The pain caused by statins was so severe I was unable to walk for several days and could only walk with significant pain during several weeks AFTER I was told to discontinue taking statins. Took 2-4 weeks for the worst of the pain to subside.
Update: Now at 5 weeks, I am finally able to resume walking on mostly level surfaces. However, my right hip continues to be a problem. The hip was injured in the fall of 2023 and has on going issue since then – the worst came this summer, after July 3rd when the statin related pain elsewhere became intense. At +5 weeks, the biggest problem seems to be continued muscle weakness in the legs that began with taking statins in the spring. This has resulted, also, in frequently “pulling” the muscles in my thighs. It’s 2 steps forward and then 1-step back when a minor movement produces a new tear.
Statins are a drug that causes up to extreme muscle and joint pain, muscle weakness and damage – with the side effect of lowering cholesterol. That would the honest description of statins.
Comments like this make me angry:
Despite concerns, the absolute risk of these side effects is low, and the benefits of statins, including atorvastatin, far outweigh the risks in indicated populations.
Atorvastatin and the fight against high cholesterol: A lifesaving drug for millions
And from the American College of Cardiology: Effect of Statin Therapy on Muscle Symptoms – American College of Cardiology:
- The small excess risk of muscle symptoms due to statin therapy largely occurred within the first year of treatment.
- Clinicians can suggest to patients taking statins that the probability of muscle symptoms actually caused by the statin is <1 in 10.
- In clinical practice, muscle cramps or spasms are often the complaint and the reason for stopping statins; much more frequently than the 3% in this very large study group. Expert reviews suggest that cramps are not statin related. The authors support this conclusion. There was a 0.2% greater incidence of cramps on statins vs. placebo (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00-1.1) and a 0.1% greater incidence in more intensity vs. lower-intensity statin dosing (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.89-1.22).
….
Conclusions:
Statin therapy caused a small excess of mostly mild muscle pain. Most (>90%) of all reports of muscle symptoms by participants allocated statin therapy were not due to the statin. The small risks of muscle symptoms are much lower than the known cardiovascular benefits. There is a need to review the clinical management of muscle symptoms in patients taking a statin.
They largely argue that statin induced muscle, and joint pain is “in your head”. No, it was not in my head. It was one of the worst pains I have ever endured – and I’ve broken many bones, torn tendons, and had a skull fracture. This statin related pain was absolutely awful – and suggesting it was just in my head is insulting and ruins confidence in cardiology.
Many in health care and the media think statins are like candy and should be given to nearly everyone, some say at age 55, 65 or 70. A news story a week ago said everyone age 70 and up should be taking a statin. A story that made the rounds years ago had a cardiologist advocating for statins to be put in the water supply, like fluoride (which is now gradually being removed from water).
Prior to experiencing statin intolerance, I was walking 3 to 4 miles every day, including hills, doing weight training and losing weight. Once statin pain hit, I had to stop all walking and was only able to do some upper body weight training.
Now at 4 weeks after being told to discontinue statins, all pain except my right hip has gone away (I had hip issues prior to taking statins – statins made them worse). At the peak of the negative effects, my thighs felt like the muscles were ripped, I had pain in my lower back, significant pain in both hips, extreme pain in my thigh muscles, moderate pain in my lower legs, and muscles cramping up in my feet and hands. At 4 weeks, that has gone away except some issues still with my right hip – am working with a PT on that and making progress. As of this week I am able to walk one mile on the level again – no hills at all, though.
Health care/pharma cannot predict in advance if you are statin intolerant. Original clinical trials claimed up to 5% of users had muscle and joint pains. Real world estimates today are 15-33% will experience muscle and joint pains (varies depending on the drug used, dosage, and the sample population in the study). Some will experience mild pain that is tolerable, some will experience pain only after exercising, some may find the pain goes away after a few months, but some like me, will experience severe pain.
Exercise and weight loss seem important – the pain was so intense I had to stop that, as well as ruining my spring and summer and wondering, at the time, if I would ever walk again.
I am upset about what took place the last several months. I likely have another 1-3 months ahead of me to rebuild my muscle strength and recover from statin poisoning – and then hopefully resume having a life again.
My Experience
Started on atorvastatin – after 2 months, pains were bad. Was directed to discontinue that drug, and around day 9-10, all of the pain was gone. Was restarted at half dose, and within a week, the pain came back. Was taken off that and put on rosuvastatin. At about 5 weeks, began to have mild pain but thought I could tolerate it. However, over the next week, the pain escalated rapidly- and would become so intense I could barely walk to the bathroom. Some of the worst pain I have endured in my life. I was then told to suspend taking rosuvastatin – and that I am statin intolerant. Fortunately, they noted, my cholesterol levels are pretty low – and have been within the normal range for ten years. But after heart issues, everyone is put on a maximum dose of statins.
Those who experience pain may have myalgia – which is sore muscles, or myopathy – which is both sore muscles and damaged muscle tissue. I may have had the latter (but CK levels were not checked), and it may take a few months to fully recover.
Going forward, I will not again take a prescribed medication without first asking my provider and the pharmacist a ton of questions, plus I will read up on the drugs, myself. This was a pretty awful experience.
If you are on statins and experience muscle or joint pain, don’t automatically blame it on arthritis or other conditions. Get evaluated for statin intolerance. Talk to your health care provider – if anyone suggests “it’s all in your head” you may need to contact another health care provider.
