Crestor for High Cholesterol User Reviews (Page 2)

• man...
• April 23, 2014

"LDL was 124. Took 10mg Crestor 3 times a week. Six weeks later my LDL is down to 54. Doc says to go down to 2 pills a week, which will maintain the lower cholesterol number. No muscle cramps or joint pains with taking it a couple times a week instead of every day and it's just as effective. Even if I did have cramps or joint pain, it would still be worth it to get my cholesterol down, reduce heart disease, and prevent dementia."

• buc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2023

"Crestor lowered my total cholesterol dramatically, from the low 200s to the 70s. I started with 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, and finally 40mg daily, increasing monthly. I experienced diffuse lower body pain (buttocks, hamstrings, hips, upper thighs) with frequent full leg spasms by the second month but ignored it by attributing it to a tough run and/or gym workout, believing I'd get over it in a month or two like I'd done my entire life. Plus, I didn't want to be one of 'those people' complaining about statin-induced pain. By the 4th month, my doctor stated my blood Creatinine Kinase was elevated (700s). By the 6th month, my doctor told me to stop taking Crestor because my blood work came back in the high 900s, which put me in danger of Rhabdomyolysis/Kidney Failure. I now have permanently elevated blood CK levels (700s) and can no longer take any statin. The muscle spasms are occasional now, but the lower body pain remains after 18+ months off Crestor."

• Gra...
• April 6, 2016

"Within 3 days of taking Crestor 10 mg, I got terrible leg cramps, headaches, nausea, and weakness. On top of that, I had awful dreams that were scary. Within one week, I gained 8 pounds. I felt sick. Got off of it and just did exercise and watched my diet closely. Lost 16 pounds in a month, and 3 months later, my cholesterol went down from 350 to 169. I feel so much better, and all the bad symptoms went away. Crestor is not for everyone."

• Moh...
• March 3, 2016

"I am a physician and I started Crestor 5 mg since 1 year. After 6 months, my cardiologist increased the dose to 10 mg once daily. Liver enzymes were okay. However, I have suffered from severe pain in my upper back muscles. This pain was persistent and not relieved by rest. I got the feeling that with any minor exercise, all my muscles start to be so painful and aching. I have read all your reviews below, and I decided to lower the dose and take Crestor every other day. I will see if the pain will disappear or not and discuss that with my cardiologist."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2017

"Started Crestor Jan 1, 2017. In mid Feb, I started having severe CAN'T BREATHE episodes - gasping for air, dyspnea, throat swelling & closing, very hoarse, chest pain, chest burning, erratic racing pulse - and months of feeling horrible. After countless trips to the doctor, CT scans of sinuses, throat, and lungs, multiple rounds of antibiotics & steroids for assumed lingering bronchitis, the same doctor that put me on Crestor had no idea how to help me and sent me to an ENT - who could see me 3 weeks later! Meanwhile, symptoms worsening. I felt like a 90-year-old. A friend who had an allergic reaction to a drug recognized symptoms of anaphylactic allergic reaction. Off Crestor for 2.5 weeks; getting better but Google says 1-2 months to get out of system."

• Kit...
• September 5, 2012

"Doctor prescribed Crestor 5mg, after I experienced bad muscle pains with two other brands. A few days after taking Crestor, I got very painful muscles. I went off the Crestor for a month (suggested by a cardiologist) and took only lecithin gel capsules. After the month was up, I had a lipogram, and cholesterol was high; Total cholesterol was 260, HDL: 55, LDL: 171, Triglycerides: 151 - All numbers significantly higher than 3 months previously. So contrary to the hype about Lecithin, it did not work. It is clear, I cannot take statins of any kind. Disappointing, as Crestor is said to work well and work quick but side effects are painful and can be dangerous."

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2016

"I took Crestor for about two years with minor side effects. Since I turned 65, I noticed my leg muscles (hamstrings, knees) were hurting. I stopped taking Crestor, and my legs feel better. The drug did help lower my cholesterol, but my legs were killing me, and I had trouble walking due to the stiffness and pain. While I am not 100% certain my leg pain was due to Crestor, it certainly looks that way. It has only been 6 days since I stopped."

