Muscle stiffness and statins

This is fascinating. I had a mild heart attack in 2021 and was automatically put on Rosuvastatin. After about three months, I was barely able to walk and the pain in my lower legs made them untouchable. Not one doctor told me that this might be a side effect of statins. And this was in two different counties!!

I am now on Ezetimibe. Too soon to find out if this will make a difference.

Does anyone know how long it takes for the side-effects (leg/muscle pain) to wear off? Will it ever? Or is the damage done now permanent? Of course, there will be muscle weakness due to lack of use - quite how to fix that, I don't know.

Meds really are horses for courses. Also what about combinations? What suits some people, does not suit others. Medics don't always take this into consideration.

Oh, before anyone suggests - there is now a two month wait for a GP appointment!!!

ClicketyClick

After going to a Well Woman check, it was advised I go on statins because they deemed I had a 20% chance of having a heart attack in the next 10 years. My reply was "so I have an 80% chance of not having a heart attack". I've had chats with numbers others who have been told exactly the same and others taking them who have the same side effects as mentioned by others above. No thanks, while I'm well I'll continue asI am and take my chances.

Good for you, there’s a lot of pressure put on people from GP’s to take statins.
So many accounts of muscle pain and feeling dreadful.

I’ve spoken to a few ppl on statins around half dozen all of them mentioned terrible aches and pain and four said memory loss no thanks put me off for life

Aveline

That might be a combined risk scale. It takes no, weight and cholesterol into account. If score 20 or above thats a 20% chance of a cardiovascular incident in the next year. 10% or below is apparently OK. I was at 16.

I’d had it checked several years ago and it was high but at the time I was going to the gym most days and was obviously younger. I had told my doctor that because of my bad knee I was worried that I was no longer getting much cardiovascular exercise.

BP not 'no'!

That might be a combined risk scale. It takes no, weight and cholesterol into account. If score 20 or above thats a 20% chance of a cardiovascular incident in the next year. 10% or below is apparently OK. I was at 16.

MayBee70. The British Heart Foundation have a very good explanation of cholesterol readings. But you will have to have your readings to hand to compare.
Are you able to get your cholesterol test results from the GP or from your NHS app if you have the app. 15 sounds pretty high but it does depend on which reading is referred to.

I’ve got a well woman check soon. I don’t understand cholesterol readings but when my doctor wanted to put me on statins he said anything over 10 was dangerous and mine read 15. That’s why I’m taking sterols and using Benecol. I went from thinking that arthritis apart I was quite healthy for my age to really worrying about my health.

After going to a Well Woman check, it was advised I go on statins because they deemed I had a 20% chance of having a heart attack in the next 10 years. My reply was "so I have an 80% chance of not having a heart attack". I've had chats with numbers others who have been told exactly the same and others taking them who have the same side effects as mentioned by others above. No thanks, while I'm well I'll continue asI am and take my chances.

I was very pleased and surprised when my GP said my cholesterol was 'satisfactory' (whatever that means!) and didn't try to put me on statins. I thought they were more or less under pressure to prescribe them to people of my age.

MayBee70

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 .

That would be the different sort of pain my friend suffered which necessitated her needing a walking stick 🤬
But thankfully she finally believed what several of us were telling her.

I know we are a very lucky generation to have drugs to help in so many different medical problems, but I do wish they didn't cause additional problems.

Some people get side effects (usually in large muscles, my GP told me) but I've been on statins for nearly 20 years without problems.

I have been taking statins for 30 years without side effects but the last 2 years I’ve noticed tight, painful muscles in my thighs and hips.
But I’m older and it could be arthritis which is present in my back.
I won’t stop the statins as it’s not conclusive that they are the cause although I know there are many patients who believe it is in their particular case.

I have been on 20mg Atorvastatin for almost a month and have had aching heavy legs and gut problems. For the last 3 days I have started having sharp pains at the top of my head lasting just a few seconds. Never had anything like this before.
I am stoppingnthe statins and will contact the GP this week to ask to change to somethung different.

Anyone else have these sharp head pains?

Mazgg

I find this discussion very interesting. I've been on Atorvastatin for many years and until recently very flexible. I'm now aching in my legs and lower back muscles and walking slowly with small steps. I was shocked when I saw myself when checking my video doorbell . Doctor dismissed it as osteoarthritis (without examination or tests) and prescribed ibuprofen gel to rub 3 times daily and said to take paracetamol 4 times daily.
I saw (privately) a physiotherapist who thought it wasn't osteoarthritis but was muscular and gave me an exercise plan.
I am going to stop Atorvastatin to see if it makes any difference.

That's exactly my experience Mazgg. I'm considering stopping them for a week to see what happens, then I can contact my GP with actual evidence.

Just to clarify I’m saying that we don’t necessary hear from people who take statins without any ill effects, not attributing that remark to Barmcake.

Thanks Valdavi, that puts my suspicions to rest. As Barmcake says it is a case of balancing the risks and benefits and we don’t necessarily hear from all the people who take statins without any ill effects. Whilst I sympathise with the quality of life argument a stroke could leave me with a very reduced quality of life. My cholesterol is only mildly raised so I’ll see if the diet does the trick and, if not, I’ll go back on statins and hope to find one that suits me.

Very eye-opening and some awful experiences. I don't think you can beat personal accounts from people who have taken them.

Unfortunately, it's all about balancing the books and seems to be just another business.

I find this discussion very interesting. I've been on Atorvastatin for many years and until recently very flexible. I'm now aching in my legs and lower back muscles and walking slowly with small steps. I was shocked when I saw myself when checking my video doorbell . Doctor dismissed it as osteoarthritis (without examination or tests) and prescribed ibuprofen gel to rub 3 times daily and said to take paracetamol 4 times daily.
I saw (privately) a physiotherapist who thought it wasn't osteoarthritis but was muscular and gave me an exercise plan.
I am going to stop Atorvastatin to see if it makes any difference.

I had dreadful night cramps and did not feel well on statins - had 2 different ones. Reason stated on boxes said
' primary prevention ' Like balmcake I now take Ezetimibe - no more problems. .

Teabag woman - the recent study on statins side effects, I looked it up. Undertaken by Oxford population Health &
The work was funded by the British Heart Foundation, UKRI Medical Research Council, and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. The work of the CTT is overseen by an Independent Oversight Panel.

I agree with barmcake who said she prefers quality of life.

A neighbour of mine was a widow who lived alone. She was in her 70s but super fit and did all her own DIY, massive garden etc. On a routine health check she was told her cholesterol was too high and she was put on statins. She tried 3 types, all of which made her feel very ill so she told the Dr she had no quality of life now as some days she was unable to get out of bed. She took herself off them.

I listened to a doctor's podcast who said that only 1 in 300 people benefit from taking statins. Muscle aches is certainly a side effect. I don't take them thankfully

This post is very interesting and comes at just the right time.. I have been taking Atorvastatin 20mg for 2 weeks and am suffering with gut pains, dreadful wind and aching very heavy legs.
Since chemotherapy 5 years ago my gut has not been right and I have some neuropathy in my legs and arms.
So I can do without any additional gut problems and aches and pains.

I will finish the 2 months of Atorvastatin in the hope it may all calm down, but put in a request to change to Rosuvastatin which DH has taken with no side effects unlike his time on .Atorvastatin and Simvastatin. Depending on what my blood test at 3 months shows I may request a lower dose as well.

I have a higher than acceptable cholesterol level and a close family history of strokes and heart attackes. But I am also trying hard to cut down on cheese...which I love... and other fatty stuff.

OP it is surprising to suddenly develop this after many years, but I think you need to give another statin a try such as Rosuvastatin.