| Key to ratings for mevacor: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken | Date Added | |
| | F M | | | | ||||
| Change sort order by clicking arrow under column heading. | ||||||||
| 1 | Elevated Cholesterol | memory loss, fuzzy thinking, mental slowness, clumsiness, inability to form words when speaking, mild joint pain (wrists) | After taking this for about a week, I noticed the above symptoms on a very mild scale. I initially wrote it off to the long and late hours I was working for part of that first week. (4 days with only about 4-5 hours sleep.) After that assignment was completed, I went back to my regular work routine of two or three hours per day and 8-9 hours of sleep, however the symptoms did not abate and got progressively worse. After two weeks, I knew something well out of the ordinary was happening to me and the only logical conclusion was that because I was not doing anything else differently, it had to be the drug. I called a friend whom I knew was taking statins and asked him if he had experienced any side effects similar to mine. He said that except for severe muscle damage that he experienced, I could have been describing his symptoms. His doctor told him it was undoubtedly the statin and took him off. I quit the drug today and have called my doctor. I will report back on what happens. | M | 57 | 28 days | 2/5/2010 | 1 | High Cholesterol | Burning, numbness, tingling, trembling in arms and legs, stiff neck, neausea, blurred vision, forgetfulness, muscle weakness/stiffness, irritable. Felt like I had a serious illness most of the time. | Poison! Would not reccomend for any reason. Had to stop running because I was no longer able. Was on lower doses for three years with no problems. Increased to 80 mg for six months and started having problems. Never imagined it could be the meds. Tested for other diseases until I ran accross this site. Quit taking immediately. Felt somewhat better immediately but still had side effects off and on for about 1 1/2 months. Now feel great and able to run 1 hour a day. Going to try other drugs to lower cholesterol. | M | 37 | 3 years | 1/26/2010 | 1 | High Cholesterol | 1st feeling of rushing of blood in chest, flash warm feeling. I feel like I have been beat up all over my body. Doctor said fibromyalgia, despite Chiropracter/massage therapist denying this. I have a high tolerance to pain, due to 4 discs being gone in my lower back. So why would I develope this now? Extreme right shoulder pain, tightness. Had upper back injury years ago and attributed numberness in fingers and arms to that, appears to be drug related. Cramping in muscles, twitching in hip joints. Cannot sleep or fall asleep, pain all over, took prescribed sleeping pill, Oxycodone, Neurontin and still could not sleep for hours. This is after the 2nd time being on the medicine. Told doctor that Pharmacist vehemently warned against using this. Took it for a month, was off 2 weeks. Apparently it takes longer for the symptoms to go away, but they did get better. On it again and it is worse. Husband read this and said stop taking it now! I actually slept that night all the way through and l | I asked to try anything else and the doctor insisted on this medication. I would not go back on it for anything. I was taking Lyrica for fibromyalgia and also Raniditine for acid reflux, besides the pain pill above and sleeping aid. Why take a medication and then have to take 4 more drugs to counter its effects? | F | 52 | 60 days | 1/21/2010 | 2 | lower LDL | dry eye blurred vision migraine sore neck stomach ache nausea tingling/burning/itching feet difficult urination stiff and sore thighs difficulty walking muscle weakness | Normally I work out 7 days a week and am very healthy. Started on lovastatin to lower elevated LDL cholesterol. Dry eyes and blurred vision right away, stomach and head ache progressed to migraines which I haven't had in three years. Random itchy rashes. Muscle pain in my legs and I get so stiff I have to stand up carefully and hold the railings to go up and down stairs. After 15 Dr. visits I read about the side effects and stopped the drug last night. No one asked about taking new medication and statin side effects. Woke up this morning feeling better with diminished head and stomach ache. Hope this all resolves soon. Was on 20 mg Lovastatin. | F | 56 | 100 days | 1/18/2010 | 1 | doctor's idea | After 5 years my thigh muscles became so stiff and weak I could barely get in and out of the car, had to use hands to life. Also since stopping I noticed I no longer needed to take Prilosec for heartburn and that my loose bowel movements firmed up. I had never thought of side effects such as those. My legs still ache at night but a lot less than at the height. Blood test showed no muscle damage and only one liver enzyme slightly raised. I'm taking Q-10 and Carnitine supplements now, and hope to recover fully. | M | 75 | 5 years | 12/5/2009 | 5 | 2 NEUROSURGERIES / HIGH CHOL. | NONE WHATSOEVER. | KNOCKED MY CHOL DOWN IN 3 MONTHS FROM 280 TO 80. WHAT CAN I SAY? IT WORKED FOR ME, 100% THANKFUL. LOOKS LIKE I'M ON IT FOREVER NOW. | M | 57 | 3 years | 11/8/2009 | 2 | Hi cholesterol and family history | Soreness in upper lift arm, as if a bruise or recent vaccination (which it is not), numbness in left side of face, itchy eyes, some blurriness of vision? | Have