Atorvastatin for High Cholesterol User Reviews (Page 2)

• egore
• February 22, 2020

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "After first week 80mg Lipitor a day bad arm pain from armpit to elbow. Tendon pain in top of a hot hand sensation of skin on arm shoulder blade pain. 2 doctors refuse to consider its the drug but I never had a problem before. They are saying it is a deteriorated spine."

• jcvdm
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 2, 2013

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "Have been on this for so long but recently I feel it creates nausea and stomach/abdominal pain. No matter when I take it, with or without food, I seem to get this reaction. My doctor is stumped, but I cannot get past this awful 'sick' feeling all the time. When I stop taking it, I do much better. When I start again, the same thing happens. My only other prescription is for high blood pressure and is the same as I have always taken, so we figure it is not that."

• mizza...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 14, 2012

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "Lipitor plus Zetia lowered cholesterol from 300 to 200, lots of aches, pains, and Charlie horses in the legs, especially going up and down stairs. High cholesterol is prominent in the family genes. Now have nasty skin rashes, red welts with itch that are awful. Dermatology, allergist, and GP have no answers. I am guessing it is the statins as it's the only other thing I take besides a low-dose aspirin."

• jbart
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2020

"I was started on this on a Tuesday and stopped taking it by Friday. I was only prescribed 10 mg a day. The first day I started feeling nauseated all day and was unable to eat. I started getting headaches and was so sleepy I could barely keep my eyes open. I stopped taking it and still have muscle cramps and pains. I emailed my doctor. Never in my life have I had high cholesterol. Its only a little above 200. But my doctor seems super worried, so tried me on a statin. I do not recommend statins to anyone. This was SUCH an awful experience"

• former...
• April 17, 2016

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "This medicine did a number on my legs. Had numbness, the legs felt like lead, wobbly. I had been a mail carrier and walked 10-11 miles a day, retired but continued to walk 4-5 miles a day besides being very active with DIY projects and part-time job. Took Lipitor earlier this year. It got the numbers down, but I had 3 ER visits in one week and spent the night in the hospital because my legs were acting up and it scared me and my heart did weird things. Lot of stress for me and my family. We have good insurance, but this will still probably be around $2000. I would not recommend Lipitor to anyone-there are other cholesterol meds out there."

• PASSI...
• October 5, 2009

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I was prescribed 40 mg of Lipitor for heart disease. I was on it for 9 months. It did lower my cholesterol, but had a lot of undesired bad side effects! Right away, I noticed memory problems, forgetfulness, confusion, and was just fog-headed. Then, of course, I experienced the usual muscle pain. I also noticed being moody for no apparent reason. I talked to my cardiologist, and he took me off of it."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2011

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I was placed on Lipitor 10 mg after trying all of the other cholesterol-reducing drugs. I developed, after three days, a very stiff neck and overall muscle soreness. The doctor ordered a CPK test and my levels are off. She discontinued me on this medication. It must not be suitable for everyone. I will continue with my diet and exercise. My cholesterol must be hereditary since I follow Weight Watchers, have lost weight, and I exercise daily."

• Nhbgf...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 29, 2016

"On it for 6 years. Adverse effects sneak up on you. It makes you old before your time. I had neuropathy in feet and finally in hands, pain in neck and legs. I dragged my feet when I walked, finally my mind was so foggy I couldn't remember what I saw the instant before or remember what I read. I would fall asleep in an instant after sitting down. My wife wouldn't let me drive except in the neighborhood for fear I would doze off. I wonder how many 'old' people have caused auto accidents because of statins. I could not do simple arithmetic. I am off of it as of 2 months ago and am slowly improving. This stuff is awful and should be taken off the market. I rate it 0."

• Farruq
• November 1, 2016

"I have been on this drug atorvastatin 10mg for about 2 years. After taking it for one year, I developed so many side effects which I didn't know were due to this drug. I experienced severe headache, dizziness, migraine, hot flushes, sweating, chills, shivering, pains on one side of the body, sinus pain, sore eyes. I felt like I ruined my life and wasted a lot of money hoping for a cure. I went to ENT doctors, cardiologists, physicians, neurologists, etc., but nobody listened to me. They only prescribed painkillers and nerve tablets. I used to cry all the time, wondering if I would die. Finally, I did some research and found patient reviews. I decided to quit this medicine, which was awful. After one month, I am slowly improving. Thank you to this site for helping patients as today's doctors have no time to listen."

• Be aw...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 6, 2018

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "My cholesterol level was 322, and my doctor prescribed Lipitor. I started to feel very weak. I was in pain constantly, and I felt very tired and sore. I could not even do my daily chores. I thought I had some kind of flu. I continued to take Lipitor for about a year, and the symptoms just got worse. After the second year of taking Lipitor, my constant pain, soreness, and tiredness worsened, and I lost my appetite. The doctor ordered a liver enzyme test. Lipitor was damaging my liver, and I was also experiencing trouble with my kidneys. Though I didn't realize it then, Lipitor was the culprit of my aches and weakness and was not effective in lowering my cholesterol much (only to 308 after taking Lipitor for more than two years.) I am not taking Lipitor anymore, and I don't feel tired and exhausted. My doctor continues to order a liver enzyme test every year. It has never come back normal anymore. Please be careful!"

• Marti...
• December 23, 2015

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I took 40 mg Lipitor daily for 2 weeks and experienced complete muscle paralysis in my legs and arms. I had to stop taking Lipitor. The next doctor prescribed Crestor. Crestor worked alright for 1 month, but then I experienced paralysis in my arms and legs again. The paralysis disappeared in several days after stopping the cholesterol-lowering meds. The doctor then prescribed Niaspan (prescription-strength Niacin) which also caused paralysis in my thighs and arms within 2 weeks. The paralysis disappeared in 2 to 3 days after stopping each medication. The doctor decided I need to take 500 mg Niacin with food 4 times per day, which has helped me greatly without any paralysis. I also decreased foods that are high in cholesterol and exercise more often. I am 72 years of age."

• Katnic
• July 27, 2015

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "On Lipitor, I developed Polyneuropathy in my left foot; this nerve pain sensations. Stopped Lipitor and problem went. Took several weeks before it left my body. Everyone on Statins should be taking Coenzyme Q10 or Ubiquinol to help prevent muscle pains. I prefer quality of life to one of pain. I am an active, healthy 83-year-old with high cholesterol."

• Eric
• March 17, 2017

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "When I was originally put on this statin, it was on a low dose of 10 mg a day to reduce cholesterol. I had, or recall, very few side effects. I combined the drug with exercise and diet. My cholesterol was lowered and remained low. Doctors have kept me on the drug, and now at the age of 71, I experience headaches, a bloated rumbling and very uncomfortable digestive system, hives, muscle aches, and other adverse effects that interfere with my diet and exercise. Doctors seem to be reluctant to lower doses, but these adverse effects are now materially affecting my quality of life."

• MsAnn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2018

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I had tried about 3 statins and could not take them due to the aches and energy loss. I then was given Lipitor. I took it for 3 months with no problem, then I started having memory loss. I stopped the drug and that has now been about 2 years. The loss is better but still comes and goes. Being a pharmacist, I am keenly aware of side effects, and that is major!"

• Sal
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 22, 2018

"This drug caused Shortness of breath,. Sleep Apnea and Cramps. I could not walk 50 feet without resting from the shortness of breath. Taking Co Q 10 helped with the cramps. I tried different statins and they all did the same thing to me. For 6 months doctors tried to find a cure. I stopped taking the statins and and the sleep apnea and shortness of breath went away in 5 days. Doctor had a hard time believing it was the statin. I hope this helps someone. "

• addo
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 17, 2014

"Never had such side effects as I did when taking atorvastatin. Quality of life went out the window, unable to dress myself below the waist because of very bad muscle pain and weakness in the legs, unable to walk more than 100 yards. Unable to bend down. Have now stopped taking it and quality of life is now back to normal after one week."

• sfzhm
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2015

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I'm 58, always kept in shape, and ate well, but LDL was still elevated. I'm not sure if it's coincidental, but I have more energy, better in bed, and have not had an atrial fibrillation episode since I've been on 10mg daily. I know it sounds like a commercial, but that has been my experience. My main or larger arteries are clear of plaque, but I may have had blocking of the smaller ones, and the Lipitor may have helped clear them. Or I'm just lucky."

• Dereya
• November 14, 2015

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I have been using Lipitor for only one week but am feeling fatigue and muscle pains. My cholesterol dropped from 130 to 100, but there were too many side effects. I decided to stop and now I am feeling okay."

