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Statin Side-effects: Muscle pain and weakness
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Feb 3 10:54am | Replies (72)Comment receiving replies
I have severe degenerative disc disease and had 24 surgeries on my spine. I have fusions from T2 down to S1 and I take morphine every day and have for 15 years. When I was in my 50’s my doctor put me on statins in addition to my other meds. About a month later my legs stated to ache and I attributed it to my spine and ignored it them I started to feel like I had the flu ,my whole body ached. This feeling got worse until my wife came home from work and I was passed out on the floor. I woke up in the hospital only to find out that I had
rhabdomyolysis and it caused my kidneys to shut down. The cause of rhabdo was my statin I was taking. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that statins can cause where your muscle tissues break down and that causes them to release a chemical called creatinine kinase or CK. Normally your kidneys filter CK about of your body but the statins break down so much muscle that it overwhelms the kidneys withCK and shuts them down. Luckily a few IV infusions at the hospital cleared up the CK in my blood which was 17,000 times the normal value . Hence…… I cannot or will not take statins again.
Replies to "I have severe degenerative disc disease and had 24 surgeries on my spine. I have fusions..."
I also have a diagnosis of Rhabdomyolysis but u fortunately it is more complicated. I’d been on statins for two years post CABG and experienced the same leg cramps you described. It went on for perhaps another month or two. I also had an autoimmune response to the statins so I’m currently receiving steroids (Prednisone) and an IV IG infusion monthly. Fortunately my ck levels didn’t get much above 9000 and are now dropping below 2000 so things are improving.
The conditions I’m experiencing may have involved my diaphragm and epiglottis so my ability to swallow safely may be compromised and I’m awaiting testing in that regard.
If you are on statins and experiencing cramps etc. I’d move quickly to get it addressed. We have excellent healthcare facilities in Boston fortunately because my combination of issues is apparently quite uncommon.
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You are the first person that I have heard who had suffered from rhabdomyolysis. Honestly I have heard so many things about statins that I am rethinking in taking them. The other alternatives are worse. I will stick to my Mediterranean diet, exercise and keep doing what I have been doing. Get well and thanks for your input.