Statins that won't cause/worsen neuropathy

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?

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.

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.

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

Thank you, gently.

Hi John,

Thanks so much for the information!

I’ve been on Atorvastatin for over 3 years and have slowly lost the feeling in my toes and feet. Was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy by a Neurologist with no advice as to treatment. Podiatrist, Primary Care and cardiologist all with no solutions. I’ve been off Atorvastatin now for about 10 days and some feeling is coming back into my feet. Also less tingling. I’ve been told I need to be on a statin, but now don’t know which one as all have similar side effects. Don’t necessarily want to get a shot every 2-4 weeks with the PC…
Any suggestions that worked for you would be appreciated!

janek wick
Repatha is a self injection every two weeks. I'm hesitating, because Repatha can cause digestive discomfort, said to resolve after two weeks when you have to give yourself another injection.

Hello @janekwick, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @gently and others. My PCP tried to get me to go on statins a few years back but I already had neuropathy and didn't want to make it any worse so decided to work on my lifestyle and eating habits to lose some weight and lower my bad labs. I had always been in the pre-diabetes category so it was well worth the effort even though my neuropathy symptoms are still there at least they are not worse. It might be worth having a conversation with your doctor on things that you can do to lower your numbers or need for a statin. There are a couple of other discussions that might be helpful.
-- Statin alternatives: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/statin-alternatives-1/
-- Reversal of Statin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reversal-of-statin-induced-peripheral-neuropathy/

I have taken CQ10 for years. It has done nothing for my neuropathy, but it’s good for your heart.