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Statins that won't cause/worsen neuropathy

Posted by phpilgrim @phpilgrim, Aug 26 10:32am

Are there statins that won't cause or worsen neuropathy in my feet? I began taking Atorvastatin in 2018 and in 2020 my feet started tingling from the balls of my feet to the ends of my toes. Over time the tingling has spread to include my whole foot (both feet) and started to spread up the left leg. There is no pain with the tingling. My PCP didn't know the cause. I went to a neurologist, a podiatrist and a vascular specialist and none could determine a cause. In March, 2025, my sister sent me a study done by the NIH in which 17% of patients taking Atorvastatin and 50% of patients taking Rosuvastatin developed neuropathy. I took a 5 month break from the Atorvastatin and there was a slight improvement in the tingling but it didn't go away. I need to go back on a statin. Can anyone recommend one that won't worsen my neuropathy? Does anyone have experience with CoQ10 keeping neuropathy from worsening or even improving neuropathy when taking a statin?

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 26 11:31am

Hello @phpilgrim, Welcome to Connect. It's been a few years since I had a conversation with my primary care doctor who wanted me to go on statins. I already have neuropathy and had read that statins made it worse so decided to do what I could do on my own to lower my cholesterol but it's a decision we all have to make. Mayo Clinic has some good information on that topic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013. There is another discussion you might find helpful while you are waiting for other members to respond.
-- Statin discontinued due to neuropathy. What are some alternatives?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/discontinuation-of-statin/
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/.

Have you discussed alternatives with your doctor?

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gently | @gently | Aug 26 12:07pm

Cheers to your sister, phpilgrim.
The tingling is considered a positive sign of nerve damage, almost always reversible when the statin is stopped. A cardiologist just advised me that if you have the muscle or nerve reaction to one statin, you'll have them with every statin, though I've read here of different people finding one that works for them.
I'm giving Repatha a wary eye.

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phpilgrim | @phpilgrim | Aug 26 3:45pm
In reply to @gently "Cheers to your sister, phpilgrim. The tingling is considered a positive sign of nerve damage, almost..." + (show)
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Cheers to your sister, phpilgrim.
The tingling is considered a positive sign of nerve damage, almost always reversible when the statin is stopped. A cardiologist just advised me that if you have the muscle or nerve reaction to one statin, you'll have them with every statin, though I've read here of different people finding one that works for them.
I'm giving Repatha a wary eye.

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Thanks for your reply, gently. Since I stopped the statin for 5 months and the tingling didn't go away, it is probably permanent nerve damage. I have also heard that people may react to each statin differently. I'm hoping that will be the case with me.

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gently | @gently | Aug 26 5:09pm

phpilgrim, the nerves may eventually repair themselves. I have hope for yours and hope that another statin will be effective without harm.

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phpilgrim | @phpilgrim | Aug 26 6:11pm
In reply to @gently "phpilgrim, the nerves may eventually repair themselves. I have hope for yours and hope that another..." + (show)
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phpilgrim, the nerves may eventually repair themselves. I have hope for yours and hope that another statin will be effective without harm.

Jump to this post

Thank you, gently.

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phpilgrim | @phpilgrim | Aug 26 6:50pm
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @phpilgrim, Welcome to Connect. It's been a few years since I had a conversation with..." + (show)
Profile picture for John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop

Hello @phpilgrim, Welcome to Connect. It's been a few years since I had a conversation with my primary care doctor who wanted me to go on statins. I already have neuropathy and had read that statins made it worse so decided to do what I could do on my own to lower my cholesterol but it's a decision we all have to make. Mayo Clinic has some good information on that topic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013. There is another discussion you might find helpful while you are waiting for other members to respond.
-- Statin discontinued due to neuropathy. What are some alternatives?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/discontinuation-of-statin/
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/.

Have you discussed alternatives with your doctor?

Jump to this post

Hi John,

Thanks so much for the information!

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