Statin Side-effects: Muscle pain and weakness

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):

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):

@ginnyjm
This would be a question best answered by who is treating you medically. I see @gloaming has given you a good link at Mayo to research this.

I would really talk to your doctors about this. It could be something totally different causing it and you need to address is.

I have been on Astorstatin for over 10 years. I do not have the symptoms you have. I was put on Co-Q-10 immedately when I was prescribed a statin drug. I do not have your symptoms or the aches and pains.

My wife was presribed a statin but was not advised about Co-Q-10. I asked her to check with her doctors and mention if okay to take Co-Q-10. She was having muscle pains right after staring taken it. She was cleared to take the Co-Q-10 and her muscle pain went away. But his is her experience and may or may not help you.

My advice is to immediately reach out to the doctors treating you and advise of your symptoms.

That is a common side effect. Both my husband and I stopped taking statins and the pain went away. Doctors always act like this is something new or unheard of. I wish our clinic had a PharmD to talk to about prescriptions. Good luck.

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.

I had ALL of the side effects and was pretty miserable. Stopped my stain and like magic I had more energy and no aching joint pain or discomfort. The leathery feet pads and calf aching and stiffness is another story 🙁 Trying to find a doctor who can talk about these, but it is a big challenge. I don't understand why it came back after stopping my statin. So weird.

You are one of the lucky ones! A lot of people take statins and only suffer joint aches and pains. Some, like me, suffer feet, ankle and calf stiffness, and aches and leather or crispy feet pads, PLUS joint aches and pains. So sad. I stopped taking my statins, but still have the calf stiffness, aching and leathery feet pads(but better since not taking statins).

@dskellchock
From what I read here on MCC, yes I am lucky. My wife was also put on statin by Mayo cardilogist. She did have some muscle pain. I asked her to contact her cadiologist about taking Co-Q-10 if he did not discuss that with her. She did and started taking Co-Q-10 like me and her pain went away.

We are all unique human beings and will react differently to medications. I took the statins and my LDL went in half. But to contrast that I was overweight and about a year ago asked to go on weight control shots. They did nothing for me as I read on MCC success for others. I was envious but was told by my Mayo PCP that we are all different and their statistics that some do not benefit or react to this medications like others.

Now a caveat to that. When I went on the highes dose after going through all the lower doses I had extreme reaction (on going vomiting, nausea, headaches, miserable). So nothing until on higest dose then severe reacation.

I know weight loss medication not same as statin but just showing we are all going to have difererent reactions to medications some good and some bad. What I found is if something bothers you keep trying to find something that does work that does not have side affects for you.