• Sea...
• January 30, 2015

"I have genetically high cholesterol, compounded by occasional bad eating habits. At one point, my cholesterol was up to 342. Within 2 months of taking Crestor, 10 mg, my cholesterol level dropped to 154. I stopped taking it and started eating healthier, but my cholesterol went back up to 266 (curse my genetics). So I am back on it, my cholesterol is down to 143. I don't have any leg cramps or other type of problems that I did when I first tried Lipitor."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2012

"Crestor lowered my cholesterol and triglycerides, but I noticed weight gain (20 pounds in a year) and tiredness and no energy. I started having chest pains, arm pain, jaw pain. Cardiologist did a catheterization and found nothing to warrant the symptoms I was having. I stopped the Crestor and within 2 to 3 weeks I feel back to normal and dropped 8 pounds! I have increased my fish oil intake and paying more attention to diet hopefully won't have to go back on another statin."

• Cii...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2025

"I've taken Crestor for 30 days and was having pain in both arms. Then my right side is aching. The pain from my arms has stopped, but I'm struggling with my right side. I stopped taking the medicine. The muscle aches are keeping me from sleeping. I should have read about it before taking it. I pray I recover from this."

• ach...
• February 24, 2017

"Took Rosuvastatin (Crestor generic) 10mg for 3 months. Had knee pain, developed severe headaches, increased ringing and buzzing in ears. Makes me concerned about taking any statins again ever. Decreased LDL but too strong. Noted my blood sugar was increased above the usual. So, watch for that in your lab tests as it may be linked to this or other lipid medication."

• Aim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2025

"I suffer from varicose veins, and the pain is very mild and goes away for a very long time. I was prescribed the generic medication of Crestor at the end of May, and 2 days in, my leg started hurting like a dull, achy pain behind my knee cap and behind my upper leg. Stopped taking it as per doctor's orders."

• cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2024

"Just started taking Crestor 5 mg after one week. I was having severe upper back and rib cage pain, very painful. I know it was the Crestor, no problem until I started this Crestor. I will let my physician know. I don't recommend this drug or any statins. My opinion."

• foo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2013

"Severe muscle cramps, after almost one year on 10 mg/day Crestor, for familial hypercholesterolemia of 6. Not overweight, exercise and eat well. Stopped Crestor and resolved within 1 week. 2 months later, liver tests normal but cholesterol borderline high restarted with 5 mg every other day along with coenzyme Q 100 mg/day and had taken 2 weeks of Coenzyme Q to build up stores prior to this. Severe cramps resumed within 1 week."

• Anonymous
• July 2, 2011

"I have been on Crestor for 2 years now and while it has worked great on lowering my cholesterol, I am having joint pain and feel extremely tired when I get up in the morning. Absolutely no energy. My doctor told me to get off it for a few days, so I stopped taking it for 4 days. I get up in the morning fully charged, I have no joint pain, and feel like a new person. And I got rid of the Viagra, don't need it anymore. This drug does wonders for lowering cholesterol, but the side effects are bad. Also, I got back on it after 4 days, and the same side effects come back after the first day I took it."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2016

"My LDL is high, HDL is low, and triglycerides are high. Dr. recommended Crestor 5 mg. Initially, I couldn't recognize the leg pain and numbness. I couldn't sleep for several nights while on this medicine for a few days. I stopped taking Crestor after reading its reviews, and that stopped my leg pain. I am 35 years old and decided to go with fish oil, a healthy diet, and exercise."

• Cin...
• August 21, 2016

"Worst Medication EVER!! Allergic reactions and cramps in leg from Losartan Mar 2015 ended up on crutches. Doc misdiagnosed, fell on crutch broke right wrist, metal plate in it now. Surgery on wrist, MRI showed complete torn ligament in right ankle. Surgery on ankle, Dilauded for 4 months. Doc put me on Crestor and BP Meds, had a stroke, wheelchair bound, ran out of Crestor for 6 weeks, finally walking with cane. Doc put me back on Crestor. Allergic reaction to Crestor after 2 months, rapid heart, dizzy, leg swelling, pains in chest, massive leg cramps. Now left foot is barely usable, another ligament possibly torn. Then Mini Stroke. Doctor stopped Crestor. Now I have Iron Deficiency ISSUES. Been off Crestor since June but all these side effects are still haunting."