just started 40mg of lovastatin, 3 days. Read the side effects from the pharmacy and was alarmed. Then the shoulder pain started and I began researching side effects on line. Found this site. Am very concerned, and will not continue. I will discuss this with my doctor further. Also am concerned that my 87 year old mother's dementia symptoms may be related. Have read that some experience memory loss and cognition difficulties taking statins. Too many drugs!! | M | 57 | 3 days | 10/31/2009 | 1 | high cholesterol | Took only 5 lovastatin tablets and had muscle pain, was weak, trembly, low blood sugar, ulcers in mouth and on tongue, terrible acid reflux. Took me several days to feel a bit better. It was very frightening. | Took tablet every other day for 10 days for a total of 5 doses. | F | 61 | 10 days | 10/14/2009 | 1 | blocked stent | Sporadic but frequent joint and muscle pain, especially in right shoulder and arm, but also left side, also hips and knees. Considerable and constant foot swelling also being experienced but possible lisinopril effect. | Was reluctant to take it because 4 months after double bypass 9 years ago I was put on simvastatin which made me weaker and weaker but without pain. Told VA docs over and over but had to find out for myself that weakness was a simvastatin side effect; stopping it stopped the progression of the weakness. Just so, if lovastatin is the cause of my current problems - and the muscle pain is certainly not the result of trauma - the docs just haven't managed to come up with that possibility in three consults. | M | 70 | 5 months | 7/11/2009 | 1 | High Cholesterol | I've experienced headaches, neck pain, pain in mostly all my upper body joints, having a hard time falling a sleep at night, and tired through out the day. | I've only been taking this medication for two weeks. After the research I've done, I'll be stopping the medication today, and try an alternative solution. | F | 50 | 15 days | 5/8/2009 | 5 | high cholesterol | none | Taking lovastatin for almost 1 yr. Dr. started at lower dosage and checked blood every 3 months increasing dose each time until I reached 80 mg a day. My cholesterol is now where it should be and I have no problems taking the drug. | F | 68 | 11 months | 5/1/2009 | 1 | high cholesterol | ANy one on statin drugs should read the Businessweek article from Jan. 28, 2008. Research done by scientist, not pharm. companies. I quit taking it after reading this article. Useless, harmful drug! | F | 53 | 3/23/2009 | 1 | high cholesterol | I am only 43 years old but after two weeks on this medication I developed serious memory problems such as forgetting the birth dates of my children. I've always had a sharp mind and was not taking any other medication so I knew it was the mevacor. I've since read that all statins have this side effect and that drug companies hid the side effect data when the FDA approved statins for human use. I was forgetting critical information at work and was scared that I was developing early dementia. The symptoms stopped within a week of stopping the mevacor. But my doctor still wants to try me on another statin. They say memory problems are rare-tell that to the executive who kept taking a statin for 2 years while his memory got so bad that he lost his job. The problem didn't reverse like mine after stopping the drug. The problem is that side effects like mine happen gradually so that it may take a long time (maybe never) before realizing that it is the medicine that is making you sick. When do | F | 43 | 14 days | 1/29/2009 | 1 | elevated cholesterol | Nausea, fatigue, low energy, depression, and muscle pain numbness in legs, feet, shuffling when walking, memory loss, falling, tripping, loss of balance, inability to drive, dry eye, inability to function blurred and double vision. | This med makes it hard to raise 13 mo.granddaugher.And try to keep on getting around. | M | 65 | 2 years | 1/13/2009 | 1 | High Cholesterol | Fatigue; hand and finger pain (can't open jars or cut uncooked veggies); hair loss at crown; short term memory loss/forgetfullness; difficulty getting in & out of car; sitting to standing; back and shoulder pain, pulling sensation in legs, at night...Feel like a sickly old lady! | When taking 10mg, I did not notice any symptoms. Dr. increased dosage to 20mg (he did not see enough progress on lower dose). Yes, my numbers have improved, however, I do not wish to live in agony...Quitting meds tonight! | F | 59 | 3 months | 1/5/2009 | 1 | high cholesterol | Was on lovastatin for 3 years. Cholesterol stayed around 200. Dr. suggested increasing dose from 20 to 40. Took the increased dose for two months. For the past week, I have barely been able to walk. Pain in my legs and hips was the worst pain I have ever experienced. I have been off the drug for one week. Pain is still pretty bad. I have been taking Darvocet and Motrin. I have a few hours of tolerable discomfort. I am wondering how long this will take to get out of my system. I am used to going to the gym for yoga, aerobics and swimming at least 5 days a week. Right now I would be happy to just be able to walk without pain. | I was on the increased dose for 2 months. Did not have problems on the lower dose. If anyone has had similar experience...HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO GET DRUG OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM AND FEEL NORMAL? | F | 63 | 2 months | 1/1/2009 | 2 | elevated cholesterol/family history | Severe moscle and joint pain in hips and upper arms. Stiffness and difficulty sleeping -waking early in AM with arm pain. Tool lovostatin without difficulty but started having symptoms after about 18 months while on 60 mgs per/day. Getting better off lovostatin for two weeks but still difficult to raise one arm above horizontal and persistent hip pain. | M | 69 | 400 days | 12/17/2008 | 2 | High Cholesterol | I have only been on it for a week but coincidentally have no energy and general malaise. I have a history of depression and wonder if this medication is right for me. | I was denied by my insurance for a more effective yet more expensive medication. I am wondering if this medication is worth the cost savings. | F | 37 | 7 days | 12/10/2008 | 1 | elevated cholesterol | Nausea, fatigue, low energy, depression, and eventually muscle pain and dyspepsia. All gone within a few weeks of stopping the medication. One symptom remains: atypical neuropathy, although even this is a bit better. | Of note that in over 20 visits with three different physicians I was repeatedly asked about my symptoms and the medications I take regularly. On NOT ONE SINGLE OCCASION did any physician ever wonder whether my symptoms derived from taking this drug. But yes, they wanted to prescribe other drugs for some of the symptoms. I basically had to figure this out myself. | M | 61 | 8 years | 12/7/2008 | 1 | High Cholestorel | numbness in legs, feet, shuffling when walking, memory loss, appeared to have symptoms of parkinsons or ALS, falling, tripping, loss of balance, inability to drive, dry eye, inability to function | Posting this for others to see. My father, athletic, healthy male who worked out daily at the gym, went to the doctor for first time just for a physical when he turned 64 years of age. Doctor placed him on lovastatin. Within weeks he had weakness in legs, problems with back, would run into walls, lose balance. After 6 months developed dry eye. When he visited doctor, and explained doctor said it was from 'aging'. My father must have aged 30 years in 6 months. He is now (after three years, 2 of those years on lovastatin) unable to leave the house on his own and can not drive. I had to move back with him to watch him. In the last two weeks I witnessed him take two very bad falls, and he couldnt get up without my help. He has been taking coq10 in high doses due to what i've read on the internet. It seems to have seriously improved him but still he has the above symptoms. This drug changed our lives for good. Its poison! | M | 67 | 2 years | 11/20/2008 | 1 | high cholestrol | Blurred and double vision, severe dizziness, migrane headaches, memory problems,fatigue | Thanks to everyone for their postings. I was beginning to think that I had a brain tumor and actually had an MRI. My doc prescribed 40 mg of this poison...twice the normal dosage. It is reassuring to know that once this drug is stopped, the senses return to normal. Again, why is this drug on the market? Can anyone tolerate it? | F | 53 | 21 days | 11/19/2008 | 4 | high cholesterol | some bloating after taking, usually last a couple of hours | taking generic, lovastatin 20 mg. lowered bad cholesterol from 212 to 167 in 3 months Dr. just increased amt. to 40 mg. so I'll check back in after my 3 month trial with the increase. | F | 67 | 3 months | 10/16/2008 | 1 | slightly elevated cholesterol | Memory loss increasing to severe, stumbling on flat surface , worsening to weakness in all muscles incl bladder, swallowing, pain in legs, shoulders, old injury sites "flaring up", abdominal pain, bloating,night sweats, misery. | it seems to be automatic to give new diagnosed type 2 diabetes pts blood pressure and cholesterol meds. Started Lovasatin March 2003.By Sept memory loss became noticeable,vague pains, abdominal bloating, December told Dr. going to cut 40mg dose in half. Dr havd not heard of any other patient with mem=ory loss or pains. Blood tests normal. Apparently I didn't see less rapid decline till muscle pain crept in, very very slowly, then old injuries became terribly painful especially at night and feet so I had to put folded towel in shower in AM. Memory loss became much worse, Called Dr. Aug 07 and said I would die of high cholesterol, rather than live like this. Quit statin over three days, one day later took 200mg Coenzyme Q 10 and woke up next day without pain in feet. Never had again. I take fish oil and CoQ10 100mg daily since then,Memory all but back to normal- did 1st Crossword puzzle three months ago, But was so bad I realize I had unsteady walk, could not climb up onto one step with | F | 66 | 2 years | 7/13/2008 | 5 | Elevated Cholesterol | From my previous posts, I have reduced the side effects to my back maybe cracks a little more than usual - during the day I'll twist this way ot that or flex my sholder back and get a crack out of my back. It's really a very minor side effect. | I reported twice before on this post (I used the same description found in the left most column). For clarification, Mevacor, Lovastatin, Monocolins and Red Yeast Rice are [pretty much] the same drug. - Anyways, my numbers now are: Total 194, HDL 53, LDL 129, triglycerides very good, glucose a little elevated but still well within normal. - here is what I did and what I have changed since these numbers were derived. 