Statin Saga Continues

[Hrty]

3 weeks ago switch from 40mg atorvastatin to 20mg rosuvastatin because of some muscle aches and pains. Initially good but last week or so increasing pain in legs (shins, calves and thighs), which keep me awake, and feeling weak and wobbly. Check patient leaflet which says to stop taking rosuvastatin and contact gp immediately. Didn't take last night's dose and rang this morning. Got text later in morning to say been triaged by gp and booked in for clinician review next week but nothing about what to do in meantime 🙄. Tempted to give it a few days off to see if muscle/joint pain eases and perhaps go back on to atorvastatin as was nowhere near as bad.

Flipping drugs, I know I need them.. it's just getting the blend/dosage right.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Stopping statins for a few days will make little difference to the long term risk to your heart health. However you have been prescribed statins for a reason and if you suffer serious side effects there are alternatives which should be considered and are recognised by the NHS/NICE. I suggest you familiarise yourself with the 'pathway' before you speak to your GP as below, although some of it might appear to be unintelligible!

england.nhs.uk/aac/publicat...

[Hrty in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Interesting read, thanks. I i'm hoping it's just a case of either getting the dose right or the right statin.

[benjijen]

I had the same problem with 40 mg atorvastatin and was eventually changed to 5mg rosuvastatin . My cholesterol went down at last and pains stopped. Maybe ask for it to be reduced for a while especially if cholesterol is OK?

[Hrty in reply to benjijen]

My cholesterol is ok. Down to 2.2 total at last blood test. Hopefully it's just a case of finding the right dose/statin.

[Janouska in reply to Hrty]

I agree with other comments. I am only taking 5mg twice a week and my cholesterol came down in just couple of weeks to 1.8 ldl! Actually a bit shocked- weirdly triglycerides up but side effects bearable yon low dose. Good luck.

[Survivor1952 in reply to benjijen]

Exactly the same with me except I've got a small dose of Ezetimibe as well as the Rosuvastatin. Last blood test came back as within tolerance.

I couldn't take Atorvastatin or Simvastatin due to the side effects.

[gian79]

Switching from 40mg to 20mg of atorvastatin has stopped many side effects from statins ( muscle pains, insulin resistance..) and found to be just as effective as 40mg. Have the symptoms got worse under rosuvastatin?

[Hrty in reply to gian79]

Hi, yes they have got worse. Leg pain has been particularly bad, kept me awake a few times, and legs feel very weak and unsteady.

[MountainGoat52]

If you are running at 2.2 cholesterol, then 20mg might be too large a dose. I have no issues on 10mg. Note that Rosuvastatin has quite a long half life, so it will take a few days to get it out of your system. Hopefully you will be able to report the results at your review.

[Hrty in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thanks, it will be interesting to see if being off it a few days improves things so we can (hopefully) rule it in or out as being the cause of problems. Interestingly I also spotted in the leaflet that it mentions Clopidogrel as one of the other medicines that could be affected by or change the effect of Rosuvastatin. Another thing to discuss.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Hrty]

I run at 3.7 cholesterol on 10mg Rosuvastatin and have been told that's fine. I'd like it lower, but don't want to play the numbers game. Being happy on my medication is the most important thing and right now it's good. 😀

[Hrty in reply to MountainGoat52]

Being happy and comfortable is key. For me it's getting the balsnce right between living with some side effects and the long term health benefits. At the moment I don't seem able to do much owing to feeing so tired and the aches, pains and weakness. I want to enjoy my retirement and enjoy my grandchildren.

[Desktop54]

My husband had the same problem. After trying all of the drugs in tablet form he now gets an injection twice a year. It is called something like Inclicirine.

[Hrty in reply to Desktop54]

Interesting about the injection. When I was in for my last angiogram the chap in the next bed wad on something similar. Maybe a bit more trial and error before they suggest going down that route

[Desktop54 in reply to Hrty]

I think it is more expensive do they will only offer it after everything else has been tried. Its worth knowing about though so you can prompt them if they don't offer it. Good luck.

[Sljp0000]

20mg Rosuvastatin is the max recommended dose. I think you should have gone in a lower dose and gradually increased. It's stronger than Atorvastatin so that's why we take less. I'm up to 15mg one night and 20mg the next. A pain I know but I didn't want to go to the next level of 20mg every night straight after 15mg every night . My GP has been doing regular fasting bloods to see how it's affecting my muscles. Just waiting on last week's results now. At first I got cramp but it went after a few nights. I suggest you perhaps ask if you can decrease to 15mg and then get your bloods done rather than stopping altogether. If tou do it will affect your blood results and tmyou won't know where you are.All the best

Susie x

[Hrty in reply to Sljp0000]

Thanks, reading the leaflet suggested 20mg as the recommended for a previous HA but did seem to suggest starting lower and building up. Something to bring up in discussion at review. I don't want to fully give up on statins, just want to get the balance of dose v quality of life right.

[coldplayband]

Like yourself I was on 40mg atorvastatin but due to muscle pains I requested to change ro rosuvastatin. I commenced on 5mg gradually increasing to 40mg. Side effects returned as you described but even more so and extreme dizziness and palpitations. I have FH and at 40mg my LDL was 3.3. Ideally should be 1.8. I stopped the medication altogether and informed lipid consultant who agreed. At the time it was also causing me concern regarding travel insurance as it was not clear as to cause which we know we're statin intolerance. Had consult with consultant yesterday and to commence bempedoic acid probably in a month. The time it takes her to write to GP etc. Has anybody any experience good / bad of this drug. I will have review in 6 mths. After that if not good response then injections PCK9. I guess they are following nice guidelines due to cost of these.

[jayjay10000]

Hi there, iam sorry to hear you are having problems with your medication. My wife has the same problems as you with muscle aches and joint pain when taking statins. You can get medication from the doctors to help with muscle cramps but they seem not too work for everyone. My wife has a different name statin now, but they seem to do the same thing with pain. My Grandfather doesn't take any statins any more because he has trouble with his legs when taking this type of medication, he refused to take it now. I would go to your local pharmacy speak with them, saying to them that you have leg pain and joint pain when taking statins and if they can recommend a different type of statin so you can tell your doctor what they have said. Take care.