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By now, almost everyone agrees that statins like atorvastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin can cause muscle pain (myalgia). Most clinicians also acknowledge that statins are also linked to type 2 diabetes. There is far less agreement about statins and nerve damage (aka peripheral neuropathy or polyneuropathy). A study published in JAMA Network Open (May 31, 2019) suggests that lowering cholesterol levels (with or without statins) in patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with nerve damage.
A Reader Complains of Statins and Nerve Damage:
Q. I have been taking statins for maybe 20 years. The last four years it’s been atorvastatin, with an increased dose (40 mg) over the last two.
Recently the doctor diagnosed me with peripheral neuropathy. I am not diabetic nor deficient in any vitamin, including vitamin B. Is it possible that atorvastatin is the cause of my neuropathy?
A. Nerve damage leading to numbness, pain or weakness remains a controversial statin side effect. The official prescribing information for atorvastatin (Lipitor) lists peripheral neuropathy under the category “postmarketing experience.”
In other words, this symptom was not detected in the original clinical trials used for FDA approval. It was reported to the agency by patients and health care providers voluntarily, which is why the FDA says it could not “establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.”
Researchers have noted, however, that statins have been linked to neuropathy (American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs, vol. 8, no. 6, 2008). Cardiologists maintain that there is “no convincing evidence for a causal relationship.”
On the other hand, neurologists suspect that statins increase the risk for peripheral neuropathy (Pain and Therapy, Feb. 4, 2020).
Statins As Lightning Rods:
Statin Enthusiasts Refute Statin Side Effects:
There are few drugs as controversial as statins to lower cholesterol. On one side are the enthusiasts. These health professionals believe that these drugs are among the most effective and the least dangerous drugs in the pharmacy.
A letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Nov. 15, 2020) was titled:
“N-of-1 Trial of a Statin, Placebo, or No Treatment to Assess Side Effects“
The investigators identified 60 patients who had discontinued statins because of serious side effects. These volunteers then got 12 unlabeled bottles. 4 bottles contained 20 mg of atorvastatin, 4 bottles contained placebo tablets and 4 bottles contained nothing. A computer created a sequence of when subjects received placebo and when they got atorvastatin.
Of the 60 original patients, only 49 completed the trial. This is a surprisingly small study given the confidence of the researchers. The authors reported that serious side effects attributed to statins were not really caused by the drug because 90% of their complaints occurred while they were taking “dummy” pills, aka placebos. One of the researchers told the BBC that:
“The side effects are mainly caused by act of taking tablets, not what is in them.”
This is referred to as the “nocebo effect.” In other words, these researches concluded that the side effects were psychosomatic.
Some experts note that statin side effects can take longer than a few weeks to develop. And there was no “washout” time between treatments. If side effects persist more than a few days or weeks, this trial might not have been able to distinguish between statin side effects and placebo side effects.
More Statin-Side Effect Rejection:
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (March 12, 2014) concluded:
“Only a small minority of symptoms reported on statins are genuinely due to the statins: Almost all would occur just as frequently on placebo.”
They mention nothing about statins and nerve damage. Even muscle damage (myopathy) is discounted:
“No other symptom was significantly affected [by statins]. Importantly, the many side effects commonly attributed too statins (e.g. myopathy, fatigue, muscle aches, rhabdomyolysis, or rise in creatine kinase > 10 upper limit of normal) were no more common in the statin arm than the placebo arm.”
These conclusions were based on randomized clinical trials. Many were conducted by drug companies seeking FDA approval of their products. Even when statin enthusiasts acknowledge that statins can cause side effects such as muscle-related symptoms, they often conclude that such adverse reactions “generally resolve rapidly when treatment is stopped…” (Lancet, Nov. 19, 2016).
Statin Skeptics:
On the other side are doubters. They believe the benefits are modest for otherwise healthy people and the risks are not trivial.
Lipid specialist, David Dubroff, MD, concluded (Preventive Medicine, April, 2016):
“The Cholesterol Treatment Trialists meta-analysis of 27 statin trials in people at low risk of vascular disease concluded that there is a clear benefit, but a subsequent meta-analysis of the same 27 studies concluded there was no significant mortality benefit. Similarly, a meta analysis of 11 statin trials involving 65,229 participants in high-risk primary prevention found no mortality benefit.”
Death is the ultimate outcome. We suspect that most statin takers believe their medicines will substantially prolong their lives. Few health professionals actually know the statistics and share them with patients.
What About Statin Side Effects?
As with many controversies, there is no simple resolution to this debate. Clinical trials designed to convince the FDA a drug is effective do not always uncover all potential adverse reactions.
Pharmaceutical companies don’t always discover serious complications until after a medicine has been on the market for many years. Such was the case with statins and diabetes. Although readers of this column began reporting elevations in blood sugar by 2003, it wasn’t until 2008 that physicians became aware of this possibility.
JUPITER and Diabetes:
A large study called JUPITER tested rosuvastatin (Crestor) to see whether its anti-inflammatory action could prevent heart attacks. It did, but an unexpected side effect was revealed (New England Journal of Medicine, Nov. 20, 2008). The authors noted, “physician-reported diabetes was more frequent in the rosuvastatin group.”
It wasn’t until February of 2012 that the FDA included information on increased blood sugar and HbA1c levels on statin labels. Initially, many doctors were skeptical. Others agreed with the FDA that even if these drugs raised blood glucose, the benefits of statins outweighed the risks.
