Statins and muscle weakness/pain

[gitarzilla]

I've been on simvistatin (Zocor) for a while now along with 1.5 grams/day of niacin, and I've also been experiencing weakness and soreness in muscles, especially those that get a lot of use like biceps and forearms. I just can't boost up big heavy objects like I used to. Now, this is all coinciding with starting my second century on this rock, so I'm sure that's a factor as well.

Anyone else on statins who have experienced anything similar?

[Blue Strat]

Not me, but a good friend. He was doing some light work, tried to crouch and couldn't get back up. Literally had to crawl back into his house. His father had similar issues. Stopped taking the drugs and everything was cool.

[RichieD]

I've been on Lipitor for a few years now and haven't had any of the problems you mention. A recent change in my wife's job also meant a new insurance plan which no longer covers Lipitor, so my doctor is switching me to Crestor. I'll see how that goes.

[wilerty]

Read up about Coenzyme Q-10. Some people have a problem with Statins because they restrict your bodies production of CQ-10. Taking it as a suppliment (available over the counter) can help a great deal. It has for me.

[Smakutus]

I was taking Crestor and it worked for me, but I was sore all the time while taking it. I hated it so I stopped and I'm still sore but only after playing 40 and over baseball or doing other things that should make me sore..

Jeff

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

I didn't have any issues, but quit the Lipitor due to memory and other possible issues. I'm watching my diet and am on a good cardio program, so that's good enough.

[Strat]

Agree, this has worked well for some of my patients on these meds. Can't hurt.

Read up about Coenzyme Q-10. Some people have a problem with Statins because they restrict your bodies production of CQ-10. Taking it as a suppliment (available over the counter) can help a great deal. It has for me.

[sekt88]

Oatmeal = the original statins.

[Amp360]

Go to the doctor - a good doctor.

About 18 months ago I was so tired I couldn't do anything. Like I could go to work and fix the house and stuff but I just had zero energy.

I have always been an early riser and I would stay in bed all day if I could. Also was having blurred vision and just couldn't get myself together - just floating through work and home.

Was diagnosed with MS which is bad but with medication and also a new physical routine things are much, much better. You want to get checked out by a really good doctor.

I had gone to a walk in clinic and they said to take a couple days off.

I went to my Primary @ Brigham's in Boston and they did a bunch of tests and got everything right.

[arthur rotfeld]

Read up about Coenzyme Q-10. Some people have a problem with Statins because they restrict your bodies production of CQ-10. Taking it as a suppliment (available over the counter) can help a great deal. It has for me.

That's a wise idea. I know lots of folks on statins....surprisingly none of the doctors recommended taking CoQ-10.

Folks ought to look into the statistics on how statins might benefit you. Lots of healthy, middle-aged people are taking them for no substantial benefit.

[fredgarvin]

Arthur is way more wise than doctors. ;)

[Roark]

Taking simvistatin too, having similar problems with it too. The C-Q10 helps but I take so many pills now ( diabetes, back/hip issues) I feel like a junkie, so it doesn't get taken half of the time.

I've considered stopping but I'm like a poster child for a heart attack.

[sfarnell]

try CoQ10 and vitamin D3. It has helped a lot of people.

10 years ago my cardiologist hadn't even heard of CoQ10 (I changed cardiologist). Now the literature is very clear: statins deplete naturally occurring CoQ10 which needs to be replenished with supplements.

A couple of years ago I started having a lot of aches and pains and thought that it was just natural aging. A blood test revealed that I had a vitamin D deficiency. I've since started supplementing vitamin D and all of my aches and pains disappeared. For those who get very little exposure to sunlight vitamin D supplements are a must IMO.

[harpinon]

I changed my diet drastically 20 years ago. Didn't help. Cholesterol is out of control. Just started Prevastatin. Just a little soreness.
My wife works with a lady who's laid up in the hospital diagnosed with a bad autoimmune disease. She did some study and found that statins can cause the body to attack its own proteins. Oh nice................
The study says that it is of rare occurance and statins prove worth the risk. I guess I'm staying on it. 4 of my friends (in their 40's) had open heart surgury last year and one died of a heart attack.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/statin_use_linked_to_rare_autoimmune_muscle_diseas e_study_finds

[Mark Robinson]

I've been on simvistatin (Zocor) for a while now along with 1.5 grams/day of niacin, and I've also been experiencing weakness and soreness in muscles, especially those that get a lot of use like biceps and forearms. I just can't boost up big heavy objects like I used to. Now, this is all coinciding with starting my second century on this rock, so I'm sure that's a factor as well.

Anyone else on statins who have experienced anything similar?


Go see your doctor.

[arthur rotfeld]

Arthur is way more wise than doctors. ;)

I don't think that's necessary.....