• Cindy
• March 15, 2017

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I had extremely high hopes for this cholesterol buster and had the best attitude and hopes for this medication, but it definitely did not work out. My cholesterol level was 225, and my left carotid artery, via a Doppler, was 50-70 percent narrowed. Changed my diet immediately, started exercising, put plans in play to stop smoking, and in thinking with Lipitor, I'd give myself the best possible chance to reverse the plaque. Doctor prescribed 10mg, was only able to tolerate it a week. The first 4 days, no side effects, excited as heck, the 5th day off and on I started experiencing a twilight zone brain fog that would last 10-15 minutes. Felt like I couldn't clench a thought, felt foggy, happened 2x the 5th day, 4x the 6th day, no more..."

• dorathy
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 19, 2016

"Started this drug a few months back and started having health problems; did not associate with the meds. The list is long on the adverse effects. Dizzy, loss of balance, pain in head, ringing in ears, pressure in ears (went to ear nose and throat, said it was not in my ears). I have heaviness and weakness in my legs, hard to walk far. Sleep problems, walking and talking while asleep, seizures lasting a few seconds. This week other joints started hurting as well. Hey, the good news is, my cholesterol went way down. I quit taking this med yesterday. Lowering my cholesterol is not worth all the side effects. I am glad it works for some, but have researched this drug and so many have had a bad reaction."

• twink...
• November 26, 2019

"Female, mid 50's. Height to weight is decent. Winter 2019 blood work showed 235 cholesterol reading. Thyroid was good, good cholesterol NOT so good. Doc suggested atorvastatin. I agreed, sure why not if it helps my numbers. LETS DO IT. 25mg atorvastatin. 1st week I noticed that I have zero desire to get out of bed. I am usually the first UP. That was red flag 1. Getting out of bed brought aches and pains that I didn't feel before taking this med. I started feeling like I was 80 years old Joint pain, muscle pain. THE pain would change locations daily, from arms, thighs, back, hands, knees, neck TO arms, back, etc.. I read to add QQ10 which I did. No help. Next My nose would start to run as if someone turned on a switch. My hair started to fall out. Experienced feeling dizzy some times. Could be bp meds. Now about my head my thought process is fuzzy. Last is the itching...arms and legs. Doc took me off. Ya think???"

• Sensi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2017

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I started taking generic lipitor in February/March 2017. My lab work came back and total cholesterol was 311. At first I started taking 20mg a day. By the 9th day I was an emotional mess. Anxiety, anger, confusion, leg pain, stomach pain and heartburn. I decided to take the 20mg every other day. All the side effects disappeared. Works great. I heard back from my Dr who says to continue the every other day dosage because its working and its tolerable for me."

• Totally...
• October 7, 2018

"I took 10mg atorvastatin for 8 months. During that time I slowly had the following side effects; extreme tiredness. Memory loss and confusion. Muscle weakness trouble walking. My arm muscles became useless. Joint pain in my middle finger where I had trouble bending my finger. Facial twitching. Pressure in my chest Thyroid nodule swelling. Blurred vision off and on and extreme sensitivity to light. Uncontrollable eye jumping. I have been diagnosed with Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which I fully believe that due to the sensitivity of light. The LED lighting in a grocery store damaged my retinas. But what I can't understand is out of all the doctors through out all my symptoms not one connected it to atorvastatin! I was drinking gallons of water, I began to have trouble urinating. That is when I started researching the detailed side effects of atorvastatin! I was completely horrified of the dangers and I stopped taking it."

• Lilwsky
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 4, 2019

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I’ve been on Pravastatins 20 mg. For 5 yrs. Cholesterol was 225. It never went down. I do enjoy my cocktails, wine in the evening..nothing changed. My liver enzymes for 18 years always stayed at 20-21 ( range is 4-43) in August 2018, went in for my quarterly bloodwork..no change. Doctor put me on Lipitor 20 mg with next bloodwork to be done in January. Well, I also started the Keto diet in January..high fat, protein diet..low carbs, sugar. Surprise!! My cholesterol went from 226 to 165! Glucose was down and very good! However..it compromised my liver.. my enzymes skyrocketed to 99 and 110 (again range 4-43) he immediately took me off Lipitor...now, he doesn’t want me to drink any alcohol for 2 months..test will be in March..so, what’s the culprit?? Diet or Lipitor? He said to continue with diet, just cut the fat down.."

• Senor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2016

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "Atorvastatin did lower my cholesterol quite a bit, but within the first couple of weeks I developed muscle pain in the back of one knee. After another week, I developed muscle pain in the calf of the other leg. My doctor doesn't think this was caused by Atorvastatin. He believes it is arthritis. He ordered an xray of knee and blood test for liver function. Waiting for results. If pain is from arthritis. I will continue taking medicine. If Atorvastatin is affecting muscles or liver, I may discontinue or ask to switch to another statin."