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

Posted by con123 @con123, Jul 30, 2024

I have been taking 20mg of Lipitor for almost 2 years and have felt yucky since shortly after starting. My cardiologist allowed me to go off one week and I did not see a difference. He also cut back daily to three times a week. I ache all over - neck, back, hips, knees, elbows, and legs are weak. Recently had a normal CK test, but PCP said we might consider a trial off statins since I am below 200 now. Has anyone stopped taking statins and saw a significant decrease in muscle pain, and if so, how long did it take?

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valeriems | @valeriems | 23 hours ago
In reply to @jlharsh "Welcome to Connect, @hvefun2 Chest pain is understandably frightening. Muscle aches and weakness are well-known side..." + (show)
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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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@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.

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con123 | @con123 | 21 hours ago

I absolutely avoid fat in my diet. I might eat lean steak once in two months - never bacon or sausage. I do eat butter but not a lot. I drink Ripple (pea based.milk), lots of salads, vegetables and fruits and fish at least 3 times weekly. Organic turkey and chicken. I don't take Metamucil - I tried it once and hated the texture, etc. I make whole grain/seed sourdough bread. No fast food and not much processed. I think my diet is helping me control the cholesterol. I also do aerobic activity daily. My cardiologist says my lifestyle and diet are probably why my calcium score is 0 despite high cholesterol.

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