7 Reasons Not to Dismiss Statin-Caused Pain

Pauling and Rath therapies

My cholesterol and blood pressure were elevated and the doctor prescribed lipitor. I did not like the muscle pain and weakness and stopped it after one week. I researched natural alternatives and found the Linus Pauling therapy and continued research by Dr. Rath who worked with him. I started taking a combination of inexpensive vitamin C and other nutrients available over the counter. Within 3 months my cholesterol dropped 53 points and my blood pressure dropped significantly. Now over a year later I do not take either medication. Google either Linus Pauling or Dr. Rath for more information. The Rath site has a free downloadable e-book that describes what really causes heart disease.

Arm Muscle Pain

At 75 years old, normal weight, active, normal blood pressure (with medication) and normal thyroid (with medication), I've been taking Simvastatin for about 3 years. (Prior to that time, for about 5 years I took Red Yeast Rice and had a high cholesterol, but most of it was HDL; there were no side effects.) Last year I began to have pain at night in my right arm; it would keep me awake, so the doctor suggested two Advils at night. The pain has been getting worse and now the left arm is involved; also the Advil caused damage to my stomach lining, so I had to stop it. Last week I stopped the statin; I also started taking enteric coated aspirin with milk at bedtime. The pain in my arms is growing less severe and motion and strength is improving daily. So far no stomach problems. My LDL will probably bounce back, but sleeping through the night is so blissful, and the increased energy level and sense of well-being may well be worth the risk.

Why aren't our physicians being properly informed about this nasty side-effect? The pharmaceutical companies play them down and the doctors buy it (..."it's just the pain of old age .")

Eventually the whole truth will come out, just as it has with several other "miracle drugs" I could mention.

'till then it's back to Red Yeast Rice for me.

statins and pain

I started on Lipitor, after two years went to Zocor, now am on Simvistatin. I've had various symptoms of muscular pain, limited until the last month. It may be an accumulative effect, or mainly Simvistatin. I don't know. I need to keep my cholesterol level down, but may have to choose to stop Simvistatin. Does anyone have other options to suggest? - S. Beres

Hip and Leg pain and stiffness from Simvastatin

I have been totally out of touch with the possible side effects of Simvastatin, especially the muscle stiffness and pain. I started taking it 2-1/2 years ago and as I look back now I can see that the pain and stiffness started almost from the start. I had knee surgery last Dec. to repair tissue. The doctor was perplexed that I couldn't remember a twist, turn or other reason for the damage. Almost a year later the knee is still weak and painful. Six months ago the other knee started presenting the same symptoms that sent me to the operation. My right foot goes numb and the leg tingles up to the hip. I have pressure points on both legs that are sore to touch, but if I can stand to massage them the numbness gets better. Three days ago I heard a commercial for a Statin type drug, at the end the disclaimer caught my attention. "Tell you doctor if you experience muscle pain or stiffness, as this could be a sign of a serious condition". A bell went off in my head, and since I didn't have very high cholesterol, I decided not to take the medicine for a while. Marked improvement has already occurred, including more strength and less pain. I have better range of motion and after walking 30 minutes and riding a bike for 20 minutes for the last two days, I have to say I have discovered the secret.

I will not take it again, I also plan to give my Primary Care Doctor a call to ask if it ever occurred to him that the Simvastatin was the reason for two x-rays, several trips to a sports medicine doctor, a cat-scan and ultimately, surgery. Maybe I need a new

Doctor. There are better ways (in my case) to control the cholesterol, but if I couldn't walk it wouldn't have been exercise. I can't wait to see if the improvement continues.

Simvastatin and Erythromycin

Hello I have been on Simvastatin for over a year now. (40 mg). I was diagnosed with Sweet Syndrom and have been put on Erythromycin 333mg 3 times daily. My pharmacist was allerted that I was on Simvastatin and contacted my Dr. They decreased my simvastatin to 20mg per day. My Dermatologist for the Sweet Syndrome has reccommended that I stay on the erythromycin for about 6 months I have been experiencing some muscle pain It is like my whole body aches. I think it is muscle pain. It feels like from head to toe, my body aches. I dont know if I can discribe the pain. It is like all of my bones ache. Is this what you call Muscle Pain? I do feel weakness when trying to pick some stuff up or walking up my stairs. I do have som arthritis in my hand (Base of my thumb) But they seem not as strong since I began having the body/muscle aches. I do seem to get muscle cramps on occassion, but not too often. I have contacted my pharmacist and they suggested to stop the simvastatin and contact my Dr. I did and they did not appear to be concerned and said that I should keep on with the 20 mg. That should not be causing it by just decreasing the simvastatin. I may be jumping to conclusions, but just wanted someone elses opinion on this. Is it safe to keep up with the 2 meds for another 4 months. I am not sure what my cholestrol test results have been, but I am due to have another test done new week and then go for a follow-up on the 17 of November. Do you think what I am feeling would be muscle pain and how serious is this. I do not have a darkening of the urine and I seem to be urinating fine.

