Can Statins Cause Debilitating Muscle Pain?

I also had pain taking statin drugs. At first I thought it was my age, 70, but not so. My Dr. put me on Red Yeast Rice 600 mg.

I take 4 a day: 2 in the morning & 2 in the evening. Have been on it for over a year, and no pain.

I am thankful.

tp

I have been taking Vytorin for almost 2 months. When people complain of muscle or nerve pain, is it all inclusive? Or could it happen in one tiny part of one's leg? I'm suddenly getting this odd pain (like a very painful twitch) on the outside of my left calf. It happens only on certain movements. Could ONE pain come from a statin?

I have recently had trouble with leg cramps on the front of my legs. I had them when my "mail-in pharmacy" switched me from Lipitor to Zocor some months ago. Then the "mail-in pharmacy" switched me to a generic of Zocor, Simvastatin. The leg cramps became extremely painful.

One afternoon I was coming home from work and the cramps were so bad I had trouble pushing the brake pedal down. I pulled to the side of the road and tried to massage the cramps out of the front of my legs. That is difficult because it doesn't feel muscular.

I called the doctor and told him I was taking myself off this medication (I had just been in for a check-up and had related the problems with leg cramps). Thankfully, he concurred, told me to stop them for 10 days and then restart to see if the Simvastatin is the problem.

I am taking statins too, atenolol 50 mg and pravastatin 20 mg, and I am bothered with leg cramps off and on during the day but especially at night. I used to walk a lot but now the pains stop me.

I took Lipitor from the beginning of January, 2000 through the beginning of November, 2002. After several months, I began having muscle cramps in my calves that would occur multiple times during the night. This developed into cramps that were so strong I couldn’t even flex my foot to get relief. I had to have my husband use his strength to push up on the ball of my foot. On several occasions, in the middle of the night, I had an excruciating pain in one leg or the other that didn’t go away for hours. It was intolerable if I was still, so I walked and cried and begged God to make the pain stop. Then I started to get cramps in my toes on a regular basis. After a little over 2 years on Lipitor, I started to have muscle twitches (fasciculations) in my calves upon awakening in the morning. I could watch my legs “ripple.” This would go away for the rest of the day once I was on my feet. This was followed by tingly, numb-like feelings in my legs and feet. It got so it was very difficult to walk.

The doctor who prescribed the statin did not associate any of these symptoms with the drug. I had numerous tests, MRIs, EMGs, arterial Doppler, blood tests, etc. Everything has come back normal. Then she said something to the effect of, “I’ve just read Lipitor can cause some muscle problems. . .maybe you should try to taper off that for a little while and see how you feel.” I said if there’s even a chance it’s the Lipitor, I am going off it totally. So I discontinued Lipitor as of November 2, 2002. Since that time, I have done a lot of research on statin side-effects and found that many other people have these same symptoms. According to Dr. Peter Langsjoen, a cardiologist in Tyler, TX, most medications destined to cause an adverse effect will do so early on but he found this not to be the case with statins. "You don't realize you're in trouble until two or three years later, and it's hard to relate it to a drug you started a few years ago.” He has found that statins deplete the body’s coenzyme Q10 which can cause serious side effects – including cardiomyopathy (the very thing statins are supposed to protect against.) (http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/July2002/StatinInduced8.htm)

I have not taken a statin in 5 years and although I no longer have the excruciating calf cramps at night, I continue to have problems with my toes cramping–-I have to wear sandals or go barefoot because shoes are too painful-–I still have fasciculations nearly all the time, worse at some times than others, and still have episodes of tingling, prickling feelings in my feet and legs. It often limits the things I can do. I have lost much hope of ever being well again.

After reading about it in my "Best Choices from The People’s Pharmacy," I have started drinking grape juice and Certo--mainly for my bad knee--and hope it will help my cholesterol levels as well, although that’s the least of my worries now. When my doctor said, “What are we going to do about your lipids?” I said, “Nothing. I don’t care anymore!” My mother has had high cholesterol levels since they first started checking for such a thing and she never did anything to “control” it. She is now 93 and in good health--still going up and down stairs several times a day. Even now, her doctors want her on a statin! How insane is that? She refuses knowing what I have been through.

The only thing I wish right now is that I could find a physician in my city, Austin, TX, who recognizes statin damage and might be able to help. I have been prescribed other meds for my symptoms, but I am NOT taking another prescription drug and possibly dealing with another set of side-effects!

My husband was hospitalized several times due to severe leg pain caused by elevated CPK levels. These enzymes can rise when statin drugs are taken. Normal CPK is 30; his were over 300. Red yeast rice affected him in the same way. So far, Zocor (10 mg.) seems to be keeping his cholesterol down (to 130) and his CPKs to 30.

I do wonder sometimes if the statins brought on his Parkinson's, however. No family history of this disease but the onset came about 3 years after he started statins.

About 7 years ago, I was put on Lipitor. I didn't like the way it made me feel--extreme fatigue, dry cough, felt 100 yrs. old. I then refused to take it against doctor's advice. I developed neuropathy (numbness) of my toes. Now 7 years later, this neuropathy has spread up to include my whole foot. Went to a neurologist, who diagnosed neuropathy, but he also said it couldn't be due to Lipitor. I am a retired registered nurse and I KNOW that Lipitor caused my problem. Doctors are not admitting that the statin drugs are very dangerous. I hope I live long enough to learn that the medical profession now admits statins are a dangerous group of drugs!! Because I am sure this will eventually happen.

My doctor had wanted me to take statins a year ago because of high cholesterol, but my daughter told me to try red yeast rice with CoQ 10 for a few months instead. My cholesterol dropped 30 points in 3 months after taking this product 2 times a day. My doctor was amazed and I continue this dose. Results of my blood work, last month, cholesterol was 189, my good cholesterol was 62, bad was 102 and my chol/hdl ration was 3.0.

