Simvastatin for High Cholesterol User Reviews (Page 3)

• mar...
• August 18, 2011

"Had taken medication for 8 months, noticed that my muscle control was weakening and had acid reflux, which I had to take medication for. After going off this medication, my muscle control strengthened and acid reflux was gone."

• doo...
• November 9, 2017

"Interesting reviews. Over the years, I've been on one cholesterol drug or another. My numbers are down and acceptable to my GP. The latest is the generic simvastatin. Muscle soreness in legs, hips, and wrists have seemed to be my life. Up every two hours to pee like clockwork, sometimes more irritable for no apparent reason, and irregular heartbeats I can feel, and are picked up by my BP machine. After reading these reviews, I'm going to self-de-medicate for a spell to see if my sleep pattern changes, as well as other possible side effects I've listed. It seems too many people have the same symptoms as me, and have stopped taking the medication with positive results."

• exm...
• November 23, 2017

"I have been taking Zocor for years, and in that time, I have developed a side effect which, in talking to others on the same drug, is quite common... cold hands and feet. I started on 10 mg and presently take 40 mg. My cholesterol has been reduced, but the discomfort associated with coldness at all times, regardless of temperature and amount of clothing worn, is very disconcerting. I have discussed this with several doctors, and they all say it's a side effect of Zocor. I cannot find this in the list of published side effects. I have also tried Lipitor, but the results were actually worse. What to do?"

• 480...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2017

"20 mg x 2 days... 1. Severe headache 2. No energy 3. Weakness 4. Very sleepy 5. Pain in ribs (L side more). I have discontinued the statin and will change diet, take fish oil, and low dose aspirin daily."

• Bar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 13, 2019

"Have used simvastatin 40 mg for years. Had been taking Teva generic without a problem. I was given Dr. Reddy generic simvastatin on one occasion (due to lower price), and I developed flu-like symptoms (fatigue, body aches, and general run-down feeling) almost immediately. Since then, my doc has specified Teva brand, even though it costs more, since I've never had any issues with that. The generics are supposed to be the 'same.' However, the inactive ingredients and method of dispersal in the bloodstream can have differing effects on different people. Rhabdomyolysis runs in my family, and I don't want to take any chances with other generic brands."

• Tag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2012

"I am on 20 mg. I take it right before I go to bed. After 15 minutes, my heart starts racing. However, I have no problems falling asleep. If I had to take this in the morning, I wouldn't be able to stand the racing heart. Other than that, I feel good so far. My cholesterol was 204 and triglycerides are at 130. I am 43 and have started walking 3 miles at a good pace 5-6 days a week. Drinking lots of water and no caffeine. I have just had my next blood work since being on this medicine, so we'll see if it's doing its job."

• Bab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 4, 2021

"While taking statins, I tried many different brands. I experienced some of the worst side effects. I am a 72-year-old retired registered nurse. I first started waking up in the middle of the night with horrible cramps in my legs, it felt as if a knife was sticking in my leg. Then I developed a rash under my breasts, which, after being prescribed four different creams, just got worse. Then I got gout in my big toe, and when I woke up in the morning, my feet felt numb. The gout was so painful. I realize that I need statins because of my LDL and carotid artery blockage, but when I stopped using the statin, all these different symptoms went away."

• hap...
• June 18, 2015

"Have taken Simvastatin 80 mg for eight years. Cholesterol level is down and stable. I wake up some nights around 3 p.m., wide awake. I get irritable and angry at times, high tummy pains, some days the need to urinate quite often. I didn't realize until reading information here that it may be the statins causing these side effects. All in all, I'm happy with the results."

• hon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 5, 2018

"Took this drug for ten years. The past year, I have been having trouble breathing and doing any physical exercise at all. The pharmacy ran out of the drug, and after three days, all the trouble I was having went away. The GP is going to change to another drug. Before taking any prescription, do some research online, and if you don't like what you read, go to your GP and discuss."

• Anonymous
• December 30, 2010

"Took simvastatin only once and had a bad case of vertigo within 30 minutes of going to sleep. The next day I felt okay for the most part, but that night I was playing drums in my band and had to stop after 40 minutes (we normally practice an hour and a half or more) because I was so exhausted. The rest of the night I felt like my whole body was being squeezed, and my muscles were really weak. I woke up three times during the night with my heart racing and feeling like I was going to pass out. I drank one liter of water in two hours, and finally fell asleep at 4 AM. If I hadn't improved after 4 AM, I would have gone to the hospital. The next day I felt almost 100%, but my left arm ached all day. And this was just taking it once. It's not for me."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2009

"I began to have bruising around insulin injection sites; it looked like I was on anticoagulants. I am having pain in my joints, and numbness and tingling throughout my body, including my face and tongue. I have a decrease in my ability to taste food. Also, I am bruising from mild injuries with dark purple areas at the site of the bruise."

• Anonymous
• December 20, 2010

"I've used this medication for many years. I'm currently at 60 mg per day (single dose). It has done a good job, although my good/bad ratio could be a bit better still. However, I do notice muscle aches when I use it. If I stop it, they stop. They are generally not severe and not bad enough for me to stop using it. I've been told (by my doctor and others) that an over-the-counter supplement called CoQ10 can help this - I've not tried this as of yet. For people with muscle issues (check with the doctor if severe, of course), it may be worth a try (the CoQ10, I mean)."

• Anonymous
• August 6, 2011

"I take simvastatin. My level was 238 and dropped to 200 on 1 x 10 mg per day, but before the 238, I was 250. I am now on 20 mg and soon to take blood work, and no problem at all. I take it at night. I am sure it will be lower. Also, my husband had 243, and he is down to 138 on one 10 mg per day, but he moves a lot and I'm not as much. I had no side effects, and I am medicine sensitive and was scared to take it, but I am so glad I did, so try a low dose then up it if you don't have any side effects."

