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 ?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Took statins at highest dose for over 20 years. Neuropathy developed slowly beginning with socks under the toes feeling. Weird. Not painful but numb. Dc’d statin about 3 years ago and now take red yeast rice. Perhaps a little better.. not worse. Thank goodness. Statins are only cause I can think of. No other meds or physical problems.

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Profile picture for marymaurer @marymaurer

thanks. Really appreciate your input. I stopped statins about 3 years ago and now take red yeast rice. It works.. but like with the cbd you have to research to find which brands actually .There’s wide variation in the effectiveness.

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This store in Santa Fe that sells it, the sticker say 1600 mg. As I said previously the FDA does not approve CBD products. It’s the old adage- buyer beware. You take your chances when you buy anything not approved to be effective by the FDA. Good luck but try it over at least a 690 mg strength.

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Profile picture for elizabethaames @elizabethaames

I've been taking Crestor/Rosuvastatin only since Oct '22 for a genetic high (330+) cholesterol risk despite active/regular exercise/lean dietary intake etc and it helped the cholesterol but has negatively impacted my mobility and lifestyle substantially...with pain, twitching, tingling, cramping, electrical type zaps in extremities etc. The prescribing doc just said, "discontinue and see" without providing an alternative (gee thanks) so I feel like a sitting duck...should I discontinue it and risk stroke or continue to put this horrid stuff in my body that's causing me to be a fall risk? Worried about permanent nerve damage and feeling like my foot's asleep constantly too...(driving hazard) Thoughts?

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I would look for alternatives. It caused permanent nerve damage after 10 years. Now I have a numb foot and fingers in the right hand. I stopped 20 mg of Simvastain. I did go on 5 mg of Rosuvastatin daily with niacin. The doctors want me to be 70 or below but I am not risking anymore neuropathy, so I am ok with 103. I recently had a CT-Coronary scan and got a score of 583. Reviewing where the plaque is has help determine my risk. In my case where is located is not so bad but enough worry to watch what I eat and take another test in 2 years to review how it has progressed.

It is a journey. Best of luck!

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Profile picture for greeneagle @greeneagle

What I am trying CBD cream I am buying from a store in Santa Fe, NM
that glad to sell the product. No brand just a man that formulates in his home. As CBD is not regulated by the FDA, none of us know for sure what the label states- if true or not.
I would only suggest asking the person behind the counter of wherever you go to purchase- asking g him or her what product is the "best seller" and try it.

I also tried Australian Dream and Volteran. Any cream sold for pain is worth chancing that it may reduce symptoms.
I am 83 and have been on 40mg of Lipitor since I was 40. I have never had neuropathy until 3 years ago. I also have fibromyalgia and I take 75 mg of Lyrica twice a day. I previously tried Neurontan but it did not help with my muscle pains.
Unfortunately, we as we get older get symptoms of many afflictions. My doctor is my best friend and he has as well many problems. He favorite expression "growing old isn't for sissies"- is so true. I am not trying to belittle problems we all have. I just try things that other friends have told me to try.

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thanks. Really appreciate your input. I stopped statins about 3 years ago and now take red yeast rice. It works.. but like with the cbd you have to research to find which brands actually .There’s wide variation in the effectiveness.

REPLY
Profile picture for marymaurer @marymaurer

May I ask what brand and strength you are currently using??

Jump to this post

What I am trying CBD cream I am buying from a store in Santa Fe, NM
that glad to sell the product. No brand just a man that formulates in his home. As CBD is not regulated by the FDA, none of us know for sure what the label states- if true or not.
I would only suggest asking the person behind the counter of wherever you go to purchase- asking g him or her what product is the "best seller" and try it.

I also tried Australian Dream and Volteran. Any cream sold for pain is worth chancing that it may reduce symptoms.
I am 83 and have been on 40mg of Lipitor since I was 40. I have never had neuropathy until 3 years ago. I also have fibromyalgia and I take 75 mg of Lyrica twice a day. I previously tried Neurontan but it did not help with my muscle pains.
Unfortunately, we as we get older get symptoms of many afflictions. My doctor is my best friend and he has as well many problems. He favorite expression "growing old isn't for sissies"- is so true. I am not trying to belittle problems we all have. I just try things that other friends have told me to try.

REPLY

I've been taking Crestor/Rosuvastatin only since Oct '22 for a genetic high (330+) cholesterol risk despite active/regular exercise/lean dietary intake etc and it helped the cholesterol but has negatively impacted my mobility and lifestyle substantially...with pain, twitching, tingling, cramping, electrical type zaps in extremities etc. The prescribing doc just said, "discontinue and see" without providing an alternative (gee thanks) so I feel like a sitting duck...should I discontinue it and risk stroke or continue to put this horrid stuff in my body that's causing me to be a fall risk? Worried about permanent nerve damage and feeling like my foot's asleep constantly too...(driving hazard) Thoughts?

REPLY
Profile picture for greeneagle @greeneagle

MaryMaurer, you may think I am crazy, but I too take Lipitor in the, 40mg strength for 40 years.
When my toes started burning and tingling, I was very uncomfortable. I kept complaining and someone suggestion I take CBD pills. I decided I would try CBD cream above, 500 mg strength. To my amazement it took about 3 days but my tingling and burning lessened. I have been using CBD lot/ion over 900 mg for 3? Years now, and some days no neuropathy and ot’her days a little. It’s worth a try as everyone I have told about say it has,helped them.

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Vbf cream is that through your doctor

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Profile picture for marymaurer @marymaurer

May I ask what brand and strength you are currently using??

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I bought some CBD in Santa Fe, NM from bc a man that sells to a store, the owner suggested I try. I think the guy makes it in his basement. You can also try Volteran a muscle cream that helps arthritis and Neuropathy. Australian Dream works some as well.

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My neurologist just lowered by dose of Lipitor to 10 mg because I have had a persistent headache for almost 4 years. No relief yet but I know my cholesterol will shoot up. He said Lipitor can cause headaches. Like you, I have been on it for years. Why now?

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Profile picture for marymaurer @marymaurer

Thanks! Will try it.

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May I ask what brand and strength you are currently using??

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