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3.3 Overall Rating

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Most voted positive review

68 People found this comment helpful

I started taking Lipitor about 5 years ago. It lowered my cholesterol from 260 to 156. I don't eat any red meat or pork, occasionally have chicken. This is primarily a genetic issue not diet/nutrition. I usually eat mediterranean-type food (veggies & pasta) and am 5' 9", weigh 162lbs. Both my father & grandfather had high cholesterol. I was not aware of any side effects but started experiencin...

Most voted negative review

37 People found this comment helpful

Here i thought i was getting dementia, loss of memory has been driving me nuts,now i see it's this damn drug doing it..sham on you doctor's....

Shared reviews and ratings

Male Patient | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
7/22/2023
Condition: Stroke Prevention
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Had a stroke in July 2022. The doctors at the hospital ran all the standard tests after the stroke: CAT scan, MRI, echocardiogram, blood work, etc. The MRI showed where the stroke occurred in the brain; left side, a little above and in front of the ear top. Cholesterol was high, which it has always been high, but the 3 neurologists and 2 cardiologists who review my scans all said the same thing: your arteries are very clear, very minimal plaque buildup for a man your age and with your cholesterol levels. They also commented that they could not see where any plaque had broken off and could not see any residual plaque in the brain where the blockage occurred, basically they did not know why I had the stroke in the first place. I was put on 30 days of Plavix, a single 81mg aspirin once a day, and 40 mg of Lipitor a day. I had no side effects for the fist 60 days, felt normal. Then the side effects started popping up: in order - numb heels, itchy skin on my lower legs, hair loss on my lower legs, entire body got bloated, plantar fasciitis in both feet, weakness in my left thigh, purple colored skin on my ankles and the tops of my feet, loss of grip strength in both hands, hand swelling, hand tendon pain. From the numb heels to the hands swelling took about 4 months. The planter fasciitis was so painful I could barely walk 20 feet without being in absolute agony, and that was only with super soft flip flops on, bare foot walking was out of the question completely. I could not get an appt with my doc, booked up for the next 6 months, so I started doing my own diagnosis. All the side effects came down to being caused by Lipitor. I stopped taking it 2 months ago and most of the side effects have gone away completely, or are 85% gone. The only remaining issues are the hand pain, some minor swelling of my ankles after a long day at work, and even that goes away with a minute or two of me rubbing and massaging my lower legs and ankles. The plantar fasciitis is about 90% gone, still painful if I step on something while walking barefoot, but at least I can walk. Hand pain is much better, but they do continue to cramp up if I work them to hard while grasping or squeezing. I had taken only two supplements prior to and since my stroke, 500 mg of magnesium citrate/day and 1,000 mgs of turmeric/day. Since I stopped taking the Lipitor I have upped my intake of turmeric to 1,000 mgs every 12 hrs and added 1,000 of L-Arginine every 12 hrs. I believe upping the turmeric and adding the L-Arginine have helped with the lower leg circulation issues, bloat reduction, and foot and hand swelling. To me, and this is only my opinion, Lipitor is a poison, a slow acting poison that causes more problems than it solves. 80% of the cholesterol is made up by the body, so it is not "bad for you", even the dreaded LDL. In my case the doctors could not tie the stroke to cholesterol or plaque build up in my arteries, they just put me on the statin as there was nothing else they could come up with. Oh, by the way, I caused the stroke my self through an extra hard neck crack. Had a super stiff neck and cracked my neck to loosen it up, was a tad to exuberant, and about 10 minutes after the cracking my right thumb stopped working, then my right hand became a dead weight on the end of my arm, then the entire arm felt like it weighed 100 lbs and I could not lift it up. Right leg got weak and I had to drag my leg to walk. Informed my coworkers of my condition and they got me to the ER within 10 minutes and all is well. Read More Read Less

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jar775 | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
7/8/2023
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

It does lower my cholesterol levels, no doubt about that. And keeps them stable with continuous use. But it does have some side effects. Mostly aches and pains, which ease after time but are still there.

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Ali1981 | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
6/30/2023
Condition: Increased Triglycerides and Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Unfortunately in my family we all ended up on high blood pressure and statins at a young age. This drug caused me to get brain fog, dizziness, and really bad leg cramps. I told my doctor who agreed to stop this drug and try Pravastatin and I have been on that for 4 years without any side effects. I hope you all find some relief. Both my parents took this for years without problems but me no!

