Muscle stiffness and statins

valdavi

It's no longer a recognised side-effect is it? A huge study showed people put on statins experienced leg aches, but no more than the control group who thought they were on statins but were on a placebo- no statins.

Don't know what to think!

Nor me. I would be interested to know who commissioned that research. It seems to me that we are all different and whilst a majority may tolerate stations quite happily there will no some of us who don’t. My gp put me on them and I didn’t have joint pain but massive attacks of vertigo. I’m currently trying the portfolio diet which is supposed to reduce cholesterol.

Hope you get some relief soon Retrolady.

It's no longer a recognised side-effect is it? A huge study showed people put on statins experienced leg aches, but no more than the control group who thought they were on statins but were on a placebo- no statins.

Don't know what to think!

This is very common I’m afraid. My Dad was as fit as a fiddle at 80 until they said his cholesterol was high and put him on statins.

Within a week he had aching muscles, joint pain, confusion and memory problems.

Doctor prescribed Atorvastatin for me, After taking one for four days I was screaming from the pain in my legs where they went stiff and locked. I decided then never to try statins again.

From reading these, I've been relatively lucky! My GP did say originally that I was 'borderline' for needing them. Maybe I should have refused ...
I don't understand why the pain and stiffness have only recently happened though. I do know that I'm fed up with walking like a little old lady though. I'm 70, normally fit and walk often, but lately struggle to get to the washing line!
You've all given me the impetus to contact my GP and exercise my assertiveness muscle!

Thank you.

What an awful experience.

It sounds like something called rhabdomyolysis, a severe condition causing muscle breakdown.

They keep saying it's rare to experience muscle pain and damage but I know countless people who have had this.

I had that. My GP referred me to a neurologust who did every test under the sun including 2 MRIs and could find nothing to explain the (evident) reduced gait and severe night cramps. She did express surprise that I'd been prescribed statins as my bloods are so normal.
Shortly after I was standing perfectly still on carpet at home when it felt like a horse kicked my leg REALLY HARD and I fell over. Unable to walk on that leg. A calf muscle had ruptured all on its own. My GP examined within an hour, diagnosed a ruptured calf muscle., advised rest,elevation and ice until I could walk again , then physio. I stopped taking Atorvastatin that day 15 months ago.
Huge bruise emerged from knee to ankle from ruptured muscle. Rest ice zimmer and physio sorted the calf muscle.

Within weeks of no statin, I had no more night cramps, slept all night, and could walk perfectly normally at previous stride length for the first time in 18 months..

My blood lipids remain just the same,.

MayBee70: that was really helpful of him. I think they should take age into consideration; particularly as you already endure aches and pains from arthritis.

Retroladytyping: just say 'you're statins intolerant but would be willing to try an alternative. Don't be fobbed off, there's several alternatives but they're more expensive.

When my doctor said he wanted me to take statins I said I was in enough pain from my arthritis and didn’t want any more pain. He said yes but it’s a different sort of pain .

barmcake

As soon as I take statins I experience pain in my legs. The doctor has just prescribed an alternative called Ezetimibe. Atorvastatin are the cheapest: GPs get paid for prescribing them which leads to mistrust.

I'm at a stage in life when quality of life, not quantity is the most important thing.

Thank you. That's really helpful. I think that, rather than just stop, I'll put in an online question to my GP next week and be prepared to argue if necessary. I also want my quality of life back and to be able to move freely again!

As soon as I take statins I experience pain in my legs. The doctor has just prescribed an alternative called Ezetimibe. Atorvastatin are the cheapest: GPs get paid for prescribing them which leads to mistrust.

I'm at a stage in life when quality of life, not quantity is the most important thing.

Yes. My husband found this too. He became very achy and lightheaded, and stopped taking them. His GP was insistent that this wasn’t a side effect, but it says it is on the information leaflet inside the box. When he stopped he almost instantly felt better.

There are lots of books about how harmful statins are.

I had this problem with statins as do thousands of other people.

Big pharma tell us it’s not so.

Sorry 'statins' not 'stating'. I really need to proofread before posting!