1/2 pill of Red Yeast Rice (5.2g monocolins), 1500 mg niacin (actually 1200 niacin and 300 inositol in the form of inositol hexanicotinate), 5 1g fish oil pills (molecularly distilled to remove any toxins), b-complex with and also extra folic acid and b12, 200mg CoQ10 (minimum) - Going forward I will increase niacin to 2000mg to increase my HDL. I must be careful and watch my liver function number because niacin as well as the red yeast rice puts a strain on the liver. CoQ10 is absolutely essential for the elimination of many of my earlier symptoms. | M | 49 | 18 months | 6/26/2008 | 1 | High cholesterol | Memory loss, numbness and tingling in extremities, muscle pain and wasting, atrial fibrillation, bone pain, joint pain, insomnia, poor vision etc... | According to doctor blood tests seem normal to him. Started having heart fibrillations 6 years into this drug therapy. Stopped taking drug and symptoms went away. Start drug symptoms return. Doctor believes drug not responsible. Common senes tells me to stop but don't want to piss doctor off. Hard to find doctors here in Hawaii. Predisposing factor to having negative symptoms may be stress from police job etc. Being on this drug is like a death sentence. Cannot even work out to get back in shape...ironic..been on drug 7 years. | M | 47 | 7 days | 6/10/2008 | 1 | high cholesterol | Nausea, insomnia, nervousness, loud ringing in ears, forgetfulness, confusion on low doses | I've taken several statins with similar intolerable side effects. The cure is worse than the disease in this case of many of us. | M | 64 | 2 months | 4/5/2008 | 1 | high cholesterol | insomnia, depression, anxiety, muscle weakness and pain, reflux, loss of energy, enthusiasm and drive. Tendonitis, stomach upset, pain in side. memory loss. | The worst experience I have ever had. Have been off one month and am improving in ever area. The change is very dramatic. Took it 3 years, no symptoms in the beginning, came on gradual and I didn't attribute them to medication until my doctor had me discontinue. As if by Magic all my complaints cleared up. I felt so bad I was feeling suicidal. | F | 8 | 3/28/2008 | 1 | High Cholesterol | Joint and muscle pain. Tingling and numbness in extremities. Fatigue, fatigue fatigue. Weakness. Stopped taking a week ago and am just starting to feel like myself again. | M | 60 | 3 years | 3/24/2008 | 1 | High Cholesterol | Pain and swelling in hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders. Symptoms were diagnosed as arthritis and prescribed 1600 mg of ibuprofin and sulfasalazine for arthritis. | This drug is worse for your health than high cholesterol. | M | 58 | 2 years | 2/21/2008 | 1 | cholesterol | I am having severe muscle aches,joint pain, headache's . I can not walk after sitting for awhile because of ankle and leg pain. I also have found after sitting in a car for awhile is even harder on my legs and my hips. I have been to my doc.test show no arthritis. | My Doc has never mentioned any side effects with lovastatin, he says I have some form of arthritis or auto-immune even though all test are negative | M | 51 | 14 months | 2/6/2008 | 1 | High LDL | Hair loss/breakage and painful joints after taking 10 mg for 3 months. Doctor had doubled dose for 3 weeks because there was no improvement in my LDL when labwork was done. | My hairdresser asked about new medications when we noticed my hair was breaking off and looked very "dull" not shiny. When I contacted my cardiologist, I was told this was a side effect, but I could not find it in anything I had read as a side effect. | F | 59 | 3 months | 12/29/2007 | 1 | recommended by Dr. | chills, fever, rash, muscle aches, tingling pain in hands and fingers stiff neck, headache, blurred vision, sweating | I would not recommend anyone take this drug. | M | 58 | 2 days | 12/25/2007 | 1 | to lower LDL Cholesterol | Severe pains in all of my upper body joints and muscles, wrists, hands and ankles and feet. My legs felt like they were so heavy when I walked. After being on my feet to cook Thanksgiving food my feet on the top would hurt for hours afterwards.Then my legs began to swell. I was extremely fatigued and lethargic. The muscle in my right bicep deteriorated to mush. This crept up on me. | Mevacor did lower my LDL from 111 to 76. I thought that was great. I have had bouts of fybromylgia for years and I have osteoarthritis, so I thought when these symptoms got really horrible that I was having a major attack in these two areas. I was on CoQ10 from the time I started taking Mevacor. I felt like I was slowly dying on this drug. I would rather die of a heart attack at 65 that feel like I did. | F | 56 | 7 months | 12/9/2007 | 1 | Genetically High LDL levels | Nausea, dizziness, acid reflux, chest pressure, woke up belching, went to bed belching. Numbness and/or pain in arms and hands, sudden tiredness. I would become so nauseous I could eat nothing but crackers and peppermint tea. Very similiar to "morning sickness". Yuck! Seemed to be triggered by anything that could become acidic in my stomach - even coffee. | I did not have immediate side effects, rather started having "episodes" of dizziness and nausea after being on drug for about 14 months. Did not relate as side effects, until