I took a statin for about 2 months. My muscles ached immediately. It would move from my quads to my biceps to my calves. Different muscles on different days. I split the dosage to no avail. I quit taking them 3 weeks to a month ago and the aching continues. Have any of you experienced this? If so, how long did it last?
Statins and muscle pain
- Thread starter biguglyjoe
- Start date
First one started gradually for about three weeks..was pretty sure the cause but said let me do this one more week...after extreme difficulty finishing 35 minutes on stationary bike when trying to dismount could not...had to physically lift my leg off bike. Got over in one week.
Tried another for 3 years and noticed symptoms somewhat...cut to a half and after another 6 months chol went to 135 doctor wanted it lower so stopped...again better after about a week.
Tried another and lasted 2 months..was off med for over a year..Ch went to 172 and my new doc had a fit.
Then tried crestor 10mg and over year period symptoms gradually became worse/more obvious. Stopped couple months..started 5mg for over a year and symptoms became gradually worse. Stopped 3-4 months then started 5 mg ever other day. On this for about 3 years....and Ch was 131 last check.
Next option would be injection.
But to answer your question....I was better after about a week each time. You might want to have your liver numbers checked.
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I never had pain but liver enzymes always shot up. Finally put me on Creator (generic) and its been ok
Well over ten years ago starting getting aches in my arms similar to lifting way too much weight at the gym. Was a daily thing to the point of how can I keep working like this. Being in the health profession I was going over a ladies meds one day, and she said she had quit taking her statins. Said her legs started hurting so bad she could hardly stand up. Light bulb moment. Quit my statin the next day. In less than a week no more pain. PCP recommended some different statins but eventually same effects. My pharmacist friend said the muscle ache with statins is very common however it is only reported as a side effect of statins, not an adverse side effect. I’m on repatha now every three weeks. Amazing results. Having had two widow maker heart attacks and now three months post op from six bypasses I feel I have to do something to get lipid profile in normal range and this stuff does it but very pricey. No noticeable side effects yet.
Well so, in my opinion, most “statin” related muscle aches and joint pains are mild and should resolve after a two week holiday off the medication. This side effect is often related to dose (high dose more likely) and potency (think Crestor & Lipitor). There are exceptions in my experience where people do have long lasting effects. I’ve had people state they’d rather die that take another statin. As a poster said above, there could be other illnesses that may be mimicking a “statin” effect and I would suggest further testing if symptoms have lasted more than several months. There is also some compelling but not really scientific data to suggest CoQA limits muscle aches....no evidence that it harms you either.
I tell some people “The worst side effect of statins is living longer” but I guess I’m biased
#HailState
I tell some people “The worst side effect of statins is living longer” but I guess I’m biased
#HailState
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Try switching to pravastatin. Typically has the least muscle effects of the statins. Or if u have no CV history and low CV risk factors, u could probably just scrap it.
If you have very high risk factors or have had a stroke or MI, your indication for a statin would be compelling. Could try one every other day or even like twice a week. If push comes to shove, could consider a PCSK9 inhibitor. Zetia is another back up, but it doesn’t have as much CV risk reduction evidence as the statins.
If you have very high risk factors or have had a stroke or MI, your indication for a statin would be compelling. Could try one every other day or even like twice a week. If push comes to shove, could consider a PCSK9 inhibitor. Zetia is another back up, but it doesn’t have as much CV risk reduction evidence as the statins.
My doctor finally put me on Zetia. I could not tolerate any of the statins. Zetia works in the intestines not the liver. My cholesterol levels have remained low over the ten plus years I have been on Zetia. No side effects. You may want to ask your doctor if it is appropriate for you.
My LDL was not that high, but with the denser sort of LDL that I have, they wanted me on a statin. I started taking 20mg of Lipitor and it dropped, but they wanted it under 70 and were about to increase the dose. I had a buddy in a similar situation and he was taking Crestor. He started taking “Cholestoff Plus” with the same dosage of Crestor and suddenly his ldl was in range. I started taking it for about 3 weeks and it dropped my LDL another 20 points. (in combination with Lipitor)
I do seem to get muscle aches from the Lipitor. I am going to ask during the next visit if we can try adjusting the statin down some and see if we can stay on target.
http://www.naturemade.com/supplements/cholestoff
I do seem to get muscle aches from the Lipitor. I am going to ask during the next visit if we can try adjusting the statin down some and see if we can stay on target.
http://www.naturemade.com/supplements/cholestoff
I was on a statin drug for about a year, no issue with muscle cramps or pain but it did cause frequent urination...I was able to change my diet and come off of it....
Try taking 1/2 pill and see if that helps with aches and definitely take COQ10. This guy has the best
https://www.hsn.com/products/coenzyme-q-10-200/10072586
https://www.hsn.com/products/coenzyme-q-10-200/10072586
Try taking 1/2 pill and see if that helps with aches and definitely take COQ10. This guy has the best
https://www.hsn.com/products/coenzyme-q-10-200/10072586
https://www.hsn.com/products/coenzyme-q-10-200/10072586
Summarizing what a number on here have said, most every drug has Risk/Benefit that you and your doctor must weigh. If you have history of heart disease or are at risk of developing with underlying conditions such as diabetes, then statin therapy if the best to help lower your CV risk as some are proven to actually reduce the plaque in your arteries.
With that, generally the old statins such as pravastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin and others tend to have higher rates of myalgia. The two that tend to have least side effects are Crestor and Livalo. Personally I could not take Zocor or Lipitor without the aches. My doctor settled on Crestor 5mg and another drug called Welchol, it is not metabolized in liver or kidneys and together I get the drops I need with minimal side effects and I get the heart protection from Crestor. Welchol is also a diabetes drug which helps me with my A1c as well.
If you just cannot take any amount of statins and have high ldl and risk factors your best bets are the injectables Repatha or Praluent, which have large LDL drops and provide heart protection. Or, you can try Welchol and Zetia together for a decent drop.
With that, generally the old statins such as pravastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin and others tend to have higher rates of myalgia. The two that tend to have least side effects are Crestor and Livalo. Personally I could not take Zocor or Lipitor without the aches. My doctor settled on Crestor 5mg and another drug called Welchol, it is not metabolized in liver or kidneys and together I get the drops I need with minimal side effects and I get the heart protection from Crestor. Welchol is also a diabetes drug which helps me with my A1c as well.
If you just cannot take any amount of statins and have high ldl and risk factors your best bets are the injectables Repatha or Praluent, which have large LDL drops and provide heart protection. Or, you can try Welchol and Zetia together for a decent drop.
I thought the latest evidence was that statins were a bit of a scam? LDL is somewhat protective and triglycerides / HDL was a better indicator of CVD....i think this was for people without a history of CVD damage. This biggest benefit of a statin was reduced inflammation and they increased all cause mortality. Not starting a fight just asking.
I would suggest not taking these suggestions and consult with your pharmacist and physician. Hate to be that guy, but don't take medication advice from people you don't know.
I used to take 10 mg of Lipitor, but after a triple bypass I now take 40. I seem to recall that when I first started Lipitor (many years ago) I had muscle aches, but now I'm not sure if I've just gotten used to the aches, or if they're due to just getting older. I'm going to try CoQ10 to see if that helps (according to ratings, a brand called CoQ10 Med gets the highest grade).
I didn't intend to. I asked about experiences anyone may have had, I wasn't searching for a message board diagnosis. That's certainly sound advice though.
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