Statins, fenofibrates and neuropathy

[Jack51]

I wanted to post this in hopes that it may help someone. It may be old news here, I don't know. I have an inherited condition that causes my cholesterol and triglycerides to be extremely high. Diet and exercise does little to decrease my numbers. I was desperate to take statins and tricor (tricor=fenofibrate that lowers triglycerides). I cannot take statins. I have allergic reactions. I have done much research on why I cannot take statins and have found that they, along with the fenofibrates (tricor and gemfibrozil) can cause peripheral neuropathy in some people.

I have discovered this is true for myself, by experimenting with tricor. I took this med for around 8 months, and I developed PN in my legs. I read where tricor could cause this, so I stopped it before the PN became permanent. I have to take tricor at certain intervals, to maintain my tg's <1000. I take it for a couple of weeks, then I have to stop, and so on and so forth. I would appreciate feedback from anyone that takes these meds and has PN.

[Tomorrow]

Hello Jack

I also have taken statin's. I was first prescribed Pra****l and then my doctor had put me on Lipitor. I had taken statins for approximately 19 months. I am very much aware of certain side effects that patient's can suffer from the use of these medication's. While these med's do help control cholesterol they also can cause complication's in some patient's. I myself have a type of PN called Distal Peroneal Neuropathy. But I can't say that my use of Lipitor has caused this because I also have many spinal problems, but I still will not rule it out either. This past summer I was involved with a local newspaper article with a report on statins.

I am very sorry that you also have to suffer with PN, and I pray that it doesn't become permanent. Good Luck with trying to keep your cholesterol & triglycerides levels down.

Jeanne

____________________
~LUMBAR~
Posterolateral Fusion & Infuse with Laminectomy & Discectomy on L4,L5,S1 June 2003
Instrumentation = 2 Rods, 6 Screws, 2 Disc Spacers
Lumbar CT Scan 9/24/03
Impression:
The thecal sac appears to be deviated slightly to the left around L5.
Mild posteior subcutaneous edema.
L3-L4 mild circumferential disc bulge.
L4-5, L5-S1, mild disc bulges are noted.
Follow up MRI recommended. (Neuro surgeon said report was incorrect)
Lumbar MRI 1/20/04
Impression:
Small amount of post operative fluid collection at level L4 which does not appear to communicate with the thecal sac.
Encasement of the thecal sac at L4-5 level by enchancing soft tissue, consistent with epidural fibrosis.
Displacement of the left S1 nerve root, consistent with epidural fibrosis.
Lumbar Myelogram 2/26/04
Impression:
Mild indentation on the subarachnoid space is noted at the level of L4-5 & L5-S1 where there is non-specific soft tissue slightly displacing the subarachnoid space.
Lumbar Post Myelogram 2/26/04
Impression:
L4-5 non-specific soft tissue is noted in the dorsal & ventral epidural space..
L5-S1, there is non-specific soft tissue noted in the ventral epidural space slightly displacing the dural sac posteriorly.
EMG 9/13/04
Distal Peroneal Neuropathy Bilaterally
Bilateral Chronic L4 versus L5 Radiculopathy
~CERVICAL~
Straightening of the Normal Cervical Lordosis.
Mild Congenital Narrowing of the Spinal Canal.
C4-5, C5-6, C6-7 Herniated Discs
C4-5 & C5-6 , Cord Flattening at these levels.

Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Pre-Diabetic,
Anemia, Asthma, Acid Reflux, Migraine's