Statins and Nerve Damage:
A different statin complication has come to light. It isn’t exactly new, however. In April, 2003, we received a letter from a woman who said that her husband had been taking atorvastatin to lower his cholesterol.
It did, she continued:
“but he has developed pain and tingling in his legs. His doctor said it had nothing to do with Lipitor but switched him to Zocor to see if it made a difference. The problems remain.”
She wondered if the statin drugs could be responsible.
There was almost nothing in the official prescribing information. However, a year earlier, Danish doctors had published a case-control study showing that polyneuropathy (nerve pain, tingling and so forth in more than one part of the body) was four to 14 times more likely among patients taking statins (Neurology, May 14, 2002).
In 2005, Australian researchers reported that (Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin, April 2005):
“Statin-associated peripheral neuropathy may persist for months or years after withdrawal of the statin”
This research almost disappeared without a trace. The FDA did not require statin manufacturers to mention anything about statins and nerve damage that persisted “months or years after withdrawal of the statin.”
What Causes Statins and Nerve Damage?
Why might statins affect nerves adversely? It turns out that nerve cells need cholesterol. A recent study from Heidelberg, Germany, demonstrated a link between low LDL cholesterol and neuropathy in people with type 2 diabetes (JAMA Network Open, May 31, 2019). The authors suggest that nerves can’t repair themselves when cholesterol is too low.
This suggests that neuropathy may not be limited to statins and nerve pain. Other treatments that lower total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol could be affecting nerve function. This may not be limited to people with type 2 diabetes.
Here is an important finding of these researchers:
“Our study contradicts the results of previous studies that indicated that lowering serum cholesterol levels potentially slows the progression of DPN [diabetic polyneuropathy] by lowering total serum cholesterol and LDL-C levels. Instead, our findings are in line with results of previous studies that found that the intake of statins and a decrease of serum cholesterol level are associated with neuropathic symptoms, microvascular damage, and an accelerated deterioration of peripheral nerve fibers.”
The authors suggest that lowering serum cholesterol “impairs peripheral nerve regeneration.”
Stories from Readers:
Scientific language can be daunting. Perhaps it would help to read some stories from readers to better understand statins and nerve damage.
Ron reports this link between statins and nerve damage:
“The medical community appears to be blind to the side effects from drugs like Lipitor (atorvastatin). The side effects of peripheral neuropathy came on slowly for me after a few years. I had to do my own research to find out the evidence of linkage. Then I had to go directly against the advice of my cardiologist and even a 2nd opinion.
“If I had listened to them, I would probably be heading to a nursing home. After 6 months off the statin, things have stopped deteriorating and the nerve damage appears to be slowly getting better. I know there are always accusations of crazy conspiracy theories, but at least for my circumstances the link appears completely legitimate.”
No one should ever stop a statin (or any other drug for that matter) without discussing the pros and cons with the prescribing physician. There are instances where the benefits far outweigh the risks!
Miles in Ohio also describes statins and nerve damage:
“I was on 40mg of Crestor for 12 years. My lipid levels were very well controlled. Over the last two years four specialists have diagnosed the limping and numbness on my left side as neuropathy. They had no idea what the cause might be.
“After some search on various forums I found other people with similar symptoms that stopped their statins and were relieved of problem. They were told by their doctors that the statins were not the problem.
“Have you heard the joke from med school where the final speaker tells the graduating students that ‘half of what we’ve taught you here in the future will turn out not be true, but the problem is we have no idea which half.'”
Vivian reports:
“My experience mirrors Miles in Ohio. Neurologist diagnosed nerve damage but couldn’t determine the cause. My primary care physician believes 40 mg of simvastatin is not the cause.”
You can read more case reports at these links:
Statins, Low LDL Cholesterol and Nerve Damage in People with Diabetes
and
Do Statins Cause Nerve Pain (Neuropathy)?
Statins and Nerve Damage: What Does the Future Hold?
The FDA may need to bring the new research to physicians’ attention. In the meantime, patients and doctors will need to determine whether the balance of benefit to risk is favorable. For some, the answer is definitely yes. For others, especially those with no history of heart disease, the answer may be less obvious.
Share your own story about statins in the comment section. If you have had no side effects please tell us. If you have experienced statins and nerve damage, please share that information as well. If you found this article of value, please share it by scrolling to the top of the page and sending it by email, Facebook or Twitter using the icons you will find there. Thank you.
Bobby
Statins have definitely given me the burning, tingling, neuropathy that others have mentioned. Recently I switched to Rapatha, which is not a statin. Now LDL & cholesterol are low. Nerve issues a little better after several months off statins.
Mark
I have numbness in both feet. Feels like I’m walking with cotton balls on my toes. Extensive testing failed to find a cause. I am healthy, exercise and eat a good diet. I suspect my statin, Pravastatin 20 mg. Wondering how enlightened and informed my cardiologist will be when discussing?
PJ
I have been taking Lipitor for the last 22 years. Three years ago, I started having tingling and numbness in my feet and lower legs. I went to my family practice doctor who referred me to a neurologist. No treatment was given, just yearly follow-up to see if it was getting worse. Two years ago, I started seeing a chiropractor who specializes in neuropathy. After two years of following his treatment plan, (low light therapy and a water bath for my feet with electrical current ) I have had no improvement and have actually gotten worse. He mentioned once that he had a patient who was on Lipitor and was not getting better. After stopping Lipitor, his symptoms improved. I had also heard a man in a wheelchair once say, “Lipitor took my legs.” I started researching side effects of Lipitor on my own and found peripheral neuropathy to be a side effect. I have an appointment with my GP in a couple weeks to discuss this and get off Lipitor. Why a GP and neurologist did not make this connection is a mystery to me.
