Wellness

[DJP]

My doctor has just prescribed Zocor for my high cholesteral.  Does anyone else take this medication?  And does this have harmful side effects?  Thank You!

[SeaMaiden]

---

@DJP wrote:

My doctor has just prescribed Zocor for my high cholesteral.  Does anyone else take this medication?  And does this have harmful side effects?  Thank You!

---

@DJP  https://www.drugs.com/zocor.html

[Laura14]

Don't take it but a lot of statins have muscle pain complaints.  My mother had a hard time with that.  

Talk to the pharmacist when you pick it up.  They are more knowledgable about drugs and their side effects than your doctor is and they are happy to help.

[millieshops]

@DJPI've been on a generic statin for quite a while.  I'd say they all have side effects and we have to pick our poison, so to speak, because not doing anything also has side effects.  You can talk with your pharmacist before you accept the script -  just in case what s/he tells you makes you want a different statin.

  I have been fortunate not to have the muscle issues many report.  I stick with the med because I already created a partially blocked carotid with my previous poor eating habits. 

[Naneen]

 I don't usually respond on things medical on these forums, but I'd like to share something with you.  I was put on Zocor at the lowest dose and within a month was experiencing dementia-like symptoms.  It really frightened me and I reported it to my Dr who said he had never heard of such a thing. This was in the 1990s.  I researched online at that time and found many reports by people who had the same thing happen to them when prescribed a statin. Needless to say, I stopped taking it and within 2 weeks or so, was back to normal.  My doctor wanted to try a different one, thinking I might have been allergic to Zocor specifically. We ended up trying two (not at the same time) and the same symptoms happened with each med.  I've since heard of many more instances where this group of drugs caused the same type of side effect.  You may want to talk to your pharmacist and also research online at reputable sites to do your own research.  As with all meds, many thousands of  people can take these drugs and not have any side effects at all... four of my  close family members take them with no problems.  Why me, I don't know.  But only you, your doctor and pharmacist can decide what's best for you.   Best wishes.

[Vivian]

ZOCOR gave me horrible Achilles tendonitis, a known side effect. I couldn't walk. Now I am on the lowest dose of Crestor and it seems OK.

[phoenixbrd]

All meds have consequences; me, I woud keep my diet clean and do some research to keep my meds natural.  I respect all choices,

[felixmom]

I was on Zocor for years and my cholesterol was on target. However, I couldn't live with the muscle aches in my legs. My doctor switched me to Atorvastin and my numbers are good with no muscle aches. Remember though that statins, while stopping cholesterol production, hinder your body's production of CoQ10. That's how you end up with muscle aches and weakness while taking statins. Take at least 200 mg a day. I learned the hard way.

[DJP]

Thank you all for your responses. I tried Lipitor years ago and had leg pains so I stopped taking it. My cholesterol is hereditary and hard to control. But I'm still skeptical of trying another statin. I will talk to the pharmacist when I pick up the script. Thanks again!!

[Citrine1]

Good luck to you @DJP.  My cholesterol was also hard to control, and my numbers didn't change when I changed my eating habits and exercise regimen.  After a 6 month trial of doing it the natural way, it was necessary for me to go on meds.  At any rate, I've been on 40 mg. of Zocor for about 10 years.  No ill side effects here.  I'm hoping the same for you!