Statin Induced muscle pain and stiffness

Posted by kathleenverna @kathleenverna, Dec 14 3:18pm

My Crestor was increased and I was also taking an antifungal fluconazole. A month later, I developed severe muscle pain, stiffness in buttuck and thigh and foot tingling. Stopped statins and PCP advised taking Coq10. If anyone has gone through this, how long to resolve??

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@rainerhans

We stopped it a week ago when we saw the lab results.
His cardiologist mentioned anyway to stop the statin and put him on Repatha again.
We changed the prescription plan for 2025 and Repatha is on it now.

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Unfortunately I tried Repatha and couldn't do that one which is why the Praluent. However since my knee replacement it's been difficult and I'm two years out on the replacement.

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I can see the posts are all over the place with Co-Q-10 and Statins.

Every study will have another study done which contradicts the other. I chose to listen to my doctors at Mayo Clinic. My heart failure doctor is the Director on heart failure/transplant division and far more knowledgeable and experienced than anyone on MCC.

My PCP who does research before recommending anything is also a trusted person with decade of medical expereince.

I think most posters will agree that everyone is different. What one medication or supplement works for one person it may not work for you or others. The same goes for side affects in what one will have another will not.

My opinion and not medical opinion is if medical professional asked you to try something to treat a medical condition try it and if you have problems talk to your medical professionals about different things to try. If a medical professional asked you to try a supplement to help alleviate a side affect try it and again if does not work talk to them and see about others things you can do including changing medications.

I say the above based on the experience and expertise of Mayo doctors and have not idea of the experince and expertise of other posters doctors and specialists. So yes I trust my medical professionals at Mayo but maybe you don't have medical prosfessionals with same degree of medical expertise and experience as I have with being a Mayo patient.

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@jc76

I can see the posts are all over the place with Co-Q-10 and Statins.

Every study will have another study done which contradicts the other. I chose to listen to my doctors at Mayo Clinic. My heart failure doctor is the Director on heart failure/transplant division and far more knowledgeable and experienced than anyone on MCC.

My PCP who does research before recommending anything is also a trusted person with decade of medical expereince.

I think most posters will agree that everyone is different. What one medication or supplement works for one person it may not work for you or others. The same goes for side affects in what one will have another will not.

My opinion and not medical opinion is if medical professional asked you to try something to treat a medical condition try it and if you have problems talk to your medical professionals about different things to try. If a medical professional asked you to try a supplement to help alleviate a side affect try it and again if does not work talk to them and see about others things you can do including changing medications.

I say the above based on the experience and expertise of Mayo doctors and have not idea of the experince and expertise of other posters doctors and specialists. So yes I trust my medical professionals at Mayo but maybe you don't have medical prosfessionals with same degree of medical expertise and experience as I have with being a Mayo patient.

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Hi JC - In principle, I agree wholeheartedly.
You may notice that the Mentors and Moderators often step into discussions and suggest that the poster consult their provider.

But...
Not everyone can get into Mayo - their care is a limited resource
Not all providers are accessible or can/will take the time to explain
Some of us do not have choices and cannot get a trusted doctor of our choice - the "medical desert" is real - friends in rural Michigan have access to one NP one hour away - specialty care is three hours away and takes months to get in.
Some have insurance that limits their choice of/access to providers
20% of people in the US have no medical insurance
Some of us have rare conditions, for which we don't have ready access to knowledgeable specialists. We use MCC to educate ourselves, and then hopefully our providers or to help us find new providers.
Some just want to hear from others who are walking their same path.

I had a trusted and beloved PCP who was pushed out of primary care because the company demanded immense caseloads. That was over two years ago and I have literally tried 6 other PCP's since then, and am about to ask to be accepted by a seventh. Several of those I tried just aren't knowledgeable enough for my older body with many issues, others were only willing to "go with the script" and one looked like he just rolled out of bed and put his lab coat on over his sweats and came to work without combing his hair. It has been humbling to go through what many of our members do and feel powerless to get to the right provider.

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@sueinmn

Hi JC - In principle, I agree wholeheartedly.
You may notice that the Mentors and Moderators often step into discussions and suggest that the poster consult their provider.

But...
Not everyone can get into Mayo - their care is a limited resource
Not all providers are accessible or can/will take the time to explain
Some of us do not have choices and cannot get a trusted doctor of our choice - the "medical desert" is real - friends in rural Michigan have access to one NP one hour away - specialty care is three hours away and takes months to get in.
Some have insurance that limits their choice of/access to providers
20% of people in the US have no medical insurance
Some of us have rare conditions, for which we don't have ready access to knowledgeable specialists. We use MCC to educate ourselves, and then hopefully our providers or to help us find new providers.
Some just want to hear from others who are walking their same path.

I had a trusted and beloved PCP who was pushed out of primary care because the company demanded immense caseloads. That was over two years ago and I have literally tried 6 other PCP's since then, and am about to ask to be accepted by a seventh. Several of those I tried just aren't knowledgeable enough for my older body with many issues, others were only willing to "go with the script" and one looked like he just rolled out of bed and put his lab coat on over his sweats and came to work without combing his hair. It has been humbling to go through what many of our members do and feel powerless to get to the right provider.

