Leg pain with Statins

[Kristin1812]

Would anyone mind describing what your leg pain is like, that you think is due to statins. My GP doesn’t think what I have is typical. Many thanks.

[iandeare]

A colleague who is on a far greater dose of Statin than I am describes joint pain (knees, in particular) I mostly experience cramps in my instep, and "trigger" thumb; neither of which may be due to my Statin intake. I did get my dosage halved, very early on because I thought it was giving me a chest pain (turns out that something else was responsible!)

[stevejb1810]

I take a high dose stating and get no pain at all - at least no pain I would put at statins door.

Not all statins are the same, but, typically, they are associated with muscle pain - soreness, tiredness and weakness. If you have any of these then it would be ‘typical’.

[trash_panda]

I am also on a very high does and have no side effects. However most pain attributed to statins is not the case. A reaction to statins is rare and tends to be bilateral, very painful and debilitating. Anything else is probably due to other factors and not the statins.

[Hidden]

couple of years ago I was taking 40mg of statins but after 4 different types told GP that I was giving up due to the horrendous muscle pains and cramps. Struggled to get out of bed in the morning. Simvastatin was by far the worst. Once off statins guess what no pains !

After MI I had a long long talk with Consultant Cardiologist who wanted to put me on huge amounts, convinced him that I would not take them so am now on 10mg Avorastatin daily, still get aches but manageable.

However diet and excercise has reduced my cholesterol from 6.7 to 3.3

In essence see if GP can change types to see if the pains lessen and yes in IMHO statins definitely do cause leg pains

[MikeBB]

It is just statins you are taking? I ask as my cocktail of drugs includes Ramipril and Atorvastatin, the latter originally at 80 mgs. I had speaks with my GP about muscle aches and general weakness some 3 months after my HA (which, as far as I'm concerned, was a "mild" one) and a stent. GP reduced the statin to 40 mgs and took me off the Ramipril. I feel significantly better as a result, and BP is stable (at what it always has been) at about 120/80, so GP happy with that. Personally, I blame the Ramipril for the aches and muscle loss.

[gal4God]

I’m on statins and been told my leg pain is valve related but was born with a heart condition where my valve packs in and has to be replaced often. Mine is where part of my leg feels nub or dead.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

These are all very interesting. Thank you all so much for taking the trouble to send details.

I’m now weighing up whether it’s a good idea to change statin. I’ve had lots of heart problems and the GP is very keen to get me back to a high dose. But I’m now not entirely sure the muscle pains I get are statin related!

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

The statin most renown for muscle pain is simvastatin. If you are on this is may be worth trying another like atorvastatin. I get occasional pains as a result of PAD and it may be worth asking your GP practice for a Doppler test to eliminate this or otherwise...

[Rosie1066]

Cramp like pains. Would come on within minutes of my taking Simvastin. Now on Atorverstatin and have no problems.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Thank you all for details of leg pains. I’m now thinking mine isn’t really v like this This site is marvellous! Thanks again.

[Zezee]

Came off statins myself as had red hot knife like pains in lower legs just persevered rather tha takethem took painkillers instead

[nasus7]

I am on 80mg of Atorvastatin and after 4 months of no trouble following PCI in March have developed the most excruciating knee joint trouble which is making it difficult to walk. Until I read these posts did not realise 2 issues could be linked will speak to the GP on Monday .