Can statin side effects occur six months after starting?

[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

[Nathan53]

Side effects with any medication can happen at anytime even if you have been taking the medication for a while. Skin problems with stations are listed as an uncommon effect but they are one nhs.uk/conditions/statins/s...

You could call your GP for advice as itching can be a sign of problems with liver function which could be statin related. This can be checked with a blood test but I am not sure you would get one at present. Could there be any other reason for itching have you changed a laundry liquid etc.

[Imin in reply to Nathan53]

All other possibilities have been explored!! Think I’m going to have to wait till I can get a blood test. Thanks for that x

[Nathan53 in reply to Imin]

You could ask if you can reduce your atorvastatin to 40mg, as I did, and was told 40mg was still an effective dose. I reduced because of stomach problems not skin probs.

[Imin in reply to Nathan53]

It’s worth a go! Did reducing help your stomach? Hope so

[Nathan53 in reply to Imin]

It did thanks. I experienced bloating wind and I noticed 100% improvement. I persevered with the 80mg for about 6 months knowing it was the 'gold standard'. When I had a follow up appointment with Cardiologist he told me 40mg was still a good dose and if I felt I wanted to I could increase to 80mg whenever I wanted especially if I had consumed more fats than normal. So maybe once or twice a week I take an 80mg and have no problems. Highlights that there is often flexibility in dosing regimes but check with GP or Nurse practitioner. Take care

[Prada47]

Hi

Just a question have you recently started on Aspirin ? An unusual side effect of Aspirin can be very irritable skin conditions. I think the term used for the ingredient is Salicylate which can cause a problem

Regards

Stay Well

Stay Safe

[Imin in reply to Prada47]

Hi. I started Asprin at the same time as statin, 7 months ago. Think I could do with a meds review with GP really but understandably difficult to get even a telephone consult at the minute. Thanks for replying and hope you are well

[84green]

Hi Imin.

I’ve been on 40mg of Atorvastatin since January. Have a few aches and muscular pains in my chest and arms but not sure if they are statin side effects. Have had some very minor itches but nothing to the extent you describe.

I would say that if you haven’t had any Liver function blood tests since you started, you probably should as statins can occasionally have an adverse on the liver.

I had one done privately recently just to check.

Best wishes

[lella1953]

I was of statins for few years, years, ago, and simvastatin caused problems with the muscles in my left arms. Switched to parvastatin which caused incredible sharp pains in the muscle of my left thigh which I'd only describe pre labour pain, ie I had to stop and breath through them. So the doctor advised to stop completely. Now, I'm back again on them, ezetimible 10mg, after 3 stents fitted and the consultant said to see how it goes. Hopefully I won't have side effect from this last one.