1. < Neuropathy

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.

tomkipp | @tomkipp | Jun 28, 2023
In reply to @dlmdinia "This is from the Mayo Clinic website. Caution Red yeast rice is capable of lowering blood..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

This is from the Mayo Clinic website.
Caution
Red yeast rice is capable of lowering blood cholesterol levels and total blood cholesterol levels. While the supplement is generally considered safe, it might carry the same potential side effects as statin cholesterol drugs.

It goes on to state that like all supplements you can't be sure of what you're getting. Plus as the side effects are similar to statins, so too is the possibility of worsening neuropathy symptoms.

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I tried several different statins and had significant side effects of muscle and shoulder pain. I switched to red yeast rice and it worked to reduce my cholesterol levels. I have noticed that after years of taking it, I started to feel some shoulder pain again. I stopped taking it until the pain subsided and I have begun to take it again in half the dose. So far, the pain has not returned. Hopefully, the cholesterol levels will be suitable at the reduced dosage and the pain will not return. Blood tests will confirm....

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chuckiepoo1 | @chuckiepoo1 | Jun 27, 2023

I saw one reference to Bergamot to reduce cholesterol and lipid level but that was it. Has anyone used Bergamot or know of anyone who has and ita efficacy?

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jeffrapp | @jeffrapp | May 23, 2023

I just read this article in a medical information app named "Medscape". It is designed for professionals, but the articles are not terribly technical. I thought it would be useful to post it because it describes many of the discussions here.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/991585#vp_1

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jimmccown1 | @jimmccown1 | May 22, 2023

I have neuropathy due to spinal cord injury. I was taking Lipitor we’ll be fore the incident, but I wonder if stoping its use will help reduce the pain and discomfort. Thank you for bringing this up.

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1 reply
paktoledo | @paktoledo | May 16, 2023
In reply to @dlmdinia "This is from the Mayo Clinic website. Caution Red yeast rice is capable of lowering blood..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

This is from the Mayo Clinic website.
Caution
Red yeast rice is capable of lowering blood cholesterol levels and total blood cholesterol levels. While the supplement is generally considered safe, it might carry the same potential side effects as statin cholesterol drugs.

It goes on to state that like all supplements you can't be sure of what you're getting. Plus as the side effects are similar to statins, so too is the possibility of worsening neuropathy symptoms.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your answer. It is appreciated!

REPLY
dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | May 16, 2023

This is from the Mayo Clinic website.
Caution
Red yeast rice is capable of lowering blood cholesterol levels and total blood cholesterol levels. While the supplement is generally considered safe, it might carry the same potential side effects as statin cholesterol drugs.

It goes on to state that like all supplements you can't be sure of what you're getting. Plus as the side effects are similar to statins, so too is the possibility of worsening neuropathy symptoms.

REPLY
2 replies
asergio714 | @asergio714 | May 15, 2023
In reply to @greeneagle "I will jump into this conversation. My doc put me on 40mg of Lipitor 40 years..." + (show)
@greeneagle

I will jump into this conversation. My doc put me on 40mg of Lipitor 40 years ago, as my mother and older sister both had heart attacks in their 60's as well as quad-bypass. I am 82 and started experiencing tingling in my toes, then feet and now lower legs. As it was hard to walk much less do much with all this tingling, I decided to try CBD cream of a supposed strength of al lease 500mg (the FDA does not regulate the mg strength but try a strength that may help) I have been using CBD cream on my toes, feet and lower legs every morning and in the evening if I go out for the evening. Some days, I have total no neuropathy and others a bit of burning but no tingling. My Cholesterol numbers runs under 141. I think I will stop Lipitor for a week or so and see if my neuropathy lessens.I also have fibromyalgia on my upper body and I take 75mg every 12 hours. Hope what I have written helps someone else.

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Yes pls May I have the brand name

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marymaurer | @marymaurer | May 14, 2023
In reply to @snagydude "Do you have hypercholesterolemia? That is the only thing that would seem to justify a maximum..." + (show)
@snagydude

Do you have hypercholesterolemia? That is the only thing that would seem to justify a maximum statin dose. Have you tried some of the newer non statin meds such as repatha? Could be something you would like to discuss with your cardiologist.

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I don’t have hypercholesteremia. discontinued Atorvastatin 40 mg after taking it for 20 plus years because I felt it might be causing the neuropathy. No improvement in neuropathy but not worse.
Began Red yeast rice about two years ago. Cardiologist is fine with results. Not quite 100 ldl but close.

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snagydude | @snagydude | May 14, 2023
In reply to @marymaurer "Took statins at highest dose for over 20 years. Neuropathy developed slowly beginning with socks under..." + (show)
@marymaurer

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.

Jump to this post

Do you have hypercholesterolemia? That is the only thing that would seem to justify a maximum statin dose. Have you tried some of the newer non statin meds such as repatha? Could be something you would like to discuss with your cardiologist.

REPLY
1 reply
greeneagle | @greeneagle | May 14, 2023
In reply to @nocinnor4h "Vbf cream is that through your doctor" + (show)
@nocinnor4h

Vbf cream is that through your doctor

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Volteran was a prescription but its now over the counter.

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