Atorvastatin for High Cholesterol User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• November 19, 2009

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "43-year-old male been on 20mg Lipitor for 3 months, a lot of side effects for the first month mainly muscle spasms and uneasy stomach. Cholesterol went from 240 to 120, cut dose in half, and no more side effects."

• Skip
• April 28, 2016

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I am 65 and active, to include hiking, walking in the gym yard work, etc.. Been on 10 mg of Lipitor or generic for 20 years. Within the past 2 years I have experienced increased lower leg discomfort and within the past year what appears to be lower leg muscle loss, chronic plantar fascia, leg muscle tingling, and a feeling of weakness in my lower legs. My primary care doc, who is Lipitor intolerant, attributed it all to age, cervicle stenosis, etc. Have quit Lipitor and Prylosec (been on this for 10 years) and will readdress with my doctor (who's an internal medicine doctor) when I can get in to see him again in 3 weeks. Some remediation of mental fogginess which has plagued me recently, but to date no releaf on leg issues."

• Gourd...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2018

"Get off this medication as quickly as you can, and do NOT take another statin ever. I was on a dose of 40mg daily for 2.5 years. I experienced muscle weakness, although I exercised daily, sexual dysfunction, memory lapses, joint pains, and many other symptoms associated with statin use. The topper: three months ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Only after doing a little research on statins did I understand that cholesterol is essential for health and actually protects against cancer, among other things. It's necessary for the formation of brain cells, muscle tissue, and sex hormones. I stopped taking my statins about 6 weeks ago and already feel better, though it will take some time to fully recover. So do your research, people. I believe this is a truly dangerous drug, as are all statins. And it does nothing to increase length of life."

• Tainbow
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2018

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I did not have a clue that Lipitor could give me so many severe side effects! Lower back, back of my legs, headaches, running nose, memory lost. I go blank for a few seconds, & lastly, speech impediment!!!! I have a medical appointment w/ my prime doctor next week & I will discuss w/him...."

• breez...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2017

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "About 2 weeks ago my Dr put me on Lipitor for my cholesterol. I've been having all kinds of side effects from it but I didn't realize it until today, I've been beside myself with itching, I keep getting these stinging sensations, like I'm being bitten by fire ants, I'm prone to insomnia (very severe) and it made it so much worse, despite the fact that I have been feeling I was coming down with something serious (constantly exhausted). I've even developed blisters in my NOSE! and I have the red spots it's insane. No joke I seriously have about 80% of the listed side effects even the unreported and rare. I hope no one ever has to deal with this craziness."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2013

"At 40 mg, I experienced numbness, tingling, and burning in my toes and fingers. Cold fingers and feet as well. This occurred over a period of 3 weeks. Stopped taking the pill, and symptoms disappeared. I experienced similar issues when taking Lipitor 40 mg as well. I can tolerate doses only up to 20 mg."

• Boxers
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 30, 2019

"I have been on this this for several years. I have felt nothing but miserable while taking it. I have had the cramping, muscle pain in legs, stomach issues, headaches and pain in arms. Kept asking my primary doctor if this could be the cause of all this and he kept saying no. Well I have changes my primary doctor and done away with this terrible medication.!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2012

"I have only been taking this medicine for 1 month, 10 mg every other day. Already I am experiencing severe joint and muscle pain. This has happened to me every time I have taken statin drugs. I will be going back to my doctor to discuss further and look for an alternative."

• Godzi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2020

"Wow! I was floored. Long time trying to do get my cholesterol low on my own with no medications. After finally trying atorvastatin 10 mg for the first time, it brought all cholesterol and triglycerides under control to more than acceptable levels. For now until my next lab test I will continue to stay on it. I am not experiencing any side effects."

• pj1962
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2015

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "In the past year I have experienced four occasions of hyperlipidemia, rhabdomylosis, and acute renal failure. All four times I woke up in ICU and had a lengthy stay in the hospital. I am still taking atorvastin, have muscle aches and pains, with weakness, joint pain and stiffness, and restless legs, with no control of movement. I am miserable most of the time. Recently my doctor stopped the lipitor for the next six weeks to see what changes may happen."

• Lipitor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2016

"In the first few days of taking Lipitor I was unbelievably tired, weak and dizzy. I had muscle aches,dry mouth and a headache. I felt on the verge of having a heart attack. I felt nauseous and these symptoms just got worse the longer I took it. It got to the point where I was so dizzy I couldn't drive my car . I had to get off it immediately"

• Cathy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2019

"I have been on Atorvastatin for about three months . I kept telling my doctor that my legs hurt. So she ordered a EMG [Electromyography measures muscle response] which I refused. She’s trying to make it sound like I’m crazy and it’s all in my head that my legs hurt or that there something else wrong when in fact it’s from the atorvastatin . I’m sorry to say this but I think doctors are all about the money because if she would’ve told me the side effects of this drug I wouldn’t of taken it in the first place. I feel horrible all the time I feel like I have to throw up all the time my legs hurt my foot is numb I called her up today and said I’m not taking that medicine ever again I’ll be taking niacin instead that also helps to lower your cholesterol"

• cholb...
• December 30, 2016

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "Started with 10mg daily. After 3 months my cholesterol level just in borderline, so the dosage was increased to 40mg daily. This dose gave me muscle tissue pain on my right knee so I self discontinued."

• TRu
• April 29, 2016

"I'm a 47 yr old overweight female. I've had high blood pressure my entire life but never cholesterol issues. I went in for blood work in Jan. 16 and was shocked to learn my LDL-p (particle count) was off the charts at 2,800 (should be 700 range) and my LDL small particle count was 1,500 (should be under 500). Additionally all my blood lipids were way out of range. I was given 40 mg of atorvastatin but after reading how horrible statins were, I got scared and only took 1/2 daily. I just got my labs redone and since January-April (3 full months), all my blood lipids are in normal, optimal range. I did alot of research on the effectiveness of lower dose statins and have not had any issues with taking 1/2 my pill daily. Results speak."

