I am 67 now and have been on Statins since 2012 and after 3 years started to experience calf muscle problems and for a while in 2017 it got to the stage when I couldn't walk for more than a few steps.
At that stage it was agreed that I would stop taking Statins as the Neurologist judged, after numerous scans and blood tests, that they were the likely cause of my calf muscle problems.
My calf muscle problems improved gradually (to some degree and very erratically) with special exercises but the decision to stop Statins certainly gave no clear and obvious improvement. My understanding is that sadly this isn't unusual.
I would be interested as to how others who have experienced similar problems have coped with them and whether they have found ways to improve the condition. I know that some people suggest taking supplements (Q10?) which I am reluctant to do as I am already taking various medication (Blood Thinners, Beta Blockers and Thyroid tablets) and don't want to take more.
regards
Ray
Written by
RayH2
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I would agree as that mirrors my own experience. By the way I have taken Q10 for about 20 years alongside my other meds with zero issues but although I feel it imporves my energy levels it has not affected my leg pains.
Thanks Bob, from what you have written, it sounds as though Q10 may not be for me anyway.
From what I have read somewhere (can't remember where) statins are more likely to cause muscle problems with slim people and I am certainly in that category. One of my brothers, who is 2 years younger, has been taking statins for longer than me and has had no muscle problems. He is of bigger build than me but comes from the same gene pool.
I have a similar problem but only get it while in bed. Luckily at present I can rub it away. I looked up the symptoms on Google and it came up with a condition called PAD, caused by poor circulation.
PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE.
I agree with you that medication i.e Statins etc will be the main cause. You're doing the right thing with exercise etc, keep on top of it.
The calf pain caused by PAD is more likely to come on with walking and not while lying in bed. If what your are describing is cramping then electrolyte imbalance or dehydration is more likely to be the cause.
I’ve been on 3 or 4 statins they all gave me horrific leg cramps. Calves, thighs, feet. Horrible. I’ll live without those statins. And I drink plenty so I’m not dehydrated. I just think they’re not a drug for me. Hope this helps explain away this dilemma. Sarah
Ok, thanks I wonder why only some people seem to suffer with muscle cramps from using statins? Unfortunately as I had been taking them for a few years before I suffered cramps and muscle weakness I think that stopping them (as I have now done) doesn't seem to make much difference.
Hi Ray , I am 67 also and had been on atorvastatin since 2004 with no problems untill I started on Flecainide and Diltiazem. After quite a lot of research I stopped taking statins over four years ago and have had no muscle pain since.
I also take CoQ10 / Magnesium Taurate / R-Lipoic Acid which I know have helped.
Thanks I have been away and have just seen your reply. I'm not familiar with Flecainide and Diltiazem but will check them out in case they are part of the medicines that I am on.
I stopped statins in January 2017 after 4.5 years on them (Simvastatin for 3 years and Atorvastatin afterwards) but then started on them again (Rosuvastatin this time) for a few months this year before stopping again in August.
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