I had an "A-HA!" moment and realized that was the only thing it could be. And it was. Within 2 weeks of being off the drug, all the issues I was having were gone. My Dr. is now having me try Zetia. I just read the side effect reports for this - SCAREY! My Dr. said NOT taking anything would be "gambling" on what could happen otherwise. I lead a VERY, VERY healthy lifestyle. My achilles heel though is having high LDL! | F | 50 | 18 months | 11/13/2007 | 3 | Elevated Cholesterol | ..A GUIDE TO LOWERING CHOLESTEROL FOR THOSE WITH BAD REACTIONS TO STATINS DRUGS SUCH AS MEVACOR AND LIPITOR, etc.. ...Write me if you have questions.. I commented on this page before. I had great success with Red Yeast Rice (also known as Lovastatin brand name Mevacor)lowering my total cholesterol from 244 to 168 with my HDL 40. My orig numers were 244 w/HDL 62. But there were side effects and my HDL had dropped 22. | I stopped and tried beta sterols, oatmeal, loss 10 lbs, kept up the exercise (best I could), fish oil 2 pills total EPA 530mg and 1000mg niacin extended release but my numbers were total 225 w/HDL 53. Thats a little progress but I need more. I have increased my niacin to 1200 mg (600 before bed and 600 in the morning) and started taking Red Yeast Rice again but half a pill therefor 5.2 monacolins but my neck has started to tighten up and crack with headaches. I'm taking one day off RYR and tom I take only 1/4 a pill for 2.6 monacolins. I mean Advicor is niacin extended relase and Lovastatin and it comes in quantities starting at 500mg extended release niacin and 20 mg lovastatin. I'm well within the lowest amount so what gives. I'm upping my fish oil to 5 to 6 pills for an EPA of 1100-1350 mg. I had been taking 6 pills fish oil before my first test (HDL 62) but had stopped before my second test (HDL 40).My goal is Total under 200, HDL minimum 75 and LDL under 125 hopefully close to 100 | M | 49 | 7 days | 11/6/2007 | 1 | To lower chlorestrol | After taking Lovastatin for almost one year, several months ago began experiencing severe pain in almost all joints of body. Had no energy and had a hard time sleeping at night. Went to Doctor this week for physical and after telling him my problems, he said to stop taking this drug. Why was I not advised of the side effects before taking??? | F | 67 | 10/25/2007 | 1 | To lower cholesterol | I experienced heart attack like symptoms and have been having extreme dizziness, vertigo, and headaches for the past 4 months. I consulted my doctor and she zeroed in on the Mevacor and I stopped it about 2 weeks ago. Am still having dizziness and headaches. Anyone else out there with these problems?? | M | 50 | 3 years | 9/12/2007 | 1 | to lower Cholestral | Pain in upper arms, legs, no motivation, heaviness in legs when walking or going up stairs. Difficulty sleeping. | Doctor put me on this medication, (Lovastatin, Generic for Mevacor Oct. 23, 2006. I stopped taking this Aug.1, 2007 | F | 57 | 10 months | 8/6/2007 | 4 | Cholesterol | Neck stiffness, neck pain, neck muscles felt as thought they were going to freeze up and crack. Heaviness in chest. Lack of ambition. Seemed to be losing muscle mass. Struggled in my running. | I took Red Yeast Rice extended release with 10.2 mg monocolins (Lovastatin or brand name Mevacor). I had great success lowering my cholesterol from 245 to 165 but had bad side effects as I listed. I then started taking 100 mg CoQ10 daily and symptoms lessened. I then cut the pill in half (cut my dose in half) and all symptoms went away. I then started taking a beta sterol 15 minutes before each meal (total beta sterol a day between 3 and 4 grams). I started taking fish oil and cod liver oil also preceded by 1 beta sterol. Beta sterol is believed to compete with cholesterol within the digestive track for uptake. Lastly, I take CLA (another fatty acid just as fish oil has fatty acids DHA and EPA). The CLA is helping me drop fat and hopefully gain muscle. I head to the Dr's next week to check my blood levels. If I keep below 200 total with HDL above 65 and LDL below 120 then I'll be happy - and of course my triglycerides too. | M | 49 | 4 months | 8/1/2007 | 1 | Statins — Advicor, Crestor, Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor, etc. — inhibit CoQ10 production so severely that side effects include muscle pain and wasting, heart disease, liver damage, kidney failure, fatigue, and cancer. (Merck patented packaging CoQ10 with statins, but has never sold the combination.) Baycol was yanked from the market after it suppressed CoQ10 to the point of death, and Crestor is considered to be equally unsafe. Numerous petitions submitted by doctors to the FDA seeking mandatory statin warnings contain statements like, “Statin-induced CoQ10 deficiency can be completely reversed by supplemental CoQ10.” | M | 62 | 7/27/2007 | 1 | cholesterol | Lovastatin initially worked--got my cholesterol level down without any apparent side effects. However, after being on lovastatin for 4 months, I started to experience pain in my butt and leg muscles. I also had trouble opening jars and lifting over 5 pounds. I especially had trouble getting up and starting to move from a sitting position. I had trouble getting into and out of a car. I had trouble going up and down stairs. I ached when I bent over slightly or leaned over from a sitting position. I had trouble