Statins Side Effects

Manjunath Posted 01/06/2008

I would like to know if muscular atrophy/dystrophy caused by statins is reversible or not. Will it affect the heart? What should be done to reverse the side effects of statins on muscles?

jill owens Posted 09/06/2008

since taking Simvastatin i have experienced muscle pain in the lower legs, is there anything i can do to relieve the pains? Thanking you.

Mick Dee Posted 14/06/2008

I experienced severe muscle pain, stop taking the tablets and go on a totally fat free diet with plenty of porridge

D. Gordon Roberts  Posted 17/06/2008

Since taking Simvastatin I have experienced severe soft tissue pain, mainly in the lower legs, and also to a lesser extent in a buttock. The symptoms are similar to those of sciatica but I am starting to wonder if they are being caused by this particular drug. I have had the pain now for around 4-months and I have dificulty walking.

Jude Posted 18/06/2008

I was put on Simvastatin a few months ago. I had nearly all the 'side effects' but worked through them. One morning I had no strength in my arms to throw off the sheet. Eventually I got up and went to the docs. feeling pretty poorly. The doc. immediately called for blood tests and the result is I now have Poly Myalgia Rheumatica, plus I had other side effects, confusion, headache, blurred vision, sore scalp. Rushed to Eye Clinic in case I had Giant Cell Arteritis. Luckily they don't think I have but will have to have more tests!! I am NOT a happy camper. Cannot fault the doc. or the hospitals as they rushed me through but I took the Statin in good faith but I shall questions everything they give me in future. I am now on Prednisolone and could be for sometime which presents another load of problems. So be warned if they put you on Statins and you have a lot of side effects, get back and try another tablet or not. They are probably a very good pill and a lot of people take them, just be warned.

David Posted 26/06/2008

I have been on Lipitor for several years now, but have always suffered with muscel problems in my arms and legs. Recently my Dr increased my Dose from 10 to 20 mg. In the course of a month my shoulders arms and legs have doubled in pain. This Monday I went into work, and my supervisor asked how I was feeling. I said not to good. He sent me off to see my Dr, as he said it needs to be sorted. He put me off work with Fibromyalgia and took blood test, and told to stop the Lipitor tablets. I await the results.

Charles Miles Posted 30/06/2008

I am taking 20 mg of Simvastin daily and am now experiencing a loss of muscles both in my right hand and arm, my fingers are curling inward and there is loss of use of the fingers of approximately 75%.

judy Posted 21/07/2008

I have been on Lipitor for some years now and I have been taking Co Enzyme Q 10 to replace that which the Lipitor stops the body producing. However, I have experienced upper arm and shoulder pain for some time which has recently become much worse,keeping me awake at nights. How can this be overcome?

Valerie Posted 21/07/2008

I was pescribed Statins 20mg after carotid artery surgery, my GP then doubled the dose. After a few days I was experiencing symptons of headache, nausea, muscle weakness and extreme lethargy. My GP had me admited to hospital for further tests on the basis that I might be suffering another T.I.A. Only after I stopped taking the Statins did the symptoms disappear though I still have difficulty walking any distance due to muscle weakness in my legs. My consultant is not at all happy that I am refusing to take this medication but to my mind the side effects are just to life limiting.

ianredford_ian@yahoo.com Posted 29/07/2008

I have been on statins for 2 years. Having struggled to walk again following a stroke I have now all of the above problems and more. The statins have been in the bin for 6 weeks, but I still have pains in my legs and am almost crippled. A great improvement!!

David B Posted 30/07/2008

I was perscribed simvestatin 40mg in May took them for 4weeks stopped taking them because of muscle pain, back to my GP who took blood tests said everytyhing fine. Give it 4 weeks if no improvment come back to see me. After more blood tests still no improvement I'm not able to do my work any longer as its quite pyshical. I am trying to do some exersise like swimming and gardening which seem to help. Am I doing right? Will this pain go?

