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Profile picture for Janell, Volunteer Mentor @jlharsh

Welcome to Connect, @hvefun2
Chest pain is understandably frightening. Muscle aches and weakness are well-known side effects of statins, and some people describe discomfort in the shoulders, upper arms, chest wall, or rib muscles that can mimic heart-related pain. Since you’ve been evaluated multiple times and your doctors don’t think it’s coming from your heart, it makes sense to discuss whether the symptoms could be medication-related.

Did your chest and upper arm pain improve after stopping each statin, and did it return when you started a different one? That pattern can be really helpful in determining whether a statin is the cause. Hopefully Zetia (ezetimibe) will be a better fit for you, since it works differently than statins. Will you take a break before starting Zetia?

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Replies to "Welcome to Connect, @hvefun2 Chest pain is understandably frightening. Muscle aches and weakness are well-known side..."

@jlharsh yes I am taking a break at least a week before I start Zetia. It has been a horrible last 6 months of changing medications and 3 different statins.

@jlharsh very helpful to hear about rib pain side effect which I was having but didn't think about statin- but I did have nasty night leg cramps, back and joint pain, also fatigue but I was also sleeping poorly.