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Diabetic Connect Member 2catty

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simvastin and devasting side effects

by 2catty
April 16, 2009 4:57 PM
32 Replies
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I just recently found out simvastatin and other statins can cause awful and harmful side effects. I have been having severe leg and arm pains from shoulder to fingetip and hip to toes. I have had lab work and came back normal but sometimes that does not mean anything when it comes to these drugs it can still be causing damage and you won't know unless they do a muscle biopsy. And it you mix it with say gemfibrozil that is really bad news. You have to taper off the med and the pain may decrease in 3-6 months. My pain is so severe I can not hardly do anything. It hurts 24/7, so I am tapering off tonight. I found all this out first by a group called stopped our statins then asked my doc and he said yeah it can happen. Oh there is so many more issues it can cause. Short term memory loss. Cancer, and digestive problems and migraines. This is just a few. I will be going monday for alternative med. to replace my statin.

Tags: side effects, medications, expensive

From Replies
Diabetic Connect Member kdroberts
kdroberts
kdroberts replied April 16, 2009 5:21 PM 

Yup, statins can be bad. I took simvastatin for about 10 days and they were the worst 10 days of my life. Muscle cramps and wasting seem to be the most common ones, I had both plus many other issues with it. Silver lining of it though was it was at that point I started to really research diabetes and related conditions and drugs in great detail.

alwaystryin replied April 16, 2009 5:36 PM 

That explains to me why you are full of great info! Thanks.

2catty replied April 16, 2009 8:12 PM 

Oh you so got that right. I hurt so bad I am in tears everyday. I was told to taper to a half a pill every night for 3 weeks. Then no more. Are you on an alternative? I am searching for one. What do you think about the tapering for 3 weeks?

kdroberts replied April 16, 2009 8:53 PM 

Zetia is an alternative to statins if you need to lower your cholesterol. I stopped cold turkey but you should do what you doc says.

2catty replied April 16, 2009 9:25 PM 

Zetia, I will look into that. The statin is so gone. I can't stand this pain anymore. Thanks Kd
Diabetic Connect Member Deleted User
Deleted User
Deleted User replied April 16, 2009 11:18 PM 

Hi Catty. I am so sorry to hear you're going through this. I hate to hear of this horrible pain. I wish you could go sooner than Monday, but Monday will get here fast. I had no idea these type drugs had these horrific side effects. I pray you get some relief very soon. You are in my thoughts friend. Take care of yourself! Angie

Diabetic Connect Member Jocelyn
Jocelyn
Jocelyn replied April 17, 2009 1:27 AM 

Cathy, I was on Crestor, along with gemfbrozil... had the same issues you describe... I stopped taking gemfibrozil cold turkey because of the list of side affects. I was vitamin D3 depleted on top of the symptoms for the statins... I almost had to be hospitalized... I cut back the crestor to half the dose, making it forty mg, then halfed that two months later... I take one 20 mg every other day now, and plan to stop completly if the next lab work supports my suspecion... Until I decreased the statins, my cholesterol was ski high no matter what... once I started cutting back, my labs began to return to lower levels... they are the best they've ever been now and I plan to tell my doctor about my decision once the test confirms the results... Following the diabetes food guide has made all the difference. I don't mind taking metformin... I do not notice anything but positive affects with it... I take four thousand mg of vitamin D3 daily, since the deficiency diagnoses eight months ago... I do not have leg cramps at all, and let me tell you what a relief that is... No one can advise anyone about medications. People have to make their own decisions about what goes on in their health choices, but paying attention to what stops the symptoms is a clue as causes... Sometimes I really wonder if a segment of the population are designated as guine pigs for reseach projects... Maybe that is my sciFi mind talking, but who can help but wonder? I think questioning authority is a wise thing... but so is listening to sage advise when it is the right advise... Only you and your doctor can examine your choices and options... Please do not think I am advising you about anything when I make comment on discussion... This is simply my personal experience...

I hope you find your solution and get some rest soon. chronic pain is exhausting to put up with... take care, Jocelyn

2catty replied April 17, 2009 2:27 AM 

Have you ever seen the commercials for the clinsearch studies they want people for? They offer free dr. visits and investagational meds plus compensation for their time. Now that is what I think about those researches-guinea pigs. I actually had a doc in the past that wanted me to go to one just because she did not want to fool with my many problems. Needless to say she is not my doc anymore.