Malini M-H Posted 11/10/2008

I have been on simvastatin 40mg for a couple of years and have been suffering from extreme tiredness, stiffness in my muscles, hair loss and my memory has weakened too. I am going to ask my doctor to let me stop the drug for a month or so to see if these situations improve.

margaret Posted 19/10/2008

i nave been on simvastatin for about 5yrs now as chlesterol was very high9.3 have had great amount muscle pains all over even when on them is only down to 6.4 weighing up the bad quality to life , as I have other health issues , ie benign brain tumor and myelodysplasiabut i am having blood trsts and definatly choose to stop them and take the risk of heart problems,well we all have to leave this life of some cause , but choose to have a better quality of life meanwhile

Imogen Posted 19/12/2008

I was put on statins three years ago and took Simvastatin. Within a couple of months I had severe muscle pain between the shoulder blades and felt lousy. It took two months after stopping to get back to normal. The last couple of years I have been trying Rosuvastatin (Crestor) only 10mg but still seemed to get muscle weakness this time. Dose reduced to 5mg but no real improvement and worse when I went back up to 10mg. Just stopped altogether and immediately feel better!!! Anyway, my cholesterol still only came down to 4 and without I am 5 so not worth the pain and suffering. Far more important for me to be able to walk. It is my body. We are all free to refuse drugs.

Janis Brown Posted 24/12/2008

I have very bad muscle pains in my arms and hips since taking statins. I have also great problems with my stomach, I know this all started from taking statin drugs 3 years ago. I have taken my self of them and things have improved slightly. Even when I have gone to the Doctors explaining the symptoms I have they have not offered any advice or told me that these may be caused from taking this drug.

Mike D, Cheltenham Posted 02/01/2009

I have been taking Simvastatin 40 mg for almost 5 years since a triple bypass for angina (not a heart attack) caused by stress. Since the operation I have suffered almost permanent sternum pain around the scar (open heart surgery) which has prevented me from having any quality of life. Since September 2007, I have suffered with lower leg pain in the left leg and foot stomach and bowel cramps and heavy hair loss and these pains have prevented me from doing much, except we walk for nearly an hour most days usually. Over the last 3 months it has been almost unbearable to walk and I have been going much shorter distances as the left foot has been almost too painful to put down and now I am considering changing to an automatic car to save the pain. Because I felt that the drugs were causing the symptoms, my wife looked into associated symptoms and we decided that I would stop taking statins (remaining on ramapril, atenalol and aspirin). That was a month ago and although still feeling pretty dreadful, the pain has eased in my legs and I can now walk again. The left leg had withered and really frightened my wife, so now I do a muscle building exercise in which I hold the back of a chair, rise onto my toes to 3, hold for 3, and go down to 3. In 3 days the muscle was returning and the pain reducing and now after a week there is a noticeable muscle in the calf. Fantastic! I also do a set of aerobic exercises from the heart clinic and stretching exercises. I am 64 and was a large built ex-rugby player and considered myself to be very fit, non-smoker and the occasional glass of wine or spirit.

gerald and norma harris Posted 13/01/2009

We have been taking 20mg Simvastatin for several years without any discernible ill-effects. Both our cholesterol levels fell from around 5.7 to 3.2 withins six weeks of commencing treatment

Ellen Johns Posted 19/01/2009

I have been on Simvastatin 40mg for years now. Yes, my cholesterol result is fine but I am a 42 year old woman with the aches and pains of an 80 year old. It seems to have got worse which prompted me to 'google' the problem. Alas,everyone else, well almost, seems to be suffering with the same. I'm off to the doctors this week to at least lower the dose.

Bron Halliwell Posted 10/02/2009

I am 45 years old and started taking simvastatin 3 years ago after massive blood pressure and now been told that I then had a stroke. My Cholesterol dropped greatly but I have suffered aches and pains and an overall feeling of exhaustion ever since. Stopped taking the tablets just before Christmas but feel just the same: very tired with aching limbs. I too feel 80 years old. The consultant at the CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome clinic) tells me I have permanent muscle damage due to high CK (creatine kinase levels) I ask the same question as the first person on this CAN THIS BE REVERSED????

Carol Meadows Posted 12/02/2009

I had a triple bypass 18 months ago and was immediately put on 80mg of Lipitor together with the usual aspirin and ramipril. Yes, I do ache a bit but put that down to ageing (57). What worries me is that if I have to take these for the rest of my life what damage is this doing to my body. However, if we didn't take them maybe we wouldn't be here now. Best advice - live life to the full.

Margot Douglas Posted 15/02/2009

My husband has been taking Simvastatin on and off for 3 years. 4 months ago he suddenly experienced severe pain and muscle wasting in his left leg and problems lifting his foot, the right leg starting going the same way plus stiffness and cramps around his body. We were convinced he was in the early stages of motor neurone. He stopped taking statins about 6 weeks ago, although his legs feel very weak and painful, he feels better in himself. His neurologist is convinced statins have caused the problems. They've wrecked our lives, he can't walk more than a few hundred yards, has problems driving. If he had known statins were capable of causing this sort of damage he wouldn't have taken them.