Barbara
I quit statins 15 years ago due to weird leg pain upon standing, which improved to nonexistent about 4-6 months later. RecentlyIi stopped 20 mg of Crestor after taking for 2 years. I was experiencing weird pins & needles; electric shocks, stabbing pain all over my body several times a day. This continued for several weeks prior to stopping the statins. Within 2 weeks the sensations were happening about half the time, and few weeks later, happening 1/3 of time. Currently I am 8 mo without statins & have these pains only a couple times a week.
I have reverted to a plant-based diet to attempt to lower my LDL.
Jeanne
I already had neuropathy when the doctor prescribed Atorvastatin. I almost immediately started getting tremors, vibrations from my feet up. After 6 months I had lost 40 pounds, developed vertigo along with a slew of other symptoms. I quit them almost 2 years ago and have not stopped shaking. My cholesterol dropped to 124 while my lipids remained above 300.
My pharmacist warned me about side effects, and my doctor dismissed my symptoms. My neurologist will not acknowledge that statins had something to do with it.
Ray
I am a 72 year old man who is not a diabetic. I was put on 20mg of Simvastatin probably 15 years ago. My feet very gradually began to burn and tingle, and over the years it has gotten worse. My doctor said the Simvastatin was not helping me reach my goals and switched me to Atorvastatin. No significant improvement was noted so he bumped me up to 40mg a day with very little improvement.
It seems that since increasing the dosage, my neuropathy has gotten worse and is now moving into my hands and arms. I suffered a possible TIA 6 months ago, and now they want me to use an injectable type along with my present medication. I dread the injectable drug, fearing a bad reaction. I expressed this to my dr. but he tried his best to relieve my fears.
Brenda
I am 57 and was put on Rosuvastatin in February 2022. 2 weeks later my shoulders and neck were achy, very tired, and I was very dizzy. I went to a chiropractor 3 times in 3 week. Felt horrible. I got worse, looked up the side affects of this statin, and called the doctor. We agreed that I should get off because I had only been 2 months on it.
After a week I felt some what better so we decided I should take 1/2 the 5mg dose and every other day. 2 weeks later, same symptoms. I called the doctor and got off again. It has been more than a month off, and my neck is numb and achy at the base of my skull. I am hoping that goes away soon. I am also taking 200 mg of CoQ10, eating oatmeal and more fish. Taking metamucil. I pray that I don’t have to live like this for a long period of time. 800 mg of ibuprofen does not relieve the pain. Not sure what to do at this point. I can go see my doctor but she wants to put me on another statin.
Herman
I am 77 years old and began taking Lovastatin for high cholesterol in the early 1990s, approximately 30 years ago. Around 2004 I began to limp but did not think anything about it. The limp became worse, and slowly balance became an issue. I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and was told that statin drugs attacked the cholesterol in our bodies. I do not have diabetes. I was told that the lining of the nerves is the myelin sheath which is made of cholesterol. Thus, the statin drugs attack the lining of the nerves.
My family history on my father’s side of the family was that his mother died in her late 40s from heart issues. His brother died in his mid 50s from heart issues. My father had a stroke at the age of 85 and died 14 months later, one day at a time. With that history I felt like I could not stop taking the statin drug.
It was around 2020 that my physician told me of CholestOff, an over-the-counter product for cholesterol treatment. I discontinued taking the Lovastatin and began taking the CholestOff. Needles to say, the damage to the nerves in my feet and legs has made balance quite a challenge. Fortunately, I do not, and never have, had any nerve pain.
Presently I have not experienced any change in my difficulties with balance since discontinuing taking the statin drug.
Jim
There’s not a doubt in my mind that “statins” cause nerve damage. To me, it’s a no-brainer! Statins strip cholesterol from the body, especially from the nerve cells, which require myelin for their function. Myelin is the nerve fiber/cell sheath or coating, which is nothing less than … cholesterol. Strip it off the nerve tissue, and you have a malfunctioning nerve.
It has happened to me twice: 2005 and 2021. In 2005 I developed symptoms similar to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). So many symptoms that my PC Physician ordered a neurological workup for me. It was negative for ALS, but the symptoms persisted — until I stopped the Lipitor. They went away within a few weeks. My triglycerides went back up, 367 and serum cholesterol was 169, but no more ALS symptoms.
In 2018, after a mild heart attack, I went back on statins; this time it was Rosuvastatin. It brought my cholesterol level down to 079 and trigs to 129. However… My diabetes II neuropathy is monstrous now. My feet burn constantly, I get extremely fierce, sharp pains in the tendons and muscles of my feet, ankles and calves, and during the night I have numbness and a warm tingling sensation from my shoulders down to my knees. Oh! Did I mention the confusion, headaches and dizziness I am currently experiencing? Well, there’s that, too! Not to mention that my muscles are weak, and it feels like I am walking on Brillo Pads, the numbness and tingling in my feet is so bad.