Jocelyn replied April 17, 2009 2:39 AM 

that's what I'm sayin...
Diabetic Connect Member Bluebutterfly
Bluebutterfly
Bluebutterfly replied April 17, 2009 2:56 AM 

Hi 2catty,
I was on simvastin and the other drug you mentioned. I stopped taking my simvastin cold turkey. I might not should have done it but I was suffering with my arms and shoulders. I can barely lift my left arm. I can do a little more with right. I can't walk much.I am going to stop the other drug too. I was on evista also some of the side effects was arm and shoulder pain,I stopped it too this week. I am tired of paying for medicine that actually makes you worse.I am so glad that I read your side effects, I can totally relate to them. I do hope you get some relief before long. Be sure to update us after you go to the doctor.
Diabetic Connect Member Avera
Avera
Avera replied April 17, 2009 4:06 AM 

Last edited 7 months ago

Hello,

Like all medications, Simvastin has bad side effects for some and not for others.When my doctor prescribed it for me, I refused to take it at first because of all the bad things I had read about all statins. I decided to try it after doing more research. Ive been taking it for over a year with NO side effects at all.

**BUT....I do realize that when the side effects begin to affect some people they are horrible.**

Here are some of the places online I went to do my research. Take some time and read the articles. Then you can have more information with which to discuss about "statins" with your doctor. The information here discusses both "good" and "bad" issues concerning Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs.

"So, if you're among the millions of men and women taking a statin drug to reduce cholesterol, or are a candidate for starting on one, you may wonder what factors a doctor considers when prescribing a specific statin. Is there a "best" statin? Should your personal preferences be taken into account?"

Should you be on a statin? These cholesterol-lowering drugs have benefits and risks. Find out whether your risk factors for heart disease make you a good candidate for statin therapy."

Here is what *John Hopkins* says.

http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/health_after_50/H...

Here is what the "Mayo Clinic" says.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/statins/CL00010

Here is what "Consumer Reports" says.

http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/stat...

And here is what a "Government" report says.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/statins.pdf

Hope this helps.

Avera

Jocelyn replied April 17, 2009 6:55 PM 

knowledge is power... each of us must be accountable for our choices, and to make a choice before we examine the pros and cons and the potential effect on us is inviting disaster... life is most often about the middle road... Responsibility is the abilty to respond... hopefully with the right information... research, search and research...

Diabetic Connect Member 2catty
2catty
2catty replied April 17, 2009 4:19 PM 

Last edited 7 months ago

These are a few of the things I researched that can and might happen and a lot did happen to me.

Interesting that congestive heart failure is not listed when the heart is a muscle too.
>
> What follows is a list of the commonly reported adverse affects. These adverse effects have either been attributed to statin therapy, when the study has involved clinicians or the effects were linked to their statin therapy, by patients.
>
> ? Muscle pain ? Muscle weakness ? Muscle tenderness ? Muscle soreness
>
> ? Memory (impairment or loss of) ? Total amnesia (catastrophic)
>
> ? Loss of concentration ? Loss of ability to focus on a thought process
>
> ? Impairment of speech ? Depression ? Severe Irritability
>
> ? Mood changes ? Social withdrawal ? Violence ? Psychosis
>
> ? Suicide ? Headaches ? Joint pains ? Abdominal pains ? Tingling of hands or feet
>
> ? Numbness of hands or feet ? Burning sensation in feet ? Sleep disturbance
>
> ? Sexual dysfunction ? Fatigue ? Dizziness ? Sense of detachment
>
> ? Shortness of breath ? Changes in vision ? Changes in temperature regulation
>
> ? Weight changes ? Swelling ? Hunger ? Breast enlargement
>
> ? Changes in blood sugar ? Dry skin ? Rashes ? Changes in blood pressure
>
> ? Nausea ? Upset stomach ? Bleeding ? Ringing in the ears
>
> This list is not exhaustive and it details the most commonly reported effects that have been attributed to statin therapy. If the site visitor wants more details about the adverse effects that have been associated with statin therapy, please go to this page, here.
>
>
>
> Talking Statins
> http://talkingstatins.com/





kdroberts replied April 17, 2009 4:44 PM 

I had these along with panic attacks, 2-3 a day. Everything stopped within 24 hours-5 days after I stopped taking it.