crouching down. I had trouble walking at my normal speed and stepping off and onto curbs. I stopped the medication and am nearly recovered after 20 days of no medication. | F | 58 | 4 months | 7/9/2007 | 1 | Cholestrol | Severe leg pain from knees down. Tingling of feet. Tired all of the time, could get up and go right back to bed. No ambition. | Went off the drug without doctor advice. Legs are just now starting to feel better (off drug for 2 weeks now). | F | 58 | 4 years | 6/7/2007 | 1 | cholestral 250 | took for three months, hands and wrists started hurting very much went to the doctor, he said you have arthritis take ibuprofan and walked out. I looked up my meds because of another taking them and having severe arthritis, found that they could cause the problems I was having, (none before the mevacor). Stop taking them 6 months ago still have pain in most of my joints, not as sever pain, but still quite painful. Everyone that I have talked to that took the same, are having some of the same reactions | DO NOT TAKE | F | 58 | 3 months | 6/7/2007 | 4 | High Choles (244 - Red Yeast Rice) | This works, I guarantee. I make this entry on this site to educate. I'll be short. Mevacor is the brand name. Lovastatin is the generic name. Red Yeast Rice contains lovastatin - or known by monacolin-K when in Red Yeast Rice. Along with monacolin-k there are monacolin-1,2,3,4,5,6 and a beta sterostol. With RYR these work synergistically to lower cholesterol with an amount (mg) less than that used for same cholestrol lower effect as Mevacor. Therefor, with 10 gm of RYR monacolin you get the effect of about 15 mg of Mevacor. It not only uses less but it spreads out the load rather than targeting a single receptor thus putting a far lesser load on the liver. I lowered my cholesterol from 244 to 195 and elevated HDL from 63 to 70. Now I'll mix in walnuts and oatmeal and continue working out. | People jump into statins - DON'T. Start with say 5 mg for 2 weeks and then 10 mg for 2 and then 15 mg. The rule will be that 10 mg will lower overall cholestrol by about 23%. Adding another 10 mg to 20 mg doesn't mean you'll lower it 46% - it will be more like 28%. By slowly starting off on it you will help avoid the problems. And, I guarantee most the people here with problems are boozing it. Cut back to maybe 1 glass a wine on 3 day per week. I drank too much once and boy did I pay for it. And I tried taking it before and stopped due to problems. THis time I took it slowly and cut back on the booze and all is good. Initially I felt tired and a little heavy in the chest. but that is all gone. And rememeber to take 30 mg CoQ10 per day to replace what lovastatin removes. | M | 48 | 2 months | 6/4/2007 | 1 | High Cholesterol | None, thanks to this site I read up on Mevacor first and decided not to take it. I already have severe joint problems especially my shoulders. I found it odd that my Kaiser Dr. prescibed this right after giving me an orthopaedic referral. I have sent her the link to this page so she can get with it. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, you are a blessing to others! | F | 52 | 4/25/2007 | 1 | high cholestorol | Severe muscle and joint pain. I went to the doctor because I could barely walk. My arms were numb, joints were in severe pain and I felt extremely ill. I have been off of Lovastatin for 3 months now and I am still not 100% better. I had been on the drug for years. | F | 4 years | 4/24/2007 | 5 | High Cholesterol | I have been taking it (actually the generic Lovastatin) for 2 months. So far, no side effects and it has significantly lowered my Cholesterol and LDLs. Both numbers are nearly in the normal range. | I get it from Target at a cost of $12 for 90 days. | M | 44 | 2 months | 4/14/2007 | 1 | lower cholester | extreme fatigue, muscle ache in thighs, can hardly get out of bed, dizzy | F | 40 | 3 weeks | 4/12/2007 | 2 | to lower LDL below 100 from 125 | After about 2 years on 20 mg Lovastatin I woke up to lower leg and ankle pain, both legs. This continued for days even though my extensive exercise routine had not changed. Walking was painful, but improved during the day. I stopped taking the statin on my own [Dr. was out of town] and had significant lessening of the pain after 2 days. The pain was completely gone after 10 days. I kept a daily log. | I often woke up with arm numbness that went away after a minute or so being awake. I attributed it to sleeping on my arm. The numbness has not happened since I stopped Lovastatin. The caution sheets given to patients call side effects very rare. I doubt that, as a friend's Dr told him leg pains occur in 25% of patients. I lost some weight and saw a dietician since stopping Lovastatin. I'd rather lower LDL this way. No more statins for me! | M | 72 | 2 years | 3/18/2007 | 1 | high blood pressure | muscle pain in arms and sholders and also legs | I have not stopped taking it yet , but plan to in the near future | F | 46 | 2 years | 1/3/2007 | 1 | lower cholesterol, triglyceride | My husband was on lovastatin for 2 months. Here are the symptoms he experienced. insomnia - even after stopping the medication, it persists short sight/astigmatism - His eye doctor says his right eye already had astigmatism, but since the eye muscles were strong, the astigmatism got cancelled somehow. After stopping lovastatin, vision became