Crestor for High Cholesterol User Reviews (Page 3)

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2018

"I had a massive heart attack 14 years ago and was put on Lipitor. I could not handle the muscle cramps. I was then put on Crestor, again, I could not handle the cramps. Years later, now, I have very high cholesterol levels and have been put on Crestor again but told to take it every second day, 10 mg, and to take ubiquinol a couple of hours before. This is coenzyme Q10. I still got cramping in my fingers and shooting pains up my arms, so I have cut it down to 5 mg every second day, and it seems to be tolerable. It seems I can handle a low dose. Hopefully, it’s better than nothing."

• Sum...
• August 27, 2015

"Crestor brought down my cholesterol, however, I've experienced insomnia, leg cramps and last night the worst nightmare of my life which woke me at 2:30 a.m. and I never could go back to sleep. I'm not taking any more."

• Hip...
• December 15, 2020

"My prescribed dosage, which I stuck with for 5 years until I reduced it, was 1 x 20 mg per day. This eventually resulted in severe hip/leg pain, which greatly reduced my ability to walk. Being very obese, I did not need any decreased mobility. After a period of experimenting based on my own research, not the doctor's, I have arrived at a dosage level that prevents angina and lowers my cholesterol to a level my doctor is happy with. I am now taking 6 x 20 tablets p/wk. That is not a big decrease, but it seems to be enough to almost completely stop the intense pain I was suffering. I have investigated/experimented with the reduced dosage extensively and it is the 'happy medium.' For me, it is a good drug, if used at the right level. Without it completely, I know I would be experiencing heart/circulation problems. Prior to me making my own decisions about dosage level, my previous doctor told me that I would need a hip replacement. I have since changed doctors and am happy with the adjusted dose."

• Apr...
• August 25, 2015

"Been on Crestor for almost a month. 20 mg daily for genetic high cholesterol. Triglycerides started at 1100! I immediately noticed the muscle weakness and belly pains. My hips, knees, and ankles ache constantly!"

• 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."

• R R...
• July 20, 2015

"I took Caduet, which contains Lipitor, for two years and had leg cramps and developed a chronic cough with asthma. I got off the medication and started taking Crestor 5mg, and I love it. No cramps, no cough, and it lowered my cholesterol even at the reduced dosage."

• Alm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2020

"Crestor was the worst medication for me. I developed hip pain, leg pain, knee pain, trouble moving around, tired, not sleeping, can't lay flat, and to top it off, it landed me in the ER with a swollen throat, trouble breathing, and a swollen neck. Let me not forget eye twitch. Such major bad reactions. Been off of it one day after being treated with IV and oral steroids. 85% better after one day. Looking forward to tomorrow."

• Meh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2016

"Was on Simvastatin (40 mg) and within two days had severe shooting pains in knees. Started cutting in half and pain dissipated. Told doctor I was cutting in half and reason, and instead of lowering dosage, they switched me to Crestor (40 mg). After about 10 doses, finger joints began to swell and pain with hip joint pain. Stopped taking. It's been 5 weeks and fingers still are painful and stiff, making everyday tasks hard. Am back to cutting dosages in half. Will post if that makes a difference and my blood fat improves."

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2011

"Crestor lowered my cholesterol, but the muscle pain in my back was intolerable. So I finally started taking CoQ10, and the back pain went away. But for the following two years, I thought I had shin splints. It was the Crestor."

• not...
• March 22, 2016

"I had triglycerides of 400. I was put on Crestor 5mg. After a month, they were down to 280. By 5 weeks, my legs and arms would wake me up at night with horrible aches. My feet got so bad I would get out of bed and have to hold on because the muscles were numb. Went back to the doctor. I take it 3 times a week now. No side effects. With a coupon online, I pay $1.00 for a 30-day supply. Shop around. I will go back in 2 weeks to see if 3 times a week helps lower the triglycerides at all."

• TCR...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 20, 2021

"I was on Crestor for several years. I was also on Wellbutrin for depression, Trazodone for insomnia, and Topamax for headaches. In 2020, my headaches got steadily worse. By the beginning of 2021, I was on 4 migraine meds, and nothing was helping. Then my doctor took me off Crestor and started me on Zetia instead. Within a few weeks, I started falling asleep in the evenings without Trazodone. Then I noticed my headaches were less frequent, and I was in a better mood throughout the day. I was able to stop taking 6 meds — my antidepressant, my sleeping med, and 4 migraine meds — because almost everything I was being treated for was a side effect of Crestor. I had been on so many meds, and I still felt awful all the time because of Crestor. I spent thousands of dollars in therapy trying to figure out why I was so depressed. My relationship with my husband was stressful because I had absolutely no sex drive. Crestor cost me dearly for the past decade. I would never recommend this drug."

• alm...
• November 1, 2008

"Experienced just about every side effect. Early on got rash and discomfort, physician waited to discontinue use. Progressively worsened; not being able to move. Physician then recommended to stop medicine. Several days later, most side effects gone. Alive again."

• E P...
• August 17, 2016

"Currently on Crestor 20 mg, but I cut it in half and only take maybe twice a week, and I'm experiencing mild joint aches, upset stomach in the AM hours after taking before bedtime the night before. I also tend to forget minor things, such as keys in the truck, lunch in the fridge for work, but not too often. I am 44 years old and have been on the med for about 3 years now. I believe I will ask the doctor to prescribe a milder med, if possible, on my next appointment."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2022

"Upon stopping Lipitor for elevated liver enzymes after multiple years of use, I was started on Crestor at 2.5 mg daily. Lipids were still high after 6 weeks, so the dosage was increased to 5 mg daily. After 10 days, I was seen in the ED for vertigo; CT and labs all OK; started on prn Meclizine and Zofran and Medrol pack. Dizziness and horrific nystagmus continued. After discussing with the pharmacist, I learned 4% of Crestor users had to discontinue due to vertigo! I informed my PCP and also the ED docs."