My muscle pain is restricted to the thoracic area of my back, and only occurs while sleeping. When I rise to sit in a chair, it goes away after 30 minutes, and I am pain free the rest of the day.

I am curious about using the Certo and grape juice to alleviate arthritis pain. What amt. of Certo should one
use per 8 oz. glass of juice?

S. Lindsay

I have been taking Lipitor for several years. I started having muscle weakness about a year ago. I told my doctor and she took me off of Lipitor for 4 weeks, after I told her the things I had heard about Lipitor and muscle weakness. She said that was long enough to see if Lipitor was the problem. She put me back saying Lipitor was not the problem. I felt that she was just placating me. I now use a cane. I have lost weight and my muscles are deteriorating rapidly and my body is a mass of skin and "flab". Is there a specialist who could determine the cause?

I have been on statins for many years and started first with Mevacor, and when it stopped being as effective, my docotr switched me to Zocor. I would guess I've been on Zocor for 5 years, taking 40mg. I use the generic. This summer, I started noticing pain in my right thigh. It would be intermittent and it took me about 2 months to realize it was getting worse. The pains started to become stabbing in nature, and I started gasping in pain when I'd get up from my desk at work.

I phoned my doctor and made an appt. She agreed it was probably due to the Zocor and took me off of it immediately and also had my blood drawn. Meanwhile she instructed me to start taking Coenzyme Q-10. The first day after not taking Zocor, I was better, and within 2 days, I did not notice any pain at all. In about 4 days, she called with normal blood test results and suggested I give the Zocor another shot.

After being off of it for a week, I went back on it. I have been back on it for about 3 weeks, and started having the severe thigh pains again yesterday. I decided to increase my Coenzyme Q-10, to 2 per day (50mg). I noticed big improvement today but will need to give it a few more days to determine if the added enzyme is helping. After reading this blog, I also plan to add the red rice yeast. I'll report back later.

I started having leg cramps, sometimes every hour at night, about 1 month ago. My Dr. prescribes qunine 200 mg every other night & I also take Hylands leg-cramp pill--1 every other night. I also started magnesium supplement 250 mg and a Vitamin D 400 I.U. everyday. V-D helps keep you out of the bathroom so much from the magnesium. It is working so far. I do take Lipotor and have for 7 years. Dr. addressed this and said the same thing every other Dr. said. Not the Lipotor! D.Bell

My mother, who was recently diagnosed with early Alzheimer's Disease, started to get muscle cramping and numbness in her legs. Her neurologist said it could be due in part to the AD, but can also be caused by Vytorin, which my mom has been taking for over 5 years. When we mentioned this to her GP and cardiologist, they both said it couldn't be that (based on their thoughts that it couldn't be that).

As the pain became worse and my mom slipped into a down-spiral of depression, my sister and I researched every single one of her medications and found the side effects she was having in at least three of her meds (Vytorin, Atenolol, Hyrdalazine). We told her doctors we were taking her off of the Vytorin to start to try and isolate which medication could possibly be causing this, and would be keeping a daily/weekly log to chart her progress. Her GP said if it were the Vytorin, she would feel the difference within a week, but a lot of posts we read said otherwise, and it seemed 4-6 weeks would be a better assessment of improvement after taking a drug out of your system.

After the 4-week mark, my mom's neuropathy seemed to lessen markedly. During the 5th and 6th weeks, her "attacks" which usually happened once or twice a day, happened TWICE in two weeks. It was evident to us that the absence of Vytorin in her system was linked to her improved conditions.

Unfortunately, her cholesterol went up to 265 and her GP put her back on the Vytorin stating Zetia, a non-statin med, would not be strong enough. It has been almost two weeks since she has been back on Vytorin and she is slowly going back to having muscle pain and numbness more often than not. Is this not evidence or what?

My sister and I are determined to be advocates for my mom and look for an alternate remedy for her high cholesterol so she can be free from the Vytorin. We luckily have her Neurologist who was aware of the effects of this drug and is open to his patients' personal experiences and facts other than statistics.

After taking Lipitor for a couple of years, I suffered loss of muscle mass. Thought it was age-related (I'm 61). Went to DisneyWorld last fall and, due to 12 hour days walking and standing, had extreme muscle pain throughout my whole body.

With my doctor's concurrence, I stopped taking Lipitor for several weeks last January. Notable regrowth of muscles, particularly in my hands and arms. Went back on Lipitor in the spring and muscles disappeared again.

Stopped taking Lipitor in August. Hand and arm muscle mass regrowing already. Just completed a Disney vacation where I stood and walked for 10-12 hours a day. Only my feet hurt. Lipitor is definitely the cause.

I took several statins over a period of several years. I started having peculiar leg weakness and pain after about a year. I complained several times to my doctor but since I am overweight and 57 with arthritis, my complaints were mostly attributed to lack of exercise and weight.

I finally decided to stop the statins on my own and the discomfort lessened, although it has not gone away completely. It seemed to get worse after sitting for any length of time in a hard chair. Pain medication does not help. I DID start exercising in a regular program but this was difficult since standing was painful and some of the exercise seemed to make the pain worse.

Finally I searched the web and found an article about the coenzyme q10. I started taking it 2 days ago and already feel a difference in my legs. Even though I was fat and exercised seldom, my thighs were always hard with muscle. I didn't really notice until recently that my thighs had gotten flabby. After I took the enzyme my thighs are hard again.

I CANNOT understand why doctors do not know about this longlasting effect even after discontinuing the statin. I wonder if I will have to take the enzyme the rest of my life and am hoping that it will continue to work and that it is not just a placebo effect.

I started taking Niaspan instead of the statins and it has not lowered my cholesterol enough. I am supposed to start taking ZETIA but am afraid it will have the same effect. The doctor says it will not but then she didn't connect the leg pain with the statins either.