Just a few goodies that statins are giving me. But HEY! my cholesterol is low. Too low? And I just learned that they (statins) mess with HbA1C, my blood glucose levels; raises it tremendously. So the vicious cycle requires me to increase daily injections from 40 iu’s to 80; which has it’s own set of problems.
From this day forward, when it comes to statins, color me gone!–a new breed of Statin Denier.
Pamela
After being on crestor and zetia for nine months for coronary artery disease I developed numbness and tingling of both legs as well as some mild but concerning balance issues. I was afraid I might have Multiple Sclerosis. After finding research linking statins to neuropathy I stopped taking both medications and symptoms quickly improved by about 80%. I tried to restart the crestor as I am concerned about a coronary artery blockage, but the symptoms increased after just a few days.
I won’t take these medications again. I just spoke with my cardiologist yesterday, and fortunately he didn’t try to convince me to resume but suggested we recheck labs in a few months since I plan to return to a ketogenic diet. In the past this helped with weight loss, and actually I had better HDL and some better numbers for particle size when on that diet.
Victor
I am a retired pediatrician who started statins about 15 years ago at the suggestion of my internist. I had muscle weakness with Zocor, Lipitor, Pravastatin. I finally discontinued them myself.
Upon moving to Arizona with well-established peripheral neuropathy, I saw a family practitioner who was aghast that I wasn’t taking a statin. About this time, there was a big promotion for co-taking CoEnzyme A. I don’t understand the logic of taking a medication that works by inhibiting Co-A and then taking a dietary supplement of the same enyzme. I practiced 37 years and have an increasing distrust in Big Pharma.
TV commercials of drugs are obligated to mention side effects. But even when death is mentioned instead of seeing a blue body on a marble slab, we see seniors joyously having a cocktail party or some fun activity with their grandchildren. I believe that I will live to see a class action suit regarding neuropathy and statins. Much research has shown that the overall percentage of cardiac deaths in America is unchanged in the last 50 years, so the statins are really making Big Pharma billions of dollars richer.
Orrin
I started Atorvastatin in 2018 or 2019. In May 2020 I started to experience neuropathy in random parts of my body. It seemed to get progressively worse. I am not a diabetic. My neurologist didn’t think the neuropathy was from the statin. He said there was a 1% chance. Someone has to be the 1 in. 100 so in Oct 2020 I stopped the Atorvastatin and switched to Livalo.
I am open to the possibility that it is my imagination but I feel the frequency and intensity of the neuropathy has significantly decreased. But Livalo is very expensive even with insurance or Medicare.
Pamela
I was put on Crestor at age 57 as a primary preventative. Newly diagnosed with high blood pressure and low thyroid function. Lipid profile was within normal limits. I was obese, but not diabetic. Within 24 hours of my first dose, I started to experience muscle aches and weakness. By day 5, the weakness and aches had increased significantly to the point that I couldn’t climb a flight of stairs without stopping due to pain and a new symptom of shortness of breath. I stopped taking the medication immediately.
My GP had given me office samples of Crestor and the very first side effect noted on the sample was pulmonary fibrosis, which would be permanent, NOT temporary. Of interest, I can no longer find that side effect associated with this particular statin. I always wonder when I hear that someone has died of pulmonary fibrosis.
I’ve also learned since then, that low thyroid function will raise your cholesterol levels falsely and once your thyroid function is back to “normal” your cholesterol levels will follow.
My thoughts are that I will never take statins again because I’m not willing to spend the rest of my life in bed, on insulin and on oxygen
Jackie
Statins…the “gift” that keeps on giving! Every new article adds another devastating, quality-of-life-altering side effect. Yet almost every doctor in the U.S. is pushing these dangerous drugs! They still insist the benefits outweigh risks…for who? Big Pharma? Patients just risk their lives! The FDA is a “rubber stamp” protecting and promoting the “healthcare industry,” not the public.
Marcia
As a diabetic, my physicians have been pushing me to take statins for a few years. I recently had an angiogram and have no heart disease. My cholesterol if about 172 with good LDL and HDL levels. I have refused to take them and will continue to refuse. I know hardly anyone who takes them and does not have side effects.
Pam
Joe and Terry: Do you take statins? If not, how do you keep your lipid levels low? Thanks!
Terry Graedon
For myself: high cholesterol runs in my family, but daily doses of Metamucil or other psyllium keep my levels normal.
Henry
My LDL is 71. The very young doctor still got upset when I declined her statin prescription for primary prevention.
My family history is very good: nobody I am related to, going back two generations, through brothers and uncles and cousins–no one has ever had heart disease.
My BMI is 22.
But I am a 63yo male. So it’s automatic pilot straight to Statintown for my robotic doc.
I’ll make my own decisions from here on out. I am willing to live and die with the consequences.
Luke
Diabetes usually accompanies high cholesterol, even if the sugars are well controlled with medications. Over 95% of Type 2 diabetes is accompanied by overweight or obese issues. Eating right and daily exercise, and keeping one’s weight down is the best medicine but failing that you are going to have to go on a statin or get a much higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
My body tends to retain cholesterol so after I became VEGAN I have had to depend on my own endogenous cholesterol (a hormone manufactured in the liver and stored in animal fat) to give me what my cells need. My cholesterol is doing great without any need for statins. And I exercise daily and am on the thin side (THAT IS HARD WORK!) but I’d rather eat right and do daily exercise than take pills.
