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, too, have struggled with statins. I was first put on Lipitor about 30 years ago (I'm 72). After about 15 years, I began to have muscle cramps/pain in my legs and my doctor switched me to Crestor. I stayed on that for several years, then began to have similar symptoms. I was changed to Pravastatin (one of the oldest) about 10 years ago, and have been okay with that until I had back issues due to stenosis. After surgery to help the stenosis, I noticed that I had PN in my feet... just numbness and tingling.... and I was also having cramping and tightening of muscles in my calves. So I asked my doctor to switch me to Zetia, which is for cholesterol but is not a statin. He reluctantly did so, reminding me that "nothing" would protect me like a statin. I will have been on Zetia for 3 months when I see him for my 6-month check up in March, and I am curious to see what my cholesterol levels are. I am also on Repatha and Vascepa... which have each helped to decrease bad cholesterol and improve good cholesterol... and the Repatha cut my triglycerides in half. My leg pain is better since stopping the pravastatin.... but I may ask the doctor to let me try another of the older statins again when I see him in March... because there DOES seem to be an indication that statins prevent cardiovascular disease much more than other drugs. Lowering cholesterol is good.... but it seems that, alone, doesn't decrease the level of plaque build up like statins can. (Of course, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow and none of this would matter.😊) I won't know if changing the statin, again, will not cause the muscle pains unless I try a new one to see. I truly think that most of my PN symptoms are coming from residual compression issues in my lower spine. We each try our best to take care of our health, but there are so many factors that enter in. And I don't know that one doctor can have ALL the knowledge. I learn a lot from other patients here in these groups.... and I have always felt that we have to be advocates for our own health... and bring up new treatments/meds with our doctors. Best wishes to all. Mike
I was intolerant to every statin I tried…..then I was put on Repatha….lowered my cholesterol in half and absolutely no muscle aches or neuropathy! An amazing drug for myself and wife uses it too.
I developed peripheral neuropathy after a years use of the statin Atorvastatin. This is not uncommon iI have discovered and I am so hoping that with time I shall recover having stopped the statin.
I exercise every day and have multiple health issues. One is PN. I believe to that keeping active is the key to better health! Plus, faith in God!
I have lost over 35 pounds. My doctor agreed to decrease my Liptor from 20 to 10 mg per day! Hopefully, I can come off it all together.
God Bless and hope this helps. Pat
Thats eye opening. Thanks for the share.
That’s what my dad was prescribed post-stroke in the hospital and within two weeks he had acute (so temporary when the meds were stopped) liver damage.
I’m so sorry this happened to you.
Amen to this last paragraph especially...I was put on Rosuvastatin low dose 10mg and ended up w/massive foot neuropathy+ pins/needles/cramps/numbness, whacking it like it's asleep all the time...totally ruined my athletics and am working hard pushing onward...Yes it reduced the number/genetic high count but now have irreversible damage...Doc 'didn't know' it had such effects...(really? It's a Google given fercripesakes) Paid out of pocket for a Stanford CT-scan/calcium heart bit and showed 'moderate' risk for age/gender now, soooooo destroyed my mobility for nada...He hasn't even followed up to go over the results...just looking at raw data/numbers...Docs are WAY too cavalier w/other people's lives...
Your father was right on the money about moving. I have a lot of arthritis that makes moving a challenge but when I let up, there is immediate decline. I use that as my signal to “get moving or die!”
Foods that may lower cholesterol -- https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/ss/slideshow-cholesterol-lowering-foods?ecd=wnl_spr_070423&ctr=wnl-spr-070423_lead_cta&mb=NHXBIAlmXofgw1KGKdids%40HnVev1imbCWS9YDKCZ2cA%3D
another view! https://www.theamericanconservative.com/seed-oils-and-statins/