Ever since my neuropathy started in January and a rheumatologist I saw told me to stop Zocor immediately after being clinically diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome (that can cause peripheral neuropathy), I would come back in my mind now and then to statins as THE cause of what happened to me. However, have been see-sawing more recently between Sjogren's and idiopathic.

I was on mostly Zocor for 12 years, and never once read in the literature provided with the Rx about nerve damage - just muscle weakness and liver damage, which never happened to me thank goodness.

However, after reading all the responses to this thread, and especially MrsD's, am now convinced that the statins damaged my mitochondria and am afraid that the small fiber sensory is now too far gone to respond to anything, even though I recently started supplements that include R-alpha lipoic acid, B12 as methylcobalamin and B1 as benfotiamine. I will now add the CoQ10 and L-carnitine although I was tested for them and the results showed normal.

For those of us who were on statins, maybe those of us who weren't on them for too long will get lucky. I hope so.

Best wishes,

Sheltiemom

Why is it that statins don't list neuropathy as a possible serious side effect? Neuropathy is pretty serious in my book--at least my case is!

I didn't know what a statin was, so I looked it up. It said that it was to lower cholesterol. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/statins/CL00010) I am wondering--is that it? Or does that include medicines for high blood pressure as well?

My mom is on lisinopril for high blood pressure. I also used to be on it, but that was for a short time and was a few years ago. She wouldn't stop taking it, anyway--because I've warned her about some things that can cause neuropathy that she is doing... and she hasn't stopped those. I'm just curious, though. Maybe high blood pressure medications are totally different--but high blood pressure and cholesterol seem to go hand in hand (not always, but sometimes).

My cholesterol is 205, and they keep trying to push these statins ON me...I think I am fine. I already HAVE PN.....more of it, I don't need.

My hubby is on statins, and his legs are now skinny and he lost his leg hair.

Statins probably have their place, but not in the drinking water!

I wouldn't take them for 205 but for 437 it seemed wise, especially with my family history of heart disease.

Hi - My name is Jude and i found this site a few days ago .
My nightmare started 5 yrs ago after being on Lipitpr ,Crestor and Simvastatin for years .
I just woke up one morning with a feeling of "creepy crawlies " under my skin but everywhere from head to toe ,also thigh muscles jumping/twitching and poor mobility ,walking like a 90 yr old . Eventually after extensive research i realised that the symptoms could be due to statin side effects ( i am a nurse so surprised it took me so long to figure it out ).I had numerous visits to GP who had no idea what it was and after about 2 yrs sent me to Neurologist .Interestingly my CK levels where elevated but no-one took any notice. The neurologist diagnosed PN but clearly was,nt really interested in my case , he told me "a good neurologist would,nt get out of bed for a CK at my level (375)and "to live with it ". I am on Pregabalin 100mgs tds but still have symptoms although not as severe as they where. I do believe the damage done is permanent and all i can do is continue the meds ,including , q10 etc and celebrate the good days .

I used Lipitor for a long time and then when I was on a special diet to check if I was gluten intolerant I went off the meds for cholesterol. I was only eating lean meat, fruit and veggies for three months. The doctor and I realized at that time my real issue with my PN was blood sugar issues that fluctuate with what I eat. Anyway - when I went back on the Lipitor I could see within days that the increase in pain in my hands and feet were from the drug. My cholesterol is only in the low 200's and after meeting with a general practitioner at the Mayo Clinic - she said that unless your cholesterol is over 300 they don't prescribe Lipitor for people (that is my experience please check with your own doctor without making any changes) So I no longer take Lipitor. My original family doctor told me when I approached him about the pain from PN and Lipitor - what do you want a stroke or pain? That is why I no longer see him.

Check further with your doctors if you have "high" cholesterol as we certainly don't need more pain -- or in some people as has been listed it causes them to have neuropathy!!

I am so thankful for all of you and the info I have learned here -- in fact, that is how I found out about Lyrica a few years back and it really made a difference in my life.

What about getting off the statin, Simvastatin, in my case, and using red yeast rice instead?

Red Yeast Rice contains a statin....if you are vulnerable to any statin, the lovastatin (Merck's Mevacor) and its congeners in the Rice will have similar effects.
For many years, the FDA blocked the sale of the Red Yeast Rice products that were the most effective. Not all Red Yeast Rice products are equal. Some are stronger than others. PN damage is a cumulative effect of all statins, and once a person has symptoms of PN, it is best to avoid them all IMO. But it is your choice in the end. We've had people here decide to continue statins, even when in terrible pain. I provide the information that your doctor probably doesn't know about, and it is up to you to balance it all for yourself.

I'd really suggest going all statin free if you are expecting any improvement or want to halt progression of PN at this point.
If you decide to do Red Yeast Rice, you will have to continue with the CoQ-10 as well. Since the enzyme the Rice blocks is the same one that Big Pharma's statins block.

My doctor wanted me to take statins due to borderline numbers. I said no. I stay away from a lot of the wrong foods like red meat and my numbers have gone down. My cardiologist suggested I up my fish oil. On a side note, ever since open heart surgery for a aortic valve repair in 2007, my heart beat was irregular. I read about fish oil and how it can regulate a heartbeat. My doctors disagreed. However my heart beat is no longer irregular and the scary night pulpatations are gone. I actually use Krill Oil. My current cardiologist agrees and seems to be more in tune with supplements.

If doctors don't understand, we have to teach them. My main doctors are experts with supplements, but every other doctor has to be taught, sad.