normal | Would not recommend anyone to take it. Right now, we are on lots of blueberries, garlic, chlorella, brewers yeast | F | 32 | 2 months | 10/27/2006 | 1 | High Cholesterol | SEVERE MEMORY LOSS. PLEASE, would like to have postings about anyone else who had this problem and IF it improved after stopping this stupid, dangerous drug. My Mother-in-law is on it and we have advised her to stop. Her short term memory is gone and she has amnesia like episodes. Thank you!!! | Why is this crap still on the market? Oh yeah, it's about $$$$ not patient health. | F | 1 years | 10/23/2006 | 3 | F | 48 | 0 days | 10/1/2006 | 1 | High cholesterol | Sore muscles in both arms; weak muscles in arms, legs, and back. My father has taken lovastatin for several years and is now experiencing severe weakness of muscles in his legs with symptoms of nerve damage | I stopped taking Lovastatin approx 3 months ago. Left arm is now ok but soreness in right arm continues. Muscle strength in back and legs has returned (I can now lift heavy items again without injuring muscles). | M | 52 | 1 years | 9/30/2006 | 2 | to lower cholesterol | Pain in groin, legs, back, fingers, heels, especially when getting up after sitting, getting out of the car, getting out of bed. | I used to be really active and enjoyed walking for exercise. I now avoid regular exercise and take pain medication every day. | F | 64 | 9 months | 8/18/2006 | 2 | Elevated LDL and total cholesterol | Posterior leg, knee and calf pain/muscle cramping unresolved by stretching, postional change and/or rest. Some dizziness; nausea x2; mild fatigue. | After one month at 20 mg per day, there was no change in my LDL or total cholesterol. I drink 4 to 5 glasses of red wine per week. I also take 5 mg of Zyrtec about 4 x/week and daily Rhinocort nasal spray. My liver enzymes were normal after one month (previously had elevated liver enzymes with Lipitor) I took generic lovastatin not tradename Mevacor. My physician said to stop the lovastatin, take Coenzyme Q10, and after muscle pain resolves (predicted to be about 3 weeks), we will try another cholesterol lowering drug. | F | 57 | 30 days | 7/19/2006 | 4 | High Cholesteral | None | Have taken 1 yr. Is helping but too early to tell end result. I have pain in shoulders & knees but it is due to arthritus | F | 70 | 365 days | 3/23/2006 | 3 | Type 2 diabetes | According to my doctor, the beneficial side effects of this statin are increased blood flow to the kidneys which is a good thing for diabetics. He also subscribes to the theory that diabetics, even with "normal" cholesterol numbers, have lower quality cholesterol - hence the statin helps reduce the amount of bad cholesterol (which is worse in us than non-diabetics) and increase good cholesterol (which is not as of good a quality as in non-diabetics). | I didn't particularly need this for cholesterol problems - my doctor prescribed it mostly for beneficial side effects. In any case my total cholesterol was 151 before starting (LDL & HDL both in the low normal ranges too). After 6 months my total dropped to 124. Triglycerides took a nose dive from mid-range normal to low normal. The ratio of LDL to HDL also improved. | M | 47 | 6 months | 3/23/2006 | 4 | High Cholesterol | NONE | Been taking Lovastatin for 10 months - Lowered cholesterol | M | 46 | 10 months | 3/1/2006 | 1 | Cholesterol | Extreme pain in my right sholder first, for 2 mo. I thought it was arthritis. Pain is now in both arms and legs. Cannot lift my arms over my head to comb my hair. Dr. today took me off the lovastatin. Said, 3 weeks off the medicine before I see results. | I would suggest if you feel any muscle pain, call your Dr. ASAP. | F | 66 | 3 days | 2/22/2006 | 1 | High Cholestoral, Lipids | It did lower my triglycerides, cholesterol. However I have experienced acute memory loss, ache joints of the hands, knees, hips,and foot. I have been contributing these symptoms to arthritis, aging, weight gain, and sinis and allergies over the last year but now I have doubts. | The dosage prescribed is 40mg of Lovastatin at bed time and I have faithfully taken it for about 1 1/2 years. After reading the symptoms of others I am experiencing common ailments the most disturbing is memory loss. My physician found no indication of dementia. I did not take my medication last night and will stay off Lovastatin for a few days in order to evaluate my symptoms to see if they go away or subside. | M | 63 | 1 years | 2/7/2006 | 1 | high cholesterol | severe memory loss | started out losing items such as keys. began to be unable to carry on complete conversations...would forget what i was talking about in mid-sentence. Unable to comprehend things at work that i should have had no problem with. unable to remember at least 2 whole days. been off med. for 2 weeks with some improvement. doctor refuses to believe problems are due to lovastatin (mevacor) | F | 34 | 26 days | 11/29/2005 | 1 | High Cholesterol | My significant other was taking this. He got weaker - He swims and couldn't pull himself out of the pool any more. Trouble opening jars. He often talked about what he would leave different people when he died. He complained of muscle pains and his finger joints frequently ached. He had trouble maintaining erections. One liver enzyme was five TIMES normal after 1 year on lovastatin. | We didn't realize what