Vytorin and IBS

[LGBNME]

I too was a healthy 36 year old male who never had any health issues.  I decided to take advantage of a health screening test offered by my employer.  I was dianosed with high choleserol and followed up with my regular physican.  No problem.  Again, had no outward health issues.  My doctor perscribed Vytorin 10/20.  This is where my health began to deteriorate.  I developed both clay soft stool and chronic explosive diarrhea in the mornings (3-4X before leaving the house) and excessive tiredness.  At first I didnt put the two together, I just thought it was something I was eating or drinking so I continuously changed my diet. Nothing helped.  I went back to the doctor for a 1 yr follow up and mentioned the diarrhea.  By this time I was completely stressed due to the never ending diarrhea and having anxiety about going to work, driving in the car etc.  The diarrhea got so bad I didnt want to leave the house. He took me off the Vytorin and put me on Zocor with same results.  After stopping all meds and getting a colonoscopy and blood tests nothing was found. He now states I have IBS and put me on SSRI Citalopram. HELP!


This discussion is related to Possible side effect of Lipitor and Vytorin on Liver / Body.

[Reruho]

Hey guys before you accept the IBS diagnosis, ask about your gallbladder. You symptoms sound very much like biliary dyskinesia. I was told I had IBS for 20 years because of intestinal cramping. Labs were always normal and so were the ultrasounds. I kept saying this isn't right because I have no bowel dysfunction. Finally, a GI did a HIDA scan to check on my gallbladder functioning. It cam back abnormal, 15%, the normal range is 35-75%.

This summer while I was Vytorin, cholesterol dropped below 105 and caused all kinds of health issues. I became depressed, hormonal issues, stopped sleeping and my GB issues became worse. The depression and insomnia improved immediately after stopping the Vytorin. I seriously think the Vytorin damaged my GB. Now, I am trying to get my GB removed

Reta

[LGBNME]

I switched from Zocor to Vytorin around Oct 2004. Zocor no longer worked for me.
Around the first of March, I began experiencing a lot of lower abdominal pain and flu-like symptoms for several days. The last day of what turned out to be the first episode, my left leg became useless. A month later, I had similar symptoms. This time, at 8:45 a.m., I checked my blood sugar and blood pressure. Both were around 180. A few days later, both returned to normal. Though I did not have any unusual bowel problems during these episodes, I had begun having very bad diarrhea 24/7, and at times, explosive diarrhea that came on without much warning. My doctor told me to stop taking Vytorin for two weeks, then get back on. I went to a new family doctor about my "episodes" and told him of the diarrhea. as well as everything else that had happened. He advised me to stop taking it immediately and to tell my endocrinologist what was happening.
After having a colonoscopy, I have now been diagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome. However, I am certain I was experiencing the serious side affects from Vytorin.
Do you think these side effects caused me to have irritable bowel syndrome? Will this go away in time? I'm quite old to begin having IBS--69 1/2. Thank God for enzyme pills or I would be housebound.


REPLY
From LGBNME:

Finally finally finally someone who has the same symptoms and diagnosis as myself! I was a healthy 37 yr old with no health issues except for high chloresterol. My doctor perscibed Vytorin 10/20. Thats where my health began to decline. Every morning I would have explosive diarrhea and immediately after meals. At first I thought it was my diet never associated it with the Vytorin so I continually change what I was eating. Even after having chicken and rice I would have diarrhea!!! I went from 205 lbs to 170 lbs within a couple of months ( from the daily diarrhea). It was affecting my work and I wouldnt leave the house on my days off for fear of an uncontroled bowel movement. I finally went back to the doctor after about a year and he said he never heard of that side affect. I stopped taking the Vytorin and he diagnosed me with IBS. Now I'm on a SSRI to aleave some of the anxiety and cramping associated with IBS. I knew this wasnt all in my head. I knew it had something to do with the Vytorin and that other post proves it!!!!!!!!

[CalGal]

Some people aren't able to handle any of the cholesterol-lowering drugs. You may want to consider trying some probiotics to see if changing the bacterial count in your digestive tract makes a difference. It's not going to do any harm and it just might change things for the better. There are a number of good brands on the market such as Culturelle, Digestive Advantage-IBS (not for only IBS), and FloraQ, etc.

Many drugs do a real 'job' on the beneficial bacteria in our GI tracts and it can really alter digestive ability when that happens.

[LGBNME]

And P/S  I lost 40 lbs in less than 90 days.  Again all test come back normal....