Does Lipitor Affect Memory and Nerves?

I was taken off both Zocor and Lipitor for severe muscle cramps - especially at night and muscle weakness. I have been taking 5 mg Crestor until this week. Heredity says I should take it for its benefits but I am taking time off it right now to see if it is causing the severe flare ups of my fibromyalgia. I blame "fibro fog" on my short memory lapses. I have a M.Ed and worry, too, that smoething else is going on.

After taking Zocor for about five years I developed numbness in my feet and hands which slowly became worse and quite painful. I asked my cardiologist about it thinking that it might indicate poor circulation related to my heart issues. He checked the pulse in my feet and told me that it wasn't a circulatory problem and suggested it was peripheral neuropathy. However, my GP had prescribed pentoxifillene for my symptoms and the discomfort is almost completely gone when treated this way as a peripheral circulatory problem. Hope this helps.

Philip

I.ve been experiencing pain and numbness in my right foot after walking for 15 minutes. I stopped my lipitor for a while. Is there a natural medication for cholesterol that has proven effective. I was told by my chiropractor that the latest study showed that people without heart problems were shown not to need statins.

I was on Lipitor for two years and started to experience muscle pain. I went through all the available statins and the same result occurred, except the time between each was less. I am now on zedia. So far, so good

I have been taking Red Yeast Rice with COQ-10, for several months. It has brought my cholesterol down to normal limits and I have had no side effects. Have you seen any adverse effect from long term use of this product. Thank you

I believe I am having problems with Advicor 1000mg. Side effect include numbness in one or both feet, muscle weakness, constipation, indigestion, insominia, memory loss and have been losing my hair since I started this. If I stop the medicine for 2 weeks will I show improvement?

I think the statin type cholesterol lowering drugs are blocking the fat soluble vitamins as well as the cholesterol. I have very low cholesterol by inheritance and have had these peripheral neuropathy problems (pins & needles in feet & hands and face). I had good results by taking "Dry or water soluble" vitamin E, about 1,600 units a day. Vit A and D are also fat soluble, so I found a "dry" version of those. DHA helped too.

I have tried so many statins drugs but all gave me muscle pain and cramps. My doctor put me on Zetia and insists it can't cause muscle pain because it is systemic. I still have muscle pain, cramps, and tingling in my legs and feet. Can Zetia cause this?

I took Lipitor for about l yr
I ended up with my 3rd by-pass. By then I could no longer walk without much all- over pain. I then had a 3rd by-pass and pacemaker. My cardiologist then put me o Crestor. When I complained, he said if I didn't take it I would have 4th By-pass. When I could no longer urinate, I threw all drugs away and began all natural supplements for lowering cholesterol.I started by reading"Left for Dead" by Dick Quinn & took cayenne pepper and now alkaline body balance. I read about anything that might help. My blood pressure and all other tests are great.I feel like a different person.
No pain,stomach upset,nausea, problems. I'm 69 not overweight etc. but informed.
I have lots of energy. Last visits to doctors-" Whatever
you're doing, keep doing it!!!

I've taken Lipitor for 5 or 6 years. I've noticed my hair has thinned out alot. Could the Lipitor be causing this? I have also noticed some memory problems & I'm only 59. Is there any data that you would have on this? Thanks

I took Lipitor for several years and it reduced my cholesterol very well. However, I slowly developed intolerable side effects like memory loss, fatigue, hair loss and rash. The hair loss and rash cleared up as soon as I stopped the Lipitor. My doctor advised taking COQ-10, and the memory loss and fatigue slowly improved.

I started taking Zocor approx 9 years ago. My doctor switched my prescription to vytorin 2 years ago. For the past 5-6 years I have experienced sharp pain occasionaly in my arms, legs, feet and fingers with numbness in my toes. I have been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy.

Extensive blood and physical test have not revealed any cause. Reading these comments and comments published on other webb sites with similar side effects, I think there must be a connection to statins.

I call Lipitor a "Memory Thief"; same for Crestor.

After being on Lipitor for only a short time I began having memory problems. Big time. (I could not finish sentences, and that is NOT like me to have trouble talking, EVER!)

Again, I am thankful for Joe Graedon and The Peoples' Pharmacy. (Our local newspaper used to carry his newspaper column.) I read about statins possibly causing memory problems. I wrote him with my experiences.
To make sure that it was not psychomatic, I stopped taking lipitor for a short while. (I have a pill holder that has a week's supply; I fill,forget and then take 'em.) Well, I left out the lipitor and just took my meds. After 3 days or so, I COULD even tell that my memory was starting to "push through the fog". My husband noticed the difference; he used to tell me to go to the doctor with the "memory-loss"-complaint. (My doctor said Lipitor was great as a preventative!) To be double sure that it was not psychomatic, I refilled my holder WITH the Lipitor and just took my meds daily. After about 3 or 4 days my husband commented that I was having problems, again, with finishing sentences, etc. I could not add simple calculations; neither could I balance my check book, remember what day it was; why, I could check the date on my calendar at work and by the time I began writing a check,seconds later, I had forgotten the date! IT was awful. THAT convinced me! No more "memory thief".