was going on until he stopped taking it. All of the symptoms, I'm happy to report, went away after being off the medication for one month. | M | 70 | 1 years | 11/7/2005 | 3 | cholesterol | After about one year on Mevacor, experienced symmetrical pain in fingers and toes (each finger and each toe simultaneously), as well as elbows, knees. Wake up tired and sore; ready to go back to bed. Upon awakening, difficult to walk. After a few hours, easier to walk, move hands, but low level of joint pain persists 24/7. Some | My doctor stopped the Rx just 3.5 days ago, thinking it may be the cause of the athralgia and myalgia - fancy names for sore bones and joints! (smile) Waiting for improvement in aches and pains. Will keep you posted. | F | 51 | 1 years | 8/7/2005 | 1 | high cholesterol | pain in hands and fingers, sometimes up arms and into shoulders; often found hands were asleep when I woke; headache that seems to travel down sides of my head and into my face; lots of stomach upset--I also have reflux disease, but this pain was much worse; cramping, bloating. Pain in sides and chest. | I am going to try policosanol instead; has anyone had success with that? also, I've heard that sugar cane-derived is superior, but I wonder if anyone else knows much about that distinction. (also, I don't even know my numbers with Mevacor, but it doesn't really matter to me---I can't tolerate these side effects anymore) | F | 47 | 4 months | 8/7/2005 | 1 | Cholesterol | Erectile Disfunction | Was effecting libido and ability to achieve erections. Went off medication and everything got better. | M | 39 | 3 months | 7/26/2005 | 3 | high cholesterol | I am having severe knee pain, elbow pain as well but have had tennis elbow issues before so I can't say the medication is causing this, depression - I am snappier with my family, overall tiredness and lack of energy, not even enough energy to exercise | I go back to the doctor for the first time next week and will discuss all this with him before making a final decision as to the actual cause | F | 39 | 3 months | 6/12/2005 | 1 | hc | Pain began in hand and finger joints, then moved to lower leg muscles and slowly traveled up legs to right hip.Unable to get into car without lifting second leg in. Unable to stand w/o pushing up from table. Unable to go on stairway w/o gripping rail. Went to physical therapist and told I was getting old. Told to exercise more to gain muscle strength although my job requires that I stand in a 1st grade classroom all day.Went off and within 5 days was able to walk, climb stairs and get into a car. Told principal...she suffers same symptoms. She went off 4 days ago and now is able to walk where before she felt | Investigate when your symptoms occur. Don't take | F | 52 | 18 months | 5/25/2005 | 1 | High Cholesterol | Emense constant muscle tightness in both thighs, biceps, underarms, and calfs. The tightness in my thighs are as big as a cantelope. Muscle weakness, fatigue, concentration level low. I feel tired all the time and have a hard time walking. This is not my normal routine. I stopped taking my mevacor four days ago and have noticed the hardness in my thighs are decreasing. I can't wait to feel better. This drug is not for me. | I took Zocor for about 2 years and had muscle pain and cosmic pains in my thighs. I thought I had some weird degenerating disease. On Mevacor the muscle pain is worse for me. I stopped taking Zorcor for one year and I felt great. Of course, my cholesterol level went back up to 286. I am now doing yoga and watching my diet, this is a much better plan than taking these drugs. I can say that taking Zorcor for me the muscle pain was much less than Mevacor, but my Kaiser Dr. would not give me Zocor, she said it was too expensive and not on their business plan. Humm. | F | 55 | 2 months | 4/3/2005 | 2 | High Chol | Muscle and joint pain... especially if you have consume alochol. And I do.... every muscle you have hurts. Looking to change to another script. | It did lower my numbers, but not practical for me at all. | M | 51 | 45 days | 3/9/2005 | 3 | High LDL | Memory loss | I took Mevacor for one year. My memory progressively got worse. My memory returned after I had been off of Mevacor for a couple weeks | M | 45 | 1 years | 8/20/2004 | 3 | High cholesterol 223 down to 181 | Took for 5 months, only side effect is constapation | F | 45 | 5 months | 5/14/2004 | 1 | heart | leg pain | M | 3 days | 4/20/2004 | 1 | cholesterol | Leg pain for 3 weeks.Was in the hospital 4 days could not take the pain.Other Symptoms weakness in the hands,hoarseness,muscle atrophy.Still in pain 2 month later. I know it was lovastain by Mevacor. Doctors have no clue about it. Had to get symptoms off the internet.And $10,000 Later | F | 53 | 3 months | 3/11/2004 | 4 | lower cholesterol | heartburn,heart racing slightly | taking only 10mg per day. Seems to act as an anti-inflammatory also since my back pain has gone away. | M | 63 | 6 months | 6/15/2003 | 1 | high cholesterol | Aches and pains in my joints, especially my hands and fingers. The doctor seemed to think it was related to osteoarthritis, but when I stopped taking the lovastatin, the pain decreased and then stopped. | F | 57 | 8 months | 2/12/2003 | 1 | 2/2/2003 | 1 | 2/2/2003 | 1 | hc | 4 years | 2/2/2003 |
| Key to
ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |