7 Reasons Not to Dismiss Statin-Caused Pain

My feet hurt and Statin drugs

In 2005, I was prescribed Lipitor and given about a month's worth of sample pills. I was not told of any side effects so was bewildered at my super sore muscles (like I had just run a five mile race). In fact, the first time I figured it out was when a commercial came on TV that spoke about the "rare" side effect. My MD agreed it was the Lipitor, but "no big deal", the symptoms will diminish and then we will try another statin.......The symptoms did diminish. He put me on Pravochol. I took just two pills and all heck broke loose in my body. I have had muscle pain, stiff joints and tingling numb feet ever since. Pain is much worse after a period of rest. And, much worse after exercise. I take Co enzyme Q 10, Magnesiun, Cod Liver oil, and I swim for exercise. I would LOVE to know what has helped the rest of you. I do have terrible flare ups that last a month or two... then back to my normal amount of pain. I do not know what brings on these flare ups. I do think that caffeine makes things worse. Again, if something is helping you, please share.

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 and Statins

I was on statins for years. In Nov I was taking Lescol LX and doing fine. Due to letters constantly being sent from my perscription provider to go on generics and the economy collapse I decided to take the generic for Zocor. In two months I noticed arm muscle pain and by Mar was in major pain in the arms and chest. The doctor gave me a shot thinking it was bursitis. Pain continued then he ordered an MRI for a pinched nerve. When pain continued he took me off of meds. Pain subsided but my chloresterol rose to 289. Dr said to go back on Lescol. Pain came back. Dr then prescribed 3 fish oil, flaxseed oil, red yeast rice and 20mg of pravastatin. Pain came back. Decided to take Niacin but pain came back. I stopped but pain still exists. Decided to try diet and exercise and fish oil, flaxseed, 1000 mg vitamin C and E, and garlic. Hopefully this will work.

Simvastatin and hip pain

Wow... I honestly thought I was losing my mind until tonight. Reading all these stories that are so much like my own is enlightening. I finally realized last night, after limping home from work and sobbing thru cooking dinner for my family, that the pain began soon after I started taking the simvastatin, and that it quadrupled after my Dr. doubled the dose from 10 mg to 20 mg. It progressively worsened to the point where I can barely walk, and can't even make it thru the grocery store without sitting down frequently to wait for the pain to pass. i tried several times to ask my Dr. if the cholesterol med. could be causing the pain, bus she insisted that it was my age, not the med. (I am 48, and was PAIN-FREE) before I started taking this drug. I work as a preschool teacher with special needs children, and my job requires lifting, which I have not been able to do since returning to work this week after summer break. I was beginning to fear I might have to quit my job. My Dr's answer was to give me a referral to a pain management Dr, but I have to wait WEEKS for the appt. date to arrive! Anyway, I decided last night, before even reading anything on the internet,after much thought and prayer for relief, to stop taking the simvastatin for one week, and see if there was any change. I did not take it last night, and I will not take it for one week. If my pain is even a little lessened, I will NOT go back on it. I would honestly rather die tomorrow of clogged arteries than take another week of this pain. It is worse than childbirth without drugs! Absolutely debilitating.

statins

I thought I was making up symptoms because I haven't been doing my exercises regularly, but after reading this site, I'm vindicated. I had been on Lipitor for several years, then switched to Simvastatin to save money. I wake up with leg cramps, which I have never had. I get sudden groin pain when I cross my legs. The muscles and ligaments around my right ankle have weakened and I'm forever "turning" it. My cholesterol isn't that bad, so I too will stop the drug for a few weeks and see if the symptoms are less. Then I will see my doctor and have some blood work done. I'm so glad I found this site. Thank you.

statins & pain

If you have pain problems and are on a statin as I was, go to Dr. David Brownstein's web site. He explains why statins do work to lower cholesterol but may not be good for you anyway. Also he explains that cholesterol levels of 250 and even higher may not be reason for concern. I stopped taking simvistatin after 3 years and within 1 week, my aching knees disappeared.

Severe Pain in the Hips & Legs

I am taking Hyzaar and Bistolic for my severely high blood pressure.

I am also on Metformin for Diabetis 2.

I have been having severe pain in my buttocks and the pain runs down the back of my legs.

I have alot of pain when I walk or exercise.

My doctor looks at me like I am crazy.

However; I have been told that diabetis 2 can cause your muscle's to cramp and the muscle deteriorates (sp).

Anyway, I was gald to read other people's responses.

leg pain from statins

No one has described just what the leg pain feels like so it's difficult to determine if my leg pain is sciatica or not. I can't label the sensation I feel in my leg as pain. The only word I can think of is "twinge" down the back of my calf on the right leg, sometimes shooting up the back of my thigh. 5 months ago when it first started it was very intense. The Dr wanted to treat it as RLS first but the drugs did nothing. The chiropracter's treatment made a noticable difference but the twinge is still there but less intense and sometimes appears in my left leg. I have also gotten a shooting pain through my calf like I was getting a muscle cramp but didn't. I was left with soreness for over a week. I am also starting to get shin splint sensations in both legs. I started taking statins in early February but stopped June 11. I started Welchol 2 weeks ago. That is not a statin but I read that someone stopped that along with the other statins. Why? Should I stop that too? Someone please describe the feeling in the legs. I'm taking an MRI to rule out nerve impingment.

simvastatin 40 mg

I am a 76 year old man with a histort of heart and vascular ( AAA dissection ) problems as well as diabetis. When put on the above statin, my legs swelled to twice their normal with fluid. I tried allowing things to return to normal and tried a half dose. Same effect. I have returned to Lopid and the heck with statins.

Statins & leg pains

I have taken a statin drug for over a year. Recently I have developed pain in my calf muscles and also in my feet. I think I will stop taking them for a while & see what happens.

It doesnt mean the statin is causing the pain but there is only one way to find out.

Reg