Muscle pain (it was like I'd worked out really hard when I hadn't done anything), Muscle weakness (it took a lot more effort to pick things up that I had no problems with before, like my work laptop), Memory impairment (I would forget to do things and forget I'd done things I had just done), Loss of ability to focus on a thought process (I basically did no proper work the time I was taking it and what I did do I had to redo later on because it was essentially nonsensical), Mood changes (I would go from happy to crying 4 or 5 times a day with no trigger or reason), Social withdrawal (I didn't go out, didn't talk to people at work or at home), Abdominal pains (kind of went along with the upset stomach, a few times a day I would get a stabbing feeling), Sleep disturbance (I wouldn't be able to sleep, then I would wake up multiple times a night and when it was time to get up I couldn't wake up), Fatigue (I was tired all the time), Dizziness (I would be sitting at my desk and the room would start spinning for 10-15 seconds and then stop), Sense of detachment (I just felt like I was drifting and everything else was peripheral), Changes in vision (It was like somebody put a filter over my eyes and everything was a little bit duller), Upset stomach (didn't feel hungry and generally just felt a little off), Ringing in the ears (6-7 times a day I would get ringing that lasted for a few minutes).

2catty replied April 17, 2009 8:04 PM 

Besides the ringing in the ear it sounds just like me. It is miserable. And all my blood work came back normal, but I know it is this med. because to many people has gone through the exact same thing with the same normal results, until it got so bad they had to have muscle biopsy's, I am not letting it get that far.
Diabetic Connect Member 2catty
2catty
2catty replied April 17, 2009 4:20 PM 

These are a few of the things I researched that can and might happen and a lot did happen to me.

Interesting that congestive heart failure is not listed when the heart is a muscle too.
>
> What follows is a list of the commonly reported adverse affects. These adverse effects have either been attributed to statin therapy, when the study has involved clinicians or the effects were linked to their statin therapy, by patients.
>
> ? Muscle pain ? Muscle weakness ? Muscle tenderness ? Muscle soreness
>
> ? Memory (impairment or loss of) ? Total amnesia (catastrophic)
>
> ? Loss of concentration ? Loss of ability to focus on a thought process
>
> ? Impairment of speech ? Depression ? Severe Irritability
>
> ? Mood changes ? Social withdrawal ? Violence ? Psychosis
>
> ? Suicide ? Headaches ? Joint pains ? Abdominal pains ? Tingling of hands or feet
>
> ? Numbness of hands or feet ? Burning sensation in feet ? Sleep disturbance
>
> ? Sexual dysfunction ? Fatigue ? Dizziness ? Sense of detachment
>
> ? Shortness of breath ? Changes in vision ? Changes in temperature regulation
>
> ? Weight changes ? Swelling ? Hunger ? Breast enlargement
>
> ? Changes in blood sugar ? Dry skin ? Rashes ? Changes in blood pressure
>
> ? Nausea ? Upset stomach ? Bleeding ? Ringing in the ears
>
> This list is not exhaustive and it details the most commonly reported effects that have been attributed to statin therapy. If the site visitor wants more details about the adverse effects that have been associated with statin therapy, please go to this page, here.
>
>
>
> Talking Statins
> http://talkingstati ns.com/





2catty replied April 17, 2009 4:25 PM 

Errr it added it twice. Malfunction- Malfunction

Bluebutterfly replied April 17, 2009 5:05 PM 

Thanks so much for your input on statins. This makes me more determined to stay off the dog gone things.I, like you have had so much muscle soreness.You just can't imagine the pain unless you have been there.I for one will not take these things anymore.

WMI replied November 4, 2009 7:14 PM 

Hi everyone,
This is my first post!
I was diagnosed with diabetes in July of this year. I'm taking metformin 1000 mg twice a day.
I'm on a statin and am now experiencing occasional tingling in my feet and the tip of my middle finger on my right hand. My doctor is thinking neuropathy, but now I think I need to do more research.
Diabetic Connect Member lipsie
lipsie
lipsie replied April 17, 2009 5:01 PM 

hrmmm, so this is what my Lipitor and the other kind is my Tricor...could be causing all my body pain???? Amoung a few other weird things going on. hmmm Or am I lost? I am on high dose I think of those meds..both. Sheila
Diabetic Connect Member LarryZ
LarryZ
LarryZ replied April 18, 2009 4:49 AM 

