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Statins: Researchers uncover how cholesterol-lowering drugs cause muscle pain.

2greys profile image
11 Replies

Patients who take statins in order to lower their blood cholesterol levels often complain about muscle problems, typically muscle pain. But why this occurs is still largely unresolved. In a recent study, the pharmaceutical scientists Professor Alexandra K. Kiemer und Jessica Hoppstädter from Saarland University have identified a potential causal relationship. According to the results of their work, statins cause enhanced production of a protein called ‘GILZ’ that impairs muscle cell function.

uni-saarland.de/universitae...

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CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16

Very interesting. The why's and wherefores always interest me and I find it frustrating when a possible drug side effect is listed without an explanation as to the cause of that effect. Perhaps it is often that the why is unknown.

in reply toCDPO16

I stopped using them about 5 years ago.

Popal1977 profile image
Popal1977

I had that exact problem. I was put on statins only because I had a heart attack. They determined the cause to be Angina. The doctor put me on one brand and the pain was excruciating so he put me on a different brand. The same thing. This went on for 5 months. There were days I could not move the pain was so bad. When I saw my GP and explained the pain to her,she said I really didn't need them and advised me to stop them, which I gladly did. However, the pain has never subsided. My life has been forever changed Thanks to statins. This was in 2006 and since then they diagnosed me with having fibro. It has been so bad that after tolerating the pain for 6 years and nothing worked they put me on disability. I gave researched this to find out why my pain never went away and to see if others had that problem and only found one person that has experienced the same problem as I and ironically he was a doctor who used to prescribe them to his patients but since his problem never subsided he vowed never to prescribe statins again!

Has anyone else experienced my problem? It would be, if nothing else, nice to hear that I am not crazy; that others have gone through this as well and even better if somebody found a cure for all this. Thank you for taking the 4t 5¹time to read this and hoping somebody can shed some light on why this happened to me. Thanking you again.

in reply toPopal1977

Hi popal1977

I read your story and it could be mine!

I stopped a 12 week course of 5 mgs rosuvastatin in April 17 and stopped because of the aches

However, despite stopping, the aches have not gone away, but progressed

I, like you, would dearly love to have an answer to them!

If interested, please see my many posts where I 'search' for the answer

Good luck !

Alps

Hacienda profile image
Hacienda

I refused Statins recently. The GP wanted me to have them for my Cholesterol, first time I have had a High Reading. I was already on a Good low fat intake, so Now I have cut out Semi Skimmed milk, only ever have Flora, plus other Good low fat Foods. Why would I want to have more Side Affects after already dealing with other Meds that cause bad side affects, ie :Long term Prednisolone, Plus all the Steroid Inhalers. It is so Easy for GP's to Fob you off without seeing you, I was Seen & Tested by the Triage Nurse. No Explanation given or Diet Help, Just Take These......!

joyce74 profile image
joyce74

They gave me dreadful muscle pain having taken them for years. Left them at home for a 5day break and I came back pain free. Now take 10mg Ezetimibe 1 per day.

garibaldon profile image
garibaldon

Taken 10 mg per day for 10years fantastic drugs. Kept my Cholestrol well down. Absolutely zilch side effects only great benefit. Thank goodness for Statins

peege profile image
peege

Just to add, the reason statins were invented is to prevent stroke and heart attack. I for one won't be giving them up. My high cholesterol is hereditary, diagnosed in my 40s and was told I must insist that my kids get tested. 2 out of 3 have high cholesterol in their 20s & 30s. My ma had it too & both her parents died from strokes.

peege profile image
peege in reply topeege

👋 I'm looking up info on statins. My wonderful sis had a stroke yesterday. She refused statins because she doesn't like taking medication. To say I'm devastated for her is putting it mildly. 👋

joyce74 profile image
joyce74 in reply topeege

Hope she recovers well . I’m on blood thinners since a blood clot in my right eye lasting 15 minutes caused lack of sight. Get plenty of bruises and headaches but ok otherwise.

peege profile image
peege in reply tojoyce74

Thank you so much xxx

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