Statin Side-effects: Muscle pain and weakness

I see this is an old post. But I have read more than once, that big pharma started statins to get people on them the rest of their life. Originally stated a higher number of cholesterol, but then lowered it further. I have read that people with low cholesterol get strokes and heart attacks and ones with high do not necessarily. I have also read that people with high cholesterol tend to live longer. I am going with that.

I am 76, and first time I had a test was about 17 yrs ago when it was needed for an insurance company. It was 299. At that time I was going through bad time in my life and eating way too much high fat ice cream etc. But when I quit the ice cream and lost 30 pounds, it has been 265 - 299, last year was 276 which doc's would say I need statins.

Not happening. I walk daily, eat healthier every year.

I have read the same, and also that people with high cholesterol tend to live longer. I believe a manipulation to get people on a drug they say they need to be on for a lifetime like thyroid and diabetes.

I stopped taking a statin 3 months ago because of severe hip and leg pain. I was a runner before I took the statin. Now it’s extremely painful to walk and my muscles are very weak. I’m a female, 71 years old, small body.

I took statins for 6weeks then experienced twitches in right wrist. This progressed to twitches in various parts of body which eventually progressed to spasms in thighs. Stopped taking statins but still experiencing twitches in various areas of body and odd occasions I have the spasms in thighs. Has anyone experienced the same?

Sorry to hear about your side effects but I still suffer from muscle fatigue and feeling heavy legs. It doesn’t happen evetyday but I am pretty sure it was caused by taking statins. They are not good drugs and millions of people suffer of bad side effects from them. I am strictly eating what is recommended by following the Mediterranean diet. Exercises and drinking only water is a daily habit for me. I will have my labs tomorrow to check how the lipids look after I stopped the statins. I asked my doctor to order blood work to measure inflammation in my body. I have heard that cholesterol is needed for the brain to work well. The statins lower significantly cholesterol levels but cause foggy brain. I just wonder how many dementia/Alzheimer’s patients have a statin added to their regular medication regimen. I am not taking them again.

Good luck for tomorrow

I had the same problem with a statin. My leg pain went away 6 months later. I read some people’s leg pain does not go away . I hope yours does. Blessings.

If only we could get some clarity on the benefits vs. negative side effects of statins. Opinions are all over the place. Cardiologists seem to love them, even for people in their 30’s with normal blood test results for LDL. Of course, there are professionals who say they are overprescribed and unnecessary. I am guessing that the use of statins would be best limited to those who truly exhibit indications of compromised cardiac blood flow and those who have had mini strokes or prior heart attacks.

Pharma is pushing statins because they are a gold mine for them. Physicians want to help but they actually are not believing too much in diets, they believe that a pill would do it all. They are wrong. Statins in the long run cause bad issues to people taking them. It is my opinion. Then if people tell them they don’t like statins, then they try to push new cholesterol lowering injectables medications that in the majority of cases insurances don’t cover. We are talking here of injectables with a cost of more than $2000/box of 2-4. Before anyone wants to stop statins because of bad side effects let your cardiologist know of your plans. I agree with you about using these meds for patients who already have their heart compromised. Cholesterol is needed for brain function.

It isn't true that all cardiologists love statins. Some do, some don't. There is a plethora of mounting evidence that many on statins should not be, or don't need to be. There are scads of bonafide cardiologists on YouTube claiming that statins do more harm than good in a great many cases. I think of some who are PhD....and...MDs, who have done a lot of research on their own and who disagree with statins. Dr. Suneel Dhand is an MD, Dr. Rob Cywes holds a PhD and is a pediatric surgeon (so an MD):