• LAd...
• November 12, 2015

"Gained 8 pounds in two months, wearing a splint for my left wrist due to extreme tendon/muscle pain, can't lift anything. Also noticed that I can't lift any of the weights that I used to be able to at the gym as my upper body isn't as strong as it used to be. Had blood work yesterday, so I don't know if it lowered my cholesterol (300 range), but Dr. is taking me off (5mg) it for a month."

• Jo ...
• May 11, 2022

"For decades, my cholesterol numbers have been high, but because the “good” cholesterol was always much higher, I was never put on any drugs. I always had creative and stressful work, requiring long hours. I also developed HBP, although I don’t drink coffee, only have a recreational drink from time to time, and have never smoked. During an unrelated illness, my BP was high, and so I was started on metoprolol. It did not work well with me at all, so my primary changed it to the lowest dose of carvedilol. My cardiologist increased it. Then he put me on a combination of Zetia (10 mg) and Crestor (5 mg). I can tell you that the combination of all three has put me in hell: joint pain, muscular pain, fogginess, forgetfulness, lethargy, and UTIs. As I write this, I am in bed, not because of a sudden and extreme pain in my right leg last night, muscle weakness, and the most severe cramps ever. The doc will not take me off the meds as they brought the numbers down. But I will."

• Jon...
• February 6, 2016

"After having unwanted side effects with two other statins, my PCP suggested trying Crestor. This was about 6 years ago. Since then, as he states it, I could be the poster boy for Crestor. At only a 5 mg/day dosage, my cholesterol level has dropped from ~290 to consistently below 200 with no side effects. My only concern is there is no generic alternative, and it is VERY expensive when the insurance companies declare that it's not in their formulary of preventive medications. I've been lucky that my PCP has been able to convince the ins co that I can't tolerate an alternative, so have not had to pay for the medication for the past several years (treated as preventative). That's changing now that I'm retired and have to go to new insurance."

• KAK...
• February 19, 2016

"Jonboy, in response to your concern over the cost of Crestor, I have been paying $50 for a 3-month supply of this medication, with my health insurance. However, the last time that I was at the pharmacy, a man online informed me that his wife pays $3 for the 3-month supply. And, no, I'm not kidding. I actually looked up the website on my phone (with a little help from the clerk). Please look at all the Crestor websites and research the coupon. Since the coupon is in the computer, I'm told I will be paying this amount for the next year. Good luck."

• cjg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2020

"2nd time on Crestor. Stopped taking the first time due to leg pain. Tried it again and had side effects of gained weight, my GERD increased, had trouble getting my legs to move, nightmares, intermittent blurred vision, increased left hip pain, so I had to curl my leg up in bed instead of leaving it straight, which caused pain. I had a hard time driving due to blurry vision. Crestor is an expensive medicine. Because the HDL cholesterol numbers are decreased, well, I don't know if we know enough about cholesterol to know how much it helps. Could not stay on it long enough to see if it helped the HDL."

• emb...
• August 20, 2011

"Crestor was doing a very good job of bringing my total cholesterol from 247 to 171. However, after a year and a half, I could not stretch without pulling a muscle. I am 104 lbs, so the dosage was reduced to half of a 5 mg tablet, which did not work, my number came up to 219. I also have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Recently, I got a bad GERD pain in my chest, and I had to take an antacid before, during, and after I ate. When I quit Crestor, the pain and the head confusion went away. I felt great. Now my numbers from exercise and eating the right foods that help lower LDLs and raise HDLs have got my total to 236, with all LDLs in the normal range and my HDLs high. My doctor is now trying me on fibrates."

• MWR...
• August 4, 2011

"I have been taking Crestor now for 1 year. I have been experiencing right leg/hip discomfort. It bothers me most at night when I turn in bed. I have lost over 20 lbs (dieting), and my liver enzymes are slightly elevated. I think I may need to cut it back to 5 mg."

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2009

"I used Crestor for about 3 weeks before I started having muscle and joint pain. Then I began having horrible spasms in my muscles that would wake me every night. I called my doctor's office and they told me to take 1/2 a pill every other day. I did as he suggested, but didn't get relief until I was taken off this medicine. It did, however, lower my numbers."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2023

"CNP switched me from 10 mg Zetia to 40 mg Crestor. It did bring my cholesterol numbers in a good range, but I had serious side effects. Mainly higher glucose, foamy urine (protein and blood in urinalysis), muscle and joint pain, fatigue. I was told to stop taking it to see if things got better. After 1 week off this drug, my urine looks normal again. I'm hoping the rest of these side effects will disappear soon! Not going back on Crestor, I will work on diet and exercise for healthy cholesterol levels."

• Ros...
• April 21, 2022

"I have been on Crestor almost 1 month now, and the past few days I have been having very bad pain in my calf and lower back, only on 2.5 mg a day. After reading all this, I’m done taking it. I have thyroid that’s not working because of a brain injury, on top of many meds, and have too many places that hurt. I don’t want more pain."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2020

"Between Crestor and Lipitor, Lipitor was the one that gave me the side effects, cramps that felt like a UTI. Insomnia and a few other muscle pains here and there. Also felt it affected my libido. Doctor switched me to Crestor, so far, no side effects, maybe some bizarre dreams that some would describe as “nightmares,” but I love dreaming any type of dream.....lol....I believe finding the right statin might take a few different brands until you find the right one. I’m on 10 mg Crestor."