• geo...
• December 7, 2010

"I have taken 10mg of Crestor for 3 yrs. I have experienced several issues with this statin as well as others. After 8 weeks on Crestor my HDL went from 289 to 79, on paper, I looked great! But over the last several years of taking statins, I have experienced several bad side effects. Severe bone and muscle pain, loss of muscle mass. I felt depressed, lots of mood changes. I became a wimp in bed. After taking statins for 5 yrs, I went to a cardiologist and had several things checked, nothing wrong. But recently, had blood test that showed problems with muscle and bone loss. STOPPED. After a couple of weeks I am feeling great. Your brain uses cholesterol for basic functioning and to make testosterone."

• lap...
• December 31, 2011

"Due to an elevated cholesterol, my doctor started me with Crestor 5mg that was quickly increased to 10mg. My LDL almost halved, while triglycerides doubled and total cholesterol fell from 7.2 to 4.6. For 3 years, regular liver function tests said all was okay. An acute event marked by fever, muscle aches, headache, dark urine, inability to sleep, and total loss of appetite prompted my doctor to order blood tests, an X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan. I stopped taking Crestor immediately. The outcome of numerous tests could not apportion blame to flu, mosquito-borne causes, etc. Tests did show liver function had been walloped. The liver was diagnosed as fatty and enlarged - several markers had risen alarmingly! A month later, and liver function is much better."

• jod...
• March 27, 2014

"I am a Type 1 diabetic and have had high cholesterol since being diagnosed 12 years ago. I am on a restricted diet and I do not eat eggs or meat yet my cholesterol was high (genetic). I hesitated to take any statins because I got a rash from Lipitor but finally agreed to take Crestor because last summer my stress test showed abnormalities (which were later disproven). However, I started on only 5mg. I started walking about 20-30 minutes a day a few times a week, and now, 8 months later, my total cholesterol was below normal and all other levels were within a good range. My endocrinologist was very pleased and said no reason to go up to 10 mg. I do sometimes get some joint pain in my wrist and ankles, and sometimes some muscle."

• Bed...
• February 1, 2016

"I began on Crestor in 2013. I could not tolerate simvastatin or pravastatin but was told that Crestor was different. After a week on this med I developed severe pain in my legs. I stopped it but the pain did not go away. Three years later I am still in pain, cannot climb stairs or get out of a chair. My muscles in my thighs and rear are wasting away. Five neurologists have failed to help me."

• DrR...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 28, 2013

"Have been on Crestor for over 5 years. Total cholesterol is 130 from 180. Increased my HDL slightly while lowering my LDL. Also took Niacin for years. Now only take Micardis. Yes, muscle cramps when I walk long distances. I'm 75 and just had a carotid ultrasound and totally clear of buildup. Liver enzymes are OK."

• Gil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2017

"I was using Crestor (brand name version) for 2 years, until my insurance changed and I started having to pick up the entire tab myself, which was $920 per 90-day supply. I then switched to Atorvastatin (Lipitor), which doesn't work quite as well, but at $30 per 90 days, is much more affordable. Crestor was a miracle for me while my insurance was covering it. My numbers went from off-the-charts high to absolutely perfect within a few months. It was truly amazing, even without a change in diet. Unlike some folks, I had zero side effects, thus my 10 rating, which is based solely on my own experience with the drug. I'm age 57. Started taking Crestor after a major heart attack and quintuple bypass surgery. I just wish I could still afford it."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2010

"Started on Crestor 5 mg a year and a half ago. It immediately lowered my cholesterol by 60 points. No problems until 4 months ago. Started having heart palpitations, mainly at night, which is when I took the Crestor. They got so severe that I would be up all night. After doing a lot of research on the internet, I found that other people had experienced this too, so I stopped the medicine and haven't had any palpitations since. My doctor seems reluctant to believe this was the cause."

• Dka...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 17, 2023

"I’ve been taking generic Crestor for about a year. It’s the first time I’ve lasted that long on any statin. I have familial high cholesterol. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve started having extreme fatigue, dizziness, and depression/confused brain. Don’t really know how to describe it. I’m due for blood tests this week, but don’t know if I can take even one more dose. Will call the doctor tomorrow and see if I can come then for blood tests. I take 5mg every other day."