Just be careful. Statins can cause the Achilles tendon to swell, or get ruptured. Nice, right?? That's what happened to me. Still trying to heal after 2.5 months. Also the feet, ankle and calf stiff has returned, even though I have discontinued my statin. Also all joint aches and pains have gone, and energy has returned. Statins: the drug to love/hate.
Switching up to another statin, or lowering statin mg.s can help, but if you are allergic to statins the way I am, it won't help. 🙁 I took rosuvastatin, and tried switching to over the counter items like CholestOff, but most of the over-the-counter statin substitutes, have some form of stanols which some people still can't tolerate. 🙁 I am trying diet modification, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, all manner of nuts, green tea etc. etc.
Did you have feet and leg issues? I am very interesting in knowing about that, because that happened to me. What did you do about it? I already take COQ10 even though I have discontinued my statin due to bad reactions. Thanks! 🙂 d.
Did you have feet and leg issues? I am very interesting in knowing about that, because that happened to me. What did you do about it? I already take COQ10 even though I have discontinued my statin due to bad reactions. Thanks! 🙂 d.
Both my husband and I had knee and leg issues - aches, heavy, tired - after stating Atorvastatin. Within a few days of taking COQ10, aches/pains diminished, Within 2 weeks knees/legs better .
“ CoQ10 supplementation is sometimes recommended alongside statin medications to potentially mitigate muscle pain and weakness, known as statin-induced myopathy, which can be a side effect of statins. Statins can reduce the body's natural levels of CoQ10, and some believe that replenishing these levels with supplementation may help alleviate these muscle-related side effects. However, research findings on the effectiveness of CoQ10 in preventing or treating statin-induced myopathy are mixed, and some health professionals express caution about its widespread recommendation. “
Thank you abob. I have read the same info about the effectiveness of CoQ10 in counteracting muscle cramps due to statins. Yes, the reviews were mixed, but in my case, it really helped. Those muscle cramps are SO painful, and when they come in the middle of the night, it makes me use expletives! The CoQ10 has helped the worst case muscle cramps though. Doesn't cure them per se, but certainly has helped me with the worst of them. I appreciate Mayo Clinic weighing in on this conversation!!! BTW most people consider the term "myopathy" to be associated with 'pain'. I found this definition on-line: "Myopathy refers to a group of diseases that affect skeletal muscles, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue. The primary defect is within the muscle fibers, which can be caused by various factors……Common symptoms include weakness, particularly in proximal muscle groups." (Per the Cleveland Clinic) I found this definition very interesting and informative regarding how muscle fibers are involved in the leg discomfort we have been discussing, as a result of certain medications.
Thank you merrychristmas. I did exactly that......reported feet and leg discomfort to my PA, who changed my statin prescription from Pravastatin to Rosuvastatin and reduced the dosage. At first, some improvement, but then all symptoms came back with a vengeance 🙁 Even over the counter stuff did not work. Some of the over the counter compounds have statins or stanols in them. I have concluded that I have a serious sensitivity to stains and have dubbed it an allergy in my case. The only thing left is diet control. I am working on that currently. Thanks for your post!!! 🙂 d.
If you take Red Yeast Rice, you are taking a statin. It would be safer to switch statins until you find one you tolerate.
Red Yeast rice contains monacolin K, which is structurally identical to lovastatin/Mevacor/Altocor/. Sideffects from Red Yeast Rice would be identical to Lovastatin.
And, since it is a supplement, it is not regulated by the FDA so you really don't know the dose. Consumer lab has tested the various brands of red yeast rice and the amount of the statin varies from brand to brand.
Since you tolerate Red Yeast Rice, it seems to me that you would tolerate Lovastatin.
Some of the same rules that apply to prescription statins, also apply to Red Yeast Rice.
You should not eat grapefruit or St Johns wart when taking Red Yeast Rice.
You are correct; Red Yeast Rice is a "unregulated" statin, OTC. I take CVS brand, 1200 mg which is about half of the recommended dose on the bottle. My latest lipid profile was perfect. I have no side effects at all. My cardiologist has no problems with what I am taking. I also take a garlic tablet once a day. I would never tell anyone what to do for their condition, but this works for me.
You all may find an article written by Dr David Diamond re: statins. Very interesting info.
CQ10 is essential for statin use should you choose to use them.
After my CABG I developed an infection in my sternal incision site that required Cipro as most effective antibiotic and well know side effect of joint tendon problems especially the achilles. Didn't want to take but had know choice. Checked with my PCP after my research.
Only 250mg 2x/day for 3 weeks. last dose 5/10/25. Side effects can happen months after stopping the med also.
Careful re: Red Yeast Rice. Can be hard on the liver.
Never had much cholesterol problems. eat a lot of beans, 4-6 apples a week, banana a day, oatmeal, chick peas, etc, etc. and limited sugar and processed baked goods.
You all may find an article written by Dr David Diamond re: statins. Very interesting info.
CQ10 is essential for statin use should you choose to use them.
After my CABG I developed an infection in my sternal incision site that required Cipro as most effective antibiotic and well know side effect of joint tendon problems especially the achilles. Didn't want to take but had know choice. Checked with my PCP after my research.
Only 250mg 2x/day for 3 weeks. last dose 5/10/25. Side effects can happen months after stopping the med also.
Careful re: Red Yeast Rice. Can be hard on the liver.
Never had much cholesterol problems. eat a lot of beans, 4-6 apples a week, banana a day, oatmeal, chick peas, etc, etc. and limited sugar and processed baked goods.
