1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions
Profile picture for ginnyjm

Statin Side-effects: Muscle pain and weakness

Posted by ginnyjm @ginnyjm, Nov 12, 2024

I’ve been on a statin drug for over 25 years. In the last year my legs have gotten very weak & painful. I now have to use my arms to get out of a chair & it’s still difficult. Can the side effects start after I’ve taken the statin for so long? Anyone else have this sudden problem?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Profile picture for dskellchock
dskellchock | @dskellchock | Aug 13 12:10pm
In reply to @deniseheart "I was not able to take statins. Try as I might, no go. My doctor started..." + (show)
Profile picture for deniseheart @deniseheart

I was not able to take statins. Try as I might, no go. My doctor started me on Ezetimibe 3X a week and I have not had any negative side effects. It is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, not a statin.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your post deniseheart! I appreciate knowing about Ezetimibe. I recently became aware of cholesterol "absorbers", but will see if my body can tolerate Ezetimibe. 🙂

REPLY
Profile picture for dskellchock
dskellchock | @dskellchock | Aug 13 12:23pm
In reply to @naiviv "I stopped it too and still I have a strange feeling . I don’t have pain...." + (show)
Profile picture for naiviv @naiviv

I stopped it too and still I have a strange feeling . I don’t have pain. They feel leathery. I read not long ago that statins affect so much the muscular system that even after stopping them, side effects could keep on going. I know that Pharma knows how dangerous statins are but it is a gold mine for them.

Jump to this post

Loved your post navivi!! This is just what I needed to hear!! I hope our mutual side effects cease and desist after at least 12 months! Those statins do damage to nerve fibers. 🙁 As you have probably read, statins caused my Achilles tendon to swell up and cause me great alarm. I am hoping the swelling goes away in the next few months. I stopped my stain in June!! I still have calf discomfort aching and stiffness. Feet pads still a little stiff, but much improved. Saw an Orthopedic guy last week, but he was very nonchalant about my Achilles tendon and didn't even take an xray. It is common knowledge (on-line) that unless the A-tendon is not ruptured, it will heal on it's own. My PA and Orthopedic confirmed this. Having patience over the healing time line is tedious though, isn't it?!!!! 🙂 d.
REPLY
Profile picture for dskellchock
dskellchock | @dskellchock | Aug 13 12:25pm

Thank you gloaming. I appreciate your pst! Yeah, the stiff feet pad and aching stiff calves is a real thing and apparently lasts long after stopping a statin. I am waiting patiently - well, almost patiently 🙂

REPLY
Profile picture for dskellchock
dskellchock | @dskellchock | Aug 13 12:37pm
In reply to @jc76 "@ginnyjm This would be a question best answered by who is treating you medically. I see..." + (show)
Profile picture for jc76 @jc76

@ginnyjm
This would be a question best answered by who is treating you medically. I see @gloaming has given you a good link at Mayo to research this.

I would really talk to your doctors about this. It could be something totally different causing it and you need to address is.

I have been on Astorstatin for over 10 years. I do not have the symptoms you have. I was put on Co-Q-10 immedately when I was prescribed a statin drug. I do not have your symptoms or the aches and pains.

My wife was presribed a statin but was not advised about Co-Q-10. I asked her to check with her doctors and mention if okay to take Co-Q-10. She was having muscle pains right after staring taken it. She was cleared to take the Co-Q-10 and her muscle pain went away. But his is her experience and may or may not help you.

My advice is to immediately reach out to the doctors treating you and advise of your symptoms.

Jump to this post

Hi, ginnyjm - You are one of the lucky ones, who do not have side effects from taking a statin. I find myself total allergic. My sister and brother-in-law take statins also, but only suffer joint aches and pains (as I did in addition to other symptoms). Body chemistry makes the difference I guess. I also rely on the Mayo clinic for accurate info. 🙂 As for the two doctors I have consulted, thanks for the advice, but neither one knows dididly about how to address side effects from statins. It is shocking that doctors know so little and do not warn their patients about possible Achilles tendon flare ups. It was quite shocking when that happened to me. So glad you and your wife are doing well with your statin and CoQ10!!! 🙂 d.

REPLY
Profile picture for jc76
jc76 | @jc76 | Aug 14 5:44am
In reply to @dskellchock "Hi, jc76 - Thank you for posting about your experience with statins. Glad to har the..." + (show)
Profile picture for dskellchock @dskellchock

Hi, jc76 - Thank you for posting about your experience with statins. Glad to har the CoQ10 helped your wife. Even though the research about the benefits of taking CoQ10 is 'mixed', it certainlly helped me with leg cramps, and it wasn't a "placebo" effect either. I also had good results lowering my cholesterol levels with statins, but the side effects are horrible for me, so I just can't tolerate them. You are correct that everyone's body has different chemistry and inherited DNA/genes. One day, if our federal government stops interferring, with medical research, our researchers will make more progress in how to make statins more tolerate to everyone, not just a few. Meanwhile, we just do the best we can to hobble along. d.

Jump to this post

@dskellchock
Agree.
Just don't know how you body will react to medications. They can lest common side affects but that does not dictate how you body will respond.

I am 78 and retired. At my community we talk all the time about medications. The conversation mirrors your post. Some say, hey no problem, other of just can't take it.
Take care

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.