goldenboys
07-24-2006, 02:23 PM
Was taken off Zocor by insurance company...they will no longer cover it. The only thing they cover is Lovastatin and this crap is tearing my stomach up, nausea & giving me the worse headaches. :dizzy: I take it with my last meal as instructed and by midnight I am in pain. I haven't been able to find anything that states this drug causes this type of pain. If anyone has ever taken this can you tell me if this is normal? I'm going to have my 1st blood test in 9 months on Aug 11 and am thinking of just stopping it and see how the test goes. Compared to Zocor this stuff is "gut wrenching"!!!!
Sponsor
Kadey
07-24-2006, 08:41 PM
I've been on 40mg Lovastatin for a little over a year. Three months ago I decided on my own to lower my dosage to 20mg daily as I was experiencing some muscle aching in my arms in the evenings. Just had my latest 3 month check-up and I had no significant changes in my cholesterol numbers... not enough to warrant upping the dosage again. I'm very pleased. I take my Lovastatin just as I head off to bed with a small glass of "light" orange juice and 150mg COQ10.
Imacarbuff
07-24-2006, 10:16 PM
I'm surprised that you did not have problems with the Zocor-a stronger statin. Lovastatin is supposed to be a mild statin. From what I have learned over the past six months.....Drs seem to prescribe too high of a dose when they hand out a patients first prescription.
ARIZONA73
07-24-2006, 11:25 PM
Well, my opinion is that many doctors do tend to overshoot the dosage, which lands many people in trouble. But, in any case, if the Lovastatin is in fact causing pain and discomfort, then by all means stop taking it, and immediately report it to your doctor. Nobody should have to put up with that.
Lenin
07-25-2006, 09:05 AM
goldenboys,
Inquire again. I cannot IMAGINE an insurance company allowing only lovastatin as the single statin in their pharmacopeia? It's very weak.
Ask about Lipitor, Pravachol, Crestor.
Alas, lovastatin is very cheap compared to the others, and a crummy insurance company might choose only on that basis. I assume you are STUCK with that company because it's what your employer offers, take it or leave it?
PErhaps the Zocor is allowed under the new generic formulation, simvastatin.
Gastritis, nausea, and headache really aren't what people see with statins. Maybe it's something else that's causing it?
Inquire again. I cannot IMAGINE an insurance company allowing only lovastatin as the single statin in their pharmacopeia? It's very weak.
Ask about Lipitor, Pravachol, Crestor.
Alas, lovastatin is very cheap compared to the others, and a crummy insurance company might choose only on that basis. I assume you are STUCK with that company because it's what your employer offers, take it or leave it?
PErhaps the Zocor is allowed under the new generic formulation, simvastatin.
Gastritis, nausea, and headache really aren't what people see with statins. Maybe it's something else that's causing it?
Imacarbuff
07-25-2006, 06:11 PM
Lenin...
Which would you say would be the weakest-Pravachol or lovastatin? I've gone off of the Zetia (too many gastro problems for me) and head for the Dr next week for bloodwork. Should that turn out really bad, I may be willing to try a weak statin at a low dose (like 10mg). This time, I would continue taking the COQ10 that I wished I would have known about when I took Lipitor and ended up with muscle pain and weakness.
Which would you say would be the weakest-Pravachol or lovastatin? I've gone off of the Zetia (too many gastro problems for me) and head for the Dr next week for bloodwork. Should that turn out really bad, I may be willing to try a weak statin at a low dose (like 10mg). This time, I would continue taking the COQ10 that I wished I would have known about when I took Lipitor and ended up with muscle pain and weakness.
gardeninggal
07-25-2006, 09:44 PM
Was taken off Zocor by insurance company...they will no longer cover it. The only thing they cover is Lovastatin and this crap is tearing my stomach up, nausea & giving me the worse headaches. :dizzy: I take it with my last meal as instructed and by midnight I am in pain. I haven't been able to find anything that states this drug causes this type of pain. If anyone has ever taken this can you tell me if this is normal? I'm going to have my 1st blood test in 9 months on Aug 11 and am thinking of just stopping it and see how the test goes. Compared to Zocor this stuff is "gut wrenching"!!!!
Goldenboys, I too can not take Lovastatin and for the same reason as you. I had such stomach pain and eventually bloody stools as a result. It worked okay for lowering my cholesterol but I started having yeast infections and bladder infections which were coming twice a month. My life was miserable. I refused to take it and all the misery stopped, haven't had any problems since. I take No Flush Niacin now along with other things and feel great. Oh yes I should mention that I had muscle pains in my neck and across my upper chest but don't any longer.:)
Goldenboys, I too can not take Lovastatin and for the same reason as you. I had such stomach pain and eventually bloody stools as a result. It worked okay for lowering my cholesterol but I started having yeast infections and bladder infections which were coming twice a month. My life was miserable. I refused to take it and all the misery stopped, haven't had any problems since. I take No Flush Niacin now along with other things and feel great. Oh yes I should mention that I had muscle pains in my neck and across my upper chest but don't any longer.:)
Lenin
07-26-2006, 09:16 AM
Imacarbuff,
Both lovastatin and pravastatin (pravacol) are weak statins. From what people on the board are saying about lovastatin, I'd be inclined to recommend the Pravacol.
Another weak one, fluvastatin, is sold as Lescol.
Start with the smallest possible dosage of one of these and see what happens.
Both lovastatin and pravastatin (pravacol) are weak statins. From what people on the board are saying about lovastatin, I'd be inclined to recommend the Pravacol.
Another weak one, fluvastatin, is sold as Lescol.