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Deadly stuff | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
5/23/2023
Condition: Stroke Prevention
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was in best shape ever 65 years old working out 2 to 3 hours per day Took for 3 weeks couldn’t walk ended up in ER Brain fog lost 2 months of my life Now 2 months later feel almost normal Will never take that again Would prefer to die of a heart attack

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Loretta | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
3/27/2023
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

As I was reading through some of the experiences, I was flabbergasted to learn how practically everyone had the same side effects!! I have also suffered from all of the things that everyone else mentioned. Someone also said that you don't notice them right away. And that's true, I had been taking it for for at least a year while having severe muscle pain and just a host of other issues thinking they were being brought on because of getting older. It wasn't until about a month ago that my friend told me to read the side effects that I realized it was the Atorvistatin that was causing all those issues! I immediately stopped taking it and called the pharmacy and was told not to stop it unless I check with my doctor. I told them that I would rather take my chances of having a heart attack than to suffer from these debilitating side effects! Since I stopped taking it I am starting to feel a little relief, but I'm still having major problems. I just hope I haven't suffered irreversible damage to my body because of it. I will never take that stuff again! I also hope others who have experienced adverse effects from it will get some relief as well. And thanks??to all who shared their experiences and suggested natural remedies that can help with the issues we're all having. I also hope that my review will be of help to others dealing with these horrible side effects. Read More Read Less

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Jackie | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/22/2023
Condition: Treatment to Prevent a Heart Attack
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

After reading several reviews I am deciding not to take this medicine, I already have Myofascial pain syndrome or fibromyalgia that include muscle pain, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, confusion and other symptoms as well, due to taking Levothyroxine, a prescription to treat hypothyroidism. My primary doctor told me that I have mild arteriosclerosis but did not prescribe any medicine, just to follow a low-fat diet. After that visit, I started to experience irregular heartbeats/palpitations, went to the cardiologist and he said that those heartbeats were ''kind of normal''and not to worry. He saw that I have the mild arteriosclerosis and told me that 'If he were me, he would start taking a low dose of Lipitor', so he prescribe me a 10mg pill. But, like I said, after reading that this medicine gives muscle pain, why do I have to add some more pain if I already have enough? So I will stick with my low-fat diet, for sure. Read More Read Less

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OhioGuy | 45-54 | Male | Patient
11/22/2022
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I am an active male. I play basketball 4 hours a week minimum. 5'10" 160. I have been taking lipitor for 4 months now. Cholesterol went from 297 to 164 in those 4 months. Cut bacon from diet. Greatly lowered my red meat consumption, though not completely.

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Candy | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
10/12/2022
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I came here to see the reviews of many people who struggle with the same thing I do and I wanted to come here and share my experience and on top of that something that helped me lower my cholesterol and i’m 100% sure it will help you as well, Hi i’m 19 and I was born with high cholesterol. My doctor had put me on lipitor as a very young age when I was in 2nd grade. Lipitor wasn’t helping me so my doctor would give me stronger medication after stronger medication and that medication ruined my life and still at these 19 years of age I struggle with the side affects due to me taking them for so long. These pills would make me trip and fall. It would give me trouble walking, running, going up the stairs, down the stairs, trouble concentrating, pain on my nerves, weak muscles, collapsing, foggy memory, forgetting to breathe, tired, weak,etc. I stopped taking the medication when I collapsed due to my body giving up on me during p.e, I’ve developed scars on my arms and legs due to all the falling it was causing me. When I stopped taking it, I was in high school and then I thought I was going to be better but then when I stopped I developed anxiety, depression, adhd, clumsiness, i still have a foggy memory, over sleep, under sleep,etc. Though now that I suffer with those things I blame the medication, it ruined my life as a kid, a teenager, and adult. Although that’s how my life is going to be I want to share with you all what I take instead of medication, my mom was doing research of what she can give me to help my cholesterol and she found “ kyolic garlic cardiovascular formula 100” I started taking it after I stopped taking lipitor and those natural herb pills help lower my cholesterol, no it doesn’t help me with my anxiety or my depression or my clumsiness but it helps with anything that has to do with your cardio vascular. It helps regulate your blood pressure and it does not just help lower cholesterol but it helps with other things. I really do recommend “kyolic garlic cardiovascular formula 100” there are many good reviews on it about it helping it lower your cholesterol and I hope you all try it, ik it says it has no odder but it does, it just makes you burp and u can smell ur garlic breath but to prevent it I recommend taking it with your food so that won’t happen. Read More Read Less

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JGillum18 | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
9/12/2022
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I started this medication 2 weeks ago and I feel like I’ve had the flu for 2 weeks straight. Severe body/muscle aches, fatigue like I’ve never experienced, anxiety (especially while driving), and overall not feeling well. I’m calling my doctor today for alternatives . I have changed my diet and am hoping that will make a difference for me and I won’t need the medication.

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Nicholas | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
7/9/2022
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This drug is like a slow poison, after few days of taking it, started to feel pain in my fingers, talked to my doctor and they said I can continue the "medication", slowly other side effects started to develop, low energy, tiredness, dizziness, confusion, panic attacks, anixeity, and general feeling of awefulness. I messeged my doctor last night and stopped the medication without their approval, i will never take it again.