i'M ON SIMVASTATIN ALSO. I thought I was losing my mind. My short term memory loss has really been bothering me and I had no clue it could be statins. Thans so much now I'll find a way to deal with it.
Diabetic Connect Member Lanore
Lanore
Lanore replied April 20, 2009 12:12 PM 



i also took a statin for yrs and kept telling my Dr that something was wrong, like you he did the blood testing and everyhing was normal, i finally told him I was not taking them anymore and he needed to find something else to give me. I am now on Zetia, what i can't say is that my muscle pain went away, because it didn't. I live with the pain everyday. I wish you luck. Lanore ;-)

2catty replied April 20, 2009 9:10 PM 

Oh no I wish they had went away for you. It is frustrating when you have a pain and you feel it but it can't be proved. My Dr. today told me to never take simvastatin again. He also said he thinks it did worse with me because I also take gemfibrozil and mixed causes even more side effects. So he left me only on the gem. until my next labs to see if I needed more or if I am good on the gem. alone. Wish me luck. Oh and the pain, it is back for the day I just want to crawl in the bed and forget it all. I can barely raise my arms. Thank goodness I can still move my fingers. LOL
Diabetic Connect Member Jocelyn
Jocelyn
Jocelyn replied April 20, 2009 9:57 PM 

Hi again, just checking back to see how you are. Any new development, have you found a solution for your pain? Hope you are getting some of this wonderful warmer weather... take good care of you, okay, and keep us posted... Jocelyn

2catty replied April 21, 2009 12:15 PM 

Well it seems to be like a roller coaster right now. One day the pain will be bad and the next it will subside. I am hoping that shortly it will just go away. I am wanting to get out in the warmer weather and really start having some fun. I have been winters prisoner for 3 months and I finally get out and want some fun. LOl I am loving the warmer weather although today is only 63 and rainy but that is spring. Take care

Jocelyn replied April 21, 2009 3:50 PM 

Spring has been wet and chilly here too, but finally breaking into warmth... the pattern here is some ideal weather for a month or so, then blasting int the heat of summer.... I hear you about wanting some fun after a long winter of hibernation.... pain needs sunshine and flowers... maybe a piece of chocolate on ocassion.... lol Hope you get to have some fun sooner the better.... take care, Jocelyn

2catty replied April 21, 2009 8:16 PM 

Thanks, today has been kinda cold but today is suppose to be it. The last of the breezy cold ones. Tomorrow is suppose to be 68 and the next 80. So yay!!! it is time to plant my garden.

Jocelyn replied April 21, 2009 9:19 PM 

affirmative on that... I just got in errands, got potting soil for my planter boxes... it is beautiful out, after a quick rest, I'm out and going for the rest of my errands, then planning a nice salad for dinner... welcome the nicer part of springtime, won't be long until summer is here and I'm complaining about the heat.... lol enjoy it while it lasts... later, smiles, Jocelyn

2catty replied April 27, 2009 3:19 PM 

Oh, I just got back from vacation last night and had a wonderful time. I went to Gatlinburg, Tn and it was great. Not that long of a road trip for me either so that was a plus. Now I get to come back and finish that flower bed and garden and start taking more of those evening walks I promised my body I would do. Hope I did not lie to myself.LOL

lipsie replied April 27, 2009 4:05 PM 

Welcome back, glad you enjoyed yourself and good luck on the flower bed!! Sheila

2catty replied April 27, 2009 4:27 PM 

Thanks it's been revitalizing.
Diabetic Connect Member dev73
dev73
dev73 replied October 28, 2009 9:46 PM 

Last edited 24 days ago

Hi ,
I am a prediabetic person taking metformin and simvastatin since last six months. I have recently felt following symptoms.
1. sudden pain in the muscle and burning tingling in the feet. 2 increased urine 3. difficulty in vision-like dizzy vision. 4. Ringing in the ears increased. 5. Nausea 6. upset stomach.7. Memory loss 8. Loss of concentration. 9. Social withdrawal due to these symptoms. its affecting my life in a big way.

I am doing regular exercise since last 12 + months and my sugar is in good control even when I had above symptoms. I am beginning to suspect that simvastatin is causing these damages. ..

Question for 2catty. How did you respond to change in medication and what do you suggest to reverse these damages.