Atorvastatin

[mits123]

Hope you are all well6 months on from NSTEMI and 1 stent, on usual, bisoprasol, clopidogrel, atorvastatin, aspirin,ppi and bp meds

Just a quick question, as we are all aware stains can give us aches, pains and cramps.

I don't have these in my legs but in my left shoulder, arm and neck, aches and sometimes muscle spasms. Have had it checked out, confirmed not cardio and used spray with no effect. It is eased by paracetamol.

I have appointment with GP pharmacist tomorrow so will ask to change to another statin.

What I would like to know is those of you that have/had statin aches/pains did you have them all the time or just on and off during daytime/night, mine btw do affect me at night

[mits123]

Sorry that should have said do not affect me at night

[Lowerfield_no_more]

One of the common side effects of statins, which affect less than 1 in 10, are muscle and joint aches and pains, of which it seems you are well aware. However, for some, moving from one statin to another (there are about four commonly prescribed) may eliminate the problem, and in particular from reading on here a switch from atorvastatin to rosuvastatin may be beneficial. However if you are statin intolerant, and need cholesterol management, there are other forms of medication which are available for you to try, and which should be offered to you.

[Pinksock2]

you could try physio too, and maybe get a new pillow

[nicknack999]

ah, so that's what the niggling pain down my left arm / shoulder / hand is caused by. only had it since started taking all the meds - honestly thought it was just my luck and it was a trapped nerve or something. it's really uncomfortable at times. Will do more research now. hope you get yours sorted too

[Yogi1950s]

I get strange pains , similar to cramps/spasms which appear in various places, mainly in or near joints, mainly at night. My GP seems rather disinclined to change me off Atorvastatin (probably due to cost) and whilst it is a mild inconvenience it is something I guess I can live with.

[YITOPM]

A few months ago I was changed from 40mg Atorvastatin to 80mg per day. I then started getting major calf cramping and after a while brought it up with GP. 2 weeks ago he started trialing me on 20 mg of Rosuvastatin. No cramping since then (touch wood). Thats my only personal experience of it. Good luck with finding a solution.🤞

[Blearyeyed]

I had issues with Atorvastatin, a lot of people do.I changed to Rosuvastatin, and not had the side effects since.

I got the GP to give me two weeks worth of a dose that was half of what I would eventually be on to let me see if I tolerated it.

I do this now with most non urgent / emergency medications to make it easy to begin them with less side effects as my body adjusts to the new pill.

After that two weeks I increased to the dose I take long term.

[Survivor1952]

I had problems with both Simvastatin and Atorvastatin. Since my HA I’ve been on Rosuvastatin with no side effects.

[honeybubs]

my cardiologist told me to have a statin holiday for 2 months to see if my arm muscle bicep pain stopped unfortunately it hasn’t so it was nothing to do with the statin. The good news is because I don’t have blocked arteries he said it’s personal choice to not take it so I’ve decided not to take it. Ask if you are able to stop taking it for a short time to see if it improves or not but only if your cardiologist approves it.

[andybarn]

i was on atorvastatin for 2 yrs then got ‚leaden legs‘ so changed to rosuvastatin but now have stiffness and pain in upper legs but also the top of my arms and neck muscles. So i am trying coming off the statins for a while to see if it improves things.

[Qualipop]

I couldn't take Atorvastatin because it crucified my stomach. I developed lots of aches and pains but my GP stopped my statin for 3 months to see if it made any difference. It didn't. It wasn't the statins causing the pain, just ages and wear and tear which we are usually reluctant to accept. 6 years on now my hips have joined the party and I can barely lift my shoulders because they give me hell but it's definitely not statins.

[caya49]

hello sometimes i have them on and off sometimes it last a few minuts

[mits123]

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, haven't taken my statin for 3 days now, with GP approval, and for the first day in a 2 week time span have not had the ache or spasms.

Spoke to GP pharmacist today and the plan is half the dose for 4 weeks, let him know how that goes, if issue comes back he will change to another statin, then another blood test in 3 months to see what my levels are

[Jedi14]

Not had any side effects with Statin, just suspicions of them. But plenty aches and pains over winter- time. Have contacted my GP who tells me it's viral and will clear with time. I have sometimes taken paracetomol, recommended hot drinks and rest, in expectation of relief over time, usually 2 weeks (at least).

[nicknack999]

Hi Mits123, did changing the statin help? I'm still trying to find a reason and a solution to my shoulder pain

[mits123 in reply to nicknack999]

Yes. GP pharmacist firstly lowered dose of avorstatin but that only reduced shoulder ache/pain so switched me onto rosuvastatin, which seems to be going OK, blood test in 3 months to make sure dose is correct and working