Can statin side effects occur months after you start taking them?

[Imin]

I have been taking 80mg atorvastatin for 7 months, since having HA and two stents fitted. I have had chest discomfort since HA but recently I have had extremely itchy arms and legs which I have scratched to a point of bleeding! I have also been experiencing muscle twitches/pulsating in the top of both arms for the past couple of weeks.

Has anyone else experienced these side effects occurring months after starting to take statins? I am only assuming they are side effects as listed on the leaflet. I have not been able to speak to GP about this yet due to current circumstances and GP only doing emergency telephone calls.

I know I have to weigh up the benefits of statins over side effects but I have read a number of posts from people who have switched statins due to side effects with positive results. I am wondering if this is something I should consider emailing my GP to discuss

Thanks for any advice or personal experiences anyone can offer. Hope you are all doing ok in these quite scary times x

[Maisie2014]

The only noticeable side affects were restless legs but I thought I could put up with them. I have a number of allergies so try to cope. However the routine blood tests showed liver damage so I had to stop taking them. After a few months without them I was tried on Atorvastatin 40 mg then I was tried on two other statins. I don’t take any now.

[Imin in reply to Maisie2014]

Thanks for that. Hopefully, I’ll get a chat with GP soon