• tyt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2018

"Feel like garbage! Actually called in sick to work one day because of how bad I felt. Blah feeling, stuffy nose, constant hot flashes, weird dreams, don't sleep. Only been on for 3 weeks and I just can't take it. Will these symptoms pass? I'm 44, 5'6", 130 lbs - it's not weight - work out like a beast - but high cholesterol and heart disease run on my dad's side - recent numbers the bad LDL keeps rising, at 200, overall number is 275 - Doctor wants to try this, but I just can't. Going to give supplements a try."

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2021

"My bad cholesterol and good cholesterol were both low. My doctor put me on simvastatin to bring up my good cholesterol. Over the course of a year, the drug caused me debilitating leg, ankle, and feet swelling. The whole time, I never knew what was causing my swelling. I stopped taking the drug for five days, and all the swelling went away very quickly. I’ll never take it again."

• Aun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

"I took one pill, and about 12 hours later, I began to feel very tired. 18 hours later, I went to the grocery and didn't think I was going to make it back because I became so weak and short of breath. My legs felt so heavy - almost as if I wasn't going to be able to walk. At about 36 hours after the ONE pill, I experienced an explosive bathroom episode and saw very dark stool and several drops of blood in the toilet. It's now 48 hours later, and I just put a piece of spearmint gum in my mouth and cannot taste it or smell it. One pill did this!"

• Eil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2020

"Took three 10 mg simvastatin tablets... 1st night insomnia, 2nd night slept but nightmare, and 3rd night slept but woke up feeling depressed and anxious. Dr. said this wasn't from the simvastatin, but I did so quit taking it, and it took 2 weeks to feel like myself emotionally again. NEVER will I take a statin."

• Mon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 18, 2021

"I started on simvastatin 4 years ago. During that time, I developed severe muscle pain and weakness. I also developed heart palpitations. Just recently, I missed several doses and noticed all those issues were almost all gone. I have been pain-free and feeling a lot better. It is a good medicine, but beware if you start having those issues because it may be that medicine."

• YYa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 8, 2018

"This lowers cholesterol just fine. Constantly forgetting things and can't commit many things to memory since starting the drug. I am not old - started at 40, and now 50 years old. For example, I've been typing all of my adult life and since taking the drug, I have to correct typos in every sentence since my fingers do not have their muscle memory either. Events my kids say I was present at, I have no recollection of at all."

• Bil...
• April 29, 2009

"Original total cholesterol value was 237. Prescribed 10 mg of Crestor and had stomach cramps. Two weeks later, prescribed 10 mg of simvastatin. After 3 months, a recent blood test revealed a total cholesterol value of 139. No side effects and all other blood test results were at normal levels. Works for me."

• Anonymous
• August 6, 2009

"I took every medicine known to man for my cholesterol and had very bad side effects, including not being able to walk at all. I started taking simvastatin about a year ago as a last resort, and I love it. I have had no side effects, and I can actually walk with no problems."

• Ded...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2022

Simvastatin "I was prescribed simvastatin and took it daily for 3 years. I have been diagnosed with a condition 'Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome' back in 2007. I have been on Nexium for that diagnosis, and due to high blood pressure, I take metoprolol and lisinopril and have been since 2013. 2015 is when I was prescribed simvastatin (Zocor) for high cholesterol. Before the Zocor, I was only having a CVS episode approximately every 2 to 3 months, and the episode would only be for 2 to 3 days. After the Zocor, I was having CVS episodes almost every month, and they were so bad I would have to go to the hospital and would need fluids. I would be in the hospital about 5 to 7 days. In 2018, I lost my job for being absent due to illness so often and lost my insurance as well. So I made a decision to only get the medicines I needed most. I stopped the Zocor, and about 3 weeks later I stopped having CVS episodes so often, they are now down to about 2 a year, and I haven't been to the hospital since."

• Maz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2021

"It was prescribed by my GP because of the high cholesterol. I started taking it last night, my first ever pill, 10mg. I started experiencing a burning chest, and I was feeling kind of funny. It wasn’t a good feeling as I was struggling to sleep too. Woke up with a burning chest since the pill is still in my system. I’m going to see a different doctor and explain the symptoms. Surely there’s something I can replace the simvastatin 10mg with. Otherwise, I’m on a serious diet to try to lower it."

• dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2023

"I have high cholesterol and atherosclerosis and was put on statins. Unfortunately, I can't seem to tolerate any, they all make me horrendously nauseous. I switched to niacin tablets. I can't go through life feeling sick to my stomach every day. As soon as I stopped taking them, I had no more nausea. I cannot tell you how horrendous I felt on them, it was like having a permanent stomach bug, awful. I know most people don't get nausea with statins, but, well, I did, so you're lucky if you can tolerate them."

• LOa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 22, 2020

"So I was a STEMI, and after stent insertion, I was put on Simvastatin. I have been taking it for almost 18 months. Over the last couple of months, I began developing pain in my hips, thighs, and knees, with some lower back pain. I thought perhaps it could be sciatica. I saw a cardiologist a week ago and talked about the pain. He said it is highly likely it is Simvastatin. He said to stop it for 3-5 days, go back on, and report how I felt to him. Well, day 2 off, the pain was almost gone. Day 3, pain completely gone. I asked the doctor why after all this time. It can build up in your system. So, day 3 back on Simvastatin, and pain is slowly returning to my knees and hips. He is talking about injectable Repatha (not sure if I can afford that). My cholesterol was great. Right where he wanted it to be."