I have friends that had WORSE results with statin drugs and memory; AND some had memory AND muscle weakness. I would not give Lipitor/crestor and any other "ors" to my worst enemy!
Sheila Henderson

Took zocor for about 3 months before feeling weak, off balance, dizzy, as if someone was pushing my head down, trouble connecting my feet to the floor. Saw several specialists and had a brain mri - nothing was found. The symptoms were gone within a day or two of quitting the zocor.

i have been taking lipitor for 4 yrs and have had very tired legs. i am an ex jock & in good condition. i finally asked my doctor to take me off lipitor to see what happens and the tired legs have disappeared. now i am trying fish oil omega 3 to see if that helps my cholesterol. i have also seemed to have memory loss.

after being on lipitor after a few weeks, could not raise hands to shave, shower, or wash hands. legs and arms still very week after discountinued use, and still
getting worse, neutopathy in both legs,throid trouble
yet doctors don't want to believe.

I have had back pain every since I started Zocor.I stopped the medicine but have remained with the severe back pain on the right side in the waist area.Have found nothing to help it.I will never take a drug like that again.It has ruined my ability to function with out pain.It is always there day after day. Don

I saw an article in the local newspaper in regards to Lipitor. I had been on Lipitor for 8 years. What it did to me was give me muscle cramps, weakness, slugishness throughout my body.

I was always tired. Memory loss (I couldn't even remember names of people I saw everyday.) Couldn't balance my checkbook or do strenuous exercise, including going for a walk around the block without pain in my legs. I got numbness in my toes and hands.

About a month ago I got off Lipitor and all of these problems have reversed themselves except the numbness in my fingers and toes...and the feeling is coming back. I'll never go on anything like that again.

I have been on several statin drugs with the same result...lower cholesterol sure but muscle pain where it is very difficult to walk. Blood results do not substatiate that the statins are the cause but taken off for a 2 week period I was able to walk and lift.

I have been on Vytorin, which is a combination of Zetia and Zocor, for about 1.5 years. My cholesterol count decreased dramatically, but I also made major changes in my diet, so not sure which did more good.

In the past month or so, I have noticed that I have tingling and numbness in my face, fingers, legs, and foot, mostly on the left side, except my face, where it is a 'mask' around my mouth and nose. The tingling and numbness comes and goes. Right now, my little finger on my left hand is slightly numb.

I will definitely be looking into alternatives, so I can get off this medication.

Thanks so much to everyone who posted, and especially thank you to the Graedons!

I have been taking Vytorin for one year, and it is exactly one year since I started noticing mild memory loss, like the inability to come up with a word while talking to someone, or looking for someting in a cabinet right next to the one it is actually in. I would describe my symptoms as a short circut. I've been tested for carotid, heart, etc. All come up clear. I mentioned this memory loss to the neuologist, and she stated that there was no known connection to statins!!

I had all the symptoms that you mentioned for many years before being diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease. Memory loss, problems filling out simple forms, ordering tasks became almost impossible, and reading became difficult. I had many other symptoms as well, including mental slowness, foot and hand pain with numbness and eventual loss of feeling, fatigue, and many many more. I suggest that you look online for a Lyme checklist. Sometimes it's difficult to notice all the little things that begin going wrong unless you use a list. For example, a drippy nose, or swelling above the eyes, or occasional diarrhea is such a small thing compared to not being able to think or use your computer easily.

My mother-in-law was changed from Zocor 20mg to Vytorin 10-40 after a stent was placed in her carotid artery. Since then she has experienced severe cramping in her neck and upper back extending to her head, headaches, which she says is not the same as the muscle cramping, and her memory, which was already impaired, has just become absolutely debilitating. Could all this be from Vytorin? Her MD says not. But she's feeling so poorly we're thinking of just stopping it on a trial basis to see what happens... any suggestions? Does this sound familiar?

I've been on Lipitor for about 10 years, and my memory is getting so bad that I'm frightened. I'd stop taking it, but I don't want a heart attack, and I don't know what is safe anymore. I know I will not stay on a low-fat diet for long, because I never have, and would like to have another pill in place of the Lipitor, but it looks like they all have the same effect on your brain.

