I completed my first week of Statins and Asprin, and I have to say I feel awful. I am getting an array of side effects. I'm sure some of you had this but I wanted to know do these calm down as your body adjusts or is it wise to call my doctor Monday and ask for a change.
I'm 32 and have I have mild CAD, never had a HA or stroke. This is secondary prevention due to family history, I'm not in the best shape and my cholesterol levels abnormal. Naturally I'm working towards a cleaner diet and excersise but I fear I cant work out as well with these pains.
Thanks
Ben
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BennyChelsea
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Statin side effects can affect up to 10% of those who take them and apparently one of the most common are muscle aches and pains. However for some the side effects can diminish with time, so it might be worth toughing it out for another week to see if that applies. But if they don't diminish, a discussion with your GP would certainly be appropriate, since there are several statins to try and some may not give side effects or they will be more tolerable. But if you are truly statin intolerant, there is other lipid management medication available, on the assumption that your natural lipid profile needs better management. As for aspirin if you are taking the dispersible sort and it is causing you stomach upsets, a change to coated might solve the problem.
I had muscle pains with Atorvastatin - I couldn’t even run for a bus. I’ve changed to Rovustatin which is better but I still think causes some issues. There are other options so I would get them changed if you need to.
Aspirin should be ok but you might get side effects. Have with food and buy the coated ones.
Apparently different statins affect people in different ways. I couldn't take atorvastatin but I'm fine on rosuvostatin. Ask your GP to change your prescription until you find one you can tolerate
They always start with atorvastatin. My guess is it's the cheapest
Im on 80mg Atorvastarin and I think my legs feel a bit crampy in the morning. But to be honest I'm not even sure if that's just me or the tablets, but it's not enough to make me switch tablets.
Years ago I started on statins in my early 40s. Over time (years) I felt more and more achy, sore and weak, especially in my legs. To the point I thought twice about walking up stairs, bending over to pick something up etc. I changed from Atorvastatin to Rosuvastatin and that helped. BUT what really helped was telling my GP that 'I'm in my 50s and I feel and move like my 80 yo dad'. I insisted we figure it out cuz it didn't make sense. Extra blood tests revealed I was low on my vitamin D. Not drastically but low. Taking a vit D supplement has been a miracle drug for me, life changing. Now the aches and pains I feel are in the normal range and not limiting lol. Keep looking for what works for you, you will find it.
Statins don't affect as many people as Dr Google would have you think but usually side effects settle after 2 or 3 weeks. If they don't then speak to your doctor. My husband had very bad pain on simvastatin . I don't; they don't affect me at all but Atorvastatin was awful. There are several alternatives. If you're taking aspirin you would normally be given something to protect your stomach too.
I’ve been taking 40mg atorvastatin for 3 years now, together with aspirin and ramipril. I felt a little bit ‘off’ when I first started taking these (a bit of tinnitus, a bit of a headache that seemed to just be there all the time and some nausea after eating) but these all disappeared quite quickly. I also found it hard to adjust mentally to needing to take medication as I’d never had to previously and I had massive anxiety around my heart health, I can remember standing in Boots waiting for a prescription and crying, thinking ‘can’t they see this is such a massive deal for me, I could die at any minute’! These days I feel grateful this medication exists and is easily accessible and grateful my cholesterol is under control. I started running (couch to 5k) swimming and doing Pilates and changed my diet to a much healthier one. I feel better than ever! I’d say to you that your side effects should settle over the next month but if not go to the GP as there are many different statins you can try. Good luck
Some people find that it helps to take Coenzyme Q-10 along with a statin, especially as statins lower the naturals levels of it in the body. Might be worth asking the GP? pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/241...
Hello. I have just read your post about astrovasatin. I also fell awfully on this medication terrible stomach issues. Was your issues similar to mine and what were your issues with it. Would welcome any advise. Thank you
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