Lipitor/Memory Loss.... other problems?

[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!

[Vela]

THe body aches and pains is a side effect of the Lipitor, most likely. That is a very common occurance with this medication. You need to talk to your doctor and let him know you don't want to take the Lipitor anymore and need help weaning off of the medication. Your cholesterol won't go through the roof and kill you in a few short months and you can see if the side effects go away. If they do then you can perhaps try a different medication for your cholesterol instead. This should all be done under the supervision of your doctor, but if he refuses to help you get off the medication and change it, then find one who will. Good luck.

[zoey]

I don't want to uduly alarm, but you might want to get checked for strokes. My stepdad had some mental problems that started suddenly too. He is 67. When Altzheimer's was ruled out, we found out that he'd had some small strokes and is being treated now and is much better.
I didn't realize that strokes could result this way; I'd always thought it only caused physical probs., but no physical probs for him.
You might want to get an MRI.