I have been taking zocor for 6 mos and have started having itchy palms and a rash and red welts on my palms... has anyone else had this trouble?

I also have been experiencing red welts on my palms and fingers. In addition, I stopped taking Lipitor several weeks ago as my company changed insurance and I simply could not afford the Lipitor. Guess what? Yep, my memory is coming back. I am 43 years old and have complained to my doctor for over a year that my memory is bad, that I read old emails I have written and don't remember writing; not recalling the activities of the previous day, etc. etc. Well I'm convinced it's the Lipitor. My mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's like dementia; we are taking her off the Lipitor as her major complaint that started years ago was that she couldn't remember the correct word to say. No more statins for us!

I am 46 and I have been on Lipitor for 5 yrs now. Until recently... not too many problems... But one morning I woke up with my left pinky finger and the lower part of my palm feeling tingly and numb... kind of like when you wrap a rubberband around your finger and leave it on too long... I went to my doctor and told her about the symptoms and she and I discussed that maybe I injured my arm working out or playing laser tag with the kids... well my arm never had any bruises or physical injury or muscle pulls that I could think of.... but to make a long story short... it's been 2 months now since I saw her and my little finger is still numb and has a pins and needles sensation.

I started Lipitor 11 years ago; since then, I have complained repeatedly to the doctor about leg cramps, and she says the benefit of Lipitor outwieghs the problems with the cramps. But two years ago I was told I have stage 1 Alzheimer's and it is getting worse. I am only 57 years old. Now I'm wondering if it is the Lipitor? Anyone else having the same problem with memory to this degree?

Within the past two months. I have noticed a big increase in weakness in my legs, to the point where I can no longer get from my bedroom to my car. I have to use the carts in the stores, because I can't walk the aisles. I have been taking Tricor and Zocor for several years, to this point, with no problems. This has been sudden and really scary. I am planning to talk with my doctor, to stop the meds or try something else, but I need help. Now. This is getting much worse, on a daily basis, and I am almost in a wheelchair. Like I said, I am scared.

I'm a 66 year old with loads of problems. A Brain Aneurysm in 92 & Heart attack while they fixed the Aneurysm. I ended up with a bad heart & no short term Memory for a while. Had A triple b-pass 5 yrs ago & I've been on Lipitor since 93. I just quit Lipitor the other day because I was diagnosed with Neuropathy last yr. & my Hands & feet are numb & I'm real itchy all over that no MDs. can fix. I heard that Red wine (which I hate) will do the same for a cholesterol problem as Lipitor. I'm also looking at ReBuilder for some relief & hope it'll stop the swelling, numbness & itching.
I wish everyone good luck with their problems.

I was on Lipitor 9 days and consider it to be poison. Many of my aches are gone except after 3 weeks I still have tingling in both legs below the knees; it is nerve-wracking. I am using vitamin B, hoping for help soon.

For my slightly high cholesterol count my doctor has prescribed Zetia, Zocor, Lipitor (2 different strengths) and all have given me problems. Zetia caused vomiting, Zocor caused swollen stomach and pain in my right side under my ribs, Lipitor seems to have caused edginess, agitation, sleeplessness and memory problems as well as constipation and less urine output. I have stopped taking any statin drug at this time and will NEVER try another. I am trying Fish oil and of course, always eat a low fat diet as well as get plenty of fiber in my food. I feel much better and am again able to concentrate and sleep well.

The statins tend to decrease the Co-Enzyme Q-10 created in the liver.

What happens if I stop taking lipitor and tricor? I'm tired of the side effects - muscle soreness and I want to use an alternative - herbal, improve lifestyle.

I have high lipids, a stent in my heart. Have been on Lipitor, Vytorin and now am on Crestor 20mg. Since taking Lipitor and Vytorin I have always had muscle weakness but now that I am on Crestor I not only have muscle weakness, I have charlie horses in my lower legs, itching palms and brain fog.

Does anyone have a natural way to go for high lipids. I am getting worried about my liver since I read somewhere that itching palms could be a sign of liver problems.

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: YOUR DOCTOR SHOULD BE MONITORING LIVER FUNCTION. ASK HIM ABOUT YOUR RESULTS. YOU'LL FIND NATURAL WAYS TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL IN BEST CHOICES FROM THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY.

I have been on Lipitor for aprox 8 months. I am also experiencing numb feet and hands mostly when I sleep. I am going to try and slowly go off of the Lipitor to see if that helps. My short term memory has also changed so there has to be something with this statin drug that's not right.

