I've been on Crestor for over a year now, and not saying I don't have memory problems at times. After all, I'm going on 62, but I never thought to blame it on the Crestor. Hmmm....Is confusion one of the side effects to Statin drugs? I'll have to go check.

What ever was causing it though Madaboutmickey, I'm glad you are all cleared up and skinny. :)

I'll be watching this thread to see what else is reported.

Talk to your doctor, or even your pharmacist. You may have another neurological problem going on, like TIA's or mini-strokes.

I'm on Lovastatin & have noticed that my memory is not as good over the past few months. Never thought of that. Wonder if that could be a side effect of all statins. I'm seeing the dr. next week & will ask - if I remember. LOL!

I just did a search on "side effects of statin drugs"....some of them would have me very worried. So far my cholesteral levels are good even though I'm a plus size.

Sue

I'm on the generic for Zocor, a "statin drug" and I'm not happy with my side effects at all. I have some of the listed side effects such as "cramping in legs, temperature regulation problems (at times I'm running a low grade fever), memory problems" and I have one side effect that's not on any of the lists. I feel like I'm really groggy when I wake up...almost like I've taken a sleeping pill. I've never had that problem before (unless of course I haven't slept well or gotten my usual 7+ hrs. of sleep).

I complained to my doctor, who by the way always has me take a full fasting blood test to check my liver and other important functions before I see her - and every 3 months thereafter. Anyway she showed me the numbers of how well this drug is lowering my cholesterol and how my risk factor has been lowered for "heart desease"...so I'm giving it another 3 month try. I will see her in another 2 months and we're going to talk about it again.

But I really hate having to be on this stuff. I have noticed things happening with my mind and body and it really makes me uneasy to be on this, plus the other few meds I have to take.

I am hoping to read how others have done and then maybe research something more natural...which my doctor said were basically a guessing game at this point. Since no real medical trials have proven that natural things really work. This is very frustrating indeed.

~Susan

I have been taking lipitor for around 6 years now. I haven't noticed any memory problems but I have had a lack of energy. Recently I started taking 200-300 mg of Co-Q10, an antioxident that is recommended for people taking statin type drugs. It has really made a difference. I feel more alert and upbeat and have more energy. So y'all might talk to your doctors about adding CoQ10 as a supplement.

I take 6 different meds, including the Lovastatin I mentioned above & Lipitor. I see the dr. Mon. & will definitely mention side effects I have. Thanks for the advice about the Co-Q10. I see it advertised all the time but have never tried it.

The way that I found out about the memory problems were through a column in our local newspaper written by Joe and Terry Graedon of The Peoples Pharmacy. They have written numerous times on cholesteral and statin drugs. You can look them up at www.peoplespharmacy.com. There was one article that stated that a paper was published stating that "these drugs make wowmen stupid" . I can't find it right now....i'll keep looking.

Be careful, many insurance companies are substituting generic drugs. They can do this unless the dr. specifies NO substitution. Then they want to argue. As for Q-10, it is a blood thinner. I found this out the hard way. I take blood pressure meds and tried Q-10. Had 3 of the worst nose bleeds ever, because I never have them Checked it you with pharmacist, and yes it is a blood thinner.

My husband's on Lipitor, and started taking CO-Q10 for muscle aches. He's had some unexplained nosebleeds lately, so this is good information.

I was on Lovastatin and not only did it affect my mind but it gave me Horrible Charlie horses in my legs and feet every day and night.Didn't matter if i was just sitting or laying down or driving my car.I had to pull off the road and stop the car.At first my dr didn't think that the statin was the cause,but since that was the only change in my llife that had been made i insisted it was,and i flat out told him i wasn't going to take it anymore.

Within a months time the Charlie horses stopped,and i refuse to go back on it.I'll watch my cholesterole thru changes in my diet,and so far so good.
Kathi

My Mum had terrible problems on statins ... she had so many side effects but taken over a period of 6 years many of them were simply put down to 'ageing'. She got dreadful muscle aches to the point where she could barely walk and couldn't sleep at night for the pain - the Dr prescribed her pain killers and sleeping pills. One of her lower legs and both feet would swell badly. She couldn't find shoes to fit and had to wear mens slippers for about 3 years - the Dr prescribed meds for water retention. She got progressively more forgetful and confused not to mention very depressed - the Dr prescribed anti-depressants.
So to counter-act the effects of ONE pill, she was taking 4 other pills and yet still getting worse by the day.
In the early hours of one morning while she was listening to talk back radio the subject of statin drug side effects came up and the radio station switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree with people calling in with their experiences. Mum went back to her Dr and told him she was going off the statins and within 2 days she was feeling better. However, the muscle damage to her legs has been permanent so for those of you having the muscle aches & pains PLEASE be careful.
We found alot of information on the web about the side effects so it pays to educate yourself about them.
The Drs here in NZ just seem to dish these pills out like lolly-water especially to the elderly. My Dad (86) who was on quite a low dose of statins and is as fit as a fiddle (still plays golf twice a week) stopped taking them after Mum had pinpointed what was causing her problems. He'd had achey legs (again put down to old age) for some time but improved as soon as he stopped taking them. And the scarey part is that his cholesterol readings were slightly UNDER the so called healthy range ... but the Dr prescribed the meds as a 'precautionary' measure!

Sheesh, don't get me started hahaha!

So to counter-act the effects of ONE pill, she was taking 4 other pills and yet still getting worse by the day.

Sad to say, that's the typical approach of so many doctors today. People are getting sicker, and Big Pharma is raking it in.

I have a friend who is on Lipitor and nine other meds following a bypass operation. His whole personality has changed on these drugs, including frequent brain fog.

I'm sure a Google search would reveal lots about statins and memory. Glad yours came back.