Sandra
My cholesterol was over 400. Mine is familial as my family is riddled with heart disease. I tried all cholesterol products. I developed peripheral neuropathy from an unknown cause and suffer daily with walking difficulty. My cholesterol has been a little over 200 now for years. All products gave me horrible foot and leg cramps except lively.
Tyler
Doctors are reluctant to admit they may be wrong. They continue to downplay statin side effects while their patients suffer. Since we now know that chronic inflammation is the root cause of heart disease they are essentially “barking up the wrong tree” by trying to lower cholesterol. Instead they should be trying lower CRP levels in their patients. The body simply uses cholesterol to repair damage to arteries caused by inflammation. They may mean well but in lowering cholesterol they are depriving the body of an essential nutrient.
Leland
I had no idea statins were linked to neuropathy until I found a site for support for heart disease. I had a major heart attack 4 years ago at 74 (woman). I have stents and was put on a statin. I just had another angiogram where they had to use the cutter blade because the main artery with a stent was 70% occluded again in only 4 years. I took this to mean the statin didn’t work and discussed switching to the shots. He wanted another cholesterol test, and I have an appointment in 2 weeks to get the results.
I have severe neuropathy in my left leg that is getting steadily worse. I am on the strongest opioid patch my body will tolerate (oral meds make me sick). I am also getting osteopathic adjustments which are really helping. I have also developed type 2 diabetes since being on the statin. I certainly will be discussing getting off this drug with my doctor. Shocking information – thank you!
WilliamA
15 years ago, I went from being a strong healthy 45 yo man. I was feeling good but was put on Zocor because my cholesterol was looking a bit high. Extreme pain, weakness, mental confusion and neuropathy soon followed. Against my doctor’s advice I finally took myself off Zocor. Much of the pain went quickly away but the weakness, neuropathy and lameness still remain today. Even now my doctor still ridiculously keeps on insisting that I need to be on a statin. I will never again be strong, pain-free or abce-bodied again. I can barely walk today. Never will I take another pill of these poisons. I would much rather die and be done with it than go out this way. When did doctors quit listening to their patients?
Lawrence
I have high cholesterol due to genetics and had been taking statins for years (since early 90s). About 10 years ago I began to feel numbness and tingling in my right foot. It didn’t go away and eventually got worse. I was told by two doctors that it was idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. I went on my own journey, including a visit to Mayo Clinic, to find out what was happening to me. At his point I have ruled out every possible cause except statins. As soon as I read some of the studies linking statins to neuropathy I was convinced and have stopped taking the drug. After 3 years of no statins there has been no improvement. I believe the damage is done.
This has significantly impacted work performance and quality of life. It should be criminal to approve and prescribe drugs without knowing the extent of the damage they can do.
Crystal G., RN
Florida
I just buried my husband March 27. His death was due to statins and their terrible side effects. 2 years on Lipitor. Had horrible muscle cramps all over his body including abdominal muscles. Told doc. & he prescribed magnesium. No change. I decided, after talking to pharmacist, to stop Lipitor. 3 days later, no cramps. Off 2 weeks. Started back on Lipitor & started having cramps again. Stopped Lipitor. Had to fight with various docs over the years but we said NO STATINS! Current labs during this time showed a rise in BUN & Creatinine. He was in Stage 2 Chronic kidney disease. That was 2002.
His kidneys did not worsen until 2016 when he had food poisoning. In the meantime, he was diagnosed with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in 2009. The kidney disease was a direct result of the muscle cramps: rhabdomyolysis. Docs thought I was crazy until his urine protein levels returned to normal. That doesn’t happen with diabetic or hypertensive renal disease. He ended up on dialysis last year. Complications from dialysis: low calcium and low blood pressure led to 2 compression fractions in the thoracic spine. The irritation and pain of that coupled with low blood pressure led to a spinal cord infarction that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He chose to go to Hospice since the doc wouldn’t give him pain meds if his BP was too low. The pain of the cord infarction was more than he could bear. In Hospice he received IV Dilaudid every hour as needed. Being a retired police officer, he knew about opioids and the side effect of depressed respiration. He went into Hospice on Wed, afternoon and died early Friday morning.
If I had the chance to go back in time, I would have never allowed him to take the statins. The irony is that when he had a heart cath in 2009, he did not have any significant coronary artery disease & didn’t need to be on statins.
Patricia d
Swansea
I have been having physiotherapy after 2 falls it should be fine by now however she has told me that me to go back to my go because she thinks it’s nerve damage am on station’s as in lipitor andavorstatin having read this page was shocked yes I am type 2 diabetic so also amartriptolene as well so I will be seeing my gp because now I am worried after coming across this article so yes I am verry grateful
Laurie
MN
I have been on and off of different Statins for many years. Over all those years I developed Type 2 Diabetes and Neuropathy in my legs and feet. I have suffered plenty but the ignorant Doctors who put me on Statins don’t have to suffer one bit for prescribing these terrible drugs. We pay the price and it just isn’t fair. I went off my last Statin med against Doctors advise. I’m into Holistic Medicine now.
P J
charlotte
All of the cholesterol lowering drugs caused sever body pain. My left foot was numb on top, both arms/shoulders hurt so much the pain woke me during the night. Doctor said there was nothing wrong with my arms; numb foot was nerve damage due to an injury… cholesterol was lower… When my friend died, I did not recognize her name or face in her obituary…
I quit taking the statins! ALL of my pain went away, brain function returned. An Urgent Care doctor recently told me that unlike a car, the body will heal itself. Healthy choices makes such a difference..
