How long do side effects from statins last once you stop taking them?

It only took a few weeks for the muscle weakness side effect to subside. But I was on a short-term duration of a few months. However, I had totally UNRELATED hips failing, which complicated not being clear on things. I caution people to be sure to separate out our problems.

Hi con123
Did your prescriber tell you, to gain your consent -
1 - That the statin leaflet will tell you Lies that muscle aches are ‘just 1 of 12’ side effects?
In fact muscle aches are, overwhelmingly, the Number One side effect at 95% and the rest are about 0.5% each.
Look up Taylor Francis online where it tells you that muscle aches are 95%.

2 - The cohorts most at risk of statin muscle aches?
The first 5 in order are - athletes, overwhelmingly, then old age, female, low BMI and S Indian heritage.
Look up the landmark 2004 Sinzinger and O’Grady ‘Athletes and Statins’ study which proved that 80% of young athletes cannot tolerate statins.
The rationale is simple, all these cohorts need a good muscular system more than the general population.
Regarding athletes - they train midweek by damaging the muscles used in their event. Then rest, recover and race at the weekend.

All the best.

@danelle9354 I am on Crestor for 2 years snd getting body aches now. What is the notation if you do t mind me asking. Thank you.

Hi, @donnamarie1956. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am sorry you are having discomfort, and glad you are pursuing finding out what is behind it.

A recent episode of Mayo Clinic Cardiology’s continuing medical education podcast series may be fantastic for you to listen to. It fits in with your question and discussion with @danelle9354. The audio is short (11 minutes), addresses questions you have, and may be good information to help have more conversation with your doctor. You’ll need to scroll down the page and find the September 16, 2025 episode.
- Mayo Clinic Statin Myopathy: https://cveducation.mayo.edu/store/pages/podcasts

Spoiler: One recommendation is to draw a stick person and circle the areas that are not comfortable. Stop the statin 30 days then draw another stick person, do the same thing. Pull the first drawing out and compare. I hope you come back and report what you figure out.

When did you begin noticing your body aches? What dose of Crestor are you taking, and how often?

@con123

Hi.

Did you ever get past the pain and loopy feeling?

If so, how long did it take.

If not, how long has it been?

Thank you

@jlharsh

Hi @jlharsh

Do you have any advice on correcting the effects of statin use?

Supplements or anything else?

I was a long time 20mg Atorvastatin user and was upped to a higher dose when headaches, GERD and muscle aches started.

@ctjoe7
I just can't tolerate any of them, even low dose 3 times a week. Too many negative side effects even though cholesterol went down. I then did one injection of Repatha and had a horrible allergic reaction, so I am now trying just supplements of beta sistosterol and citrus begamont - time will tell. I did COQ10 with statins but it didn't help. Some of us are simply statin intolerant.

@ctjoe7
For me personally, my doc had given me breaks several times - "one week and tell me how you feel". Not enough time!! It took months, and it was a slow improvement. I've been off over a year and I feel so much better in so many ways. All that pain and the weakness is gone.