Anyone have muscle pain due to statin (Praluent)?

Posted by cindymattern @cindymattern, Dec 24, 2024

I took Praluent a few years ago and had really no issues. However since my knee replacement I started it again due to high cholesterol at 270. After taking a few months of shots my muscle pain got so much worse worse, top of my foot and toes, hips and buttocks, lower back and even the top of my knee hurts. I am stopping it but was reading it can take 100 days to get out of your system and I'm only about 4 weeks out. Anyone else have these issues? I have tried many statins so I was put back on this and now it's giving me issues. thanks for any input. I just want to get back to my normal for me.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

gmarosie | @gmarosie | May 1 6:27am

I too have suffered with leg pain for years, which after reading, have attributed and confirmed with cardiologist it can cause muscle pain. He switched me from atorvastatin to rosuvastatin. At first it worked and lowered my ldlc by 15 pts. But, then the leg pain came back. So, now I am experimenting with cutting 40mg in half and taking every other day. The leg pain has subsided and my next check up with my pcp will reveal if the lower dose is getting the job done. Injections were discussed but I just hate feeling weak and achy trying to go up steps and taking a walk.

dogloverinfl | @dogloverinfl | May 1 7:28am

1999 I was given a statin. It kept getting raised as my cholestrol was not decreasing. The more they prescribed the higher it went. I kept complaining for 10 years of muscle pain and I had no strength. It was my Endocrinologist that finally referred me to Rheumatology. My CPK level was 890 (159 is the highest in normal range for Mayo lab). I was was removed from the statin immediately. I was told not to take anything again not even ones that are not considered a statin but used to help lower cholesterol. I now have muscle wasting which is not pleasant. The surprising thing was, my cholesterol lowered to under 200 after being off the meds for about 6 months. In 2024 I was dx with Celiac and went gluten free. My cholesterol is now at 183 for overall cholesterol. I have never felt better all around since going gluten free. I had been so sick for 25 years. I don't take pharmaceutical meds except for insulin. I sure wish I had done this sooner. Best of luck to you. It can be very frustrating.

cindymattern | @cindymattern | May 1 8:56am

I was on Gabapentin (900mg) for years at bedtime. I was reading this can cause muscle pain as well. After weaning down I now have no tingling in my feet and feel better. However, I still feel I have weak muscles and this can be a side effect of it. I stopped it however need to go back on something. tried Rosuvastatin 5mg again and it gave me Achilles pain and went away stopping it. Hopefully there are no issues this time.

d55richards | @d55richards | Jul 13 10:17am

In reply to @polar "Also meant to mention that I have been taking Coq10, but hard tellin, not knowin if..." + (show)

@polar
Did you try fish oil to reduce cholesterol? I’m in the same boat except I’m on Coumodin which has a conflict with Co q10.

d55richards | @d55richards | Jul 13 10:17am

In reply to @cindymattern "I was on Gabapentin (900mg) for years at bedtime. I was reading this can cause muscle..." + (show)

@cindymattern did you try fish oil

d55richards | @d55richards | Jul 13 10:28am

In reply to @gmarosie "I too have suffered with leg pain for years, which after reading, have attributed and confirmed..." + (show)

@gmarosie I can totally relate. I was on 5mg, then 10mg of rosuvastatin. I also had severe arthritic hip. Hip replacement is risky for me due to many factors. I suffered with muscle pain for many years. I had it with the arthritis pain and the statin pain so I stopped the rosuvastatin. I’m thinking of taking fish oil. I wonder how effective it is.

polar | @polar | Jul 13 10:57am

In reply to @d55richards "@polar Did you try fish oil to reduce cholesterol? I’m in the same boat except I’m..." + (show)

@d55richards No I have not tried fish oil. Until recently I was on Repatha by itself and my LDL went back up, so I just started Ezetimibe and Repatha and will see how that looks in a couple of months.

louiserivers | @louiserivers | Jul 13 12:11pm

For those of you who say you’ve had muscle aches and pains while taking a statin med to reduce your cholesterol: does this pain only happen at night in bed when you’re sedentary?

When my doctor encouraged me to get on a statin, I did some research into different statins. I found that fluvastatin taken 40 mg in AM and 40 mg at PM was studied to be the least likely statin to cause the side effect of muscle aches and pains. My doctor was open to this research and prescribed fluvastatin 40 mg twice a day for me.

I’ve taken this for over 2 years. My Lipid Panel numbers are now within the normal range AND I have NO muscle aches and pains.

Granted we are all “snowflakes” and we have our own unique metabolism and genetics. What works for me may not work for you.

My philosophy is to do your own research, work with doctors who are open to your questions/suggestions, keep a journal of when you start and end any supplements & prescription meds, and journal if you feel better or worse while taking your supplements & prescription meds.

For me I also found that carbs cause inflammation and pain. I’m on a low (65 grams/day) carb lifestyle. Versus what the registered dietitians recommend = 180 grams of carbs per day!!!!!😲

This is a medical journey, not a sprint. Patience and perseverance is key. 🙏😁

sue417 | @sue417 | Jul 19 8:54am

In reply to @d55richards "@gmarosie I can totally relate. I was on 5mg, then 10mg of rosuvastatin. I also had..." + (show)

@d55richards
Hi just a question I too have cholesterol issues I've been on every staten there is cannot tolerate them. My cardiologist just did genetic testing which is testing your lipoprotein a and b my markers are extremely high so that means my issues are genetic and no statin will help so I am now on praluent which seems to be okay . As far as side effects I get gastro issues the third day after my shot then things settle down but this is only my first month. I did try repatha but I had a lot of side effects with that one so I'm hoping that this new med works.

lgreenrn | @lgreenrn | Jul 25 1:09pm

I have taken statins and had to stop due to the muscle pain. I then took Praluent and the same happened but I don't think leg pain is listed as a side effect. Wondering if this has occurred with anyone else.