Start with the smallest possible dosage of one of these and see what happens.
goldenboys
07-26-2006, 10:39 AM
goldenboys,
Inquire again. I cannot IMAGINE an insurance company allowing only lovastatin as the single statin in their pharmacopeia? It's very weak.
Ask about Lipitor, Pravachol, Crestor.
Alas, lovastatin is very cheap compared to the others, and a crummy insurance company might choose only on that basis. I assume you are STUCK with that company because it's what your employer offers, take it or leave it?
PErhaps the Zocor is allowed under the new generic formulation, simvastatin.
Gastritis, nausea, and headache really aren't what people see with statins. Maybe it's something else that's causing it?
Lenin,
You may not be able to imagine an insurance company allowing only lovastatin but if I want to pay only 10.00 copay that is the only thing they allow. I tried to get the generic Zocor but they will only cover if I pay 60.00 for it. Everything else I have to pay FULL price for. I don't think I can say what my insurance company is but it has "Blue" in it.
My headaches are gone but the gastritis and nausea are still there & I'm only taking 10mg. Think I'm done with it and will wait for my test results.
Inquire again. I cannot IMAGINE an insurance company allowing only lovastatin as the single statin in their pharmacopeia? It's very weak.
Ask about Lipitor, Pravachol, Crestor.
Alas, lovastatin is very cheap compared to the others, and a crummy insurance company might choose only on that basis. I assume you are STUCK with that company because it's what your employer offers, take it or leave it?
PErhaps the Zocor is allowed under the new generic formulation, simvastatin.
Gastritis, nausea, and headache really aren't what people see with statins. Maybe it's something else that's causing it?
Lenin,
You may not be able to imagine an insurance company allowing only lovastatin but if I want to pay only 10.00 copay that is the only thing they allow. I tried to get the generic Zocor but they will only cover if I pay 60.00 for it. Everything else I have to pay FULL price for. I don't think I can say what my insurance company is but it has "Blue" in it.
My headaches are gone but the gastritis and nausea are still there & I'm only taking 10mg. Think I'm done with it and will wait for my test results.
Lenin
07-27-2006, 08:25 AM
Some of those Blue-Double-Cross:) plans are DOOZIES. Actually most insurance plans, including Medicare Part D, are pretty miserable when it comes to paying for drugs. Many pay NOTHING towards drugs.
Mine pays half so I'd get stuck with that same crappy 50% deductible for generic Zocor, too.
I guess I'll be dead before the United States get universal health care with an iron fist to bash these rapacious drug companies into line.
Mine pays half so I'd get stuck with that same crappy 50% deductible for generic Zocor, too.
I guess I'll be dead before the United States get universal health care with an iron fist to bash these rapacious drug companies into line.
NHone
07-27-2006, 02:29 PM
It seems to me that by limiting the medications that one can use on the insurance drug plans, the insurance companies are getting into a gray area of prescribing medications. We all know that statins are not created equal, because their patents would prevent it. (and you know they would fight each other). Therefore, when a insurance company will only pay for a 20 mg lipitor, when a doctor wants you only on 5 mg, I find that the insurance company has now gotten into the business of dispensing and not just filling prescriptions. This is something that you should complain to you congressman about.
Imacarbuff
07-27-2006, 10:17 PM
goldenboys,
Inquire again. I cannot IMAGINE an insurance company allowing only lovastatin as the single statin in their pharmacopeia? It's very weak.
Ask about Lipitor, Pravachol, Crestor.
Alas, lovastatin is very cheap compared to the others, and a crummy insurance company might choose only on that basis. I assume you are STUCK with that company because it's what your employer offers, take it or leave it?
PErhaps the Zocor is allowed under the new generic formulation, simvastatin.
Gastritis, nausea, and headache really aren't what people see with statins. Maybe it's something else that's causing it?
I agree.....check the fine print. On my insurance, they will try and steer you over to the generics and the companies that have cut deals with them. So I can get any generic for $10. The ones that they have deals with (like Zocor) would cost me $20. But, if you read further in the fine print, I can have any brand name (like Lipitor or Pravachol, etc for $30.)
My plan (if my bloodwork comes back "too high" next week) is to ask my doctor to prescribe 20mg of Pravachol (thanks Lenin for the response earlier) and cut them in half. That cuts my monthly cost to $15 and I can try the statin of my choice. I need a weaker one because Lipitor and Zocor cause me some problems that I don't care to deal with ever again.
Inquire again. I cannot IMAGINE an insurance company allowing only lovastatin as the single statin in their pharmacopeia? It's very weak.
Ask about Lipitor, Pravachol, Crestor.
Alas, lovastatin is very cheap compared to the others, and a crummy insurance company might choose only on that basis. I assume you are STUCK with that company because it's what your employer offers, take it or leave it?
PErhaps the Zocor is allowed under the new generic formulation, simvastatin.
Gastritis, nausea, and headache really aren't what people see with statins. Maybe it's something else that's causing it?
I agree.....check the fine print. On my insurance, they will try and steer you over to the generics and the companies that have cut deals with them. So I can get any generic for $10. The ones that they have deals with (like Zocor) would cost me $20. But, if you read further in the fine print, I can have any brand name (like Lipitor or Pravachol, etc for $30.)
My plan (if my bloodwork comes back "too high" next week) is to ask my doctor to prescribe 20mg of Pravachol (thanks Lenin for the response earlier) and cut them in half. That cuts my monthly cost to $15 and I can try the statin of my choice. I need a weaker one because Lipitor and Zocor cause me some problems that I don't care to deal with ever again.
NHone
07-27-2006, 11:29 PM
Some insurance have completely removed them from their formularies.