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Anyone having problems with itching crawling skin? Mostly on right side and back. Area's I sleep on.

Posted , 9 users are following.

theresa_2002
theresa_2002

It is mostly on my right side and that side of my back, neck area is red and itchy. The itching spots look like I have scratched it but I haven't. Looks like streaks. It is where it gets warm. Started taking Simvastatin in November and noticed I had an itch. Didn't think anything of it. Got worse. Went to the Dr and he put me on Prednisone, gave me a Steroid shot and put me on Atarax (anti-itch) pill. Helped to where I thought it might be almost gone. Not! Went on a second round. Same thing as before. So I have been dealing with it for almost 2 months and it's worse. It's driving me crazy! Going to Dr tomorrow and have him send me to a Dermatologist. Hopefully that will be the answer! Just wondering if anyone had the same problem of itching with Simvastatin and what you did to get rid of the itch. Thank you for any response.

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • pat11500
    pat11500 theresa_2002

    Posted

    Theresa, there is a growing concern reagrding Statins. Some of the side effects are horrendous and the latest being that it raises blood sugar levels and can trigger diabetes.. it is mandatory that this raise in sugar levels is listed on the patient leaflet information. There is a series of informative videos on Youtube called Statin Nations, see if you can watch any of them. I am 65 and after my last blood test a couple of months ago, the GP at my surgery said my cholesterol level was high at 5.9 and wanted me to take statins, I refused and she was quite curt with me. There is a lot of information of the awful side effects from this insiduous drug. I hope you don't mind me saying all this to you.. but the itching you are suffeing from could well be a side effect. I have heard others reporting this too.
  • Portacrean
    Portacrean theresa_2002

    Posted

    I agree. I'm 69 yrs old . Been taking statins since war after a heart bypass. I've never had a rash or itching , but I have every other side effect statins offer , I think. My doctor took me off the statins 2 months ago. Should have stopped about 8 or 9 yrs ago. But I believed everything the docs told me. I think they were wrong. But if it just started since you started taking them , it's worth checking ot. I don't think they know all the side effects that's can surface with station use.
  • david32482
    david32482 theresa_2002

    Posted

    I have had signs of severe scratches, but I that figured I scratched myself and trimmed my nails. I have to agree with pat. Dont take statins unless you really really need them. June 2015 colesterol was 204, after 1 year simvastatin May 2016 colesterol was 199. Was it really worth the pain and weakness I am going through. Dr was also curt with me, but I regret not standing firm.
  • Portacrean
    Portacrean theresa_2002

    Posted

    Wow I need to check my spelling before I reply ! Sorry !
    • theresa_2002
      theresa_2002 Portacrean

      Posted

      Thanks for your info. My Cholesterol was 289 and dropped to 189 in just 3 months. But of course I watched my diet more. I've been off the pills for 4 days and today the icthing was bad. Just want it gone!
    • Portacrean
      Portacrean theresa_2002

      Posted

      Statins can definitely lower cholestrol. They work. But as soon as people's cholestrol gets down to a decent range they should be stopped. Unless the cholestrol problem is genetic , I think you can control it with healthy food , exercise and determination. It just seems to me , with our " modern science and technologies " plus all the money pharmaceutical companies seem to have. They would have come up with a safer way to lower cholestrol by now. I mean , the high cholestrol problem didn't just pop up yesterday . But then most of us just didn't pay attention and we did it to ourselves. At any rate , keep us posted on your itching. I'd like to know if it's related.
    • theresa_2002
      theresa_2002 Portacrean

      Posted

      I'm with you. Healthier eating is the answer. I will, but the itching is driving me crazy this morning. Thank goodness I have an appt this morning.
    • lisa09924
      lisa09924 theresa_2002

      Posted

      Theresa,  my husband was on statins too...but has stopped them because of side effects.....and he is plagued by itchy legs...sometimes he scratches them while sleeping and causes bleeding.....
  • wayne1962
    wayne1962 theresa_2002

    Posted

    Hi Theresa. I was on Lipitor for two years. All manner of "side effects" manifested and snowballed. One of the most obvious was the appearance of excema on my face, chest, back, legs and feet. I had never suffered any skin condition before. The excema developed from rough and red to the appearance of blood blisters beneath the skin. At this point I gave up the statins and got rid of the arrogant and dismissive doctor insistent that I continue being poisoned and that I be grateful for it.