Toxicology 101 -

I was taking a statin and developed pretty bad numbness , burning and tingling in my finger tips , fingers and hands and asked my cardiologist if it had anything to do with the drugs they were prescribing. The answer was no and go see your family physician. So I did and asked again if it had anything to do with my prescriptions. They treated me with an anti-inflammatory and told me that they would set me up an appointment with a neurologist which they never did. Neuropathy can't be treated with a anti inflammatory. It got so bad I couldn't hardly hold a glass , get my mail , scratch my head or touch anything with out cringing. I finally looked it up on the internet and I had all the symptoms of neuropathy so I took myself off the drug. We have a student that goes to a local college ( Pharmacy ) that lives here and their taught in school to take them off the statin if neuropathy appears. I don't understand why these doctors would outright lie but I find their actions pretty undesirable. Once a doctor lies to you then that person can't be trusted as a healthcare provider. If their action cripples your just stuck with a disability under our political program of socialism. As far as I know their still prescribing the statin to me. I was on a low dosage ( 20mg ) and it was one of the safer drugs. ( Simvastatin ). At least they didn't try to increase my dosage. Sometimes food and vitamins can bring down your cholesterol levels So if your being poisoned by a stain my recommendation is to stop taking it. Toxicology is dangerous and you can die from it and probably will if you don't stop ingesting the poison.

Leg pain while on statin drug, too.

Wow! I have found the culprit behind the leg pain I've been having. Simvastatin! Just have spent an hour or more online looking for symptoms and problems and thought maybe I had shin splints, though I don't run. I do exercise regularly (4x/week rigorously) but not the past 6 weeks so much as we took a very long trip. Could not figure out why both shins have been hurting while I'm at rest, sitting or sleeping, night or day. Ah-hah! I recall my PCP telling me of potential muscle pain side effects. Rats! The drug has lowered my cholesterol, too. It seems I cannot control it with diet and exercise since it's hereditary. I am 61 and my twin also takes a statin drug for same reason. Guess I will call my doc on Monday and see what can be done. The lower, front leg pain is keeping me awake sometimes.

Zocor Hell

I am a 45 year old male who took Zocor for 26 days approximatey a year and 1/2 ago. During that 26 day period, I had terrible muscle pain and head aches. Stopped taking on day 26. Went to doc who performed CPK test which was through the roof...doc said he had never seen it so high. In the period since halting Zocor I have had numerous problems which include terrible pain in my feet, torn muscles and weakness, memory loss and joint pain. Never had any muscle or joint problems prior to Zocor. HELP PLEASE

Simvastin 40 mg

I was always afraid of taking statin drugs from what I had read about them causing muscle weakness/deterioration. I had been prescribed statin drugs in the past for high cholesterol, but just filled the prescription and would not take them. About two years ago my doctor prescribed the statin drug and I was very angry with the fact that I would have to break down and take it. Because I had no insurance due to being laid off my Job back in 2003, I filled the prescription because I needed the free medical and had to bow down somewhat (It really becomes a game when you have to rely on free medical, but that's another opinion of mine). Anyway, I ended up taking the Simvastin for going on two years now. I now have this pain in the bend (back) of my right leg that will not go away. It is worse after sitting/lying down. Today, my husband picked up my prescription for Simvastin and I decided not to take it. I will continue to diet and exercise and I am believing in God for my healing. Since opening up my heart to Jesus, I know I cannot do this without him. I am exercising and trying not to take in any fat (no matter what anyone says about "Oh, you need some fat in your diet). I don't. I will survive without it. I may consider taking in a fraction of fat when the fat I have melts away. To each his own. We have to take control of our own health. Reading and finding out what is best for us as an individual. Open up your hearts to Jesus. I promise He will help you. I've come so far on his promises. Okay, I'm finished; for now. Love you all. Wonder will this go through.

statins

Ive been on simvastatin for years and my Doctor has just doubled the dose. I have for a long time been suffering from leg and knee pains and now lower back pain. I am in my seventies and have tended to put it down to age related pain but now have second thoughts.

The problem is high cholesterol is in the family so I do not like the idea of not taking the medication so what does one do for the best Im not good with diets!