Is there any connection with statin use and neuropathy?

Posted by sjpphil @sjpphil, Apr 27, 2016

Is there any connection with statin use and neuropathy? I have had numbness and tingling in my hands and fingers, along with severe cramping at night. One NP thought this was carpel tunnel, but my doc does not think so. Any thoughts?

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 27, 2016

Welcome @sjpphil
I'm tagging @condoline and @johnwburns to see if they have some thoughts on this.
In the meantime, sjpphil, you may be interesting in reading this post by Condoline https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heart-failure-278546/?pg=1#post-25019 and this thread on neuropathy started by @rabbit10 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-here-dealing-with-peripheral-neuropathy/

Did your doctor think the numbness might be related to statins?

sjpphil | @sjpphil | Apr 27, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @sjpphil I'm tagging @condoline and @johnwburns to see if they have some thoughts on this...." + (show)

That was her first thought. She had me discontinue for 2 weeks and the symptoms have lessened. I will try 4 more weeks off of them and see if there is any more improvement. All sorts of other tests ordered, but I won't go into all of that.

rabbit10 | @rabbit10 | Apr 29, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @sjpphil I'm tagging @condoline and @johnwburns to see if they have some thoughts on this...." + (show)

Wow that is a good question I am on statins also but never connected the neuropathy and statins. Have you seen a doctor? I'm interested in what you find out so please keep us posted. Next time I see mr dr I'll ask her about it and let you all know the result. Good luck.

sjpphil | @sjpphil | Apr 29, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @sjpphil I'm tagging @condoline and @johnwburns to see if they have some thoughts on this...." + (show)

My doctor was the one who suspected that Zocor might be an issue with night cramping and the neuropathy. I have been off the the statin for two weeks now, and it was suggested to wait another four weeks to be able to measure my cholesterol more accurately and to see if symptoms continue to lessen. I will keep you posted.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 4, 2016

Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

"Neuropathy is not a side effect that typically comes to mind when someone is taking a statin, but there have been case reports suggesting there may be an association. At this point, a causal relationship has not been proven (we can’t say for sure that statins are the reason these patients developed neuropathy), but it is possible, and something that is being studied. It seems that the longer a person is taking a statin, the greater the risk of neuropathy. (Statins and risk of polyneuropathy: a case-control study. Published in Neurology. 2002;58(9):1333. Authored by Gaist, et al.)

Of course, neuropathy may be caused by other things as well, so it’s good that your health care team has ordered tests to get to the bottom of it."

I look forward to hearing the results of your testing @sjpphil.

sjpphil | @sjpphil | May 9, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)

I have been reading some research that suggests that with Zocor, there might be a connection over time. Then this morning I listened to a Dallas NPR station where a doc was minimizing this affect. His thinking was that if these symptoms occurred 4-6 months after starting a statin, then perhaps there would be more of a connection to the neuropathy. The jury is still out on this one. Thanks to @colleenyoung for your references,

sjpphil | @sjpphil | Jun 13, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)

Hello @colleenyoung. I finally had an EMG, which confirmed a diagnosis of carpel tunnel. He described the four levels (with four being the worst) and I am at level three. The neurologists did do some muscle conduction studies to check for statin damage, and concluded that the Zocor I had been taking was not an issue. He also checked my neck to make sure there was not a pinched nerve. His recommendation is to wear the wrist braces 24/7 for 2-3 months. If there is no improvement, the next step would be steroid injections, then surgery if that is not successful.
I am curious if there are any strengthening exercises I could be doing without aggravating the existing inflammation. At the same time, I am inclined to think that any exercises should wait until I see progress with the braces. Any thoughts on this? Thank you.

blindeyepug | @blindeyepug | Jun 13, 2016

I had those symptoms. Turns out I also have spinal stenosis. Tingling and numbness was coming from problems with my spine! (I have rheumatoid arthritis, fribromyalgia, sogren's syndrome.) I take Lipitor for high cholesterol.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 14, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)

Good to hear you have an action plan @sjpphil. Before doing any exercises, I recommend talk to your doctor about it first. Rest may be better than exercise in this case. If strengthening exercises are recommended, you may wish to consult a knowledgeable physical therapist.

sjpphil | @sjpphil | Jun 14, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)

You are correct @colleenyoung! I am pushing the window by thinking that exercise is the way to go at this point. Resting the wrist to reduce any inflammation and more patience are in order for me! Thanks for all of your referrals to articles and other groups for discussion.