Gastrointestinal problems with Lipitor?

[HomeChef]

Hi Everyone:

New to the forum here.   I'm 54 years old, female, with mild hypertension (controlled by low dose of Losartan) and hypothyroid (also controlled by meds; Armour) plus GERD (I take rx Prilosec.)

Since my 30's my total cholesterol has been creeping up, but my HDL was always good (70) so my doctor always told me I didn't need statins.  

Well, last year, my cholesterol hit almost 300.  LDL was high (over 150), tryglicerides were okay, and HDL was excellent.   My doctor told me if he were me, he'd go on a statin.  In fact, he told me that every single physician he knew, regardless of their cholesterol numbers, was on a statin.  

So...I said okay.  Started at a low dose: 10 mg/day of atorvastain (generic versin of Lipitor.)  I started having muscle aches, so I take Co-Q10 every night (200 mgs.)  It helps, but truth be told, I'm always in pain all over my body; I just suck it up (I have high pain tolerance.)

But back to the subject of my post:   Since I started the statin, but stomach and bowels are a mess.  I've always suffered with IBS, but through diet and exercise it was well under control for the past 20 years.  

Starting in October 2015, I began having digestion problems, nausea whenever I ate ANYTHING, gas, bloating and diarrhea.   My doctor thought I had food poisoning (my symptoms were that severe) and put me on several courses of antibiotics.  Finally he referred me to a GI who ran stool tests, blood tests, urine tests, endoscopy, colonscopy.

All NEGATIVE.    He threw up his hands and said "I don't know what is causing this.  You just have a bad stomach."  

I fired him, and started looking for a new GI.   Then it hit me.  The GI issues started in October.  What also started then?  LIPITOR.

So I stopped taking it yesterday.  I want to see if it makes a difference.

My question is this:  Has anyone else had diarrhea (severe) and other GI issues with statins?  When I look up side effects of Lipitor, the very first one listed is always "diarrhea" but I only see folks complain about muscle pain, memory issues, etc.

Thanks everyone and anyone who can give me their experience/opinion.

-HC

[relax67]

The statin epidemic is reaching alarming proportions, and you are probably a victim of it. The myth that high cholesterol is a "disease" in unsupported by evidence, but it generates at least $30 billion in revenue for the pharmaceutical companies that sell statins. I am not a doctor and I don't pretend to give medical advice, but I know that cholesterol is essential to life, is the source of all hormones, and that the effects of reducing it are largely unknown. I have also observed, even in my family, that statins cause GI issues, muscle weakness and pain, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease and other cognitive issues.

Here is my advice: don't worry about your cholesterol levels, and find ways to relax and enjoy life because many conditions, including IBS, are caused by anxiety and depression. Eat foods that reduce inflammation, such as berries, citrus, leafy veggies, olive oil, avocados, and yes, saturated fats because they also fight inflammation.

I am male, 76, in perfect health, without a hint of cardiovascular disease, although I have had high cholesterol all my life. I believe that it actually protects me.

Best of luck!

[HomeChef]

Relax:   Thanks for answering me.  I'm also very puzzled by the whole statin craze.  I'm several days off it now, and my stomach is starting---slowly--to feel better.    

[Loulyb]

Homechef. I started lipitor December 2015. Had some issues with my IBS then but also had extreme fatique and weakness then in June of this year all hell broke loose. Horrible gastric issues almost debilitating weakness, legs feel like cement blocks. Have had 2 er visits with one ending in stress test for near syncope episode. My PC has now decided it is probably my lipitor  I was on creator for two years with no issues. This lipitor is the devil.  Praying that my body is healed soon. Have missed work the summer and time with my family. And health care physicians think your crazy all testing is negative except ct of abdomen did show inflammation.  Hope your feeling well soon. !

[relax67]

Hi home chef,

You seem to be on the right track. I am happy to know that.