Amy
So Cal
Directly to the right of this article is an ad on How to Lower Cholesterol with a natural remedy, which upon reading turns out to be Bergamonte. The pills being sold also contain green tea extract and a few other bonus supplements. Some patients have shown lower blood sugar levels and higher HDL in addition to the lowered LDL that is the purpose of this naturally based compound.
But if nerves need LDL cholesterol, wouldn’t even a natural remedy have the negative side effect of nerve damage from lowered LDL?
Terry Graedon
Not everyone will see the same ad you see. However, your point about lowering cholesterol, whether with medications or supplements, is well taken.
Steve
Wekiva Springs, FL
I take 40 mg of atorvastatin daily, at night. I have symptom-free coronary artery disease (though significant family history of heart attacks), in that I exercise 4 times weekly, live a very active life for a 69 year old, have normal blood pressure, low pulse rate, reasonable weight, good dietary habits, don’t smoke, etc, etc. Previously I only took the atorovastatin 3 times a week in the hope that I would not have any issues, but after a blood test last year showing elevated particle counts and total cholesterol at 205, the cardiologist convinced me to go to the daily dose. Since then, I have noticed numbness in the soles of my feet and excessive dryness on my toes and the soles of my feet. It continued to worsen so I discussed it with the cardiologist at my visit last fall. He said it was a form of neuropathy and told me to take Vitamin B-12 2-3 times weekly to help alleviate these symptoms. I have been doing so and have found some relief, in that the numbness feeling has decreased, but the dryness continues. (Though nothing I have read suggests the dryness is related to the statin, I did not develop it until I increased my dosage.) Thanks for the information article.
Carol T
New Jersey
I was diagnosed with type II diabetes about 7-8 years ago. There is no history of diabetes in my family, but I am slightly overweight and did maintain a horrible diet for myself. I don’t know what came first – the cart or the horse – but I was prescribed simvastatin around the same time, either to prevent the transition from pre-diabetes or to help control the newly diagnosed diabetes, I don’t recall.
Since that time, I have suffered from joint and muscle pain. After a 2 week trial taking me off the statin and replacing it with fenofibrate, the doctors have attributed my pain to arthritis. My x-rays do show the minimal beginnings arthritis.
However, recently my new primary doctor felt my cholesterol was a little high and I should go back on a statin. I did this for less than a week and the pain in my joints and muscles increased so dramatically that I could not sleep at night.
I quit the statin and the pain decreased slowly, but it has never gone away. I expect it never will.
Is there any information about fibrates and pain?
Edward
IL
I’ve been on Atorvastatin for several years. In the past year I occasionally have had a quick stabbing pain in my foot. It lasts just a second or two but is enough to make me jump. I don’t know whether this is related to the statin but this article got me thinking about it. At 78 it is often difficult to know whether minor aches and pains are significant or just part of getting old.
Jean
Fort Worth, TX
I started on statins about 10 years ago without thinking about side effects. In the last 3 years I’ve stopped them off and on after hearing about side effects of muscle pain and brain fog. I lost weight, increased my exercise and watched my diet. I tried natural holistic options. My cholesterol always went back up and my internist recommended that I continue to take them and agreed to half the dose.
I have tingling and numbness in my hands every night. I will share these studies with her and my husband who is also taking a statin and recently developed type 2 diabetes.
Jim
N.C.
6 yrs ago I had a TIA & was put on Lipitor & It worked well for several months,until my feet got sore . I tried everything i.e. foot pads etc. Only got worse to the point I could barely walk. Never had this problem in my life. Finally decided to STOP Lipitor cold turkey. Called my heart doctor & told him what was happening & what I was doing about it. He said ok.Long story short, All soreness gradually went away. That was 5 yrs ago. I now walk 2+ miles almost every day.(over 3,000 mi in 5 yrs) Take no heart meds other than 81mg aspirin, I must include that I do not have any high blood pressure or new heart events.
Just my story, Not recommending anything. Has worked for me & I will be 90 next yr. See my doctor annually,cardiogram etc.
Evonne E.
Tx
I knew a neighbor woman who began taking statins and within a year she was unable to walk and became bed ridden with nothing wrong with her physically that her doctors could find. She soon checked herself into a nursing home because she could no longer care for herself. I don’t know what happened to her after that.
Paul
North Carolina
I have been taking Simvastin for a number of years. I presently have decreased feeling in both my feet and find that this is traveling up my legs and stops at myknee caps. I can feel touch but no pain. I do not have any pain in my lower extremeties. My doctor has placed me on CoQ10 to help with this effect.
Diane
Colorado Springs, CO
I have taken atorvastatin for approximately 20 years with no side effects whatsoever. I am 76 years old.
connie wb
nc
I have noticed in 3 of my fellow male veterans, some interesting simularities. all 3 were men, all 3 were slim and of normal weight and height… all 3 were on statins, were dx with diabetes type 2..( why slim men would get this?).. all three died of liver cancer.. within 1.5 years of each other. coincidence? maybe…. I don’t think so. cholesterol is made by the liver… the pancreas is tucked up under the liver…. i’m not a big believer in coincidence…. and the “we don’t know why” response from providers is a copout…
Nancy
NC
I have been taking statins for 15 years, first Lipitor, then simvastatin, and now prevastatin. About 5 years ago I noticed a numbness in my left toes but my doctor checked my circulation and didn’t find any problems. I’ve noticed lately that the toes seem to be getting worse and I plan to discuss this with my doctor on the next visit. I really would like to discontinue my statin drugs but am afraid to do so.