• sanaa
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2023

"My doctor prescribed me this medicine, 10mg once a day, for high cholesterol and triglycerides. A week into the treatment, I started feeling awful: dizziness, unbearable knee and joint pain, extreme fatigue, and constant dizziness that made it difficult for me to function. Additionally, it has disrupted my body's thermostat, causing me to experience intense hot flashes and excessive sweating even in an air-conditioned environment. I spoke to the doctor about these symptoms, but he dismissed my concerns, which is why I'm here looking for answers. I have decided to stop taking the medicine to evaluate myself and the risks, as the side effects are too awful to live with."

• GJL
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2013

"I took it one day and had to stop. Didn't read the pamphlet and I took it before I went to bed. Not for me since I have osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease with back muscle spasms. I also have thyroid, vertigo, sinus problems, stomach and bowel issues. I have been on pain killers for my pain for over 10 years, so I was afraid that this medication was going to not mix well with my medicines. But, the next day, my right ear was completely blocked, I had a headache with fuzziness. So weak I had to take the day off of work and go back to bed, slept all day. My face was a gray color and my eyes looked like I was in pain. I drank a lot of water to flush this one pill out of me and felt much better. "

• Alano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2019

"I have tried on several occasions to stick with a daily dose. But each time I had to back off due to muscle pain and severe diarrhea. The diarrhea got so bad (needed to go urgently) that I found myself not wanting to socialize as much or leave the house for long periods. Several close calls made me apprehensive. When I did take this starting my lipid panel was back to normal. But the side effects were to much to stand. So I will be not be going back to daily statin doses. And yes I have tried other stations down through the years. Same negative results."

• Beach...
• September 8, 2017

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I have been on Lipitor for two weeks and will stop tomorrow. My legs are hurting and cannot sleep. For the first few days I was fine but now I ache from my hips down to my calfs. I also have stomach cramps. This is not for me, will tell Dr. this week and hopefully can try something else."

• Suseee
• January 23, 2017

"My doctor put me on 10 mg of Atorvastatin and after checking my cholesterol after 3 months increases my Atorvastatin to 20 mg. I didn't feel the side effects right away perhaps 3 months after taking them my feet felt like bricks and it was harder to walk because I had neuropathy I just thought it was just getting worse, we have stairs and I felt like my femur muscle was rubbing against my bone, just a slight sensation there, I knew this was different but what can I do, was I just getting older? I had with in the next few days both my knees would give out with pain behind them hard to get off toilet with out pain, Got off Atorvastatin on my own.. notice I was getting better, OFF 2 WEEKS NOW 99.9% BETTER! It was Atorvastain!"

• Steffan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2019

"Side effects of atorvastatin included weight gain, muscle cramps, constant sore throat and digestion/gas issues. Have stopped taking after 3 months of these issues - it's taken another 4 weeks of stomach pains to make a recovery. They did do the job as readings reduced from 6.1 to 4.1, but not worth the pain."

• Beth
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2018

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I am an otherwise healthy 23 year old female. My new doctor ran a battery of blood tests and discovered my total cholesterol was 272! Started me on 20mg lipitor which brought it down to 202 after 2 months. Dosage was increased to 80mg since I have experienced no side effects. It is now at 142 after 4 months in total. Doctor is considering adding something else to get it down a bit more in 2 more months."

• USC
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 31, 2019

"I have had high cholesterol for years so was put on Atorvistatin and it was a nightmare. Besides muscle pain and aches, the worst side effect is muscle weakness. I'm talking flat out atrophy of my leg muscles. I'm in my 50's, and the effect has been horrible on quality of life. I fall easily. I finally got off of this drug and switched to another Statin"

• henryn
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2018

"I have been taking Atorvastatin 10 Mg along with Olmesartan 40 mg. for 3.5 months. About one month ago I started waking up with my right hand almost locked in a semi-closed fist. In particular, the middle finger could not be straightened for at least 30 mins and was very painful. In the past two weeks, I have experienced serious muscles and joint pains all over my body. I thought it was caused by the Olmesartan and with the doctors, approval started taking 20mg rather than 40mg. This did not help so I was told to stop taking Atorvastatin for the next couple of day. Well, one day off the Atorvastatin has given me real relief from the serious pain that was making life miserable and keeping me from sleeping The pain in the right hand is still there but it is less painful. I am due to see the Doctor on 11/5/2018, to discuss the issues and find a drug without the serious side effects. I hope this helps everyone on these drugs."

• Sue...
• March 8, 2014

"I went to a Lipidologist to find out why my HDL was better than optimal, but my LDL-p was close to 2000 (should be under 1000). Found out it was due to genetics, and no amount of exercise and healthy food would matter. She put me on Atorvastatin, and two months later my LDL-p was at 740. I have had absolutely no side effects in a year of use. Would I like to be off of all meds? Sure, but my low thyroid and high LDL suggest otherwise. So, up to now, all is well."

• Tahoe
• October 3, 2019

"I have been on atorvastatin for a few months. Started out at 40mg per day. I had something going on with my legs to the point where I thought I had blood clots. I told my cardiologist that I had leg pain this past June (2019). I said it may be the medication, but he said I should not be having any muscle pains in my legs. He upped my dosage to 80mg per day. Well, I can barely walk and I mean barely. The leg cramps at night and the pain in my legs is terrible. I saw this website yesterday (10/2/19) and read some of the comments. I contacted my doctor immediately and told him what was going on. I feel like I'm an 80 year old woman and how painful it is in my legs. He took me off immediately and told me to never go back on atorvastatin again."