Lipitor/Memory Loss.... other problems?

[Laura's Babies]

I have been on Lipitor longer than I care to admit. Started out on 10mg a day and am up to 40mg a day now. I don't rememebr exactly when we upped it to 40mg but I think it has been in the last year. This past November, I suddenly noticed my memory has gotten alarmingly worse.

I had orginally thought it was a result of the stuff they gave me at the hospital to knock me out when I had my colonscopy done because it started right after that and I thought I just needed time for that stuff to get out of my system. Nothing has changed! I am constantly having to write myself notes to remember things, making lists and setting timmers when I put something on the stove or in the oven. If I am noticing how many things I am forgetting, I now wonder how much I don't realize I am missing.

I just had my big 6-0 bithdays but I don't think it is the old age thing because of how sudden it started and how bad it is. While on the boat, I saw a add on TV for some lawyer wanting clients on Lipitor that has suffered a list of side effects and memory loss was one of them. The old light bulb went off in my head so I have been on the internet searching and found stuff where people are having memory loss as a result of Lipitor. (Of coarse, the doctors act like this isn't a Lipitor side effect)

Now I am thinking of a whole list of things that has happened within this body in since I have been on the stuff and wondering how much of it is caused BY the Lipitor. Sudden onset of knee pain, both knees at the same time out of nowhere, odd swelling in my feet (also out of nowhere) that nothing has helped that the doctors can not explain, the forgetfulness..

Is there anyone else here that take Lipitor that has had the sudden onset of problems that came out of nowhere?

[moosmom]

Laura's Babies,

I was prescribed Lipitor for my cholesterol. I was on it for 2 weeks when my joints, especially my knees and elbows started to hurt to the point where I couldn't even get out of bed. That on top of the abdominal cramping were all I could bear. My doctor told me to stop taking it immediately. I still have to go for a blood test (my benefits ran out when my temp job ended )

My OB-GYN told me that the memory loss is part of the big "M" (menopause). He encouraged me to go on HRT, which I refused. The memory loss got worse when I started taking Lipitor (misplacing a Diet Pepsi, gee I wonder if there's a connection there???)

I'd ask your doctor, or look at paperwork that comes with Lipitor to see what the contraindications are.

[Laura's Babies]

There is no mention of the memory loss in the insert. Where I have been, people have said they also thought it was the age thing until they quit the lipitor and it quit happening. I am seriously thinking about quitting the stuff and see what happens...

[catnapper]

I read a magazine article in the doctor's office today (July's issue of Good Housekeeping) and it was all about memory loss. A lot of it was explaing how we get more forgetful as we age, also when we're in very stressful times in our lives. Back in November, you were really stressed about Eddie's health, wracked with worry over Amy..... all that stress can add up to make you more forgetful. Right now, with all the stress inmy life, I'm lucky I don't forget my head in the mornings!

[G535]

There is no mention of the memory loss in the insert. Where I have been, people have said they also thought it was the age thing until they quit the lipitor and it quit happening. I am seriously thinking about quitting the stuff and see what happens...

I'd also quit taking anything that has side effects that are worse than what the medicine is supposed to help.

[Lady's Human]

One big item with lipitor. I was reading a page about it, and it has drug interactions with a lot of other common drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins. From the looks of it, lipitor by itself is fine, but it starts to interact with many other meds, OTC, scrip, and herbal.

You might want to check anything else you are taking with either a pharmacist of a doc.

[RedHedd]

Whatever you do, please do not just quit taking a prescription drug without talking to your doctor first. Many drugs can have serious effects on your body if they're quit very suddenly. Also, talk to your doctor about alternative medications that treat the same problem. If your doctor has you on a prescription drug to treat a medical condition, please do not just stop taking the drugs. You're not a medical professional and you could give yourself more problems. Please be careful!