinued due to neuropathy. What are some alternatives?
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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I haven’t stopped taking it. I continue with symptoms….paresthesia in feet and hands go to sleep while I’m sleeping IF I lay a certain way. I’ve slept on the couch for a week, so it prevents me from laying on my arms…..and no waking up with numb hand! (Saw hand specialist last week.). Anyway, I had B12 deficiency and long covid….so, not sure what is the cause, but statin could also be causing it. I really must take a statin due to Type 1 diabetes. All my doctors say so. It’s a biggie for type 1. And, if you stop taking one it immediately increases your risk of cardiac event. My doctor told me this and I’ve read it too.
Not sure what I’m going to do.
I think you are making the right decision for yourself. If you already told your dr., about your problems and concerns about a drug, and the dr., is still insistent on you taking it.........just maybe, you might want to start a search for another dr. You need one who will listen to you. If the next dr., also doesn't listen, then keep searching. You will eventually find one who will work with you, not against you. Check out the internet and ask something like, how many yearly mistakes do Medical dr.s make.........and when you see it could be over many thousands, you will feel more confident in your decision to find a safer alternative. Just a thought..........
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1 ReactionJust curious..... did your neuropathy go away after you stopped taking the statin?
That's very interesting. I asked mine about it an he said he didn't think it was the cause of my symptoms. I do take a very small dose though...only 5 mg of Crestor.
My GP made the decision without any evidence
How do you know it was the statin that caused the neuropathy?
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1 ReactionI have high cholesterol and tough experiences with treating it. It has been better controlled since figuring out exactly why it is high. Do you know what is causing it? What kind of heart problems are you having?
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1 ReactionWhat is the safest alternative to statins. I have heart problems and was on Simvastatin for many years but I have stopped them due to peripheral neuropathy of the feet and ankles.My GP wants me to start again but I will only use the safest alternative with no side effects. Looking for advice
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1 ReactionI've taken citrus bergamot for a few years. It lowered my bad cholesterol a bit, but significantly raised my good cholesterol. My doctor was satisfied so I'll continue on it.
Red Yeast Rice has the same active ingredient as most statins, so if you're avoiding statins because of neuropathy RYR may not be for you. I discussed this with my doctor who was going to put me on statins and then suggested RYR as a substitute. When I discovered the common active ingredient I then switched to Citrus bergamot with my doctor's knowledge. Citrus bergamot did not significantly reduce my bad cholesterol, but it significantly increased the good. As I'm not diabetic or hypertensive, my doctor was pleased. Link below RYR info.
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/red-yeast-rice
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