Cathy. Bucks. Posted 18/02/2009

I have been on Simvistatin just 4 weeks, and the past 2 days, ( I know its early days) I have suffered really bad muscle pains in my legs and buttocks, and also my shoulders and back. Initially I thought I had overdone it at the gym, BUT I have been going there for almost 6 weeks and not had muscle aches before. I hate taking any meds unless I NEED to , but today have taken paracetamol to try and help the aches. I am due to see my GP on Friday, luckily she is on the ball, so I am hoping she will give me some answers. I am only 45 but the past few days feel 75!

Kitty Posted 19/02/2009

I've been taking Zaracor 10mg for borderline cholesterol which I'm sure is genetic, as I eat a low fat/ low sugar diet. I don't notice aches and pains, but I have been experiencing hair loss esp when I wash my hair. I never had this before and its quite worrying. I think I'll stop the pills for a bit and see what happens. I have lots of hair, but don't want to end up bald. My mum suffered with alopeceia during the war, but that was stress related.

helen Posted 09/03/2009

I have been on statins for 15 years and the past 18 months suffered tingles throughout my body which is unbearable and now have extreme pain in my right leg which causes me problems walking. I have been off statins for 6 months with nos emprovement. Does the statin side effects disappear after time.

Siana Posted 09/03/2009

I was put on Aspirin and Simvastatin 40mgs following a mild Ischemic Stroke. Within a week was experiencing tightness in the chest and intense pins & needles sensation, particularly in the legs. I stopped taking the Simvastatin and after about a week the symptoms settled. However was advised to go on Atorvatatin 10 mgs. After only 10 days was having severe 'foggy' brain, fatigue, achng shoulders and neck, but most worrying was the crushing sensation over the sternum. I stopped taking them and 2 weeks later was still having chest tightness and was unable to walk any distance.(I am 52 years and prior to the stroke had been very active and fit) I began to feel about 80 years old as others have said. I started to take CoQ10 and now a week later am starting to feel better. My GP is thankfully finally accepting that I try and reduce the cholesterol (which was 5.6) by diet. These tablets can have very worrying adverse reactions!!!!

jack Posted 10/03/2009

I've been on simvastatin for 2years and experience pains in arms,shoulders ,and chest. I am going to stop taking them for month,I need some relief, eventhough my doctor says it's not the statins.

Sandy Posted 12/03/2009

I have been on Simvastatin for two months, and for the last two weeks have felt as if I am on another planet! Severe headaches, dizziness, pains in my neck and buzzing ears. I have now come off them, never again will I take these!

JEFF Posted 22/03/2009

Numb toes, very cold hands,severe calf pain, anxiety attacks, depression, short term memory loss and lethargy. Could all this be down to just taking 20mg of simvastatin the last four years after having a life saving double heart bypass for which I was truly grateful. I now feel so negative about life that I have decided to put it in the lap of the gods and have stopped taking the statins. I will give it four to six weeks to see if there will be any improvement if only to get a decent nights sleep. Then take it up with my doctor who incidentally wants me to take anti-depressants.

gill..suffolk Posted 23/03/2009

I've been taking statins for 2 years now. Now I can hardly walk, the pains in my legs are awful. I couldn't even have my bed covers on my lower legs. When I go to work I have to take painkillers, now I've got bad swelling round my ankles. I'm at my wits end...

jim Posted 23/03/2009

I have been on statins for less than a year have a lot of body pain all over. Pain in calfs and hips in bed. Lots of muscle pain . I think the drugs cause more problems than what they cure...

Sylvia Posted 04/04/2009

I have had high cholesterol for over twenty years. It is inherited. Both my parents died in their fifties with cardiovascular disease. I have tried all the statins. Simvastain upset my stomach so badly I was sent to the hospital; atorvastatin gave me such bloodthirsty nightmares every single night, I thought I was losing my mind. The nightmares stopped immediately after I stopped taking it.;pravastin depressed me and now I am on Crestor. I feel weak and tired the whole time. Why do the companies praise these statins ? They all seem to make you feel ill...