Hi, richey - Thank you SO MUCH for recommending listening to Dr. David Diamond's video re statins. OMG! It was amazing! It is the 2nd such video I have watched that comes to the same conclusion. Dr. Diamond's video, however, is much more fact filled and detailed. This notion of lowering cholesterol is so wide-spread though, and statins drugs are pushed so hard by physicians that I think this trend will continue as long as the American Heart Association is in the pockets of drug makers :(. I was a little confused about the 250 mg. 2x a day for 3 weeks...were you talking about eh Cipro you were taking that has a well known side effect of join and tendon problems, including the Achilles tendon? PS I tried the Red Yeast Rice, but it contains a natural statin, which gives me personally the same affect as prescription statins, that and anything with stanols. 🙂 Listening to Dr. Diamond made my day today. 🙂
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Just be careful. Statins can cause the Achilles tendon to swell, or get ruptured. Nice, right?? That's what happened to me. Still trying to heal after 2.5 months. Also the feet, ankle and calf stiff has returned, even though I have discontinued my statin. Also all joint aches and pains have gone, and energy has returned. Statins: the drug to love/hate.
Switching up to another statin, or lowering statin mg.s can help, but if you are allergic to statins the way I am, it won't help. 🙁 I took rosuvastatin, and tried switching to over the counter items like CholestOff, but most of the over-the-counter statin substitutes, have some form of stanols which some people still can't tolerate. 🙁 I am trying diet modification, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, all manner of nuts, green tea etc. etc.
Did you have feet and leg issues? I am very interesting in knowing about that, because that happened to me. What did you do about it? I already take COQ10 even though I have discontinued my statin due to bad reactions. Thanks! 🙂 d.
Both my husband and I had knee and leg issues - aches, heavy, tired - after stating Atorvastatin. Within a few days of taking COQ10, aches/pains diminished, Within 2 weeks knees/legs better .
“ CoQ10 supplementation is sometimes recommended alongside statin medications to potentially mitigate muscle pain and weakness, known as statin-induced myopathy, which can be a side effect of statins. Statins can reduce the body's natural levels of CoQ10, and some believe that replenishing these levels with supplementation may help alleviate these muscle-related side effects. However, research findings on the effectiveness of CoQ10 in preventing or treating statin-induced myopathy are mixed, and some health professionals express caution about its widespread recommendation. “
MAYO CLINIC:
Statin-induced myopathy. Some research suggests that CoQ10 might help ease the muscle weakness and pain that can happen when taking statins. There isn't enough evidence to know for sure.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-coenzyme-q10/art-20362602
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1 ReactionThank you abob. I have read the same info about the effectiveness of CoQ10 in counteracting muscle cramps due to statins. Yes, the reviews were mixed, but in my case, it really helped. Those muscle cramps are SO painful, and when they come in the middle of the night, it makes me use expletives! The CoQ10 has helped the worst case muscle cramps though. Doesn't cure them per se, but certainly has helped me with the worst of them. I appreciate Mayo Clinic weighing in on this conversation!!! BTW most people consider the term "myopathy" to be associated with 'pain'. I found this definition on-line: "Myopathy refers to a group of diseases that affect skeletal muscles, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue. The primary defect is within the muscle fibers, which can be caused by various factors……Common symptoms include weakness, particularly in proximal muscle groups." (Per the Cleveland Clinic) I found this definition very interesting and informative regarding how muscle fibers are involved in the leg discomfort we have been discussing, as a result of certain medications.
Thank you merrychristmas. I did exactly that......reported feet and leg discomfort to my PA, who changed my statin prescription from Pravastatin to Rosuvastatin and reduced the dosage. At first, some improvement, but then all symptoms came back with a vengeance 🙁 Even over the counter stuff did not work. Some of the over the counter compounds have statins or stanols in them. I have concluded that I have a serious sensitivity to stains and have dubbed it an allergy in my case. The only thing left is diet control. I am working on that currently. Thanks for your post!!! 🙂 d.
I wish we had the ability tospell correct on this site!! 😉
You are correct; Red Yeast Rice is a "unregulated" statin, OTC. I take CVS brand, 1200 mg which is about half of the recommended dose on the bottle. My latest lipid profile was perfect. I have no side effects at all. My cardiologist has no problems with what I am taking. I also take a garlic tablet once a day. I would never tell anyone what to do for their condition, but this works for me.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYou all may find an article written by Dr David Diamond re: statins. Very interesting info.
CQ10 is essential for statin use should you choose to use them.
After my CABG I developed an infection in my sternal incision site that required Cipro as most effective antibiotic and well know side effect of joint tendon problems especially the achilles. Didn't want to take but had know choice. Checked with my PCP after my research.
Only 250mg 2x/day for 3 weeks. last dose 5/10/25. Side effects can happen months after stopping the med also.
Careful re: Red Yeast Rice. Can be hard on the liver.
Never had much cholesterol problems. eat a lot of beans, 4-6 apples a week, banana a day, oatmeal, chick peas, etc, etc. and limited sugar and processed baked goods.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi, richey - Thank you SO MUCH for recommending listening to Dr. David Diamond's video re statins. OMG! It was amazing! It is the 2nd such video I have watched that comes to the same conclusion. Dr. Diamond's video, however, is much more fact filled and detailed. This notion of lowering cholesterol is so wide-spread though, and statins drugs are pushed so hard by physicians that I think this trend will continue as long as the American Heart Association is in the pockets of drug makers :(. I was a little confused about the 250 mg. 2x a day for 3 weeks...were you talking about eh Cipro you were taking that has a well known side effect of join and tendon problems, including the Achilles tendon? PS I tried the Red Yeast Rice, but it contains a natural statin, which gives me personally the same affect as prescription statins, that and anything with stanols. 🙂 Listening to Dr. Diamond made my day today. 🙂
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction