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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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Don't take the statin! Not worth the risk. Not yet. Some countries have much higher cholesterol levels before the docs use the statins. Just not worth it to your health at this time. Lori Renee
I don't readily see an improvement but if I miss several days in a row my symptoms get worse.
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1 ReactionHow is the electronic nerve stimulator working for you, @dutchman09?
I stopped Crestor 11 months ago and am using an Electronic Nerve Stimulator twice a day and have resolved myself to the fact (after much research and trials) that there is no cure for Neuropathy....period!
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2 ReactionsI have heard that stopping statins can take the neuropathy away very fast. As far as natural ways to lower cholesterol, I have read to eat a red apple, carrots, and beets, several times a week, and they will lower your cholesterol. There is a doctor speaking of this on you tube. Perhaps try this, and see if it helps! Lori Renee
Hello, Dr. Rapp, I am also a medical doctor, and during a fellowship in 1986, we performed EMG and nerve testing on test subjects taking either Mevacor (an early statin) or placebo, for eventual approval by the FDA. The eventual study demonstrated that 5% of patients on Mevacor (no longer in use, I believe) developed peripheral neuropathy, with none in the control group. I, too, am on Crestor and over the past few months I have started to develop symptoms of PN. Numbness over the toes and ball of the foot. Crestor was the first statin I have taken, and I do not have any other risk factors, to my knowledge. So I am going to ask my internist whether I might D/C this med, although it really did reduce my LDL cholesterol.
Hi, @helennicola - sounds like you've been doing some reading and research on lion's mane mushroom. Thought it might be helpful for other members if you have links to any studies you've read and found informative about this mushroom you might post?
One study I noted in a quick search, conducted in rats, was "Neuroregenerative potential of lion's mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (higher Basidiomycetes), in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury (review)." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23510212
Also, here is another Connect discussion specifically on neuropathy and lion's mane, if you are interested https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lions-mane/
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1 ReactionThe reviews on Lions Mane mushroom are very positive although like many alternative meds, have not been proven in humans. It is supposedly beneficial and preventative for many ailments and sounds like a sensible possibility to try.
Hi @helennicola, I use natural inflammatories through foods I eat and supplements like turmeric. I deal with the pain. I have read reviews on Lion’s Mane Mushroom. It seemed to help people with neuropathy. I don’t know how long people were taking the supplement before getting good results. I would think it depends on the individual and degree of illness for it to help. I had heard about it by calling a major supplement company. Their sales representative told me his company did not carry a supplement that could help with neuropathy but he had heard of Lion’s Mane Mushroom. Studies were done to prove it had helped.
If not gabapentin, what do you take for your pain, may I ask? I have not tried Lions Mane mushroom, is it helpful?