    All effects of the drug have diminished and are disappearing. It has taken a year so far.

    So incompetent was my doctor that he sent me to a nutritionist because the excema had "nothing to do with" the statins.

    Theresa, best of luck with your situation. It is disappointing to read that your predicament was seized upon by your doctor to prescribe yet more drugs to introduce to your system. Mine tried the same thing.

    • lisa09924
      lisa09924 wayne1962

      Posted

      Wayne ...I too have developed excema ..a patch on my foot and on my face...I never had this before I started statins....I've been stopped them for 5 years and it hasn't gone away....did you use any creams or ointment on the excema that has helped....nothing has helped me...
    • wayne1962
      wayne1962 lisa09924

      Posted

      Hi Lisa - thanks for responding. I'm so sorry to read you are still suffering skin problems after 5 years - commiserations on the frustration, despair and distress you have endured.

      Loxie, who contributes to this site and is a survivor of statins, advised using "Aqueous Cream BP" and Aqueous Lotion, a soap substitute. I had results quickly and continue to use the product. Excema has diminished, though occasional flare ups treated with DermAid with 0.5 percent cortisol. Not using any other products on the skin.

      Best of luck to you Lisa - hope this helps.

    • lisa09924
      lisa09924 wayne1962

      Posted

      thanks for the reply Wayne...I will certainly try the Aqueous cream and lotion and let you know how I get on .
  • pat11500
    pat11500 theresa_2002

    Posted

    Try Oilatum it relieves itchy skin. ( also try claritin anti allergy tablets, they are non drowsy and have helped me with itchy skin).. worth a try smile
  • elaine_48528
    elaine_48528 theresa_2002

    Posted

    Hi I was started on Atrovastayin? 20 six weeks ago as my cholesterol was 7.5. Since then I've been itching all over it's so annoying I can't sleep . Went to gp who sent me for bloods my liver function test reads 500!! 7 is normal. Took me straight off the statins I now need to see if my liver returns to normal. I'm still itching badly , waiting to see a specialist . I would urge you to get a blood test 

    • wayne1962
      wayne1962 elaine_48528

      Posted

      Hi Elaine - thank goodness you have ditched statins quickly. I am two years free of them (prescribed Artorvastatin @ 80 mg) and I still have a phantom itch in the small of my back. As for the liver - well, it's alright now, but during my dosage (I took them for two years) my liver was inflamed and burning, I couldn't raise my left arm above my shoulder or lie on my left side. Cholesterol can be managed with diet - no trans fats, no red meat, no processed foods, cut out sugars. Use olive oil, oatmeal, fish oil capsules, veg, fruits etc. I also refuse blood tests on the rare occasions I see the doc. I believe they use them to fear monger, and I couldn't care less what the numbers are. Good luck with your recovery - you are very lucky to have recognised the damage quickly.

    • elaine_48528
      elaine_48528 wayne1962

      Posted

      Hi Wayne thanks. I'm waiting to see a specialist st the lipids clinic because my cholesterol is 7.5 . Am hoping my itching goes soon, does your liver repair on its own ? I can't believe statins would cause this problem 

    • wayne1962
      wayne1962 elaine_48528

      Posted

      Hi again Elaine - yes the liver can regenerate - I think it's the only organ in the body that can. Perhaps elements of the brain too. I would like to suggest that since you had only a brief brush with that drug (lucky, lucky you!) you will recover well and quickly. Give a month or two. Meanwhile, yes, the list of problems caused can be substantial. There are others on this site who can tell you horror stories. Don't worry - you'll get better.

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