Jane Posted 07/04/2009

I had a stroke 6 years ago and was straight away put on Simvastatin. I read an article last week about these drugs and can now see that all the symtoms I have had of muscle weekness, pins & needles, no energy (trouble sleeping) and feeling twice my age (I'm only 43) could be due to these tablets. Having now read all the articles on the net and comments above I am convinced it is these tablets. I am seeing my doctor next week as I am going to stop taking these tablets.

margaret Posted 09/04/2009

I have been on simvastatin for 12 months. I have never felt so old and ill, my cholsetrol was 10.6 but reduced to 4.8 but I have trouble walking and sleeping. Brain fog,and lifting my arms up... I am now on 20mg but feel no diffrent. I think it is time to stop taking them and hope things get back to normal if anybody has got back to normal please feel free to post so we can all read this. I am now taking the flora pro-active milk /yoghurt drink/ and margarine to see if my cholestrol can be controlled by dieting. I dont think the doctor believes me and wants to put me on propanol (anti-depressents I think they are) . Margaret.

r thompson Posted 14/04/2009

Head ache, face ache, forgetfulness, cramps in the calf muscles. Is 20mg too much? My cholesterol is down to 5. can I stop taking them. Should I go back to docs first?

Joanne Posted 18/04/2009

I have been on simvastatin 40mg for about 1 year. I have all the symptoms of muscle aches and now suddenly hair loss. I went back to the doctor who reduced the dosage to 20mg but my overall cholestrol level is only 2.6 and my HDL 3.3 and don't feel I need them. The hair loss worries me a lot. Thyroid tests ok. I have developed PVD in my legs and don't know if this is the statins or not. Had all kind of tests and consultant just said you are not too bad. What do I do.

Ross Posted 18/04/2009

I am 67,and have been very healthy all my life, but in 2007 was put on Simvastatin (needlessly) for slightly raised cholesterol. 6 weeks later I began to have powerful auras (mini epilectic attacks) and stopped the drug at once. The auras declined in intensity, but in Oct. 2008 & Jan.2009 I suffered 2 seizures. I'm fine now, but feel that it took time for a long-acting poison to work its way out of my system. Statins destroy the very fatty lipids that the brain depends on for its proper function. My neurologist refused to record my opinion about the statins link, so it never entered the medical lexicon. Of course, they don't want to know.

Reb Posted 04/05/2009

My grand Father has been in hospital for over a month now and is expected to be there far a long while yet. His muscles have broken down, and he is unable to use his legs. Although he is still awaiting the results of tests - Statin seems to be what doctors are putting it down to. Around October last year he was told to double his Statin intake, as his cholesterol was higher than it should be. He is now beginning to get the use of his arms back, but after a month is still unable to hold his weight on his feet (although he has all feeling in his legs) and has been in a hospital bed for all this time unable to move from it without a harness and the help of two nurses.

Barbara Brown Posted 06/05/2009

I am taking silvastin 20mg and having foot problems. Has anyone had extra bone forming in feet with loss of feeling in toes which seems to be connected?

Robin Posted 14/05/2009

I have been taking 40mg Atorvastatin and 10mg Ezetimibe combination for 8 years. Definately lowered the total cholesterol level but limited effect on the triglycerides or LDL cholesterol. I have some leg and hip pain, plus persisteny pins and needles in my left arm. I have put on weight and developed man-boobs or gynacomastia, loss of sex drive and poor sleep despite not being stressed or depressed. I fully attribute these symptoms to side effects derived from taking the lipid lower regimen. However, one needs to be carefull before stopping these drugs as recent studies have shown that damage to the arterial walls can occur which can contribute to cardiovascular disease. It is better to seek the advice of a consultant cardiologist rather than a GP. Diet has limited effect in lower cholesterol. Remember that raised lipids is just one of ten risk factors and not in itself an emergency condition. From reading the scientific literature, thye benefits of statins outweigh the risks in terms or primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events as well as strokes, but at what price to quality of life?

Ellen. Leicester Posted 20/05/2009

My husband was put on these drugs alongside medication for high blood pressure and began to feel extremely cold all over, even to the touch. He complained of not feeling well and aching all over. We had no idea it could be related to the statins until one day we noticed the muscle wastage in his arm which was shocking. Immediately he showed his sister-in-law (who is also on statins) she said it was caused by the medication. He has stopped taking them three weeks ago and although there is still massive muscle wastage in his arm (and also one of his legs) he feels so much better and is no longer cold (he felt like a corpse no matter what the temperature around him). He had gotten so bad with the pains that he was on the verge of attending the local A & E dept as he was being made to feel like a hypochondriac by his GP (who incidentally did tell him to stop the statins). I trawled the net looking for information about these awful side effects and have now got the Coenzyme Q10 tablets and cholesterol lowering drinks for him as well as the margarine in the hope that we can reduce his cholesterol level in a safer manner as he is at high risk of cardiovascular problems having a strong history in both parents and their siblings. I think it's time someone took the pharmaceutical companies to task over this issue as it is destroying so many lives.

nancy Posted 29/05/2009

I've been on lipitor for a few years now I keep complaining my whole body is sore. I assumed the constant pain was arthritis I have told my doctor I'm sure it is the statins. I think he wonders: what is worst high cholestoral or constant pain... Help?

