Joint Pains

[Fruzzy]

Hi all. I had a HA last year and a stent sorted the problem but they found a historic total blockage which required more work and this was undertaken in June this year. Three more stents and recovery was a bit slow but I’m getting there! In the past few weeks I’ve been experiencing joint pains in my right knee and elbow area and my left wrist. I’m wondering if it might be a side effect of Statins. Any views?

[Hidden]

Hello Fruzzy

Sorry to hear of your pains, and yes like most joint pains it could be down to the statins as they have so many sides it’s easier to blame them for this reason.

There are so many types of these life changing drugs that I’m sure your Dr or heart team can try you on something different.

Many will be able to tell you of their woes on statins, I found that it took me 9/10 weeks before my body settled with the new drug routine it has been bombarded with. [ including statins ]

Take care

I hope that you get sorted soon

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I would think it unlikely as statins are usually associated with muscle not joint pain. If you feel it is your statin speak to your GP as there are many different types I had muscle aches with Simvastatin that ceased when switched to Atorvastatin.

It is also worth remembering that besides lowering cholesterol statins also reduce irritation often a precursor to plaque formation and stabilise any existing plaque.

[Heather1957 in reply to MichaelJH]

I get on a lot better with Atorvastatin than I did with Simvastatin

[Qualipop in reply to Heather1957]

And funnily I couldn't tolerate atorvastatin but simvastatin is fine. Everyone's different but as the post says, everyone blames statins just because they have bad press but t if they cause pain it's usually muscle not joint

[Heather1957 in reply to Qualipop]

Good job there’s an alternative.

[Heather1957]

It could very well be, ask your GP if you could change the statin just in case.

[HenryTudor]

It may be a coincidence. I’m on a large dose of Atorvastatin and in the early days had muscle cramps, but now ok.

Some years ago my had knee pain and told me that when she started to take Co Q10 it alleviated it. I was sceptical but a few years ago I also had knee pain. I couldn’t run. I started on Co Q10, still take it, and my knees are tip top.

Not medical advice, just my experience.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to HenryTudor]

Just wondering how long it took for you to feel the benefit of the Co Q10. I tried it recently, but didn't feel any benefit after a couple of months, so decided to stop, but maybe it needs longer.

[HenryTudor in reply to MountainGoat52]

Unfortunately I can’t remember as it’s some time ago, but I don’t recall it being a very long time. Over time though the benefit did increase. Pain went first when walking and then gradually improved over a number of months until I could run without any discomfort.

After my HA I stopped taking it for a while and the knee pain returned. I checked it was ok to take with the heart meds (it is) so started again.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to HenryTudor]

Many thanks for the information. Maybe I didn't take it for long enough, so the jury was still out, as so to speak. I will probably restart and give it longer next time. It's only to try to dispell pain from my right knee and hip where I fell onto concrete a decade ago. It's relatively minor and doesn't stop me climbing Munros! 😀

[HenryTudor in reply to MountainGoat52]

Btw, I take 100mg tablets.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to HenryTudor]

Yes, that's the recommended dose. I found an article on it. Apparently some brands are better than others, but some are an expensive waste of time.

[Wooodsie]

Hi Fruzzy, it's natural to think any ailments are related to your heart condition, but it seems to me, that you may be suffering from a touch of arthritis as your pain is in the joints, not the mussel. I have similar issues and after investigation I have a confirmed diagnosis of arthritis in hips, knees and spine. I find the more exercise I do the less pain I'm in. I hope this helps.