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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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Hi, sure wish I had known about the connection between statins and neuropathy..I had open heart (quad by pass) at 38 in 1980, and have been taking statins ever since, so 43 years of it, and I have severe peripheral neuropathy and no diabetes, etc. Have had ongoing heart problems, rotablation, stents, angioplasty, then heart failure and A Fib, and they still insist statins are doing more good than harm....I question that, as not walking for me is like a jail sentence... I do follow a heart healthy diet, but cholesterol sky high, thankfully my hdl is high too, I think it is just familial and statins don't mean a thing to my old bod, if it is genetic I don't think much can be done, (my opionion) and as statins have not lowered my cholesterol much in all that time, don't know what to suggest other than a daily ration of red wine.....as I do,, good luck and best wishes Terry
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1 ReactionI was allergic to statins so my doctor switched me over to Repatha. Cholesterol problems disappeared. Repatha is an injection I give myself twice monthly.
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3 ReactionsYes, I do monitor some of the neuropathy discussions. I follow Dr Ken Berry, along with some others on You Tube, and am moving towards more of a Carnivore diet to manage my neuropathy.
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4 ReactionsHi @rlh, I avoided taking a statin myself and have managed my cholesterol numbers similar to the way you have. The past few years I took it up a notch and started using intermittent fasting and low carb healthy fat eating to lose and maintain weight. I was surprised how easy it was after struggling with weight most of my life. I shared my neuropathy journey in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/.
I noticed that you joined a few years ago and this is your first post. Have you been following any other discussions in the neuropathy or other groups?
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3 ReactionsI stopped taking a statin after reviewing the research on its effectiveness and side effects. I have eliminated sugar, seed oils, and most grains from my diet. So far I am managing my triglycerides and cholesterol with these changes. My weight and blood pressure have also dropped. My neuropathy is mostly staying fairly much the same, neither improving nor getting worse.
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4 ReactionsI have taken 10mgs of Atoravastatin for years-there is no cause effect relationship with this medicine and my neuropathy
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2 ReactionsI didn't know that. I've been taking simvastatin and CQ10 for years. Maybe that's why my neuropathy has not gotten worse.
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3 ReactionsYou may consider taking red yeast rice which is a natural Statin, but a lower dose. It works for many people. You also may know that you should be taking CQ10, preferably the ubiquinol form as statins deplete CQ10 which is concentrated in the heart muscle.
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3 ReactionsMy husband's neuropathy was definitely made much worse with Statins no matter what the study claims.
I agree about the niacin. I'm on 2000 am and 2000 pm. My husband on 500 and 500.
Here is some great info
https://www.ivoox.com/en/niacin-the-forgotten-agent-for-cholesterol-issues-like-audios-mp3_rf_94449544_1.html
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