[ref: http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=402086
"Lovastatin/Mevocor the least side effects of all statins?"]

Hello -- the latest post on this appears to be over a year old but I am putting one up anyway on this general topic of statin side effects. My husband, age 73, was on Lipitor for 3 years (previously pravachol) and 4 months ago went on Zetia. He started having myopathy/pains in his legs and great weakness beginning about 3 1/2 months ago which have gotten much worse lately. (6 months ago he was walking 7 miles/day! Now he has trouble getting from one room to the other) His CPK when it began was 480; his cardiologist stopped the Lipitor but kept the Zetia and now his CPK is normal. But he has definitely gotten WORSE despite stopping the Lipitor. Is it posssible Zetia is causing this? I can't get a good fix on this; they mention muscle pain/weakness in their brochure but it seems as though the online material indicates it doesn't cause this. But why would my husband be getting worse? He is supposed to have some neurological testing, though it's taking forever to get an appointment, but not a muscle biopsy because his dr. says that because the CPK is down that isn't necessary. But what could be going on? Would zetia cause these side effects without elevating the CPK? We feel so uncertain and worried that this is going to ruin the rest of his life. Any comments welcome.

Started a new thread with this post, with reference to the original thread. Please do not reply to a 1-year-old thread. It really slows down the server. Thank you.

.... he has definitely gotten WORSE despite stopping the Lipitor. Is it posssible Zetia is causing this? .... Would zetia cause these side effects without elevating the CPK? We feel so uncertain and worried that this is going to ruin the rest of his life. Any comments welcome.
Muscle weakness is an adverse effect of Zetia. And it can occur while liver enzymes are normal. Try stopping the Zetia and see if there is an improvement. That a 73 year old will benefit from the use of cholesterol lowering drugs is questionable, anyway.

Mark

73 is the new 53...why wouldn't a 73 year-old benefit from cholesterol-lowering drugs (unless of course there are severe side effects)?

Cholesterol lowering drugs cause a lot of problems. It sounds like your husband is suffering from some of the side effects. I would stop the Zetia immediately! [removed] there are some vitamin protocols that may help to alleviate some of the symptoms, although some damage may be irreversible. Many studies have be done that show that elderly persons fare better with higher cholesterol in overall mortality. I wish you well. :)

Does your husband have confirmed heart disease? If not, what are his risk factors for heart attack other than his age and high cholesterol?

If he has heart disease, I would probably make a different decision about staying on a cholesterol lowering medication than I would if he has no heart disease.

I was on Lipitor for only 3 years, my left leg is having muscle and nerve pain, I stopped the drug about 3 months now, the pain is still there but not as bad. Now I am using Red Yeast Rice and Niacin and have good result in lowering the Total cholesterol.