Stephen St. Louis Posted 11/06/2009

Had been on Lipitor for several years and was feeling great. I lost my job due to the economy and with it my health insurance. Lipitor 20mg was about £130 for 30 pills so I asked my GP for a statin generic. He prescribed simvastatin 40mg (which he said equalled 20mg Lipitor) and I started taking it about 8 weeks ago. About week 4 I had terrible shoulder and neck pains, far more painful than your average stress induced aching. These last about 6 days and eased slightly. Then a week later it was back, only now I had headaches varying from back to front and both sides. This lasted a full week and the average painkillers did very little. The symptoms eased especially the headaches. Then in week 7 I started feeling pins and needles on the top of my right hand and lower arm. The same for the right foot and lower leg. Started slow and kept becoming more aggravating. Since up until I took the Simvastatin I had been in pretty good health and guessed that simvastatin was the culprit. I did much research online and by week 8 the Simvastatin is in the trash. I called my GP and told him and he agreed to stop taking it and give it a month or so and see if things go back to normal. It has been 1 week now and nothing has got better yet but I have to have faith don't I! I exercise 40 minutes every day and for the last few days it has taken some effort to complete it. I will never take statins again knowing now what it can do.

Bernie Posted 16/06/2009

I have been taking 20 mg of Simvastatin for 6 months, since going to my doctor about a spongy/pins and needles feeling in my feet combined with muscle ache in my lower legs - and also hands and arms, at times. The severer symptoms of discomfort in my upper legs and arms abated several months ago, but my feet and lower legs continue to ache, etc. However, I now have cramps in my lower abdomen from time to time, and have had to get up at night for hours together. Also, I often feel sick. Since I am bipolar (I gave up lithium carbonate after a few years), I am used to depression. The fact is I don't know what's going on. Is my foot and leg discomfort now due to the medication or some neurological condition? What causes the lower abdomen pains, and why do I feel sick? What's neurological, what's due to Simvastatin, and what is my bipolarity up to? I feel confused - and fear that I sound like a loony when speaking to doctors. But things are not right. At times I feel I am simply on the way out.

John Hill Posted 17/06/2009

I have been on Amivastatin for a year and I get severe headaches. I get neck pain and headaces round the back and side of my head. Doctors say it is some kind of nerve pain but I think the pain is caused by statins.

D Draper Posted 21/06/2009

I have already had one Doctor give up on me because I can't take Statins to lower my inherited high cholesterol. The muscle cramping in my legs, feet and hands are unbearable. What else can be done? My new Doctor keeps experimenting with more Statins. Help!

Linz Posted 07/07/2009

I've been taking Simvastatin 80mg for 5 years since I had a "heart event" at the age of 40. Two years ago I started to get pain in both feet, initially only when it was cold now it is all the time and is sometimes so painful that I am unable to walk. My GP has ignored the pain but I will no longer accept that as I also suffer from hip pain. I stopped taking the Simvastatin and I will go back to my GP to tell her that I believe it is the drug that is causing it.

Martin Posted 11/07/2009

I have stopped taking statins for the same reasons mentioned in most of the posts. My question is how long before the muscular pain will go, I have read in some of the posts that even after a few months the pain is still there. Has long-term damage been done?

Sheena Young Posted 13/07/2009

I have been taking simvastatin for a number of years and have developed very sore ankles. My doctor took a blood test but said there was no correlation between my complaint and the drug. I am sure there is a link as my identical twin sister has now developed the same complaint and she happens to be on the same medication...

