STATINS - How do you feel?

[razors]

I'm on statins as is most of my family! We all have these mysterious aches and pains mainly shoulder and hips. When I sit for a while and then get up I hobble like an old woman for a few minutes. My feet are also mysteriously painful.

Any one else experience these pains on statins?

A family friend was on them but has stopped and claims he no longer has any aches and pains and feels much better. My cholesterol isn't high and when I speak to my doctor he just says how wonderful they are and I should carry on taking them!

Would be interested to hear your experiences

Myopathy is a side effect of statins but many people do experience a few initial aches and pains which settle. Why are you on the statins? If there is a good indication for the statin then it would have to be really bothering you before I would stop them.

Speak to gp again, they can try a different type of statin.

Hi Diablo and Total, thanks for replying.

I had a TIA a couple of years ago so hence the statins but my cholesterol was never high - TIA was result of a hole in the heart. Will be speaking to my GP again in a couple of weeks just wanted others experiences just in case it's all in my head! or I'm getting old!! but early 40's is a bit young for aches and pains already isn't it? I'm quite fit do plenty of exercise and have eliminated the things I thought were causing the pains. Will soldier on and see what GP says next check up.

Thank you

Hi Leonie,

I have heard that - the reason they want me on statins is precautionary they want my cholesterol lower than normal just in case! I don't smoke, drink or eat processed food so chances of my cholesterol getting high is slim anyway!

Thank you for taking the time to reply

Nice guidelines recommend statin if total cholesterol is over 3.5mmol/l or more so if that's the case then seems like there is a good clinical reason.

A statin reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease events, irrespective of serum cholesterol concentration, and is the drug of first choice for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. (from British national formulary)

Thanks Leonie

Do you have any medical experience or have you done your own research? I have read up on statins and while the medical profession sing their praises those on them don't seem quite as convinced. I felt much better before I was on them, feel like an old woman now! I will do more research - maybe try a lower dose see if that helps but really I don't feel I need to be on them. I had an op to close the hole in my heart - cholesterol isn't and never has been high. I think I'll get my cholesterol tested to see how it is and then see GP about coming off them for a while to see if I feel any better.

hank you for your thoughts

Hi Igglepiggle,

I do realise that but I don't think I'm high risk. I exercise and eat healthily - I don't smoke or drink - and quite frankly don't feel good on them. I was hoping to hear from people who actually take them and feel great! then maybe if I try another brand dose I might feel better? I would rather control cholesterol through diet than drugs.

Thanks Leonie have done loads of research too - don't know what to think any more it's all a minefield :)

dh takes them, and feels fine. My cousin has taken them for years and years, and feels fine.

I'm not sure if its brand, or individual's response to them though??

Not sure either Elibean, thank you for replying. Good to hear your family's experience has been a positive one :)

My mother was put on them recently.
Immediately started having blurry disorientated moments which GP refused to believe was statins.
Then she started having really bad aches in her legs.

GP said to come off for a while. She has been off for about a month and leg pains are easing, although not yet gone. No further disorientation.

She has no desire whatsoever to go back on them and will redouble her efforts to keep cholesterol down with diet. She is fit and healthy and has no family history of heart disease.

THere does seem to be the most almighty push to get the entire population on statins...

I'm on Statins and feel marvelous. I did have the aches and pains to start off with but they went rather quickly. I do have the odd occasion now and then when my ankles stiffen up but they are now few and far between.

Unfortunately I've had 3 MI's and the Statins (and other drugs) are what's helping keep me alive.

I'd rather have the odd twinge than the alternative

Btw i am on statins and feel fine, the aches and pains i have are similar to the ones i experienced before the statins so dont think the statins are a factor. I know that evidence re statin benefits is a bit, well ,mixed, but given my tendency to high bp i am higher risk for cvd, so i prefer to take them.

Out of interest leonie, wld they diagnose myopathy by the symptoms or can they do a blood test for it?

Razors - if u don't mind me asking - what statin and strength are u on? The most commonly prescribed is simvastatin 40mg so if u are on that u may be able to drop down to 20mg and the side fx could improve.

Or there are others like atorvastatin but simvastatin usually prescribed first as it's a lot cheaper.

Leonie- is your dad in America? It's just that treatment is not available here. There is nicotinic acid but I very much doubt a doctor would prescribe it here. I've never dispensed it in my 6 years of being a pharmacist.

Could be the dosage causing you problems, my partner is taking 10mg daily in conjuction with a supplement called Coenzyme Q10 which supports the liver.

Katisha I do hope your mum continues to improve. I too have been getting unexplained dizzy spells all of a sudden. I mention it and I'm told I am dehydrated - which is nonsense - so maybe it could be the statins?

Tigerbomb and long may you remain in good health! glad to hear your experience is positive.

Totalchaos glad to hear your feeling fine on them. It's good to hear some positive opinions when all I usually hear are bad reports!

Igglepiggle Your spot on simvastain 40mg definitely look in to a lower dose

Leonie I'll certainly read up on niacin. Thank you for all your help.

Iamnotashoplifter I didn't know they did a 10mg as well - I am also taking the coenzyme tablets. I had read that statins were going to have it added to them but as yet it hasn't happened. Wish they would hury up they cost a bomb!

Thank you all very much for taking the time to respond, you have all been really helpful x