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I am very fortunate to have Mayo Jacksonville as my medical provider. Even where I live now others tell me can't get into Mayo. One of the main obstacles is those on Medicare. Even though Mayo Jacksonville does take Medicare they limit the number.

I cannot praise my PCP anymore than I do. I am very fortunate to have him. He is getting busy though as in afternoons now he does training of other doctors. Mayo Jacksonville is a teaching hospital.

Prior to 2015 I was traveling 3 hours each way to get to Mayo Jacksonville to get the best care I could. We also used to drive 4 hours each way to Cleveland Clinic in south Florida. I moved to the Jacksonville area in 2015.

Even in the city I lived in south Florida my PCP (who was outstanding) said to me, for minor things the hospital here and surgeons are fine but if major and serious I would suggest you try to go to a major medical facility. My PCP there in that city was Mayo trained.

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@loriesco

You guys are all over the place with the conversation. The first person sounds like they have sciatica. The last person has digestive problems and the ones in the middle have arthritis. none of this stuff is related or causal to the statins! My dad took statins for 25 years NO PROBLEMS. Lowered his cholesterol from 369 to 196 or 169. I took them for 3 weeks and got the muscle weakness/pain issue and dr. took me off. Please, please, talk to your doctors. Also, please read the scientific literature and not the antidotal stories. Most of Coq10 is a myth except when it comes to Heart Failure. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531491/

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Same issue here. Statins were awful so my doctor took me off and prescribed Ezetimibe 10mg because I refused another statin. Absolutely no side effects and my cholesterol numbers came down. I was informed that high cholesterol can be genetic even if you are a vegetarian. I did not want to take any type of statin to begin with but the Ezetimibe works for me. I mention the drug as if someone does not want to take statins, perhaps this is another alternative. Of course, please consult with your physician. It may not be the answer for everyone.

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@susanjane77

Same issue here. Statins were awful so my doctor took me off and prescribed Ezetimibe 10mg because I refused another statin. Absolutely no side effects and my cholesterol numbers came down. I was informed that high cholesterol can be genetic even if you are a vegetarian. I did not want to take any type of statin to begin with but the Ezetimibe works for me. I mention the drug as if someone does not want to take statins, perhaps this is another alternative. Of course, please consult with your physician. It may not be the answer for everyone.

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I'm wondering since my knee replacement if I now need to go off of the Praluent and try the Ezetimibe as well. I've heard good things about it but it can also cause muscle pain and issues...but it digests differently I believe.

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@cindymattern

I'm wondering since my knee replacement if I now need to go off of the Praluent and try the Ezetimibe as well. I've heard good things about it but it can also cause muscle pain and issues...but it digests differently I believe.

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I hope your knee replacement was successful. I do not know about Praluent but i would certainly discuss it with your physician. I have had no issues with Ezetimibe. I guess call me lucky! I am on the lowest dosage as I asked for a Calcium Score test just to see if there was any plaque buildup or blockages in my arteries. My score was 0 but i consider it as a floor measurement so doesnt mean i am prone to a heart attack. This may be the reason I am on the lowest dosage.

I wish you luck deciding on which statin to take. It can be daunting !

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The following test can be ordered by your doctor and can help you know if you’re likely to have challenges processing statins and other drugs. It was originally developed in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and is now available at https://oneome.com/rightmed-test/
I had terrible pain and muscle spasms with statins, and learned that my daughter and I have known genetic enzyme processing challenges. So I cannot take statins, and my doctors are now armed with this information to help me find things that I can take. Instead of trial and error with meds that can have severe side effect risk, we can pre-assess drugs for our conditions and take those that are less likely to cause issues. This has been a lifesaver for our daughter when it comes to safe medications, ranging from anesthesia to antibiotics. I’m not a doctor, but this is one of the best tests to help you find a medication path forward with your doctor for meds that are likely to help you, and less likely to have severe side effects. Wishing you the very best on your healing journey!

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@esgsf

The following test can be ordered by your doctor and can help you know if you’re likely to have challenges processing statins and other drugs. It was originally developed in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and is now available at https://oneome.com/rightmed-test/
I had terrible pain and muscle spasms with statins, and learned that my daughter and I have known genetic enzyme processing challenges. So I cannot take statins, and my doctors are now armed with this information to help me find things that I can take. Instead of trial and error with meds that can have severe side effect risk, we can pre-assess drugs for our conditions and take those that are less likely to cause issues. This has been a lifesaver for our daughter when it comes to safe medications, ranging from anesthesia to antibiotics. I’m not a doctor, but this is one of the best tests to help you find a medication path forward with your doctor for meds that are likely to help you, and less likely to have severe side effects. Wishing you the very best on your healing journey!

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Thanks so much for the very kind and thoughtful comments and great clinical information.!!

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Many years ago I was on Crestor and it left me with damage of numbness and tingling on my right leg and toes. It never went away after stopping it.
I didn't take anything for years but just started Zetia because of having stents placed. My leg and feet are killing me again.
Just can't won.

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