I have been taking lipitor for about 3 years now. My memory is so bad now I am worried about having a conversation with people for fear that I may forget what I was saying in the middle of the sentence. I have also noticed weakness in my body and numbness in my extremities. I have worked out extensively for ten years prior to Lipitor and lost 107 lbs in the process. I looked good for 53 yrs old, but now I look like heck.

The muscle tone that was there before has slowly slipped away. I had never had a problem of being weak. I saw Suzanne Summers on tv and I am going to try her suggestions listed in her book. The red yeast rice to help with my memory loss and red yeast rice to help with my cholesterol issues. Wish me luck because I know that lipitor is robbing me of my memory and my strength.

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: RED YEAST RICE HAS COMPOUNDS RELATED TO STATINS. SOME PEOPLE EXPERIENCE SIMILAR SIDE EFFECTS FROM TAKING THE DIETARY SUPPLEMENT.

I started on 10mg lipitor January 2008. In early September, I went to the emergency room due to a continuing low-grade headache (this was probably due to a sinus infection...later my doctor put me on an antibiotic and the headache went away). Anyway, during the hospital visit, after numerous tests, a neurologist told me my carotid artery was 90%+ blocked and increased my the lipitor dosage to 40mg. Long story short, I had an angiogram and turned out there was no blockage... by then I had been on the 40mg lipitor for a little over a month. I have had minor aches, mainly in my arms.

I had my GP reduce my dosage to 20mg a couple of weeks ago, but I am having more and more problems waking up at night with numbness in my thumb, index, and middle fingers. After reading this and some other web sites, I am stopping my lipitor immediately. My cholesterol was only around 200 before I began the lipitor (although my bad was too high and my good too low), but I had read that statins were wonder drugs. Now I'm beginning to believe differently.

I had a heart attack three months ago and had two stents inserted. I take quite a bit of medication including lipitor. Could this cause memory loss along with confusion with numbers? I have never experienced this before. I am 67 years old and wonder if all will return to normal eventually. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

My mother started taking Lipitor 4 years ago. She's been taking 20mg of Lipitor. Since she's been on Lipitor she has had muscle pain and severe muscle weakness, a rash, short term memory loss, and shortness of breath. She couldn't even climb up the stairs because she her muscles are so weak. My mother almost lost her life about 2 weeks ago. She complained about not being able to sleep. The dr's gave her Ambien and that night she took 1 sleeping pill and almost died. We Called 911. She was rushed to ER and she was placed on the breathing tube.

2 whole weeks passed and the Dr's still couldn't determine why she wasn't breathing on her own while she's sleeping. She was transferred to another hospital and was told by 3 neurologists that the Lipitor might have caused all this. She has been off the Lipitor for 2 days now.. We are waiting to see signs of improvements.

started taking lipitor 2years ago and remember in the beginning the awful leg/foot cramps. Dr. said to keep taking and eventually the only thing wrong was severe memory loss. I stopped taking lipitor about three months ago and noticed I had no leg cramps and memory was ok.

Started lipitor again after three months and within one week I woke up with screaming leg cramps, body aches and fatigue. My questions is, "do I keep taking it" and wait for these issues to subside or is there a reason (side effects) are listed on drugs other than the fact you are going to experience them?

I have been on Lipitor for 4 months only and did not put 2 and 2 together as it was gradually affecting me. Working a lot so I thought that was why I am so exhausted all the time. Also muscle weakness and cramps in my left leg. Memory loss as well, made me feel really dumb and very foggy. I work in customer service, was getting worse, aching arms as well. I'm a barista, I depend on my arms always and memory.
I quit on my own 1 week ago. Not going thru life like this. I am just 50 and been feeling like 90. Seems like there are alot us out there. Thanks for the comments.

A recent study showed that statins are linked to poor memory. While statins work by lowering the liver's production of the "bad" cholesterol, it at the same time decreases the production of other necessary fats that your brain requires. I wish I could remember the name of the article but I'm sure you can find it. Also googling "statins" and "poor memory" will bring up a lot of information.

Memory will probably return, how long it takes depends on how much the brain has to recover. As someone with a history of low-level but long term toxic exposure that nearly wiped out my ability to remember, I can say my memory did come back but it was slowly and gradually after a few years.

I have been taking Lipitor for 5 years and in the last 3 month have experienced numbness in my feet, an electric shock feeling in my legs after my body has warmed up. I want all of it to go away and will be asking my Doc about getting off of it. I am looking for natural alternative products to help me keep my cholesterol in check.

I have been taking Zetia for about 3 weeks and yesterday had terrible numbness in my legs and feet. I quit taking it today. I haven't been able to tolerate medicine for cholesterol this is my third medicine and all have given me problems with my legs.