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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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Thank you all for your thoughts and sharing personal experiences
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1 Reaction@wilcy kratom is also a supplement which means it's not controlled so buyer beware on the quality and where you buy it. It has also not had any clinical studies done that I am aware of, although some members like yourself have found it helpful. I would just make sure you do read as much information as you can about it and go in with your eyes wide open so to speak.
What is kratom? The popular herbal supplement has caught flak from the FDA. Some advocates credit the supplement with getting them off opioids.
Oct. 16, 2019 -- https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/what-kratom-popular-herbal-supplement-has-caught-flak-fda-n1066526
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3 ReactionsEveryone should read this! Try kratom! It’s an herb! Very good for everything included neuropathy! Bali red kratom!’ Just trying to help people!
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2 ReactionsI have only been on Crestor for a few days, but when recommending that I take it my doctor told me about 3 potential serious side effects, one of which was painful muscles. I was instructed that if any of those 3 side effects occurred, to stop taking the medication immediately. He did not mention neuropathy as a potential side-effect, and he is aware that I have SFN.
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1 ReactionYes, that is another proof that statins are not the right thing for a lot of people. The Dr. had put me on all of the statins (to find the right one) and all they did was make ache and did not do a lot for my cholesterol numbers anyway. I decided ENOUGH ALREADY and stopped on my own. I also learned that Big Pharma gives kick backs to Dr.'s who prescribe them. https://www.npr.org/series/130598927/dollars-for-docs-how-pharma-money-influences-physician-prescriptions. One of my Doctors was a leader in pay offs. (needless to say I no longer use him). But, I digress, it did not help to stop the statins because if that was the cause it was too late to stop the neurapathy pain.
I also developed neuropathy... slowly.. starting with "sock under toes" feeling. Now in feet and lower legs... but like John's.. some numbness but no pain.
Had been on statins.. high dose for approx. 20 years. No other possible causes could be discovered so with Dr's agreement I dropped statin almost a year ago. No improvement.. but not worse. Functional medicine Dr. recommended taking bergemot, which I've been doing. Seems they think this has a mild effect in lowering LDL.
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1 ReactionI think that is when my neurapathy started with the statin, I did the gamut of them and all they did was make my bones and muscles ache. So, I quit them on my own but it was too late to stop the burning feet.
@nukhan my doctor wanted me to take a statin to lower my cholesterol but I decided to work on my diet and exercise more to see if I could lower the bad and raise the good cholesterol. My numbers were a little better the last time we checked but my next appointment in March I'm hoping they are still OK. Here's a site that gives a few tips...
How to Lower Cholesterol with Diet -- https://medlineplus.gov/howtolowercholesterolwithdiet.html
On the bright side of taking statins....Statins Have Unexpected Effect on Pool of Powerful Brain Cells
-- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/2051/statins-have-unexpected-effect-on-pool-of-powerful-brain-cells.aspx
I developed PN almost 20 yrs ago - I also have had lifelong high cholesterol My doctors have badgered me to take statins forever (although I have always felt they weren't the great silver bullet and probably would prove to have long term downsides, as they have) and I have tried several, and each and every time they made my neuropathy worse. I am sure it is different for everyone and my sister tolerates statins fine and has been on them forever. One surprise though - I had a heart cath last year to check my arteries, which everyone assumed would be blocked due to my off-the-chart cholesterol for decades - guess what? They were wide open! and my calcium score was -0-! I attribute it to oatmeal!! Good luck!
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3 ReactionsI saw my doctor today. He provided info I was not quite prepared for! He believes I have a genetic cholesterol issue. After discussing my family issues related to heart attacks and strokes, and my cholesterol numbers and patterns over time - I agreed to try Crestor.
In terms of 'Do statins cause PN?' I'm not sure about that as I had SFN before starting the statins - but I will definitely be watching to see if my SFN gets worse.