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SecondRound | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
3/18/2022
Condition: Slow Progression of Disease of the Arteries of the Heart
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
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For 5 of the last 6 years on this statin I experienced 0 side effects. I am a 60+ athlete who exercises regularly which may have held off the things that started in this last year. I suffered the crazy random muscle pains in my lower body. Left thigh for a couple of days then right for a day then one of my calves. Tinnitus came up out of nowhere for about 6 months and went completely away. I'm a software engineer working from home. I don't think my brain has slowed down nor has my memory been affected. I reduced from 80mg to 40mg and the pains stopped. I feel the threat now that I've experienced some of what others have described. I just found Lichen Planus inside my cheek and learned that some people even get that. I'm getting to the point that if a new malady arises I'll blame it on the statin. We're all different and react differently to things (take the peanut for example - they'll kill some of you but I love them). There's too much conspiracy around every subject so it's really hard to learn the truth about statins or cholesterol but I'm becoming suspicious. I'm going to drop them for a month or so and see how things go. Read More Read Less

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Lipitor | 19-24 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
12/14/2021
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Had my bottom to my ankle muscles inflamed sore for 4 days

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Ltb31057 | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
8/23/2021
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have never felt as awful as any drug as I did with this medication. Within a week, I was having leg cramps that kept me up at night, diarrhea, nausea without vomiting, loss of appetite, chills, sweating and just a general feeling of malaise. I read that it takes 3 whole days to get out of your system, this is going on day two and I still feel like crap.

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NO-LIPITOR | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
6/2/2021
Condition: Treatment to Prevent a Heart Attack
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
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THEY NEED TO HAVE AFEW MORE QUESTIONS ABOVE TO EFFECTIVELY ANSWER. I HAVE THE SAME MUSCLE CRAMPING AND SORENESS AND HAND FEET ISSUES AS MOST OF YOU! *** PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE DOCTORS AND PHARMACIES GET LOTS OF SPIFFS AND BONUSES TO PUSH MEDICATIONS/BRANDS ON THEIR CLIENTS! IT'S NOT ABOUT CURING ANYONE, IT'S ABOUT DRAGGING YOUR ISSUES OUT AND CREATE MORE ISSUES SO THEY SELL YOU MORE OF THESE CRAP MEDICATIONS!! MY LATE WIFE SHOWED ME BOXES AND BOXES OF GIFTS FOR HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES TO WEAR THE PINS OF THE BRANDS OF MEDICATIONS WE ARE TAKING! AND THOSE WERE THE TINY GIFTS! EVER NOTICE YOUR DOCTOR KINDA IGNORE YOUR COMPLAINTS AND HINT AT UPPING YOUR MEDICATION OR MAYBE LETS TRY ADDING ANOTHER FOR THE PAIN? HOW ABOUT WE GET ANOTHER XRAY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE OK? WARM COMPRESSES, LOTION OR OINTMENT RUBS.....? WELL I'M QUITTING TAKING THIS MEDICATION AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON STUDYING HEALTHIER AND NATURAL ALTERNATIVES AND INCORPORATING FITNESS AND PRAY I CAN TURN THIS INSANE CYCLE AROUND!! FOLKS PLEASE STUDY KETO OR OTHER HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES DARK GREEN VEGGIES, FISH (SMALLER THE BETTER FOR LESS MERCURY), GET 2ND OPINIONS ON EVERYTHING YOU DO, RESEARCH ON UTUBE OR THE WEB! REMEMBER PHARMACIES SPONSOR THIS SITE!! "IN GOD WE TRUST, NOT MAN, NOT GOVERNMENT"Read More Read Less

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llb | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
4/2/2021
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Lowered my total cholesterol from 278 to 160 in a couple of months, with virtually no side effects. Only 20mg dose, lowered LDL from 203 to 93.

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Wheels | 55-64 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/4/2021
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I just starting taking this drug at bedtime three nights ago and I cannot sleep, and my asthma gets worse and my muscles feel weird, uncomfortable. I'm tired and normally go to bed around 11 pm after the news. I take my pills and a few minutes later I'm wide awake when I finally fall asleep around 5 or six am then have weird dreams. I have fibromyalgia so my muscles normally hurt but this is different. My husband is very active, he has been taking this medication for some time and he has foot numbness and we weren't sure why he is suddenly 'awake' after going to bed. I would not recommend this drug.Read More Read Less

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Mickey | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
5/6/2020
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
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Every muscle hurts and bones hurt. Keep telling Doctors about side effects but to no avail. Had to stop taking it myself.

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GaGa Nana | 55-64 | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
4/28/2020
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This drug just about killed my husband 15 yrs ago. First he got week, sore muscles, like he was getting the flu. Within 3 days, he could barely walk. He had been taking this for awhile. We went to various docs and hospitals, but no one could figure out what was wrong with him. Quit taking this drug and much of his problems cleared up. Recently, Dr wanted me to try it. I've given it about 3 months now. Suddenly my hair is falling out, I have no strength and am tired, and my muscles hurt like I'm getting the flu. Stopping immediately. I highly recommend you do not take this drug. You usually don't experience the side effects initially, they come in later, after you are no longer thinking about this being a possible cause.Read More Read Less

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Rj | 45-54 | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
1/22/2020
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been on Lipitor for almost a year now and it has made me to where it hurts to walk or stand i have no grip left in my hands no muscle strength left i can touch my skin to something and it just rips open i can not raise my arm up past my chest and all of my bones hurt me at all times

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hickory | 55-64 | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
11/4/2019
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Here i thought i was getting dementia, loss of memory has been driving me nuts,now i see it's this damn drug doing it..sham on you doctor's....

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