Specifically, the patient had taken atorvastatin for six years, followed by rosuvastatin (Crestor) for a year. “I developed severe pain in my leg muscles, primarily my calves, which led me to discontinue the drug,” writes the contributor to The People’s Pharmacy, “but the pain has remained.“I have been diagnosed with probable nerve damage. The neurologist acknowledged that they are seeing side effects after years of statin use by patients.” The author of the submission further noted that pain management in this case involves strong opioids such as fentanyl, administered with the help of a pain specialist.
In other words, pretty serious stuff.
In her reply, Terry Graedon noted a widespread belief by doctors that statin use is critical for heart health in many patients, and especially those with pre-existing cardiovascular issues, with clear signs of heart disease or having already suffered a heart attack.
But here’s a pearl of interest to anyone who has experienced Crestor side effects or adverse reactions following the use of any statin: “Clinical studies designed to get [US Food and Drug Administration] drug approval for statins did not reveal signs of nerve damage, so such symptoms are often discounted as not drug-related.” According to Graedon, the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005 noted in a wide-ranging report that “statin-associated peripheral neuropathy may persist for months or years after withdrawal of the statin.”
Sure enough, there it is, in the WHO Drug Information report, Volume 19, No. 2, 2005. Scrolling down to the end of Page 115 presents a revealing headline originating from Australia: ‘Statins and peripheral neuropathy.’
“The Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC) has received 281 reports of peripheral neuropathy or symptoms consistent with this diagnosis attributed to statins…and first highlighted this association in 1993. Thirteen of the 281 cases were confirmed by nerve conduction studies. Both sensory and mixed sensorimotor peripheral neuropathies were reported. The time to onset ranged from one dose to 4.5 years.”
The report noted that peripheral neuropathy is indeed rare, and also noted that many patients with neuropathy have other medical conditions that predispose them to the malady, including diabetes (Crestor diabetes is one side effect of rosuvastatin and other statins that has little to do with neuropathy), together with chronic renal failure.
The most unsettling aspect of the report, as noted above, is that about half of the cases identified in the WHO 2005 report recovered from their neuropathy when the statin was stopped. “Statin-associated peripheral neuropathy may persist for months or years after withdrawal of the statin.”
READ MORE CRESTOR LEGAL NEWS
The report does, however, serve to caution anyone about to go on or currently taking a statin for cholesterol. Specifically, Crestor side effects include, in rare cases, Crestor rhabdomylosis - a condition where muscle tissue is broken down and absorbed by the bloodstream with often grievous results.
Statins have long been prescribed to patients with a history of heart disease, heart attack or other cardiovascular issues - or at high risk. However, in recent years doctors have been prescribing statins as preventative therapy for Americans over 50 when no risk factors are present.
It's all fodder for a Crestor lawsuit, should a patient be experiencing pain while either on Crestor or post-Crestor.
READER COMMENTS
gerald j greenman
on
I was on simvastin for20 yrs ,My pulse goes down to 35
but i have no symptoms .2 ys ado I was put on zocar 10 mg as after an angio test it showed 2 build ups .Gradually a toe started burning and then over months both feet and I didnt want to walk anymore ,I know statins are good for me .Ive been off for 2 weeks and I feel top of the world and look forward to jogging each morning/ I,m contemplating whether a 2.5 mg dose will bring back the pains.I,m told that the stinging in my feet is permanent
Mike Gibson
on
I have tried to go back on various statins several times but they seem to aggravate the RLS and I stop after about a week to ten days. The problem in attributing a cause and effect relationship is that RLS tends to wax and wane of its own accord and many drugs and even foods are supposed to accentuate it.
Although I would like to gain any benefit I can from statin (a heart attack is no picknick), a slight increase in my symptoms after starting the drug strikes fear into me and I stop.
Its a difficult thing to judge.
jACQUELINE LEE
on
However, 4 years later, I'm still suffering from the terribly painful, sleep robbing neuropathy. If I had continued taking Crestor, there is no doubt in my mind, I would have developed full blown diabetes. My sugar and A1C levels have remained down, but the neuropathy has continued. I KNOW it was the Crestor that caused it. I called one of the lawsuits about my situation, but the agent I spoke with said they were only interested in those who were diagnosed as diabetic due to the Crestor. As I said, if I had continued with Crestor, I know I would now be diabetic. I took myself off of it, my sugar levels went down, but the neuropathy is the horrible side effect it looks like I will have for the rest of my life.
Michael
on
I am worried about taking care of my heart. The foot pain is incredible.
C. Gorniak
on
Michael Shanahan
on
Fred Kroesche
on
I was only on the 10ml dose for about 18 months, prior to that I had been on a dose of 5ml Crestor for about 7 years. And in that time I lost a kidney to cancer. Cancer is also listed a a side effect.
On the net under Scholarly research papers one can find hundreds if not thousands of reports by doctors and medical specialists including professors highlighting the side effects and damage caused by statins, but I can't find a knowledgeable doctor in Australia.
Doug
on
sandy
on
Mary Richard
on
ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THIS STORY