How long will these statin flu/post-exertional symptoms last?

Posted by danpinkston24 @danpinkston24, Dec 26, 2025

I was on 80mg of a statin for 10 months and got "sick" every couple of weeks. Would feel terrible for 3-7 days, then would feel normal and great. All blood work shows no problems. Doc theorized that the statin could be making me feel sick, especially as an active athlete. I am 3 months off the statin and I still feel sick about a 3rd of the time. Might be a response to physical activity. Any advice? Help? Wondering how long until it gets better or if there is something else at play.

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jc76 | @jc76 | Dec 27, 2025

@danpinkston24
Wish I had answers you want. I have been on a statin (40mg) since 2015. Has some ICD/Pacemaker shocks and they did a Catherization and found clogged arteries. Not so serious to do stints but put me on statin.

I did not get the aches and pains that others have posted. I was though told by my cardiologists (Mayo Jacksonville) to take Co-Q-10 as he stated has been shown to help with statin associated pains. I did and never got the side affects others did. Not saying will work for you just posting my experience.

My wife was put on statin and did complain about pain. I asked her to check with her cardiologist about taking a Co-Q-10 (she does not see same specialists I do) and he put her on statin. She said it help but did not take it away completely.

However she is a uncontrolled diabetic, with arthritis, osteoporosis, recent back surgery, gets hip cortisone shots so she has long history of being in pain.

If me and had the pains you mentioned would want my doctors to do some test to make sure something else not causing them since you have been off the statin for some time. Maybe another poster can give you their experience who was having pain and came off a statin how long it took for them.

Also speak to your cardiologist about Co-Q-10 and if applicable to you. Were you put on any other medications at same time you were put on statin? I know when I was put on entresto and carvididol I felt terrible. Took months for my body to adjust to those drugs. But my Heart Failure told me to expect those side affects and to try to weather through it as would get better. He was right.

You mentioned exercise. If you are really at high level of course going to have some muscle soreness and joint soreness. This is not coming from me as a medical doctor but from my personal experience as an avid exerciser my entire life. When I over due it I experience muscle pain and fatigue.

You did not mention your age. I feel my aches and pains have really gone up as I have aged and thank goodness I have the problem of getting older and older.

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