Hi everyone, my GP prescribed me some Atorvastatin about 7 weeks ago. Since then I've had non-stop aches and pains, mainly from waist downwards, in thighs, groin, calf muscles, even my feet. Has anyone else experienced this?
sorry to hear that Iris. Statins are known to cause these sorts of pains. I was on statins for 18 months, stopped them due to horrendose neck cramps that sent even worse pains into my head and cramps in my calfs. Been off them a few monthsi now and the calf cramps have stopped but I am still getting the neck and head pain in fact I have just spent another 3 days lying on the bed in agony with these head pains. There are quite a few similar stories on here as to what Statins do to people.
Hi Iris,
I did have similar pain in those areas as well. It hit me at about the 5,6 week mark and shortly after that I had memory loss, confusion, vision loss and headaches coupled w vertigo. The Dr's kept telling me it couldn't be the statin atorvastatin as it has very minimal side effects. Less than 3 percent have serious side effects, I was one of the 3 percenters. I stayed on it another 4 to 5 months hoping it would get better but it only got worse. Had all kinds of tests and scans done and couldn't find the cause. I knew it was the statin and quit on my own. It took at least 5 to 6 weeks before I started to feel better and I'm still seeing improvement 9 weeks later. I'm never taking them again and will try diet/more exercise and alternative supplements if needed. You may need to try a different statin if it continues and keep a close eye on other issues cropping up like the memory loss. If that happens stop taking immediately as the Dr's will say it's not the meds. Good luck..
Scott
Hi Iris the first statins I took were atorvistatin....at first I was fine...then my muscles ached and were weak so much so that I couldn't hold a newspaper...my gp told me to stop them for 2 weeks....the symptoms went away....he said not to take anymore that it was the statins causing the pain and weakness.....after another blood test another dr.told me to take a diferent statin because my cholesterol was high ..I told him that the first gp stopped them and why...but he said I should try a low dose...which I did...I eventually stopped them on my own and will never take another..they were causing too side effects.....even after stopping them over 5 years ago...some of the symptoms persist....
I agree with Scott....watch out for memory loss...my husband was also on statins...and his memory is bad...even after coming off the a few years ago
Yes Iris I have had all those symtoms plus more...I would tell your doctor of your symtoms as there seems to be so many people with terrible effects from them...I have stopped mine..I am seeing a new doctor on Monday..good luck and good health to you.kind regards Carol
Hi Carol.....thanks for that info......and here's me thinking I just need more exercise! Before I got up this morning my TOES were aching and got cramp in one of my calf muscles. My bladder is suffering too. Good luck Carol x
PS......got dry cough too
I have a cronic bladder disease and the statins made my bladder symptoms far worse. The doctors wont admit there is an issue with statins but as you can see there are many of us having the same issues and sadly they do not always go away when you stop the statins. Good luck I hope you feel better very soon
Thanks Julia.....I've only had the statin for 7 weeks....at first I just thought I was stiffening up with age and needed more exercise. Tbh I think I'd rather die of heart attack or stroke than the discomfort I'm suffering. I already take warfarin to thin my blood!
Ive spoken to health professionals...and they tell me...oh yes that will go away when you stop the statins....some of the side effects do lessen over time...but speaking personaly I don't think you ever get back to how you were before statins....I had planter faciatis after stopping them...then I found out the statins can cause it ....and that is a terrible pain...makes you cry....
Hi Julia......I tried THREE times yesterday to reply to you but kept losing wifi....so sorry I didn't manage to get back to you thanks for your help. I didn't take my statin last night, so no difference today....my toes were even sore this morning, my bladder is overactive, I've got a dry cough too.....how can all this make anyone feel healthy? Iris
that's what happens Iris....as it's usually older people who take statins...then you think it might just be age that's causing the aches and pains
Hi Iris I was on them for almost 18 months everything was fine at first then the pain hit and it hit hard, I am so concerned I am never going to get riid of these pains in my head, so bad I just end up on the bed and take my migraine tablets as it is the only thing to ease them and no they are deffinately not migraines these are totally different. Horrendose cramps in my neck followed by what feels like some one pulling my hair out.
Scott that is interesting about the memory loss. Boxing day, sitting at the table across from my daughter who was "eating lunch" and out of my mouth came - arnt you going to have any lunch ! That was just one of the many times that sort of thing started to happen. I thought I was going mad, I couldnt even write things down, I couldnt seem to get the words from my head onto the paper. Thank goodness these episodes have stopped since I stopped the statins. Scary things statins that is all I can say.
That's totally dreadful for you!
Ouch......I do hope that goes away soon for you
My neighbours daughter is a medical researcher for NHS, a no she has DEMANDED that her parents never take statins.....makes you think!
Iris this forum has been a God Send for me, I thought I was going mad or had a brain tumor or worse, but having read all these responces, I know it is the statine. Cant remember who it was but one comment was that 6 use to be the norm but then it was dropped to 5 so the doctors could prescribe more statins. Mind was 5.6 but having has an optic nerve stroke I was told I should take them to prevent another stroke - but they admitted they dont know what caused the optic nerve stroke and also admitted sometimes it is just bad luck, but I was still told I 'needed" statins. Wish I had never heard of the word statins. How ever interesting about your daughter and good on her for giving such good advise.
my husband was having surgery a couple of months ago..and the dr. asked him if he was on any medication...he told him that he used to take statins but stopped them because of terrible side effects...the dr.told him that he would never let a dr. prescribe statins for him...
how interesting ! If they were to tell people the risks that is one thing but just to prescribe them and not warn people of what could happen is very wrong.