Petglen Posted 14/07/2009

My wife is 74. Her cholesterol is 3.2!!! Yet she was still put on simvastatin 40mg. Her doctorr say it is due to two transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) . She has been, what she calls 'out of it'. 'If only my brain would come back', she says: Hips ache, tiredness, lethargy, general unwell and she has renal problems. Now her doctor has taken her off the statins without hesitation. Now we are just waiting for improvements.
Me. Been on 40mg lipitor since quad bypass in 1996. Very bad headaches with 'bashed eye' feeling, my vision is impaired on the left side. But all the side-effects and horribleness stopped since I stopped taking the statins 2/3 weeks ago: Muscle pains, hips aching as well as my ankles & calves. I told my doctor I was stopping them, and he had no argument about it. My wife and I have both started taking co-enzyme Q10 60mg. I think we are improving, but early days. Here's to hoping...

Siana Posted 14/07/2009

I last put a message here on the 09/03/09 stating the problems I had with statins. To recap, I had a stroke in Jan 2009 and was found to have a cholesterol of 5.6. After having many side effects I stopped taking the statins, the doctors tried to persuade me that it would be difficult to lower cholesterol through diet alone and wanted me to try yet more tablets. However, I had a blood test last week and my cholesterol is now 4.8. I followed the folowing regieme. I have always eaten plenty of fruit & veg. So continued with that. But I cut out sugar, sweets, cakes, biscuits, pastries and processed foods. Cut down on dairy and red meats. Increased intake of oily fish and snacked on various nuts and sunflower seeds. I also started taking 1-2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil daily and have a 20-30 minute walk each day. And now with a cholesterol of 4.8 I think that is a bit of success, and it is a change of lifestyle that I can happily keep up, pleased not to have the nasty side effects. Hope others might find some help from this.

Heather Posted 15/07/2009

Thank goodness I found this site, I have been taking Simvistatin only for a few months and I thought I was being silly that Simvistatin might be giving me pain, especially to the shoulders, neck and hips I am in my 50's but feel an ancient relic. I'm stopping the Simvistatin.

David Posted 21/07/2009

In late 2005, at age 70, I went on to statins at my own request, my cholesterol was 6.2. In fairness, my doctor hadn't pushed me into taking them initially, but seemed keener when I made my request. I believe GPs receive a financial incentive to persuade patients to take them. Within a few weeks, I had tingling hands and feet, severe pains in the backs of my legs and was becoming increasingly weak. I went to the doctor and stopped taking them. My problems vanished within a month. I have spoken to many people on the subject, some of whom, having had similar experience have come off them with beneficial results. They didn't always tell their doctor! There must be a case for further research on this drug or the facility to test a patient's suitability.

Anthony Posted 27/07/2009

I was put on Lipitor atorvastatin 6 weeks ago because my cholesterol was 9!!! About 2 weeks ago I started to get severe pain in my muscles and joints around my ankles, fingers, knees, elbows, but worst of all the back of my head and neck. I stopped taking the 20mg atorvastatin and went the docs the next day, he was`nt convinced the statins were the problem but has told me to stop taking them and see him in a months time. Not taken them for 6 days now and I still have the aches and pains hopefully in time they will get better. I`m going all out now on a healthy diet and exercise but at the moment I feel tired and lethargic , I`m sure he will want me to try a different statin when I go back to see him but I am going to ask for more blood tests first.

Angela Posted 28/07/2009

I have taken Simvastatin for 18 months and initially the only side effect I had was indigestion/heartburn during the night. However, after a few months I became aware that everytime I went to the pharmacy with my prescription I was given a different manufacturers Simvastatin. I did not think this was a problem until one particular brand( Dexel Pharma Almus pharmaceuticals) caused me to have the most vivid, frightening dreams and my whole sleep pattern was changed. Things improved with the next script but I started saving the leaflets and making notes. The last lot of tabs made me feel nauseous, weak and I suffered bad muscle cramps and pain every night for 2 weeks. The symptoms finally lessened but I told the pharmasist I would not have that brand again (Generics UK Milpharm ltd). He said it was because they were a generic one and now I take a brand I have had before which suits me fine, called Actavis Relonchem Ltd . I had mentioned this to a GP at my review but she was not interested. Makes me wonder if the other people on this site have unknowingly had a statin which did not agree with them but another manufacturer's might have.

alan reid Posted 10/08/2009

I had joint and muscle pain, burning sensations down arms legs and feet with the skin sensitive to touch. It took 18 months to get to a level of pain I can handle with numbness remaining in my right foot and leg when I stand and walk, I also had the feeling of insects crawling under my skin from the neuropathy

Mike Posted 18/08/2009

The best thing to do with your Statins is flush them down the loo! They are poison!

