Statin discontinued due to neuropathy. What are some alternatives?

There seems to be a lot of discussion and debate about cholesterol and potential harm…..I will say that after watching many episodes of Dr. G Medical Examiner, I get why medical providers are so concerned about it. (They’re older episodes. I started watching it on Roko.)

My doctor prescribed injectable Repatha, one dise every 2 weeks.

You could switch from lipitor, a hydrophilic statin, to rosuvastatin, a lipophilic statin. Both are generic.
Or if your insurance allows, you can skip the statins and take one of the PCSK9 inhibitors. I take Incliseran (brand name: Leqvio) which is a semi-annual injection at your doc's office. Lots of alternatives!

I take leqvio. It is not a statin.. I take one shot the one three months later then every six months. They have a discount program that I don’t. Pay a penny though my cardiologist.

I can't take statins because they drive my blood pressure too low (hypotension). My triglycerides are climbing, so I plan to ask my doctor for a prescription omega 3 (https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/08/19/prescription-omega3-medications-work-for-high-triglycerides-advisory-says). Note that the brand (Lovaza) is outrageously priced, but the generic is reasonable even if is not covered by insurance. OTC omega-3s have not been shown to have the same benefits, so you want the prescription form, which is processed/manufactured differently.

I took Simvastatin for many years until I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in my feet and lower legs. I made the decision to stop taking the statin ,there was no improvement in my PN. I tried to eat cholesterol reducing food, mainly porridge. I have existing heart problems so my GP has put me back on Atorvastin but I am concerned about it worsening my PN. Should I be concerned and what are the alternatives. I have not been back to my GP yet but I would welcome any advice before I do

I've read that Pitavastatin is less likely to cause neuropathy and it might be something to discuss with your doctor. Here's a reference that might be helpful - Pitavastatin: Finding its Place in Therapy: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3513875/.

Hi John,
I don’t think Pitavastatin is currently available in the UK

I resisted a statin for many years because of my PN. I made a concerted effort to eat the right foods and exercise regularly, but couldn't get my total cholesterol below 350. I am 75 years old, 5'4" and weight 130 lbs. So, I finally gave in and my PCP prescribed rosuvastatin as it was less likely to exacerbate my PN. I talked her into letting me try a very small dose and it worked beautifully. By taking only 5mg of rosuvastatin every OTHER day I have kept my total cholesterol below 200, which is fine by me! And after more than a year of doing this, I have not noticed the slightest increase in PN symptoms.

I have been taking Pitavastatin for about 10 years. Prior to that, I took Zocor, Crestor, and Lipitor for about 30 years. The move to Pitavastatin (Livalo), did not prevent me from developing idiopathic PN. I have had the PN for about 15 years starting with coldness, and now I have numbness and pain. I do suspect 40 years of statin use as the culprit in my PN, but of course, can't prove it.