CoQ-10 levels are lowered by Statins and some studies show that supplements decrease the muscle pain symptoms, some don't. Look into yourself, ask your Dr. if that makes you feel better, etc.


I was interested in statins and hypercholesterolemia, so I read several books on the subject and many studies on Simvastatin, Lipitor, and some general heart health studies, such as Framingham. That could be way more or way less than what your local physician has done. I wouldn't know.


I'm not an MD, but I'm all for people being informed, whether doctors or laypeople. We live in a time when we can get easy access to medical studies and journals. Our family's doctors are pleased that we have researched our health issues and come to their offices informed and have good questions to ask.

[cadduc]

statins have a devastating effect on me, so i had to stop taking them
my last experience was last year in april, and i stopped taking them within two weeks after starting

the pain has stopped, almost completely
but the unsteady gait and weakness continues but it is getting better

i cannot tolerate statins

[Roark]

oh forgot....Also within the last two months my doctor prescribed 50,000 UI of vitamin D weekly for 4 weeks as blood tests showed a deficiency. There are supposedly some links to other ailments. But sunlight is needed activate vitamin D.

I second asking the doctor a lot of questions do some research like Arthur did.

[rob2001]

I seem to be doing OK on 80MG a day but now that I think of it, my arms do seem a little more tired than usual after snow blowing for 2 hrs. Is 80 MG a high or low dose?

[JimmyB]

I've been on simvistatin (Zocor) for a while now along with 1.5 grams/day of niacin, and I've also been experiencing weakness and soreness in muscles...
I'm more interested in you you get away with that dose of niacin! If I get to 200 mg I'm on fire... almost literally!!! :FM :eek:

However, with dietary changes (mostly reduced sugar... go figure!), my LDL dropped from 3.20 to 2.62 in four months, so I'm on the right track... long way to go, but it's a helluva start. Even got me an 'attaboy' from my GP... for the first time in years. ;) :aok

[tremayne007]

I don't think that's necessary.....

CoQ-10 levels are lowered by Statins and some studies show that supplements decrease the muscle pain symptoms, some don't. Look into yourself, ask your Dr. if that makes you feel better, etc.


I was interested in statins and hypercholesterolemia, so I read several books on the subject and many studies on Simvastatin, Lipitor, and some general heart health studies, such as Framingham. That could be way more or way less than what your local physician has done. I wouldn't know.


I'm not an MD, but I'm all for people being informed, whether doctors or laypeople. We live in a time when we can get easy access to medical studies and journals. Our family's doctors are pleased that we have researched our health issues and come to their offices informed and have good questions to ask.

this is a great example of someone taking some responsibility for their own health. :aok

funny how often people will take the time to perform exhaustive research on a 52 inch TV but often defer to one single opinion when dealing with something that could affect their long term quality of life.

its easy to write this activity off and say what do you know, your not an MD, but a medical degree is not a proclamation of divinity. Like everyone else, they have limitations, and make mistakes even within the boundaries of their own capacities. This is not to be taken as an attack or bashing, but simply support for anyone interested in becoming informed enough to potentially exercise some choice in matters that ultimately affect them first and foremost.

[gtrnstuff]

I can't tolerate statins either. My doc told me to take CO Q-10 after the last bad experience.
Oatmeal, phytosterols, pantethine, exercise, black tea ( after reading about a study that showed 5 cups a day lowered LDL) have made my numbers acceptable now.

[Scafeets]

I had muscle pain in my quads from Lipitor, which is an atorvastatin. My doc switched me to a generic Zocor (simvastatin) and the pain dissapeared. Go figure. And the generic stuff is cheap - 10 bucks for a 90 day supply at Costco. Dropped my cholesteral a bunch.

[Joe Robinson]

If you are on a statin, there are certain foods to avoid. Grapefruit should be avoided. Eating grapefruit whilst on a statin will make your muscles sore. So watch the diet if you are on them.

And that means no greyhounds either.

[halorealm7]

Vytorin caused me to be sluggish, sore and seemed to make my joints ache. I lived with it for about a year and finally told my cardiologist. He said, no..no..no....not supposed to do that and I should have said something long before I did. I changed several times trying to find something that did not bother me and finally settled on one of the old standards Lovastatin. Plavix, Lovastatin & Lisinopril have kept me running pretty smooth for the last 6 years. I hope you get lucky and find one quickly that works for you...it can be a bumpy ride trying all the different meds. See your doctor and best of luck for sure.

[HerrRentz]

40mg of generic Simvastatin. No problems in five months.

[justgus45]

I took them for a year and had severe pain the last month or so, my Dr, did a bloodtest and said never take them again. He said in about 5% of people it starts to deteriorate all your muscles, heart included.Get your DR. to check you out, good luck