Luis Posted 06/09/2009

I believe I can share the same symptoms and concerns caused by taking statins with everyone here, most recently I have been taking 5mg crestor for one year, I have developed pain in both elbows and neddle pain under my finger nails, feel nauseous and weak. Can you share your experiences and results if you completely stopped taking statins and use a more natural approach? my Cholesterol levels are Cholesterol Total 135, HDL 26, Cholesterol HDL ratio 5.2, LDL Chol, calculated 46, triglycerides.

gareth jones Posted 09/09/2009

It's a revelation/relief to hear the familiar story of statin side effects. Both of my shoulders are weak/damaged/by simvastatin. I can't sleep for more than 2 hours before acute pain wakes me. GP took me off them after 18mths on 80 mg. but 3 weeks later there is no improvement. I feel I've been cheated and pray I will regain strength & lose pain. I have been to physiotherapist (10 week waiting list) and hope that helps. Would welcome other suggestions for pain relief.

Ann Posted 11/09/2009

I took Simvastatin 40mg for approx 6 years after being diagnosed with Angina. Although my cholesterol level wasn't very high I was told that the statins were needed because of the angina and I couldn't come off them. I carried on taking them until last year when I was racked with pain and like many here came to a point where I couldn't even lift a leg. I googled the side effects and decided to stop taking them for a month. The pains started to ease off. I visited my GP and mentioned this. She then put me on Atorvastatin 40mg. This time I developed excessive sweating which I didn't associate with the statins although my GP says that this is a side effect. She has now put me on Pravastatin Sodium and Ezetimibe and low and behold the pains are back. I am going to stop taking the statins again and I will tell my GP I will try to control my diet. I would sooner die early than suffer all this pain and debilitating side effects.

Joan Posted 01/10/2009

I was prescribed Simvostatin 40mg in July 2009. After only a few doses I started having abdominal cramps, some quite severe and I felt very bloated and uncomfortable. Doc said it wouldn't be statins causing the problem, most likely infection which I was treated for. However cramps persisted so I stopped taking the pills and in just a few days was back to normal. Went to see another doctor in the local practice who prescribed Lipitor 10mg. Only had 3 doses and have been doubled up with abdominal pains for 6 days. For the first 2 days I also felt sick and light headed. I'm improving very slightly day by day but at the moment I am just resting for much of the day as any exercise seems to aggravate the condition. I can't spend the rest of my life lying horizontal for 99% of the day, which is what I'm currently doing! My cholesterol level is 6 so I'm going to try my best to reduce the level with healthier lifestyle as suggested by Siana who posted on the forum on 14/07/09. Am very loathed to risk it with any more statins.

Dennis Collins Posted 06/10/2009

I have been taking Provastatin for about four years. I have had all of the symptons of muscel weakness, stiffnes Etc. Two days ago I had an Angina attack and was addmitted to hospital, blood tests revealed LIVER DAMAGE. The hospital Specialst imediately took me off Pravastatin, he blamed them for causing a Liver Disfunction, I now await a liver scan on Friday.

George Posted 23/10/2009

I have just stopped taking Simvastatin on my doctors advice, as I was getting severe cramps in my lower legs and feet,and numbness in the lower legs which made walking very painful. Also pins and needles in my fingers. I have just had a blood test for cholesterol and have to have another at a later date to see if my level has changed.

Irene Posted 25/10/2009

Been on Simvastatin for bout 4 months then 2 months ago I had an Epileptic fit I am now also on Carbamazpine Last week I was unable to sleep due to muscle pain what is to blame Simvastatin or Carbamazepine ? I am making an appointment to see the doctor and hpefully he can decide. PS no one in the family has ever suffered from Epilepsy could this have caused by the Simvastin?

p lawson Posted 25/10/2009

I took statins for 6 weeks in 1998 but stopped them myself because of the side effects,severe pain, sleeplessness, forget fulness, feeling vacant and anxious, and personality change. Done some research - a man who was always a gentleman changed into an aggressive foul mouthed man. A lady who became suicidal, a lady who became violent. Germany published a research paper on side effects of statins in 1998. It listed all the side effects mentioned. I control by diet and exercise now.

