"Effect of statin therapy on muscle symptoms: an individual participant data meta-analysis of large-scale, randomised, double-blind trials"
I found it very interesting as it seems to say that the percentage of people reporting side effects is the same for trialists whether taking a statin or a placebo.
I first took Simvastatin 10 years ago but had terrific upper arm ache so stopped.
Last year after a cardiac arrest and a triple bypass, I started taking Atorvastatin but stopped following getting cramps and spasms in my calves in the early morning (3am to 7am). I would have to get out of bed and stretch my leg to ease out of the spasm.
Unfortunately, I did not keep detailed records of these incidents and what other changes were occurring at the same time. This report has made me rethink whether I should start again and make absolutely certain that the pain is caused by the statins and not by other things such as diet, foodstuffs, drink, other pills, exercise etc. or even a mental block!
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anynewheart42
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I was on Atorvastatin for 10yrs without any side effects (as far as I am aware), but I did have increasingly severe leg cramps over a long period (years rather than months).
The answer for me was depleted Iron, Folate, B12, Vit D and probably Magnesium. (I was dx coeliac). Immediately I started supplementing the leg cramps stopped, but I don't know which was the more likely culprit as I was prescribed all of them at the same time.
I'm not suggesting that you supplement, but maybe get these checked before starting statins...and if the cramps return get them checked again............also sodium levels.
Low magnesium is often linked to cramp...........unfortunately the serum test is known for not being a reliable indicator, but you've got to go with what you can.
I imagine they included the study done by - I think it was - Kings a few years back. They took patients who had said their side effects were so bad they couldn’t continue with treatment and rotated them between statins and a placebo over the course of a year. The rate of reported side effects was the same regardless of what they were taking. At the end of the study, they sat the participants down and explained their results, after which more than two thirds were able to tolerate statins without issue and restarted therapy. Personally, I’ve definitely found I get far less side effects now that I’ve stopped reading the patient info leaflet. I look at the headline ‘get help now’ ones, but otherwise don’t look at potential side effects unless I experience something unusual. I started doing after realising my daughter that takes 15 meds a day as standard, and regularly has some seriously hardcore IV meds, rarely ever has side effects with anything: the main difference between her and myself was that I was aware of potential side effects from reading the leaflet, where she isn’t. The mind really is incredibly powerful.
If you have side effects from Atorvastatin, it is possible you might tolerate other statins, and your GP should be able to arrange a trial change. And again if you can't tolerate statins at all there are other medications available which your GP can prescribe e.g Ezetimibe
The paper suggests intolerance to statins is about 6-10%, typically 7%. Or put another way between 90 -94 % can tolerate statins. However it is not clear whether it is intolerance to one statin alone and less so with others allowing a change to another statin, or complete intolerance to all statins.
all medicines have side effects was on aspirin for 5 years developed stomach ulcer camera put down my stomach found hole size of a ten pence coin suffered from acid reflux tried medicines to no avail take honey and rennies not a cure but gives relief and stick to diet
Maybe you are right that all 'all medicines have side effects'. However it might be better to say 'all medicines have side effects but only some seriously affect your quality of life'. I routinely take six different meds daily, including aspirin, Atorvastatin and Lansoprazole ( previously took Esomeprazole) and have not noticed any side effects. I have reflux disease but the prazoles, with some life style changes I have made, have this under control most of the time. And in the past I had stomach bleeds caused by taking Ibuprofen, yet appear to tolerate aspirin, noting that it is coated, which I had to specifically request, rather than the dissolvable type. And I appear to tolerate statins. Perhaps I am lucky. That said I was taking two angina related drugs earlier his year and didn't get on with them at all, but fortunately I now no longer appear to need them.
I’ve been on statins for years now. At first I struggled with side effects and we tried all of the various statins available. In the end we went back to Atorvastatin but the thing that worked for me was to split my dose morning/evening. Also find the max tolerable dose for you. Initially as 40mg wasnt enough for me, they went straight to 80mg. It was my suggestion to go to 60mg and to split 20mg morning and 40mg evening. I then stuck with that and eventually the side effects subsided as my body learned to tolerate it. That worked for me.
I’ve had the same experience - many years ago -Simvastatin - horrendous and stopped as doctor at the time refused to accept this was causing the muscle pain and reduced flexibility - 3 weeks later after stopping it went - many years later - HA and put on 80mg Atorvastatin- same muscle pain and flexibility Problems in right shoulder / just had a Meds review with a pharmacist and been called in for a blood test which can identify a chemical in the blood which will apparently indicate if the pain is being caused by the Statin or not - anyone ever heard of this?
(oh and I know it’s the statin so I’ll be interested to see what the result of this is when I get it)
Im on rouvestatin and have been for 3 years i sometimes get cramp same time during the night doc changed me ffon 20mg to 10 and is better. Are you on a duretic because they can cause cramp in calf and toes
No I don’t spend time on what if’s but if I knew what I do now then I wouldn’t have stopped but insisted on trying another - My doctor at the time refused to listen and I had 4 young kids at the time and needed both arms functional - I won’t stop taking Statins this time around and know a lot more than I did back then - But I won’t listen to a Doc who doesn’t listen and will be insisting on trying whatever I can as I still need 2 functional arms 😊
Absolutely support what you say. I’ve suffered terrible back problems, muscle pain, and dreadful cramps for 20 years since I started statins. Brain fog too
Heart attack 3 years ago!
Leg cramps got so bad I was literally screaming in agony every night. Eventually I gave up on statins and all those problems have gone! I feel better and my thinking is clearer
I’m trying ezetimbe but don’t know if its having an effect yet.
But usual caveats - take appropriate medical advice etc.
You’ve made me wonder…I’ve had upper arm/shoulder ache for about 4 years but it never occurred to me that it could be the simvastatin! On balance I think if it was, the problem would have spread to other joints.
Tried them all … the statins…. after HA. My quality of life went downhill once stains were introduced. I felt really well but a bit tired after coming out of hospital certainly. I was put on a very high dose of Atorvastatin and within a week or two I couldn’t sleep for the toothache like pain in my legs. During the day I could hardly walk !! Other statins we’re tried over the coming months …. Less severe pain but pain nonetheless. Was off them for approx six months and the difference was incredible. Now on Praluent injections and so far I’m feeling great. I must be in that small percentage group who just can’t tolerate statins I’m afraid.
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