Barbara
Burlington NC
6/2019
I have been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy by a Neurologist about 6 mos.. I’ve known something was not right for longer. I don’t have pain, but do have imbalance issues and lack of some feeling in both legs up to knees with lack of sensitivity to heat/cold and numbness and tingling in feet .some days less, some more. I have NOT been diagnosed with diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I have had slightly elevated cholesterol, but only occasionally over 200 when I would ask Dr if I could try to stop taking statin. When blood tests were done, Dr said I should go back on it. I have been on simvastatin, 20 mg over f20+ yrs , on the advice of me GP. I’m a 77 yr old female.
My neurologist referred me to Cardiologist @ 4 mos ago because my Brain MRI indicated a “small TIA had occurred in Cerebellum area at some pt with no noticeable symptoms to me at the time. Cardiologist preformed usual tests, and determined no iblockages were present. His only recommendation was to up the dosage to 40mg of Simvastatin! I told him I’d prefer not to take higher dose, but in the end I deferred to his expertise, and am now taking 40 mg.. The topic of A possible relationship between PN and Statin never came up with either doctor. If it is a cause of my NP, it is probably too late for me to reverse it. I’m not happy about this.
Michael
NW Washington
I’ve had Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy (IPN) for around 20 years, and was probably pre-diabetic (but that was typically not diagnosed in the past) as well. It was never more than a nuisance until I went on my first statin (Pravastatin) in early 2016. I stopped taking it after a couple weeks, when I noticed my cycling speed was falling, and effort was rising. I saw no improvement, but at least it didn’t get worse. But in late 2017 I was scheduled for bypass surgery, and put on Rosuvastatin. During the surgery period (about 3 months all told) I didn’t pay much attention to side effects, but after 5 months I was really beginning to see weakness and loss of balance. My cardiologist agreed that I should probably not be on statin medication, and I stopped in May of 2018. But my condition worsened, experienced my first fall in July, and now (July 2019) I am severely disabled, unable to walk without braces, cannot stand for more than a few minutes, and am slowly losing control of my hands as well. All that my doctors have offered so far is physical therapy, which hasn’t helped at all, and my PT therapist has dismissed me. My formal diagnosis remains “marked sensory and motor axonal polyneuropathy of unclear cause”.
Bonita
Minnesota
Nerve damage ( Neuropathy) from statins is not “ overlooked” and it is a “risk
“ not a side effect. It is continuous denied, and as a result Only the benefits of statins are communicated and the potential “risks” buried
Marjorie R
Raleigh NC
I have been on 40 mg of Simvastatin for 19 years. No neuropathy or noted nerve damage yet.
Betty Ann M
IL
I have been on atorvastatin for the last 10 years, since a heart attach and 2 stents. My diabetes has worsened, even though I lost the recommended weight or 25 lbs. I now have terrible pain beginning on my right hip and radiating down my leg. It began in earnest after taking Levoquin for diverticulitis. I have nerve pain in one arm along with carpal tunnel and almost no feeling left in my toes. Every time I bring up these issues to my family doctor and cardiologist it is always blamed on the diabetes. Even when I had cortisone shots in my back and my blood sugar went crazy, that doctor blamed me for letting my blood sugar get out of control. It has been implied that I am causing these problems in spite of exercise, diet and all attempts to get relief. I don’t trust any of these doctors any more and now am wondering how much of this suffering is from another cause, like the statin drug.
Susan
Chicago
I have just been diagnosed with Primary Biliary Cholangitis. After one week taking the medicine Ursodiol, I am experiencing very similar symptom in my limbs, especially my legs, extreme muscle aches and pains. I was hoping it was just adjusting to the medicine but can it also be a long term affect?
Terry Graedon
We haven’t seen neuropathy listed as a side effect of Ursodiol. Consequently, we don’t have any info on whether it might be persistent.
Here’s a list of Ursodiol adverse reactions: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=fff2640b-b704-4303-acae-8647fce58a08
Tom M
MI
Seems to me that the real problem is knowing exactly the role of cholesterol in the body. We are constantly going back and forth and after 40-50 years, the medical experts still do not have a concrete answer. Thus, the medical mafia has created the need for possibly harmful drugs to combat a problem that I believe doesn’t really exist. But that is the game plan and it has provided riches to many involved in the execution of extracting dollars out of our pockets based on faulty conclusions and science.
Ed
New York City
I’ve had one prescription filled by a reputable Canadian pharmacy, which I found in The People’s Pharmacy book Saving Money on Medicines. Now, having used up the prescription refills, I must request a new paper prescription from my doctor. I was able to get the original paper prescription from him by stating that I wanted to have it with me when I travel. However, I’m uncertain about using the same excuse again.
Any comments about what I might say to my doctor when requesting a new paper prescription will be much appreciated. My understanding is that if I tell him outright he’ll refuse to issue it, because technically it’s illegal to order drugs from Canada.
Thanks. Ed Q.
James
Columbus
Years ago, I realized that ALL new miracle drugs are only a ‘miracle drug’ because it generates money out of lies and deceptions. I also know that if the mindset of a patient is that the doctor knows best….then one has abdicated their responsibility to themselves to get educated with information about themselves and their health. I told my Doc,”Forget it…medical knowledge about the relationship between the HDL and LDL is a MAJOR mystery to these medical researchers and lowering one because it has become the medical boogieman(drug company induced) is ludicrous!” 20 years later….I’m still here with no adverse side effects from making my OWN medical informed decision FOR MY SELF and NOT the drug companies. Folks, WAKE UP and TAKE CONTROL OF YOURSELF, FOR YOURSELF!
odell
N.C. 27050 do not print.
I would like to expand on the items all listed above , but time and space will not allow me that options. I take RED YEAST RICE for years, I am type two diabetic , have neuropathy, and many other issues, also LOSARTAN was a near death experiance in 2012 after only five caps. Calling the FDA is a total waste of time for me. I would really like to “get on my stump” here , but time or space will not permit and the fact I am 87 years and talk to my doctors often and just as often are met with ” try it for two more weeks ” and to have done that with LOSARTAN –, I would not be here today. I was taken by ambalance from church and that was a bad mistake. The last two times I was taken to a hospital after 6 to 7 hours I knew no more than when I went in.
Gail c
Houston
I have tried all statins and all have given me leg Cramps. My doctor Prescribed Livalo 4mg and said there is no side effects. It has lowered my cholesterol to under 200, however after 6 months I am now experiencing nerve pain on both feet. It hurts to walk in the mornings however goes away as the day passes. Not sure what level of cholesterol is needed to repair nerve issues. Prior to this med, cholesterol was 274! I have heart disease in my family.
Patty
Tacoma Wa
My husband had a stroke at age 49 and was put on simvastatin 20 years ago for this reason. He’s had no side effects; but it worries me. His doctor dismisses any suggestion to try Red Yeast Rice or any other alternative to the statin, stating the risk of another stroke. I’m in a quandary. I wish doctors were open to discussion about the statin subject, but it’s been our experience that they are not. We just sit and wait for the other shoe to drop. And hope it won’t.
Bill
Greensboro NC
At about age 50, I had a 5 bypass surgery. After the surgery I went on Lipitor and very shortly had major electric shock pain in both my feet and my right hand. Twenty years laters I am now taking Crestor and have discussed getting off of it as a trial with my doctor and they have declined. My genetics make small particle size HDL and LDL. My total cholesterol now is 60 with LDL 50, HDL 60, Trig 40 and pain is managed with Lyrica and Nucynta. In addition, I do twice a day Andodyne Light Therapy to dilate blood vessels and TeslaMax to push that blood into the capillaries to keep some feeling in my feet. I also walk 2.5 miles 3 to 4 times a week. Without the medical devices my feet would be totally numb and my balance would be terrible. With the medical devices I keep some nerve feeling and maintain my balance pretty well.
Bruce
WI
About 25 years or so my wife started taking statins. She fell three times breaking four bones over the next 10 years or so. She also gradually lost her ability to move her feet. A neurologist thought it might be a case of hereditary spastic paraplegia and asked me if anyone else in her family had problems. I said her mother hesitated before she started to walk so HSP was the diagnosis. I did not say she seemed to walk OK afterwards but the neurologist had his diagnosis so could feel successful.
At this time my wife could walk around the house which I had modified with rails. The neurologist prescribed Baclofin for spasms which she was having. After that something (the neurologist thought the Baclofin) my wife had several episodes of what seemed to be petit mal seizures. The neurologist added some anti-seizure medicine to the mix. Three days later my wife could not walk, and never really has since and ended up in a nursing home. After two months I took her out and became a full-time caretaker since the nursing home OT/PT people could not help her in spite of trying hard. She was a zombie on the medications.
Since my wife is from a family of ten with lots of nieces and nephews and nobody has HSP I always wondered about the diagnosis. My bet is our situation came from the statins made worse with the anti-seizure medication added to the mix. Another option was she really has HSP and the statins made the gait disorder worse.
We were able to get off the anti-seizure medication after about a year but in spite of the fact the neurologist’s office said she could not stop. We got help from another doctor who said he could not tell her to stop the anti-seizure medication but here was how to do it. He had her on and off of Baclofin so helped us stop that also. We started taking magnesium and she now has few spasms but who knows for sure if that helped. She has had a few of the seizure-like episodes but the cause could not be the Baclofin like the neurologist thought. She never had any before taking statins.
Her walking only came back a little and only for short periods of time so we need a ‘sit to stand’ lift to keep her living at home. We also stopped her blood pressure medication and also her cholesterol medication without help but fortunately did not have any problems. Her blood pressure was normal without the medication when she last saw a doctor. I should add my wife had a UTI and was in the hospital getting IVs with antibiotics for two days and modern medicine was wonderful. It’s the statins I wonder about. I should add a ‘thank you’ to People’s Pharmacy for telling me about Duane Graveline’s book ‘The Statin Damage Crisis’.
Susan
Charlotte, NC
Many years ago, I took Crestor and, later, Lipitor and developed Neuropathy… burning, pain, cramps, you name it, in my feet. After I stopped taking them, the Neuropathy did not progress to other areas, but the burning, pain and cramps continue. I wake up several times a night with severe pain in my feet and have to walk around a while. I do not have diabetes.
I have controlled the Cholesterol with diet, which I should have done instead of taking those drugs. Doctors are way too quick to try to fix stuff with a pill.
Donald
Mooresville NC
Overlooked?