I have been having quite bad muscle cramps for the past couple of days. Usually taking the mint capsules I have been prescribed works.

[CultureVulture25]

This has been mostly in my stomach, but I have had pains in my legs and I also get quite severe cramp in the middle of my instep in the night and not much relieves it. The other day I had tingling in one of my fingers and the finger went white and I couldn't feel properly with it, a bit like frostbite. I could, I suppose, put part of it down to the current cold weather, but I suspect it's being caused by my statins (I'm on Pravastatin.) Does anyone else have similar symptoms and if so what do you do to relieve it. I might suggest that a lot of it is down to blood circulation and that keeping warm helps, but I'd love to hear other peoples opinions on this.

[Mikky]

Again, interested in the mint 'remedy', noticed someone else has also said that mint capsules and fizzy drinks help.

heartuk.healthunlocked.com/...

what mint content have these got?, Seen a few supplements for sale on-line, but seem to be aimed at digestion, rather than muscular pain or is mint a multi purpose 'fix'?

[CultureVulture25 in reply to Mikky]

I am taking peppermint oil capsules, as prescribed by my GP, called Apercap, but I have also had another brand called Colpermin. They are 0.2 ML.

[spats]

Yep it sounds like statins!!!! Usual outcome is to take a break - with or without doctor permission!!! If symptoms decrease look for alternative treatment depending on your medical need, Is the Statin treatment because you have a dangerous cholesterol level or just in case??

[2squirrels]

I have had all of that now and then but not with pravastatin it seems to just happen every so often without a reason. It predates me taking this statin my a long time and has happened in rest periods between changing statins. I have often walked the floors during the night and putting my feet on very cold surfaces but it seems to go eventually.

[Aliwally]

I did have higher hopes for pravastatin as regards muscle cramps. Even on a low dose I got extremely painful cramps in my calf and in the soles of my feet (seems an odd place). That's when I decided to call it a day with all statins. That and a family history of muscle disorder on my mum's side, which nobody was even interested in as they were too focused on my dad's heart attack!

[patch14]

My husband used to have severe night cramps and after changing his blood pressure medication (he is, as yet, not on statins) it improved but his GP suggested that he took quinine as a remedy is they should return. He keeps it handy and has, once or twice in the past twelve months, had to take it. It seems to work. Suggest you ask your GP if this is an option.

I take mint capsules for my "tummy" -

[Hidden]

Simvastatin gave me very painful muscles in the large muscles of my arms and legs, also depression and extreme fatigue. After reading sooooo much info I decided statins weren't for me, no real evidence that it helps reduce cholestrol levels in females so stopped taking them, my quality of life improved dramatically, not yet told my GP.

[Claireabelle]

I spent most of last year with tests and laparoscopy's trying to diagnose severe stomach cramps, in the end they said it was IBS. not once has a gp or consultant suggested that my statins could be causing my stomach cramps, along with my muscle cramps, depression and loss of libido....the more I read the more i'm thinking of stopping my statins!!

[suki65 in reply to Claireabelle]

Hi you sound like me i am so annoyed why will they not accept that they are doing more harm than good (statins) i have been on so much medication since going on statins ,to repair the damage they are doing than i have ever had all my 48 years of life .these are my side effects ibs supposedly ,swelling to knees ,ankles and back ,depression ,very low ,feeling useless ,thighs changed shape it looks like my muscles just drop when i lift my leg ,upper arms not as strong and certain house work makes my left upper arm unbearable ,inner bones on elbows sore and bones on knees .

i never had any of this before statins quite a coincidence

[Bargainhunter]

Pravastatin has the next to lowest scoring on muscle related problems google gpnotes however there are still some ppl who do have problems dependant on dose so see your gp on that. Prevastatin allows your body to absorb essential fatty acids (the good ones) and fat soluble vitimins so thats a plus and they dont get carried to the brain to interfere with sleep so thats also a plus. The peppermint caps are great for digestive disturbences but if you have digestive probs you could be sensitive to how the Water soluble statins work in your body, they are excreated as taken so bowels may get a bit upset. The Lipid (fat) soluble ones work differently but have more negative side effects. Regarding your circulation you may be defficient in Magnesium, a lot of men are. Eat more nuts. Have baths with Epsom Salts it has magnesium in to relax your muscles before bed. When people come of statins their body produces more cholestrol it is important to discuss with GP before doing so. You can get best advice on how to do it then. x

[Bargainhunter]

* regarding my comment on Fat soluble ones having more negative side effects, this is based upon findings amongst others including google gpnotes If you need to take a fat soluble one the best fat soluble one seemed to be Fluvastatin read ok for kidneys in over 65yrs of age patients, least amount of reaction to other meds for those on multiple medications, and lowest on muscle problems compared to others. If I needed to take a fat soluble one I would look at this but a water type Pravastatin would be my first choice for my circumstances and to ensure I absorbed my healthy fats.

If going natural with my GP blessings I would take Vit D3 a day with 7MG Lycopene a day a Q10 a day and B3 rich foods with healthy diet to increase the good and mop up the bad.

[CultureVulture25]

Thanks for this. I will try epsom salts and nuts and see if they help.