Atorvastatin and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bea...
• September 8, 2017

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

• hen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2018

For High Cholesterol "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 muscle and joint pains all over my body. I thought it was caused by the Olmesartan, and with the doctor's approval, I started taking 20 mg rather than 40 mg. This did not help, so I was told to stop taking Atorvastatin for the next couple of days. 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."

• Tah...
• October 3, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I have been on atorvastatin for a few months. Started out at 40 mg 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 80 mg per day. Well, I can barely walk, and I mean barely. The leg cramps at night and the pain in my legs are 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."

• cho...
• January 19, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Prescribed 10 mg. Side effects started with an upset stomach (improved by always taking with food). Within a couple of weeks, the side effects exploded. No idea of whether or not it improved my labs (they were not supposed to be drawn for two more weeks). I am a vegetarian (no meat of any kind, no dairy milk, but I do eat some dairy cheese and eggs) and also a licensed massage therapist (so I know 'normal' muscle tension or joint pain and how to improve it). My side effects (in no particular order): muscle cramps/pain/weakness/swelling/tightness, tiredness, diarrhea/intestinal cramping, increased ringing in the ears, and depression/angry mood swings. Three days without medication, and pain, etc., continues to improve."

• Ron...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I started taking atorvastatin 20 mg daily about 2-3 months ago and started having weird side effects. I noticed both legs, from the knee down, started having some pain and swelling. The swelling was the worse. The pain would have been bearable if that had been the only problem. Another side effect was some nausea, and the acid reflux was worse than I had ever had since my initial diagnosis 30 years ago. I also noticed memory loss and dizziness. I just felt horrible. I actually thought something terrible was happening. I work in healthcare, so my first thought was what has changed in my routine. So I stopped the atorvastatin for a couple of days, and I noticed improvement fairly quickly, so I had to be certain that it was the medication. I decided to give the atorvastatin another try, and the negative side effects started again. Needless to say, I will never take this medication again."

• Anonymous
• September 28, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Atorvastatin worked, bringing down my triglycerides. But my joint pain forced me to change meds. My wrists have arthritis in them, yes, but I never had pain until I took this med. The pain was unbearable."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2015

For High Cholesterol "Was on 10 mg of atorvastatin, my cholesterol went way down. After about 6 months, I developed severe cramping in the back of my legs, especially behind my kneecap. Pain came every night and every morning. There were times I couldn't pick my legs up to get over the curb. Sometimes I wasn't sure I was going to make it to work. Pain was in both legs, ran down from behind my butt cheeks to my heel."

• Big...
• October 9, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Dad died of a heart attack three years ago. Then, two years later, my brother had a heart attack from blockage and almost died. My cholesterol is 512. Been taking this statin for about 3 weeks. I'm miserable. Leg pain/cramps. Pain down both arms, but mainly the left one. Totally weak all over. Lower leg pain on both sides. Tight chest every night. Heat pounds all the time now. Barely able to sleep a couple of hours a night if I'm lucky. Sour stomach every night, I have to take antacids at bedtime. Can't function during the day. I gotta go see my Doc now that I know this med is the cause. 43-year-old, fairly active, average weight male."

• Big...
• October 9, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Dad died of a heart attack three years ago. Then, two years later, my brother had a heart attack from blockage and almost died. My cholesterol is 512. Been taking this statin for about 3 weeks. I'm miserable. Leg pain/cramps. Pain down both arms, but mainly the left one. Totally weak all over. Lower leg pain on both sides. Tight chest every night. Heat pounds all the time now. Barely able to sleep a couple of hours a night if I'm lucky. Sour stomach every night, I have to take antacids at bedtime. Can't function during the day. I gotta go see my Doc now that I know this med is the cause. 43-year-old, fairly active, average weight male."

• Eee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2022

For High Cholesterol "Awful drug. 20 mg dose started 3 weeks ago. A full 4 days now of flu-like symptoms and the necessity to sleep at random hours. My muscles and joints are so painful, especially my ankles, and waves of nausea pass over me constantly. I’ve only kept taking it as the warnings say don’t stop abruptly… but I’m going to. I’ll report back in a few days as to how I am. These symptoms I have can’t be coincidental."

• Sky...
• December 16, 2019

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "After carotid artery surgery, my doctor prescribed atorvastatin 80 mg. After a while, I began having leg, buttocks, and back pain. I started feeling lightheaded and very tired. Wondering if this product causes muscle pain."

• Pat...
• April 21, 2017

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "Six days on 20 mg and I could not walk from pain in my feet! The pain in my arms, legs, and back is horrendous. This drug may be good for others, but it is poison for this 81-year-old. I question why my doctor prescribed it for me. It was not for cholesterol, my numbers are good. I have a very small amount of heart disease that I am willing to live with. I hope that the damage done in six days will be history soon. Can you believe I went from being very active to unable to barely function in just six days? Now they say it will be 3 to 4 weeks before I will be back to normal. I pray."

• Pat...
• April 21, 2017

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "Six days on 20 mg and I could not walk from pain in my feet! The pain in my arms, legs, and back is horrendous. This drug may be good for others, but it is poison for this 81-year-old. I question why my doctor prescribed it for me. It was not for cholesterol, my numbers are good. I have a very small amount of heart disease that I am willing to live with. I hope that the damage done in six days will be history soon. Can you believe I went from being very active to unable to barely function in just six days? Now they say it will be 3 to 4 weeks before I will be back to normal. I pray."

• Pat...
• April 21, 2017

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "Six days on 20 mg and I could not walk from pain in my feet! The pain in my arms, legs, and back is horrendous. This drug may be good for others, but it is poison for this 81-year-old. I question why my doctor prescribed it for me. It was not for cholesterol, my numbers are good. I have a very small amount of heart disease that I am willing to live with. I hope that the damage done in six days will be history soon. Can you believe I went from being very active to unable to barely function in just six days? Now they say it will be 3 to 4 weeks before I will be back to normal. I pray."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I've been on atorvastatin 80 mg for high cholesterol for 6 months. I'm DONE! Extreme burning leg pain, back pain, and can barely walk. Feeling drained to the core and having no energy. This poison has me pretty much unable to function. When in the ER, the doctor told me that this medication causes muscular pain and people end up stopping taking it. Add me to that list. I have an appointment with my doctor next week and will inform him the side effects are too devastating to continue taking it. This is no way to live when people have to help you walk across the street as if you're over 100 years old. Tonight, I am DONE taking it. Then, reading through various complaints, there are people ultimately being diagnosed with Parkinson's, and doctors are still prescribing it. Atorvastatin is bad like all the other pills these quacks shovel out. There must be a holistic way to lower cholesterol without poisoning the body. Right now my legs are on fire and have to take something for pain."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 31, 2017

For High Cholesterol "At age 48 and in good health, I took atorvastatin 10 mg for 1 year without symptoms. It lowered my bad cholesterol. Near the 1st year, I began experiencing significant, unusual leg weakness and knee pain when standing from a kneeling position. It got to the point that I always needed to brace myself on the sofa or coffee table when getting up after playing with my dog or toddler son. Rising from my desk required a push on the desktop. Then weakness and pain to my finger and shoulder joints and forgetfulness. Overall, I felt 'rickety.' My MD said to stay on it. I decided otherwise and went off cold turkey one day. I've been off for 2 years and I feel normal again, except for residual and reduced effects on my shoulder and hands."

• Sil...
• February 14, 2016

For High Cholesterol "After his 5th heart attack, my hubby has been on 80 mg of these for nearly months, and he suffers pain and is now waking up with yellow bruises on him. The hospital says he can't come off them. They are the only new thing he's had, so I know they are the problems."

• waj...
• March 12, 2012

For High Cholesterol "I have used Zocor, Zetia, Lipitor, Pravachol. Lipitor is most effective, about the same side effects as Zocor but reduces cholesterol more quickly. Other than pains and aches, I feel these statin drugs make you diabetic over the long run. The pains become less acute after your body gets used to them."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2022

For High Cholesterol "Had high cholesterol, Dr. put me on atorvastatin, took for 3 months. Started feeling pain in shoulders and down both arms. Could not put my arms over my head, very stiff. Also, experiencing memory losses. I knew it was this drug because it was the only prescription I was taking. It was a terrible experience. I went to an acupuncturist for help, and he helped me greatly. Taking red yeast rice with CoQ10 for my high cholesterol. Dr. says it’s working, keep doing what you're doing! I’m doing a happy dance!!"

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2022

For High Cholesterol "Filled prescription on 6/3/22. Today is 6/23/22. Pain in my hamstrings and glutes. Scratchy throat. Pain in my hands and numbness/weakness in legs. I stopped taking it after a few weeks. My doctor first prescribed atorvastatin, which I believe made me worse. They told me Crestor (Rosuvastatin) is another option. Same poison, different name. I'd rather have borderline high cholesterol than take this stuff and feel horrible and basically injured. Depression, panicky, and uncertain of why you feel so bad until you realize it's statins. Also, my memory and ability to think are impaired. It takes some time to rid your body of these symptoms. Maybe some people love it, but I do not recommend it. I am done with statins."

• jak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2024

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "I was on 40 mg/day for 3 months and lost 30 kgs. Way too much weight loss too quickly. During this time and towards the end, I started having all the side effects mentioned - bone pains, muscle pains, hip pains, sore shoulders, unable to lift arms or legs, and generally feeling lethargic, sometimes nauseous and dizzy. Personally, I found the weight loss too severe and far too swift to the point of being dangerous. I've paused atorvastatin for a month and now feel 100% better with no more pains. No, I don't recommend this, but that is my opinion."

• Lee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2021

For High Cholesterol "After 4 years complaining, multiple doctors, rheumatology, neurology, cardiology, primary care, emergency room visits, PT, an insurance person contacted my cardiologist and asked if my arm pains could be linked to atorvastatin. Now off a week tomorrow, still having dull aches in my arms. I had suffered multiple issues: pain, twitching, bed-bound from fatigue, weight gain, fog, heel pain, balance off, ringing in ears, ear pain, and stomach bloated, always a mess. None all at the same time. I got every book I had an ANA test at my request. I was sick of being told they found nothing. So that test came back speckled positive, but false positive to them after still not finding enough. Should I seek all new doctors? Why didn’t anyone pick up on this? It’s horrible."

• Lee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2021

For High Cholesterol "After 4 years complaining, multiple doctors, rheumatology, neurology, cardiology, primary care, emergency room visits, PT, an insurance person contacted my cardiologist and asked if my arm pains could be linked to atorvastatin. Now off a week tomorrow, still having dull aches in my arms. I had suffered multiple issues: pain, twitching, bed-bound from fatigue, weight gain, fog, heel pain, balance off, ringing in ears, ear pain, and stomach bloated, always a mess. None all at the same time. I got every book I had an ANA test at my request. I was sick of being told they found nothing. So that test came back speckled positive, but false positive to them after still not finding enough. Should I seek all new doctors? Why didn’t anyone pick up on this? It’s horrible."

• Lee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2021

For High Cholesterol "After 4 years complaining, multiple doctors, rheumatology, neurology, cardiology, primary care, emergency room visits, PT, an insurance person contacted my cardiologist and asked if my arm pains could be linked to atorvastatin. Now off a week tomorrow, still having dull aches in my arms. I had suffered multiple issues: pain, twitching, bed-bound from fatigue, weight gain, fog, heel pain, balance off, ringing in ears, ear pain, and stomach bloated, always a mess. None all at the same time. I got every book I had an ANA test at my request. I was sick of being told they found nothing. So that test came back speckled positive, but false positive to them after still not finding enough. Should I seek all new doctors? Why didn’t anyone pick up on this? It’s horrible."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2022

For High Cholesterol "Was prescribed 20 mg a day from my Dr. After 3 weeks, I was noticing severe shoulder pain in my right and left shoulders and forearms. My arms were so weak I couldn’t hold them above my head. I stopped taking this drug immediately after reading the reviews. I am taking red yeast rice and CoQ10 every other day, 1 tab each. My husband has been taking this for his high cholesterol, and it has lowered his scores substantially! With no side effects! His Dr says, whatever you're taking, keep taking it!"