Overnight leg pains from statins

[SteveMarcliff]

Hi guys, bit of a lightweight question, but a pain non the less. I’m getting overnight pain in my lower legs which I know is a well documented side effect of statins, I take Atorvastarin 40mg with ramipril before bed and regularly get woken up around 3.00 - 4.00 am with a nagging pain (not muscular), if I get up and wonder around it goes quickly, but then I’m awake and so is my partner. Is anyone getting the same issue and how can I make it easier?

[Mrvic]

I take CoQ-10 with my statin and it seems to help with the muscle pain. Worth a try!

[Quovadisuk]

I had similar to you and contacted the specialist concerning this . He advised that certain people are effected by statins in this way , so he offered me a different statin which resolved the problem for me , in fact I tried three to get the one that suited me best trust this helps

[LHDLondon]

Some doctors accept that there are side effects from certain statins and that patients can be switched to a different type of statin. Over the 5 year since my heart attack I suffered brittle ligaments, cramps and eventually a torn achilles. Im convinced these symptoms were caused by statins. I’m now on an atorvastation. I know simvastatin is another type and that there are others. Bring this to the attention if your doctor sooner than later.

[stevejb1810]

You could try taking your statin in the morning (I take 80mg Atorvastatin without issue). You could also try a different statin and see if that works better

[Hidden]

Hi, sorry about your pain but thanks for this post. I was literally just about to try see my GP due to this new leg pain at rest. The new heart meds had crossed my mind, as it's the only change ive had recently, but your post has just confirmed it i think, i am also on atorvastatin. Thanks

[Prada47]

Hi my understanding of Statins are they need to be taken at Night, because that's when they work best !!

My Heart Nurse advised me to switch back to Night when I told her I was taking my Statin the Morning. I also get cramp in the night.

Regards

[Nathan53 in reply to Prada47]

Good point Prada47 Atorvastatin can be taken at anytime of the day as long as you take it at the same time. Simvastatin should always be taken late evening to be effective. It is because different stations lower cholesterol by different means. I don't know about the other stations. A Pharmacist will help you if you are want to know if you can change time of taking a medication

[jimmyq]

If you can get your cholesterol level down enough you might be able to convince your doctor to take you off the statins.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to jimmyq]

Depending on the cause of elevated cholesterol it could climb back up. Statins also stabilise plaque do even if lifestyle changes reduce cholesterol levels s maintenance dose might be appropriate.

[jimmyq in reply to MichaelJH]

Yes, I discussed a maintenance dose with my doctor but the side effects I was having made it impractical.

[djducker]

I've been taking Atorvastin for over 6 months without any problems - however, I started yesterday with a very uncomfortable aching pain in my lower left leg which has progressed to the whole of the leg today. Does anyone else have the 'Statin' pains in just one leg - or is it always both legs with this condition?? Just wondering if my particular pain is something else ?! Thanks

[Alanmo]

hya i used to take my statin at night and would get leg cramps in the morning was advised after speaking to the pharmacist on my yearly review advised me that I could take them in the morning and after around a week I no longer suffer from cramps also ramipril I have only taking this in a morning

[SteveMarcliff]

Thanks very much for your valued replies folks, I think the over riding result here is to try another statin. between a good diet, lots of exercise and the statins my cholesterol has fallen to 2.1 over three years so I can afore to take a little gamble a switch to another type. I will make a appointment and see my doctor.

[Nathan53 in reply to SteveMarcliff]

Just a final thought Steve have you had your Liver function checked in the last 6 months - if not you could request a check as an elevated enzyme result can indicate a problem with the statin and suggest a reduction in dose