After reading all these comments and taking Vytorin for about three years I think maybe it has caused the severe nerve pain in my feet. My Dr. prescribed Lyerica two years ago for the neuropathy and it has helped tremendously, but my dosages keep going up. It also has several adverse side effects, many of which I have and have to take two additional drugs to combat those.

Will it ever end? I would like to cut back on my prescription drugs, but don't think my Dr. will easily go along. I am sure I need to do this gradually, but don't know where to begin... I am about 40 lbs overweight, have had two Achilles tendon surgeries in the last few years which makes exercising difficult. Help!

I have been takeing the certo and grapejuice for joint pain for years and it has really helped.

Now I have heard that certo in grape juice or tomato juice can help to lower your cholesterol. Especially if you take 1 teaspoon with juice 3 times a day.

Do you have any information on this. I read this on http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/35668/16481/fruit-cure/pf

Have been taking red yeast rice for 4 months. My cholesterol had been around 200. I have seen a friend, mom, and son-in-law lower theirs by 50-60 points after just a few months. I am a retired RN and have strongly suggested to them they not take statins because of side effects.

My son-in-law's MD had prescribed red yeast rice (1200 mg dly) w/ good effect. I, however, began having muscle and joint pain that slowly became unbearable and had extreme difficulty w/ ADLs. After hearing an ad on TV for Lipitor w/ a warning to call MD immediately if severe muscle or joint pain should develop… I further researched the red yeast rice and discovered it is the main ingredient in Mevacor, w/ similar symptoms and side effects.

Apparently red yeast rice can give you the same side effects as the statins, but for a much lower cost! LOL. I have discontinued the red yeast rice because my cholesterol is not too high, and there are studies indicating that cholesterol levels have little or nothing to do w/ cardiovascular disease. One article indicated the set of studies used verifying the efficacy of statins was flawed, that the researcher who compiled the information was convinced he was right and pushed the results to his favor. This is done often. I can’t say where I read that; I have read a lot on line, and have not made note of it.

If you should research red yeast rice or statins, you are bound to come across this and other information. Everyone is urged to research their supplements and drugs. And not just the info the drug companies provide! Most supplements can be harmful or useless.

I have resolved my problem by taking 60 mg of co-Q 10 twice daily and my symptoms seem to be reversing after just 3 days. I hope this continues. I suggest everyone take a co Q 10 supplement w/ either statins or red yeast rice and have your MD test you the same way for red yeast side effects as he/she would for statin use. Better yet, exercise, lose weight, and go on a low carb diet to keep cholesterol under control. Or not. A better attitude about life and illness is far superior to any medication. Be well.
Peg

I had been on Lipitor (20mg) for at least 10 years. Originally I used to take it every other day as it made me feel tired. About 3 years ago my toes started to get numb and then my legs ached and felt weak. It began to spread to the rest of my body and felt like I had flu all the time! I do not drive so I need my legs to work well.

The doctor tried tests and these did not show any problem. He put me on Simvastatin but that gave me blinding headaches after 3 days. I developed leg cramps at night, sometimes both legs at the same time and from my toes to crotch. My circualtion was checked and found to be fine. I developed quite pronounced Lymphoedema in my left leg
and then in my right to a lesser extent. I have never had cancer so this was not caused by cancer treatment. Some vein damage was diagnosed by dopler scan. I started taking Co- Enzyme Q10 having read about this on websites and the situation seemd to get a little better. The doctor gave me 200 mg of quinine. The cramp problem is intermittent though I cannot detect a pattern.

About 6 weeks ago I told my my doctor that I had read about Lipitor givng such problems and he took me off it and put me on the non-statin Ezetrol (Ezetimibe) and thugh still weak and suffering from occasional cramps, things are slowly improving to the extent that today I was able to to dig the vegetable patch over in an hour, with a few short breaks.

It does seem as if Lipitor has a weakening effect on leg muscles for some people and that this can take a long time to become apparent and to wear off. I am not sure if there is any evidence of Lipitor causing varicose veins or damage to the Lymph system.

My quality of life is slowly improving without Lipitor and I am just hoping that I can keep my cholestorol levels down with just diet and Ezetrol.

Vytorin's post marketing side effects lists respiratory disorder: coughing. After 15 months on Vytorin and experiencing a debilitating cough which had me on a cough suppresent at night and another med during the day to function, I inadvertantly discovered an obscure section called "post marketing experience" which mentioned respiratory disorder: coughing.

August '07 I stopped Vytorin and had immediate changes: no heartburn, extreme fatigue disappeared, increased alertness, ability to sleep and slow diminished coughing. In a month I could function w/o medication for day or night, although the cough did not disappear.

It was exciting and I had hope for being cough-free by November. In October I reached a plateau and have not been able to shake the last half of the cough.
I am scared I shall be afflicted for the rest of my life. Has anybody ever fully recovered from respiratory problems? How long did it take and what was your experience?

I took Lipitor for about 18 months, but after the onset of very bad muscle pain and fascilitations [muscle ripple], my doctor took me off them and sent me for checks with little result other than being given a sedative [clonazepam], which did little other than make me feel odd. Another specialist has recently put me on "Atenalol", which after reading the comments from others has similar effects. Can anyone confirm this, as the cramp-like pain and muscle twitching have got considerably worse, plus my legs from the knees down feel like they are freezing.

My life currently is a living hell with little sleep and constant pain plus little ability to rest without being stricken by debilitating pain whose only relief is to walk around, but in walking it holds the prospect that when I stop to rest the problem comes back sometimes even worse.

I have been taking Lipitor for about 2 years, and I get severe muscle cramps. I almost pass out sometimes. They gave me quinine to take, which helps. But now it has been taken off of the market. I have been asking the doctors why am I getting the cramps? I also get them in my rib cage. They all say they don't know. I would love to hear from people that have this same problem. The pain of the cramps is excruciating. They make me cry and scream. I have been searching for 2 years to see if I can find a cause.

I have tried Crestor, WellChol and Vytorin and with all three had excruciating leg cramps or charley horses in my calves that would awaken me from sleep. Then my muscles will be sore for days or even weeks.

I've been on Lipitor for over a decade with no significant side effects--my insurance made me switch to simvastatin. I play soccer on the weekends and thought I had pulled a groin muscle--and my feet hurt more than usual. When the pain didn't go away, I started to suspect the change in meds. Luckily lipitor fell back into favor with the insurance co., and I switched back.

Interestingly, I was talking to another guy on the soccer field, and he had the identical experience with simvastatin (sore groin muscle, burning feet). Gotta think this is not just a coincidence.

After 3 mo back on lipitor, my pain is only marginally better, but exercise seems to help. I started to take coq10, but reading these articles, I'm going to resume.

I have been taking Zetia (10 mg) for over 6 months with short breaks when I was sick or took antibiotics. My gut has not been right since. I have had severe gastritis (NOT caused by bacteria) and recent bouts of lower abdominal pain requiring ER visits and a hospitalization for suspected diverticulitis. All extensive tests negative for that or any other reason... Surgeon called it IBS, but I never had anything this bad (I am 65). My prescribing doc said to stop the Zetia--and I am NOT going to take it again.

I got similar complaints from a couple of other persons taking Zetia. I cannot tolerate statins: weakness/depression and breathing problems.

I was taking 400mg/day of Red Rice Yeast to address high cholesterol for about 2 months till I ran out. Only after about 2 weeks being off the stuff did I start to experience the pain some of you are describing (sometimes sharp pain in the right calf). It felt so diff. I went to the doc and had ultrasound done on my leg looking for clots. The blood test he did came back with elevated liver enzymes which caused me to start doing my research in more depth. I'm fairly convinced that the Red Rice yeast caused my issues and damage to the liver.

Does anyone know how long it stays in your system and how long I might have the leg pain?

Although I have had osteo and ra for yrs, it has gotten worse the last yr... I hve been on generic lipitor for three yrs.. All of a sudden last summer I started having shoulder and elbow pains and lost strengh.. Unable to hold my arm back and bend it like the other arm... Pt and shots didnt help... I really think it's due to the lipitor, and going to stop taking it... I know the dr won't like it... But still will tell her.

I had been on lipitor for almost 10 years. Symptoms were so gradual that I wasn't aware of the reason. My first problem was terrible pain in the achilles tendon, making it very painful to walk. This pain spread to every joint and muscle in my body. I could not do any of the normal things I had done all of my life, even walking to the mailbox. I thought I had developed arthritis and was put on celebrex which had to be increased constantly to help with the pain. I was also unable to sleep, and when I did, I had terrible nightmares. I had never had any kind of pain or insomnia in my life! I also developed several other health problems which made me question the lipitor. I had unclear vision, bladder problems and brittle fingernails.

Since being off lipitor for about a year, I do not need the celebrex because the only muscle and joint problem I have is upon rising from a sitting position, but when I start walking I am fine. My vision is now okay, my fingernails are strong again. I still have the chronic bladder problem (IC) but have learned how to control it. My doctor is not happy that I won't take a statin drug for my cholesterol, but I never will! I did my own researh, but my concern is for all the other people who are now in wheelchairs and may not be able to research or understand the dangers of statins. What will happen to them?

I have heart damage caused by a virus, since I didn't have blockage. They say I must keep my cholesterol lower than most, because of the damage I already have. My last two cholesterol #'s were 240 and the latter 260. My doctor argued I could eat grass and not lower my cholesterol.

I was determined not to take statin drugs and started on Red Yeast Rice, 1200mg twice a day and Coenzyme Q10. Last week I went for bloodwork and got the lecture that these products would not help me. I have been taking them 3 months. The nurse called with my results and I laughed out loud! My total cholesterol was 160. My HDL was 100 and my LDL was 60. So as you can see I dropped 100pts in 3mths and have had no side affects.

Most Doctors don't believe it, because they believe the drug reps and what they tell them. I have to say that my Cardiologist is on my side and said it would be fine for me. He will be happy when he sees how well I have done! Don't take prescription statins. They do more harm than help. If you do take them, you better take the CoenzymeQ10 too. Statins deplete it and leave your heart in danger.

After suffering an ischemic stroke in December 2007, dr prescribed Lipitor as one of my meds. I immediately felt odd after taking my daily dose - tingling in my hands, pain in my thumb, fuzziness in my head.

I initially thought it was aftereffect of the stroke but I experimented with "not" taking certain meds to try and isolate the problem. I finally concluded after my experiment as well as research on side-effects of Lipitor that the statin was the culprit. I advised my dr and he removed Lipitor from my regimen.

The strange feelings almost immediately stopped except that I have lingering pain in my thumb - and it acts almost as if it were double jointed (in a painful way). Any suggestions on how to get rid of any lingering after-effect of the original side-effect?

I WAS ON LIPITOR FOR 3 YEARS, THEN IN DEC WHEN I WOULD GO TO GET OUT OF BED MY RIGHT LEG WOULD CRAMP AND SHAKE FOR ABOUT 30 SEC AND MY LEFT LEG WOULD BURN. I HAD A BLOOD TEST AND A MRI CHECKING FOR MS. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL.

I QUIT TAKING THE LIPITOR AND HAVEN'T HAD LEG CRAMPS SINCE THEN, BUT MY LEFT LEG STILL BURNS FROM THE KNEE TO MY FOOT WHEN I'M SEATED. SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T BURN FOR A WEEK. COULD THIS BE FROM TAKING THE LIPITOR? I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT FOR 4 MONTHS NOW. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET RID OF THE EFFECTS OF LIPITOR? I STARTED TAKING FLAX SEED. IT LOWERED MY BLOOD PRESSURE. HAVEN'T HAD MY CHOLESTEROL CHECKED YET; WILL HAVE IT CHECKED IN JULY.

My husband was on various statin drugs for 7 years with Vytorin the last straw. He has suffered muscle wasting, depression, atrial fibrillation, forgetfullness, unable to finish a sentence, etc. I would like him to start COQ-10 but am afraid to mix this and warfarin. Has anyone else taken COQ-10 with warfarin? Any problems? I'm sure his doctor wouldn't approve of anything. My husband refuses to take any more statins and has told his doctor so. Thanks to all who have written their experiences with statin drugs. How can we get doctors to realize how dangerous these drugs are?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY ANSWER:

We do worry that CoQ-10 might interact with warfarin. This should not be considered unless under extremely careful medical supervision.

I have tried 3-4 of the statin drugs all with bad muscle side effects. I was encouraged to try red rice yeast--a statin--but my instincts told me to stay away from that which stops the production of cholesterol and other good stuff like CoQ10. Instead I have decided to block the absorbtion... by using plant sterol/stanols found in CholestOff and Promise supershots... It has worked with no side effects so far.

My wife started on Lipitor. By the 2nd day she already had severe side effects. She was in so much pain that she would scream at a lite touch. Muscle wasting, depression, forgetfulness, unable to finish a sentence, unstoppable sweating, ect. She had almost all of the symptoms that are listed in clinical trials, mostly the ones happening in less than 5% of the people taking them. Her Dr. has her now on Red Yeast Rice 2400 mg at bedtime and also on Coenzyme Q10. It's been 5 months since she took the Lipitor, and she still hasn't completely recovered.

My doctor didn't think my pain was from my simvastatin 20mg., so took me off fora week. On the fourth day, started feeling better. On day 7, like a new man. So he switched me to crestor. By day 3, pain; day 4, I was not able to put my own eye drops in because of shoulder pain and hands swollen. Now back on simvastatin. I am now taking SAMe 600 mg a day along with statins. SAMe was developed in europe and can be bought as a vitamin. Also lots on the web. So far I feel better after only a week; may have to increase from 600 mg, but started low on purpose--no use in overkill. 2 yrs ago I could bench press 175. I am 65--now my 53 lb dog is a chore to lift. So check out SAMe.

I started taking a statin about 3 months ago. I developed pains in my upper back, so sharp that it takes my breath away when I try to get up in the morning or after laying down. I read an article on statins causing muscle pain a few days ago and stopped taking it 4 days ago -- now I'm waiting to see what happens.... This pain is nothing like I've ever felt before.......

Back in the mid-ninties I was put on Lipitor by my pysician. Within a few months I started developing muscle pain (but not cramps) in my thighs and upper arms. It became so bad that I had difficulty going up steps or lifting anything with my arms. I was eventually taken off the Lipitor (for other reasons) after less than a year of use. However, before stopping the Lipitor, my muscle pain became more widespread and has continued to this day even tho I have taken no statins since then. Eventually my muscle pain was attributed to fibromyalgia as I seem to have all of the classic symptoms of that disease. But here is my point --- I now believe that it was the Lipitor that brought on my "fybromyalgia" like symptoms. I belive this because there have now been many documented cases of others having a similar reaction to Lipitor and other statin drugs. I am rather surprised that there has not been mention of this side effect in this blog.

My husband has never taken any meds, but at 72 began taking medicine for cholesterol. He has taken about five with statins but cause pain in his legs or back and sometimes affects his thinking. He will go off them for about three weeks then back on with the same effects. He also now has high blood pressure, and given a prescription, also had problems with it. Red Yeast Rice affected him the same as the statins. Do we just go on with life? He takes fish oil, but that only helps one part of cholesterol but there are no side effects.

He has given up in regard to medicine. A friend of his is in a wheelchair because he waited too long to get off a statin cholesterol drug.

I hope that all of these comments will not go on deaf ears to doctors and drug companies. All of these people are living testimonials to the horrid side effects of statins. They seem to be all having the same type of problems that I had while I was on statins.

After 10 years of high cholesterol and adjusting my diet the doctors felt I should be put on statins. I avoided them before this because at the age of 68 I am physically fit and have worked out for many years plus doing yoga, do not smoke and am not over weight. I also have a sensible diet.

The doctor started me on Zetia which after 3 months bloodwork proved that it did nothing. Next came Lipitor and after 3 months on that I had definite muscle pains and cramping in my legs and feet. The doctor then put me on Crestor and after 3 months on that I could barely move. My body was listless and my muscles hurt so badly that I could not roll over in bed.

I know that there is some connection to all of your stories and these statins. The doctor said that I cannot take statins at all. I am wondering if they have played a part in the severe infection that I have with my fingernails now? I suspect so. I would go so far as to say that in the years to come I am wondering if we will find out that these drugs were a blessing and a curse.

I will not go back on any statin and just within a couple of weeks of being drug free I feel much better. I, too, am taking Co Q 10 and have to be careful with the red yeast rice which leads to liver problems. Good luck to anyone that realizes the bad effects from any statins on certain people. I think we are all better off without them. Who knows what they are doing to our bodies?

Just one comment--red rice yeast contains a naturally occuring statin. It actually contains several compounds collectively known as monacolins, substances known to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. One of these, "monacolin K," is a potent inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, and is also known as mevinolin or lovastatin.

I have statin neuropathy, so I'm not trying to defend the drugs, but merely to point out that if someone advises you to take red rice yeast as an alleged "natural" alternative to a statin drug, you are being misled.

I have tried every statin out there and got the same results: Terrible leg pains, muscle twitching and finally muscle loss. It got so terrible that I couldn't get out of bed or in and out of cars without lifting up my own legs (I'm only 50) It took me a while to figure out that it could be the pills my doctor has been subscribing. I thought it was because I was just getting older. The last two prescribed were Prevastatin & Gemfibrozil (at the same time) doubling the dose on top of it because my results were still not to where they should be. I decided to stop taking them and look into other alternative medications out there. Hopefully, the pain in my legs will go away and I can get back on with my life the way it was before statins. Shame on all you doctor's out there still prescribing these terrible drugs.

I suspect there is a genetic link. I am a male in my 30's. Both my mother and I had severe muscle cramps in our left calfs within a week of taking statins. Both of us stopped taking the drugs within a month, as we had both cramped so hard that the muscles ripped. It took months for us to recover. That was several years ago, and I haven't had muscle cramps since getting off statins. (I was on Zocor, she was on something else.) My doctor refused to believe that the statins had done this. I got a new doctor.

I started taking Welchol in the fall of 2007, not for high cholesterol, but for lifelong chronic diarrhea. It worked, and I was so happy.

Then 6 months later I started having severe leg aches. I stopped taking the Welchol, but the leg aches continued, and my doctor cannot find anything wrong with me. I continue to work my 12 hour shifts as a nurse, but I hurt so much! Today, July 26, I started taking Co Q 10, and I really hope it helps! I would hate to think this will last forever.

I have tried various chloestrol lowering drugs including Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, and Vytorin. Each had a set of its own side effects that made my active life miserable. Muscle & joint pains are the most common. My feet feel filled with some load and fatigue.

Now I am taking red yeast and havent seen many of these effects except bloated feet. Off and on I have muscle weakness that goes away but today I took red yeast after a few days of break and am having pains in my left calf and cant sleep.

I have been on Lipitor at least 10 years for high cholesterol. Last summer I attempted a 10 mile walk in the Snowy Mountains. As I walked, I noticed a pain in my left groin developing.

By the time we stopped for lunch it was quite severe and I was glad of the break. In the afternoon the groin pain became so constant and bad that I was seriously worried that I would have to be carried out as an emergency evacuation. However, by going slowly and putting one foot in front of the other, I was able to complete the walk.

My greatest fear was that the right groin would also become involved. So far that has not happened, but I would be afraid to do a 10 mile bush walk again if we go to the mountains next summer. I am getting left groin pain when I take short walks now, and even when standing, such as at lawn bowls. I have taken myself off Lipitor after reading all these blogs.

I don't want to end up in a wheel chair. A friend has told me about COQ10 and fish oil, which can help lower cholesterol. I have always been a fit, healthy person and, at 59 years, should not be having difficulties and severe pain when walking.

I was put on Vytorin for high cholesterol. Within a few months, after running for years, I could not run. The balls of my feet became so tender to walk on, and the muscles in my upper-middle back ached so much I had to lie down to relieve it several times a day.

I told my Doctor and it went over his head. I quit taking the crap and the pain is almost 90% gone. I began eating more vegetables (lots of garlic) throughout the days and My bad cholesterol went from 230 to 137 in three months. No soft drinks,sweets,or any other junk foods. Fish and lean meats.

I developed polymyositis, Fibromylagia,sleep apnea, and neuropathy from the drug Vytorin (took for only 4 months). I affected my liver, kidneys, and pancreas in an adverse way.

I saw two general practioners, an endocrinologist, a sleep disorder analyst, a Rheumatoligist, and finally a surgeon for a muscle biopsy.

Blood studies were ordered by my Rheumatoligist. A surgeon remove a piece of muscle about the size of a #2 pencil and sent it off to Children's Hospital for analysis. The muscle Biopsy confirmed Polymyositis/Intermyositis. The sample indicated serious muscle cell distruction and was saturated with the Statin drug. Several Blood tests for CPK, Lipids, Liver, Kidneys, and Glucose Tolerance were also performed.

My CPK was 2600 almost 20 times what it should read. My total CHL dropped from 250 (H) to 62 (L). The HDL went from 29 to 39. I had severe pain in my back, hips, legs, arms, and neuropathy in both feet and hands. All the above occurred over a 4-5 month period. I have been off the CHL Medication for 10 months and my CHL is normal 199/39. However my CPK that gets taken every 2 months since is still around 900 and goes up and down +/- 100 points.

I still have polymyositis and the pain severity depends on my daily activities.

I have trouble breathing and swallowing and often get dizzy after swallowing food.

I am on CPAP and a sleeping pill so I can sleep for 6-8 hours. Still wake up with severe cramps in both legs, mainly in the calfs.

Initially the manufacturer indicated less than 1% of the people taking Statins are affected like I am. They also indicated 6 months ago they were taking Vytorin off the shelves since it was not lowering Cholesteryl like they thought it would. Since then they are admitting it lowers the Cholesteroyl too much in some patients.

Oh yeah, besides several visits to the hospital, I had to have a brain MRI done because of serious problems with my memory, concentration, and sense of balance. Turns out I lost few brain cells because my CHL was too long. Go read what CHL is good for as far as protecting brain cells etc...

I know many folks that started to take Vytorin, Lipitor, Zocor, and Zetia, and had similar symptoms as I did but some got off it real quick and recovered after a year.

I was on lipitor and ended up in the emergency twice with horrible muscle pain, so bad I could not sit down, along with nausea and vomiting. The second time, I was away on vacation I ended up in the emergency room again for the same thing and a very knowledgeable woman Doctor after asking what medications I was taking , knew immediately that it was the lipitor causing it and told me to get off it immediately because it was causing a dangerous reaction. I am now on Welchol 3x per day with no problems. It seems all the statins are a problem for me.

I've been on Statins for several years with no apparent problems. About 2 months ago I began having leg pain similar to shin splints. My doctor ordered an ultrasound and xrays as I was concerned this was a blood clot. At the same time she increased my Simvastin as my Chol. was going up. Within two days the leg pain was worst to the point that I couldn't lift my foot to get into slacks and unbearable at night.

As soon as I laid down the pain got worst and I started having severe calf cramps. I stopped the statins four days ago and the pain isn't any better. I'm a nurse and I can't believe no one has mentioned the information I've received on this site. I'm going out to get the COQ10 and just hope it will help.

My husband has been suffering from severe leg cramps for several years and recently they seem to be getting much worse. After reading all the comments about statins and cramps I believe it is obvious that there is a connection. We didn't know about this until we saw a doctor on the news talking about it. I was shocked that my husbands doctor had not mentioned this even after my husband complained twice about leg cramps getting so bad. I am so glad I found this site. Now we can take the message from all of you and the doctor we saw on the news to my husbands doctor and maybe he will listen more seriously to my husbands complaints. Thank you all and the doctors too.

My husband started experiencing severe muscle pain and weakness after 2 1/2 years of Lipitor 80 mg/day. After several consultations with a rheumatologist including a muscle biopsy, he has just been diagnosed with polymyositis (muscle inflammation, cause unknown). Treatment will include prednisone and other meds.

The pain is gone now but it may take months to regain his muscle strength. The doctor says he doesn't believe that Lipitor caused his disease, but I am not convinced.... and don't believe your doctor when they say that symptoms can't start after months or years.

I have been on Vytorin for two years....no problems. Just recently, I have developed severe muscle/tendon-like pain in both my upper arms. I can move them forward, but not backwards, like to zip a dress or buckle a bra. I thought age was catching up with me, and it's only just dawned on me that it might be the Vytorin (Have been reading things about statins). Had my yearly physical 4 weeks ago and I discussed the latest news about Vytorin with my doctor. She changed my prescription to generic Zocor, which I haven't started yet. I'm quitting statins completely for a week, to see if the arm pain goes away!

On 8/1/2008 my new insurance company switched me from Lipitor to LOVASTATIN -- a cheaper, generic. On 9/10/2008 I experienced the most intense pain, spasms, and cramping in my left middle back (Latissimus Dorsi muscle group) that I had ever felt in my life. BTW, I have no history of any back problems whatsoever. My physician treated me for back muscle pain with Vicodin and Baclofen and physical therapy which provided minimal relief. By 10/10/2008 I had visited 2 urgent care clinics and a hospital ER for continued and increasing pain; I spent many nights pacing the floor unable to sleep, sit, or lie down -- it was a nightmare. The next day I reviewed my meds and especially focused on the LOVASTATIN since it was the newest drug I was taking. I read in the LOVASTATIN warnings that "this drug may infrequently cause muscle damage (which can rarely lead to a very serious, possibly fatal, condition called rhabdomyolysis)." That is when I found this web site article (Can Statins Cause Debilitating Muscle Pain?) and read all the comments listed above. I immediately stopped taking the LOVASTATIN. Almost 2 weeks to the day that I stopped taking it, my mysterious muscle pain abruptly stopped. I guess I'll never know for sure if the LOVASTATIN was the source of my back pain but I would say, in my opinion, it is highly probable it was. Even though "statins" are a government approved drug group and widely used (and actually was quite effective in lowering my bad cholesterol), I was in, what I like to call, the "2nd test group" -- that is, 20-30 years from now, the drug manufacturer will update their warnings with all the data gathered on the "2nd test group" -- us! Hope this helps someone. Thanks for listening.

I have been diagnosed with severe arthritis for over ten years and told I need a hip replacement. I knew until then I'd just have to tolerate the groin/thigh pain. Well I started taking Lipitor and after about 6 months, I was in unbearable pain, particularly both my thighs and buttocks and groin area. My doc took me off the Lipito and in two weeks, my pain was lessened 50% or more - the right side not helped so much as that is where the "bad hip is".

Well about 2 years ago, my doctor informed me Crestor WOULD not cause muscle pain, etc. - After a year, my pain got worse but I attributed it to the worsening arthritis due to not having my hip replacement and also discovered left hip was also arhtritic. But the past few months - this sharp pain that awakens me at night - or occurs when I just move muscle (mostly in thighs - and buttock) but sometimes in groin and knees. The pain is so deep it feels like it is in my muscles.

I intend to start taking crestor 1/2 a day then 1/2 every other day and see if it helps. Problem is last blood work showed my chlorestol was high. This is third statin I've tried, if this is causing the pain I need an alternative.

I took Lipitor for about 2 years and had little effect on my cholesterol. While I took lipitor I had severe joint pain, neck, arms, ankles plus cramps in my legs and toes. Then I noticed my calf muscles starting twitching (both legs) and I could see my muscles jumping all the way down to my ankles. I ask my doctor about the twitching and she said it was just a tic.

I don't notice it when I stand or walk just when I sit down and at bedtime. My doctor changed me to Crestor about 2 years ago the aches and pain went away but the calf twitching has continued.I think this was a side effect of the Lipitor, I still have leg cramps at night the doctor prescribed Quinine sulfate which I take every night before bedtime for the cramps which really works great.

I to can not take statins. My doc. told me to take a strong dose of a Niacin drug. My muscles still hurt! I stopped taking the Niacin drug as I would get horrible leg cramps and my blood work showed Uric acid! I no longer take statins or Niacin, but still my muscles ache. I no longer get a many leg cramps, but I ache all over, especially at night and mornings.

I take 30 mg Lipitor, 5 mg Norvasc and 25 mg Novo Hydrazide. Taking medication at breakfast gave me cramps mostly at night. In November I changed to taking medication, vitamins, and supplements to the evening. I now sleep well with no cramps and cramps are minimal during the daytime. I feel much better and my tests are slightly better than before.

I took statins (Zocor 40mg) for only about 4 weeks and developed terrible leg pain in both calfs and around my knees within a couple of weeks. After researching online found many people with the same symptoms. I stopped taking the drug for 4 days now and have had little relief so far. I hope each day gets better.

My side-effects mirror what has been written here. I posted in another section so I won't repeat myself. It is beyond me why doctors who prescribe statins don't take the pain seriously. And, it is my opinion that any doctor in related fields such as pain management, orthopedics, etc. should know the possible side effects of statins. I have been met with incredulous looks by other doctors, even with "what is a statin?"

I am a teacher and do a lot of research. My doctor changed me from Vytorin to Lotrastatin and after 6 months my hands are shaking and my muscles are so sore I think I have the flu. I work out every day for an hour on the step or with aerobics so when I am so sore I can't lift my arms I know I had a great work out or something is wrong. I also take many supplements including Co Q 10 since I take a statin but for the last week something has been wrong.

I stopped taking my cholesterol medicine two days ago and feel so much better....coincidence? My ratio for good and bad cholesterol is 1 to 2. 120 to 200. Makes you re-think what is important. Quality of life and oh yes my inflammation is less than .5 Hmmm ...makes you think. I think that my relationship with statins is over.

I started Vytorin 10/80 last summer about the time I started getting into walking. I was up 25 miles a week.

Than my feet started to bother me. I just figured that I had over done it. So I took a couple of day's off. It didnt help.

I stopped taking it in October after thinking about it.It did help but some said the pain I had sounded like Planntar fishitis. I know that the spelling is wrong. With the bad winter we had I was not able to go out walk until feburary.

I went saw my Doctor in January and told him about my problesm and pain. My dad died of heart failure and my Doctor was his,he said that my makeup is taking after him in somwways and that why he wants to get my numbers down. So I tried again with Vytorin 10/40 this time.

I wake up with both feet very stiff it takes about 2 minutes for me to walk almost normal and If i sit to long some thing. My foot feel sore if walk to long like from a parking lot into a store. I stopped taking it about 3 or 4 weeks ago. They feel better my calves are not tight and sore but feet still feel tender and my right foot feels like I am limping on it.

I go backt to the doctor next tuesday. Does the Q-10 help with pain caused by the stain's or does just help lower it. Hope to be back to normal by October so I can walk in the Portland OR, Marthon it would my first.

I had heart attack in January 2008 and was given as part of a programe simvistatins 40mgs a day .in the first month I was having terrible muscle spasms in my back which come and go ,but now my whole body is in pain my shoulders and arm joints knees etc even to touch are extremely painful plus headaches , I feel its like having the flu . my doctor checks me out with blood tests and says everything is fine , but I am not convinced . if everything is that fine how come my pain is getting worse . HELP

I have been taking red yeast rice for several years and was successful in lowering my cholesterol from 220 to 190. In the last several months I have had numerous inflamed trigger points, fatigue, hip, arm, neck, and back cramps, and muscle pain. I have also noticed that over the last several years I seemed to have lost muscle mass and tone. After researching the possible causes, I have discontinued red yeast rice since it has the same ingredient as lovastatin. I hope my symptoms will go away. I would like to know if this is reversible.

I have been taking Lipitor for some years increased to double strength about two years ago.
I am hypthyroid (oroxine) and have hypertension - also take Micardis PLus, cartia, Losec (Oesophygeal ulcer) - had been concerned for some years re loss of words and memory - 62 - working journalist - a damn nuisance. Have had awful pain in finger joints for as long as have been taking lipitor - also much aching of hips, knees through night. Have taken glucosomine for many years which seemed to help - also years of back (disc) problems and sciatica.

Six months ago - injured L5 disc and sciatica worsened so intensely - ended up at surgeon and MRI showed badly damaged disc and compression of nerve root - have had to take stronger and stronger painkillers - now oxycontin. Surgery next month (laminectomy) decided after reading newspaper article a couple of months ago - by English journalist questioning statins to take myself off the Lipitor.

Pains in fingers lessened - still waking with sciatic pains - and it's clear that the disc problem has been the major cause of pain - but my thinking processes do feel better. The oxycontin causes other problems but enables me to continue working at least part time. Anyway not taking Lipitor means one less pill to pop and after what I've read I can no longer have full confidence.

I have been on Lipitor for about 9 months. Before this, I had been on Lovostatin for 5 years with no problems.

Since Lipitor, I have torn a calf muscle. Gradually my leg muscles have begun to ache so bad that the pain is non stop.

I woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating leg cramps and a knot in my calf muscle that felt like a rock under my skin. Since being on Lipitor the cramps and leg muscle pain only gets worse with time.

I did a search today on leg muscle pain and came across this site. I am convinced that Lipitor is the cause after reading so many people having the same problems.

I never had any kind of trouble like this before.

Red Rice Yeast causes the same problems -- get her off the Red Rice Yeast, take CoQ10 and let her recover. Her cholesterol is probably fine without any more of it--and it's not worth the damage to your liver.

I took Red Rice Yeast--all my numbers changed within 6 weeks--down from 225 to 181. That's good enough. The HDL's and LDL's are fine too. But I also developed weak legs--despite my exercising they feel weak--and my right calf seems hard and swollen. Someone else talked about muscle wasting--I'm overweight and my thighs have always been solid and filled out--and the other day I was shocked because they looked lumpy and flabby from the FRONT! I think I've got the muscle wasting going on there too.

I'm going to get some CoQ10 and see if I can reverse the damage. Please--RRY is just as potent as statins. Slow down on it people--every statin drug ad is followed with the disclaimer that they haven't proven links between cholesterol and heart attacks. Maybe we're all getting duped.