Statins and Nerve Damage (Peripheral Neuropathy): An Overlooked Side Effect!

[Dmactds]

peoplespharmacy.com/article...

"...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..."

[Badbessie]

Very interesting article. Statins in my case are a big no! I have no blood pressure or heart problems and a low cholesterol. But my GP still wants to start them. Sadly my father had heart problems from a young age and due to this the computer gave me a score that required statins. I have Complex regional pain syndrome and chronic pain syndrome/fibromyalgia. As I said to my GP I am one of six brothers most older than me. None of whom have any problems with cholesterol, heart or blood pressure and yet due to my fathers childhood disease and subsequent problems your computer tells me I should have statins.....Why?

[Glasgowgirl1947 in reply to Badbessie]

I tried 2 different statins for highish cholesterol but had severe back pain each time so I told my GP I wasn't taking any more. I have enough nerve pain from my bad knee op and my mastectomy so I wasn't going to add to it. I didn't get much pushback from the GP. My son suffers from terrible neuropathy in his hands and feet after a diagnosis of Pernicious Anaemia was delayed and he was left in this state.

[Izb1]

Thanks for the article Dmactds. My doctor prescribed statins years ago for me after having high cholesterol. Once I read up on this I refused them, it seems more like a money making practice to me by the big pharm companies. Once I checked my levels it seems for my age a 5 is quite normal. It seems that once over a certain age the doctors want you to take a host of tablets to prevent certain illnesses but dont look into the side effects which are more damaging than the illness itself.

[Dmactds in reply to Izb1]

All I know is that after taking 3 Slo Niacin a day beginning 10 years ago, my cholesterol nose dived through the floor after being dangerously high; I'd heard about it on the net and didn't want to start any statins since everything I heard about them from actual users (not doctors) was negative. Anyway, my cholesterol numbers are well within the 'controlled' area and I get a pass every blood check.

Now I have to find a way to deal with the looming diabetes which I've managed to avoid for 76 years even though it got my brother, sister and father (father long since passed). I'm on the cusp of "pre" and "Type 1". How much fun can one person have in one life !??