I was put on 80mg Atorvastatin after having Angioplasty but because of severe leg cramps and discomfort, after 8 months I have been prescribed 40mg of Simvastatin statins. I am now getting a lot of discomfort in my legs at night, sometimes a kind of burning sensation and aches.
Has anyone tried another brand and mot got this kind of pain although I recognise people's reactions can be different
I was originally put on a 80mg dose of Atorvastatin, and it also caused leg cramps. Below is a link to an article I found on the subject. I approached my GP with a request to be changed from a lipophilic statin (Atorvastatin and Simvastatin are lipophilic), to a hydrophilic statin and was changed to Rosuvastatin, which has solved the problem. While it may not work for everybody, you could ask your GP to see if a change might help. Have a read of point 2 of the article.
I was recently recommended an enzyme supplement Q10 to address my leg/shin pain at night suspected to be caused by 80mg avorstatin. There’s an NHS article here sps.nhs.uk/articles/should-... discussing it . It’s early days and it’s not a complete success but it may have taken the edge off, as sometimes it felt like I’d won a Cumbrian shin kicking contest.
Thank you for the link. I was told in hospital after my bypass that they discovered Statins was my main enemy . The debate regarding Statins amongst those who cannot tolerate them causes quite a lot of stress especially if your doctor gives you the facts as to why they are essential. The new wonder drug that will now be offered by injection for months makes me wonder what happens if people develop the symptoms Statins can cause in some people. I mean once activated how can it be stopped like stopping a pill.
I couldn’t tolerate 80mg or 40mg of Atorvastatin, the leg pains and muscle cramps arrived after about 3 weeks of starting them. I thought it it was just the lack of fitness and de training after my HA, but it was so bad I couldn’t get back into proper exercise. As the weeks went on I developed joint pain in knees and fingers, dark urine, and horrendous sleep patterns. So I stopped for three weeks before I had a chance to speak to my GP. In that time the pains slowly went I and got back into exercising. I talked to my doctor and asked to try Rosuvastatin but he would not agree wanting me to try a lower dose of Pravastatin. So again I tried. Within two weeks my sleep patterns were everywhere again, night time leg cramps were back. I tried everything from time of day for taking meds to cutting tabs and building up slowly, alternate days, but in the end I’ve now stopped them again. I personally feel a balance has to be struck. On either of these meds I struggle to function, off I’m walking 10k a day, I Jog, I do some light weight training, I mountain bike a couple of times a week 3 to 4 hour rides. On then I just can’t do all that. I’ve changed my diet and eat much cleaner, dropped 12kg, I take 300mg of COq10 (pure Kaneka Ubiqnol) started taking to ease the pains, and yes it did a little, but not enough, and I’m just hoping at my next blood tests I’m getting to where my cholesterol should be. As a note at the time of my HA in January it was 5, it’s been as low as 2.2 when on statins, at the last test without it was 4.1 and I’m hoping it’s even better now…. Fingers crossed. I’m happy I’m doing ok following HA at the end of January this year, one stent in LAD. Really grateful to have had this group here for support and advice
Hi dossy. As long as you are having blood tests and checking that statins are doing no harm maybe another brand might suit better.I took Atorvastatin and got the runs. Changed to rosuvastatin nothing changed until I a year had passed and I was at wits end doctor ordered blood tests and it showed muscle wastage. I was severely allergic to statins. I understand it’s rare but vigilance is key.
Hope you get some help
Hi dossy, I'm on 40mg atorvastatin and have been for 3yrs following an angiogram. I am fine on it and wonder if you maybe just need your dose lowering from 80mg.
I'm actually on Simvastatin 40mg and still getting discomfort
I've, heard that if you take co enzyme Q10 when you're on stations that it helps with the cramps. Maybe Google it and see what it says.
I take coq10 everyday aswell as magnesium for heart health
My husband has heart failure with an E-fraction of 31 or 32. His cardiologist recently put him on entresto and another medication, can't recall the name, in the hope it may increase his e-fraction #. I did lots of research and a cardiologist named Dr Stephen Sinatra recommends that one should take COQ10, D-Ribose, Magnesium, and L - Carnitine for the heart, and eat a healthy diet, reduce stress, watch the weight, etc. He has a website. I mentioned to my husband's cardiologist via phone that losing weight and changing the diet would be helpful for the heart, and he basically said that will not help bring the E-Fraction up, that only the medication could. He never mentioned any of the above supplements but unfortunately doctors do not learn about any natural supplements etc in med school. I have told my husband we are going to eat better, change our diet, and lose weight, and that all of this does help the heart, and the whole body for that matter. How much magnesium and COQ10 do you take, and how many doses daily ? My husband takes (1) 100 mg CoEnzymeQ10 three times a day with food, and the magnesium (Dr Sinatra's formula) is 2 capsules, 2 times a day with food.
I have been doing research about COEnzymeQ10 and other supplements and found a lot of helpful info at the website of Dr Stephen Sinatra, a US cardiologist. He said that everyone who is on a Statin drug should be taking COQ10, and recommends other supplements for the heart also.
Hi Dossy, I am in the midst of asking the GP to change my 40mg Atorvastatin - same as you, leg & knee pains, feet cramps and weird sleep patterns. This developed slowly over a 12 months period. Dead silence following 3 emails to the Practice. Threatened to officially complain. GP reluctantly agree to Simvastatin and blood tests. I'll give it a try for 6 months. If no success, will ask for Rosuvastatin.
I had HA 3 weeks ago and 2 stents. prescribed Atorvastatin. 3 weeks in, couldn't do much exercise without leg and hip pain/cramps. 2 days ago my Cardiac Nurse said to come off the Statins for the weekend and see how i got on. I went shopping at Morrisons today, no pain. so will be looking to change the meds 
Hi I was put on Simvastatin after Atorvastatin caused so much leg pain. Unfortunately things didn't get any better and I am now on Rusovastatin which is a lot better. I do get the occasional cramp in my legs at night but nothing like as painful as when I was on the other 2 statins
TY! im on Rosuvastatin now too, all pain gone
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