Burning legs a statin side effect?

[Carealot]

I started statins approx 2 yrs ago following a diagnosis of CVD. It’s hard to put a time on it but I’m sure that it’s since then that I started with burning legs. I’ve changed from Atorvastin to Simvastatin because I’d also started having discoid eczema. The eczema on my legs seems much better although I do get the occasional flare. But I don’t think the burning and eczema are connected.

Have spoken to GP and he’s going to run a CPK test (for peripheral neuropathy) but I’ve checked that out and it seems to effect more the feet. The burning in specifically down both my shins.

I’m on 40mg pd and he’s advised to cut in half until I have my blood results in 2-3 weeks (I’m also v low on sodium so checking that as well).

Anyone heard of burning legs as a side effect?

[RufusScamp]

There was some discussion here a few months ago as to whether Bisoprolol could be the cause of burning legs. Are you on any other meds?

I get it from time to time, and am not on any statins. Nothing showed up on my blood tests.

[Carealot in reply to RufusScamp]

Thank you for your response. Yes, quite a few meds...amlodipine (started 2 yrs ago), irbesarten, propranolol (started same time as statin), and others which I’ve been taking longer and not noticed anything. Wonder if the propranolol is doing it 🤔

[Astronomyrules]

Hi Carealot, you don't say when this burning sensation occurs. Is it all the time, or when you are at rest or walking? Speaking soley from my own experience, if it is activity that brings it on and it is relieved by resting it might be worth discussing with your doctor the possibilty of a doppler to look for narrowing of the blood vessels and if its equal in both legs the scan should take in the abdomen as well.

[Carealot in reply to Astronomyrules]

Thank you for your response. I’ll bear that in mind. I’m seeing my doctor in a couple of weeks when he gets the results of blood tests. It happens most days whether I walk or not. Are you referring to claudication by any chance? Interestingly, it doesn’t keep me awake nor do I feel it when I wake. It gets worse as the day moves on. I do also have asthma and bronchiectasis so I have that to consider. I do try and walk as much as I’m able...approx 1/2hr 3-5 days pw. I’ve also only this week returned to the steep hill that I was avoiding for so long. The burning is worse when I get stressed but it does seem to have started around the time of starting the statins and beta blockers. For a good while now, I have eaten even more healthily...dropping carbs and bad fat (although I did eat healthily before). I’ve lost 10lbs - now 9st 4lb and I’m 5’3” so a healthy weight and I haven’t had any alcohol for 6 months (not that I drank much before). Just thought I’d say all that so you had a general picture. Thanks again

[Astronomyrules in reply to Carealot]

Hi Carealot, Thank you for your reply. I was wondering about claudication as mine starts with a burning sensation,usually at the outside of the ankles, but also sometimes down the shins if, for example, I'm walking on uneven ground and then spreads to the calf and then thigh/ buttockas it develops it becomes increasingly painful. 5 minutes rest and it disappears. Yours doesn't seem to follow this pattern. Many years ago I had rhabdomyolosis on Atorvastsin, but I'm okay on low dose Rosuvastatin. For me this presented as weak muscles and sharp muscle pain especially in the solaris muscle. I hope your test results sort things out for you.

[Carealot in reply to Astronomyrules]

Hi Astronomyrules. Hmmm. It does sound like the symptoms are different and I’m not affected when walking on uneven ground 🤞. It has been calmer over the past 2 days but today, I’ve been a bit stressed over something and it’s started up again...suggesting stress may well be a trigger. As advised by my doctor, I’m currently breaking my tablet in half to see if it helps...not so unfortunately. My GP is going to test for rhabdomoylosis but it doesn’t sound like that fits either with my symptoms. Thank you for your consideration though.

[Hidden]

Hello Carealot! With statins I had pain not burning in my left leg. It caused my liver enzymes to go up. To this day, I cannot use statins because of high liver enzymes. My mother and sister also had this problem. Hope you are able to find your answer for the burning. Have a Blessed Day!

[Carealot in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for responding CillyGirl, sorry for delay, I missed your message. Sounds like you had a similar problem to Astronomyrules, although you also had high liver enzymes. I hope these have now gone down. If not, maybe the Mediterranean diet will help?

[Hidden]

Thanks Carelot! I'll check it out.