what happens when you have muscle damage due to statins

[boo1161]

[smithy]

Hi Boo, I'm no expert on this, but i believe how long and how bad the damage was!

I have heard that a lot of people see a reversal of the damage after stopping them.

I'm very fortunate in that i don't have any adverse reactions to the one i'm taking. Well at least not so far!

I'm sure someone much more qualified than I will come along and give you a much fuller answer.

Good Luck

Tony

[boo1161]

Hiya thanks for your message, i have been taking statins for approx 15 yrs and have tried them all and had terrible side effects from rashes to not being able to walk.Just over 18 months ago my specialist at the who was lovely took me off them altogether and writing in red pen across my records in red pen under no circumstances should i be given any more statins due to irreparable damage done to my muscles, but a 1yr and a half on i'm still having problems with my calves but mostly with my left arm which is very painful and very weak and is affecting my work. Dee.

[Aliwally]

Hii Boo,

I have also stopped taking statins due to muscle problems, mostly severe cramping and twitchings. Fortunately, my problems have eased up but I was on a small dose and on and off them for only about 3 years. I think usually muscle problems do ease when you stop, but higher doses cause more problems.

I posted a piece on statin myopathy (see previous blogs) which is quite detailed but may help with some more information.

Did your specialist put you on other cholesterol lowering medication?

[boo1161]

Hiya no they have stopped them altogether, my specialist said it would cause me more damage to carry on with them, as i said earlier i'v taken statins for at least 15 yrs but my body just does'nt tolerate them. The problem is after stopping the statins around 18 months ago i still have the muscle pain more so in my calves and my left arm which is so painful and very weak.Even so my specialist admitted the statins have caused me irreparable damage ( he's words not mine ) nobody else will admit to it or put it in writing, my problems only started while taking the statins and because they have carried on so long after they are trying to tell me it can;t be the statins even though my original specialist used the word irreparable not me.

[DakCB-UK]

I'm sure I've seen reports from the USA that sometimes, if you keep taking statins despite side-effects, then it can become permanent for some people. Like most of your specialists, I've not heard any here admit it, though. Maybe it's the usual USA desire to blame and sue, though.

So...no attempt to give you non-statin drugs? Curious.

[boo1161]

Oh yes i am on 2 non statins10mg of ezetrol and Cholestagel (colesevelam) 650 mg like i said because i am still having problems 18 months later now they will blame something else, i am at my wits end with it all

[Aliwally]

I am not an expert, but ezetrol is ezetimibe isn't it. The article I mentioned doesn't recommend ezetimibe either as it can trigger the same muscle problems in people who are particularly sensitive to statin myopathies.

Maybe this is worth discussing with your specialist...here is the the link

(posted in May)

ccjm.org/content/78/6/393.full

Might be worth trying if only to see if things get better, if your specialist agrees.

[georgiaemily]

i had been on statins for 3 yrs and had to stop taking them due to muscle pain, been off them now and still have the muscle pains in both arms and legs, and some days so bad i could cry, i am in the process of changing my gp as not getting any help, I take Co q10, rosehip liquid, also magnesium, but not really helping, i just hoping this isnt permanant damage, as i in really bad pain