I have had severe case of PN June 9th that lasted for 5 months caused by taking Lipitor for more than 30 days. No doctors was able to help me so I resorted to self help. Based on what I've read through research, I took magnesium, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Zinc. My new primary doctor prescribed Ezetimibe and Vascepa for my cholesterol and I did treadmill at least 4 times a week 30-50 min. My LDL is now down from 146 to 111 and to this day 34 days now, I have not experience PN. I hope this help.

@jeffrapp – Nicely said. I was considered a renegade in my younger years when I taught childbirth classes without being a medical practitioner. Silly me – I figured that having 2 – 4 children of my own and doing a lot of reading equipped me to do a better job than my local health unit – where our class full of first time mothers was told that we would experience 'some discomfort' while in labour. Not only did I learn that labour hurts like Hell – I also learned that being a medical practitioner did NOT equal 'all knowing'. Based on my own birthing experience, a critical component of my teaching to new mothers was: Do your own research and be an active partner in your health care.

I don't know if apple cider will lower cholesterol, but I agree that it is a choice and we should talk to our doctors if that's the route we want to go. Interestingly enough – I have been summoned to my new doctor's office because my cholesterol has been creeping up steadily over time. The only time it dropped was when I was on the Keto diet! I achieve ketosis very quickly/easily and I guess I could try that route again, but I am not interested in going back on that diet because it's so restrictive – so – I assume my doctor will want to talk to me about meds…. *sigh* Time to do some research on the subject!!!

Hi @djkzfl, Welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience. You definitely have the right idea about learning as much as you can about your condition and advocating for your health. Thanks again for sharing.

Thanks for the compliment, @iceblue.
I certainly agree that we all must be active participants in our own health care, without being dismissive of the experts.
Regarding statin use, I have done some more research regarding whether or not they can cause PN.
I found one paper from 1999 which claims they do. However, they were all case studies (not double blind placebo controlled) so they were not optimum. I also don't agree with the conclusions they drew from the info they presented.
Another paper from 2019 is a meta-analysis (literature search) which claims they don't.
I have small fiber neuropathy, so I am mostly interested in that diagnosis. All the cases that were in the first paper involve axonal neuropathies, which I don't have. The PN of those patients was irreversible.They also all involved long term use of statins. I believe someone posted here that he took statins for a few weeks and thinks he developed PN because of the statins, and when he stopped, the PN was "cured". I don't find that very convincing.
For myself, after not taking statins for 2 years, and seeing my PN progress, I decided to go back on them.
Who knows?

Many thanks for the additional info @jeffrapp ! I have only seen my new doctor once, but the intake to his clinic (conducted by a resident?) took a full hour. I couldn't believe how thorough they were! Upon getting the results of my blood tests, they called TWICE to request that I come back into the clinic to discuss blood test results (upward creeping cholesterol was the only thing out of range). I will chat with the doctor about any concerns he may have about statins impacting SFN, and am sure that he and I will build a good, solid relationship over time.

But – I think it's also time to step out of denial and conclude it's time to start making a serious effort to shed the pounds I put on when I quit smoking last year. And if I was completely honest – I was 20 pounds overweight even before that, so I'm packing around an extra 40 pounds and live the life of a slug (partially because of the pain in my feet), and – I eat more junk food than I should. It's time to make some changes to improve my own health – even if statins (which I've been nervous about for years) are part of that recipe…

I have had neuropathy for the last 14 years. The doctors only gave me pills that are not helping. I would like to have a stem cell done but I cannot afford it. It seems that the pain is getting worse. Yesterday I must of yelled 10 times the pain was so bad.

@jacksgarden, I'm sorry to hear you are in so much pain. The problem with stem cell therapy for neuropathy is that I don't believe it's there yet even though there is a lot of advertising about it. I've only heard of some success when treating diabetic neuropathy. Here's more information from the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR):
— http://www.closerlookatstemcells.org/stem-cells-and-medicine/nine-things-to-know-about-stem-cell-treatments
— http://www.closerlookatstemcells.org/stem-cells-and-medicine/stem-cell-treatments-what-to-ask

You might find the following discussion helpful as you are not alone in your search for something to provide relief from the pain.

> Groups > Neuropathy > Ideas for pain relief from Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN)
— https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ideas-for-pain-from-small-fiber-neuropathy/

Hope you find something that helps ease your pain…

A so-called Cardiologist had me on Crestor for 8 years and now I have confirmed Peripheral Neuropathy for which there is NO CURE!

Did someone tell you that Crestor was responsible for the PN? Or – is it a potential risk of the med?

I 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.

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!

BOTH! It is a well known risk (not potential) for PN. Just do a quick Google search. I believed this pill pusher for 8 years and the last two every time I mentioned numbness, tingling, cold feeling in my hands, mostly my feet, she either changed the subject, said "it must be your nerves" or ignored the comment completely. Turns out I never had high cholesterol nor diabetes. Brenda Peart is the head Cardiologist for the Carondelet Medical Group in Tucson, Az. and after contacting 27 lawyers, in and out of state, no one would go up against her. She ruined my life and who knows how many others and will never be brought to justice. My confidence in the medical profession is forever changed. I know one bad apple doesn't make the whole tree bad but in a few years I may wind up in a wheel chair and I have to wake up to that prospect every morning. Believe what you want about inferred treatments, exercise, Gabapentin, etc. THERE IS NO CURE FOR PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY!