Withdrawal Symptoms Lipitor (Page 5)

How long before muscle aches and weakness subside after discontinuing Lipitor

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teacart, thanks for you comment. I don't know what to do! My cholesterol is too high and diet is not enough to control it. Heart disease killed my father at age 50. I really DON'T want to take these meds but I'm afraid not to. What are you doing to control your cholesterol? You must have that problem if you were on a statin. I'm up for anything.

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Been using Pravastatin a few weeks, didn't take long to develop muscle weakness again. OK, stopped the drug. Have to wait another month or so for weakness and pain to go away. Then I'm back to square one.

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Hi Lori. I stopped taking Lipitor at the end of 2013. I had tests done in February that said Levels have climbed again but not too high. Have to check in again soon. If my levels go too high the Dr. said he would have to put me on something. I haven't been back to him yet. Feeling fine and taking CO-Q10.....300mg daily plus Vit D3.

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Lori
I did TONS of research on line from several different sources, including many, many doctors. I read "The Statin Damage Crisis" which was written by a renowned NASA doctor. Cholesterol is not the problem! We have been brain washed to believe it is, though, by the Pharmaceutical Companies. They've got a good thing going with the billion dollar Statin industry, so of course they don't want us to know the truth. (Remember when they said all menopausal women should be on hormone replacement?) They reaped the benefits of that drug until it was found that it caused breast cancer and then it sank like a ship. I will not let them put my health at jeopardy by using statins. There is not one case that proves that high cholesterol causes heart attacks. Not one. I ignore my cholesterol numbers and eat low carb.

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Thanks teacart. I have an 'eat what I want' diet. You make a fair point, I have to take more responsibility for what I eat which would benefit all kinds health risks. I don't want to take statins and for now, I'm not going to. My doctor is so intense that he told me I have to see a cardiologist if I refuse to take a statin! Talk about scare tactics! I'll try and take more responsibility for myself and read more about statins. Thanks!

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Lori - my doc wasn't pleased either when I told him "no more statins." But you have to remember, they are getting all their data and info from the Pharmaceutical Companies (who also fund the medical schools.) They don't each do their own independent research about all possible side effects and dangers of statins. They go by what they have been taught in medical school. I recently read about a pharmaceutical rep who quit her 3 figure income job, because she would no longer follow her employers orders to "omit" the actual side effect data when selling Statins to the Doctors. She felt like she was putting many peoples health in jeopardy and refused to be part of it any longer.

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Thanks to everyone who bothered to write in. I almost didn't. My depression and low self-esteem (possibly a result of 14 years of Lipitor?) ,,, Just about talked me out of it. I have gradually grown weaker over the last few years,, and muscle mass has declined alarmingly. Muscles and joints have been giving some pain and very unpredictable weakness. Eg: two days ago I squatted to lift a fairly light box,, on the way up, my knee "popped" and I've been limping and trying to not put weight on it.
I have been telling myself that it's just that I'm getting older (I am 65) . Now I'm not so sure. Maybe it's the Lipitor. I've only been taking 10mg... But still.

And I've had 3 heart attacks... the first was 15 years ago, that's when I was first given Lipitor. Did it help? Who knows... But 5 years later, another heart attack, and more stents. And I didn't question the need for Lipitor,,, my dad took it for 40 years and lived to be 86,, then, 5 years later another heart attack- quadruple bypass surgery... and, of course I continued my Lipitor.. why? Because someone told me to. My doctor. Who probably has no idea of these negative conversations and considerations.

Who knew that cholesterol was anything but BAD!!!! No one bothered to tell me how many ways out bodies rely on cholesterol. Well. I am going off Lipitor. I think there are many many things I can do about my cholesterol... if I even have "bad" cholesterol. I'll get bodywork done right away and keep track of my symptoms. Recently my depression has been so deep I could willingly die... Lipitor the culprit? Don't know. Muscle wasting? Low energy? I'll check in here in a few weeks. Zenja

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Zenja - Depression is a very real side effect of statins. I'm so sorry that you have suffered so badly. I was only on them for about 2-3 yrs and cannot believe how they made me feel like I was aging at the speed of lightning. I am 65 and thought there is now way I will be able to do my yard work etc., let alone be able to travel anywhere after I retire. Since I have been off them for about 4 months now, I feel 100% better. I'm able to mow my very large yard without taking any breaks, I can walk up stairs again without feeling like I am going to die. Good luck to you! Keep us posted.

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I have been on 20 mg daily of atorvastatin for a year. My auto refill came in while I still had some left and I consequently lost track of where I placed my refill. After five days without taking atorvastatin, I experience mild intermittent vertigo, increased heart rate of 105 (normally 65), my blood pressure (normally under control) measured at 188/99. I felt adrenaline (fight/flight response) flowing through my body. I felt pressure at the base of the back if my head.

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Still no symptoms of withdrawal?

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How long does Lipitur with drawl symptoms commonly last? Does any one have shortness of breath along with muscle weakness ? My weakness has seemed to settle in my legs.

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It took me about 3 months. I was on Lipitor less then a year.

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Ummm, my resolve to get off Atorvastatin disappeared as I talked with my doctor a month ago.. has it been a month already? He pointed out that Statins were not just for lowering cholesterol, but also for reducing arterial inflammation... and that considering I have had three heart attacks I should be taking WAY more than 10mg. Ishould at least be taking 40! So. Instead of getting off the statin I'm taking more. I got blood work done at that time so now, in A Few days I can get bodywork done again and see if I really am suffering I'll effects of the statins. I'll be able to tell if I am losing muscle mass, and if my liver is being affected and so on.
My doctor seemed to have little regard for the issues of muscle mass loss etc, ,, he insisted that the usefulness of the statin far outweighed the negative side effects,,, if there really were any.
Well. I don't know! I am not a doctor or pharmacist or nutritionist or whatever... I just don't like the feeling that I'm so weak.
I have started to do small weight lifting every day... I'm talking 8 pound weights for arm exercises, and two and a half pounds on each foot (wrap around weights),, and I'll try and build my body up.
Also I'm losing weight now on purpose... I was at 185 (toooo much) and now I'm at 160,, trying to eat healthy etc. I want to feel strong again, just not sure if my weakness is caused by needs or not???
Pretty confusing for a layman.
Thanks everyone for writing. I wish I could ask all the earlier posters (from way back) to give another report and tell where they are at now.

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I got so weak I couldn't open a jar.

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Hello there, I'm Sandra, if you'd read post 69; that's mine, I've posted it sometime ago. You may not think that some medications can harm you while others can help you but after reading my post you may think differently. Ask your doctor about changing your current statin medication to another statin "if you wish". Read my post and think about it, it's YOUR health and YOUR life; you decide if you want to be crippled or not! I wish you the best of luck and God bless.

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I stopped taking Lipitor about a week ago due to leg cramps. Now I don't feel very well. I don't sleep very well and I am quite anxious. Have stomach problems. Could it be I should have gone off gradually?

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Hi,
I'm not sure if it's because you have gone off Lipitor. I did it cold turkey and have had no problems. Feeling better than ever. Have been off 12 months now. Could affect people differently. Watch for more comments. Love this site.

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Marie. I just stopped cold. I think some people have weaned themselves off.

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Ask dr to do a particle lipid test. It will tell if your cholesterol is a harmful kind. Watch YouTube Johnny Bowden, "the cholesterol myth"

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This is a video that I got from another "Statin" blog. What this doctor has to say makes so much sense.

youtu.be/OaCzL3J97oY

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