FW Posted 27/10/2009

I have been taking Simvastin 40mg for 1 month now, My cholestrol is 5.6, yet 5 years ago it was 6.4 and I was told that I would not be treated as my good cholesterol was very good indeed, in fact the GP at that time said that I must exercise on a regular basis which I do. I am 51 years of age and since my last test 5 years ago I have stopped smoking and continued to exercise at least 4 to 5 times a week. I am considering going back to my GP to discuss this issue. The worrying thing for me is that this was found out via a well man clinic and the nurse said that she was going to prescribe the 40mg, shocked as many people are I stated that I wished to try and reduce it naturally and her reply was "Even if I got it down to 3 she would still put me on them" Its a preventative measure as my father had died at the age of 48. Sadly his lifestyle was very poor and totaly different to mine....I am so confused. I welcome any comments.

michael dawson Posted 29/10/2009

Was put on 5mg rosuvastatin six weeks ago by lipid consultant. Over the last four weeks I have had the same symptons as Alan Reid posted above. At one point I was hardly able to walk - couldn't sleep because of pains in back shoulders and chest. I am 51 years old and feel like 90. I exercise in a gym four times a week but have been unable to do so due to immense pain for last four weeks. I regarded myself as a fit man with a sensible diet - don't drink or smoke but feel crippled now. I saw my gp this morning who advised not to take statin tablet for a month to see if pains stop. They only started after taking statins for two weeks. I think I will stop them permanently as life is unbearable at the moment. Yes the statin reduced my level to 4.4 but at what cost to my health?

maz Posted 29/10/2009

Have been on simvastatin for about 5 years and for the last year have been feeling really unwell. Going to the doctor has not been helpful. I have severe insomnia, abdominal pain, fatigue, memory problems, restless legs etc. I do have medication for high blood pressure also. A thought came to me that maybe the statins could be the problem so I've decided to reduce the dosage. This site has opened my eyes to the possiblity that instead of me believing that I am going mad there may be a more simple reason for my health difficulties. My memory loss was put down to being menopausal - an excuse for everything at the moment. Anyway thanks for all the information put out and hopefully I will come off them altogether soon. Then if I get better I will know the reason for feeling so ill. Thanks again everyone.

Liz Posted 06/11/2009

Have been taking 40mg symvastatin since 2003. Been feeling progressively worse since then but only linked my symptoms to the drug after discovering this site. Expected resistence from my GP when I said I wanted to stop taking statin, but none at all. GP explained they now have more a more accurate way of predicting a patient's overall risk of heart disease/stroke etc using path lab results. My risk came out as 8% and the GP said I was low risk so was happy for me to come off statins. Risk of 20% or over would indicate the need for statins. I am now going to concentrate on controlling cholesterol through diet, and hope that in time my symptoms will ease.

Malcolm Hill Posted 07/11/2009

I am glad that I found this site. Have been taking Simvastin for about 3 and a half years and as my cholestrol fell to well under 4 my doctor reduced the dose to 20 mgs this May 09. Over the past few weeks I have started to get pain in my leg calf muscle and also aches around my hips. I thought at first it might be due to too much excercise in the gym. But after seeing the postings, I have stopped the Statins last night and have made an appointment with my doctor this week to see if its the Statins that is causing the problem. I have never had any form of aches or pains in the past so at the moment I can only think that the statins may be the cause. If nothing else it gives me enough ammunition to challenge the doctor if he says it's not the Statins.

Geoff M Posted 09/11/2009

I was prescribed Simvistatin in April 2006 and my GP upped the dose in Aug 2007. Symptoms that I put down to getting older increased until I was having to crawl upstairs on hands and knees. I had difficulty walking because of pain and unsteadness. Then I watched the Tonight programme on 19th Nov 2007, about Statin side effects and realised that was my problem. I went to my GP who agreed to my coming off Simvistatin and the ramipril that I was taking to control my blood pressure. But my symptoms continued and I had to stop work in Jan 2008. Things improved for a while and although I feel generally better I still have a lot of trouble walking I totter when walking and have been advised to take more water with it by people who don't know me. I still get pain in my lower legs feet and hips in bed. Before taking statins I was fit fer my age and walked about 5 miles a day. Iwonder if the pain is caused by arthritis from the muscle weakness or neuropathy but I dispair of any real improvement as I am now 65. My cholerstrol and blood pressure I now control by diet and exercise I wish had been given this option first.

Ken B Posted 09/11/2009

I was prescribed simvastatin 40mg less than a month ago. I am experiencing constant muscle pain in my upper legs. I did not, originally, link this with the medication but this site seems to confirm that my problem could well be the medication. I cannot walk any distance without severe discomfort. I am not taking any more - I will be phoning my doctor tomorrow.