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Suggest Treatment For Peripheral Neuropathy And High Cholesterol Levels
My husband developed peripheral neuropathy after takin simvastatin and atorvostatin for several years. His symptoms were relieved almost immediately after he stopped taking them. Unfortunately, his high cholesterol could not be controlled with diet alone and his doctor prescribed welchol instead. He has been taking that for the last four months and his peripheral neuropathy symptoms have returned and are just as bad as they were before. Is welchol made of the same stuff as statin medications? I can t seem to find out.
Tue, 23 Apr 2019
Hello,
Statins are known to cause muscle pains, but this is also true for colesevelam. However, peripheral neuropathy is another disease entity which is not known to be caused by other statins or colesevelam.
If your husband is experiencing muscle pains, he might be able to benefit from other cholesterol-lowering medications.
On the other hand, if he is having true peripheral neuropathy as manifested by tingling sensation or numbness on his extremities, he should be worked-up since there are a lot of causes like diabetes mellitus, nutritional, as well as musculoskeletal causes.
I suggest a follow-up with your doctor for appropriate diagnosis, as well as possible changing of medications for his elevated cholesterol levels.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Daryl Derick B. Dizon, General & Family Physician
Statins are known to cause muscle pains, but this is also true for colesevelam. However, peripheral neuropathy is another disease entity which is not known to be caused by other statins or colesevelam.
If your husband is experiencing muscle pains, he might be able to benefit from other cholesterol-lowering medications.
On the other hand, if he is having true peripheral neuropathy as manifested by tingling sensation or numbness on his extremities, he should be worked-up since there are a lot of causes like diabetes mellitus, nutritional, as well as musculoskeletal causes.
I suggest a follow-up with your doctor for appropriate diagnosis, as well as possible changing of medications for his elevated cholesterol levels.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Daryl Derick B. Dizon, General & Family Physician
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