before 4mos. my choles 250mg/dl no mediccation as of now my reading of Choles 165mg/dl Tri 153mg/dl HDL 36mg/dl LDL 88mg/dl. my CPK now almost double to the limit. my question about the medicine i take...about Zocor 20mg the side effect i feel for long time when i start this zocor -- muscle pain/weakness/chest pain/loss of balance/legs pain and un-explain feelings

What is your sugestion for my problem???


[This message has been edited by Paulex1004 (edited 03-31-2003).]

Paulex,

I have no idea what your numbers were before, but that combo does have your LDL in excellent range--though your HDL and triglycerides are not as hot. Maybe ask your physician why he/she did not combine a fibrate (like Tricor) or Niacin with your lipitor (if you tolerated that well before)? Fibrates and Niacin will give greater benefit to your HDL-c and triglycerides than statins will. The major effect to your lipids from statins is a reduction of the LDL-C.

It is not reccomended to mix statins and fibrates as this greatly increases the chances for muscle breakdown and other related problems . This is stated right on the side effects for tricor , it states the benefits does not outweigh the risks that mixing statins and fibrates causes .

Originally posted by ubernier:
Paulex,

I have no idea what your numbers were before, but that combo does have your LDL in excellent range--though your HDL and triglycerides are not as hot. Maybe ask your physician why he/she did not combine a fibrate (like Tricor) or Niacin with your lipitor (if you tolerated that well before)? Fibrates and Niacin will give greater benefit to your HDL-c and triglycerides than statins will. The major effect to your lipids from statins is a reduction of the LDL-C.



[This message has been edited by vipergg22 (edited 03-30-2003).]

Thanks Viper,

I guess it is rare that the two would be combined because of the increased rhabdomyolysis chance; these numbers aren't all that bad anyway.

Paulex,
Even the combination of statin + niacin has at times caused rhabdomyolysis.

I noticed you changed your original message also Paulex, so you don't have 2 statins prescribed? Initially, it sounded like you noticed symptoms after a 2nd statin was prescribed.

Still, I would tell your physician that you are noticing symptoms consistent with rhabdomyolysis, and that you would like to try another class that has a greater impact on lowering triglyceride serum levels?

I don't know what you were taking, it is not clear from your message. I was taking Zocor, the generic name is simvastatin. I thought I was having reactions including extreme pain in my ankles, back pain, some tingling in hands, and tired sensation in my arm. I also had a fever and elevated sugar levels, (I'm diabetic). I stopped taking the simvastatin and I have some residual pain, but greatly reduced, except for one presistant spot in back of one ankle. My sugar levels are almost back to where they were before this set of symptoms emerged. The fever is gone. My Doctor claims that ankle pain would not be a symton from this drug and seemed skeptical that I was having a reaction. You said Zocor... is that correct and have you experienced ankle pain?