Statins

[glenbar]

Has anyone had any side effects from statins? I couldn't take Simvastatin so was given Atorvastatin, but after some months have suddenly started having the same reaction as before. Would be interested to hear from others taking this drug.

[anneasquith]

I take simvastatin. with no problems, but ive noted quite a few abers have had side effects.

[Everhelpful]

Terrible aching legs,supposed to be side effect.(Simvastatins).

[Sqad]

Interesting...20% of statin takes have side effects.......it may be difficult to decide and establish if your symptoms are due to statins.
Feeling of tiredness, cannot string a sentence together, memory loss, difficulty in holding a conversation...sleep disorders.
Muscular weakness, particularly of the lower limbs, cramp and generalised lethargy.

Does that sound familiar?

[Everhelpful]

Sure does,Sqad.!!

[anneasquith]

all of the above,,,,,,,, so its the statins ? :(

[RATTER15]

Agonising cramps in my calf's. me legs ached for days after the cramps.

[woofgang]

My late Dh got all of the above and also digestive upset. My Mum never had any problem at all.

[Sqad]

So....what are you going to do about it?

1) suffer the side effects to maintain a low blood cholesterol?
2) Change to another statin or reduce the dose of your present statin?
3) Drop statins altogether and take your chance with a raised blood cholesterol?

Difficult decision eh?

Talk it over with your GP.

I have made my decision.

[jacklee]

Sorry - put my reply on ChatterBank under 'Offer your advice!
Silly me - should I do it all again?
Thanks for allyour reactions to statins.

[jacklee]

Thanks headwreck - that was kind of you - way to technical for me!
I never cease to be amazed at what comes up on CB and am grateful for these posts on statins.
Thanks again

[glenbar]

So many answers in such a short time. Thanks to you all. I have all the symptoms squad mentioned. Think I will leave them alone for a few weeks and see what happens. Was becoming quite worried, but feel better after all your comments. Many thanks once again.

[Wak]

I thought you all might find the following site interesting regarding Statins?

http://www.mercola.com/widgets/statin-quiz.htm?e_cid=20130521_DNL_statinquizSECON&utm_source=content&utm_medium=email&utm_content=secon&utm_campaign=20130521

[woofgang]

Wak while I don't dispute that statins can cause side effects in some people, I wouldn't put a whole lot of faith in that website

[Caran]

I was on Simvastatin, I had terrible side effects, memory loss, forgot words, where I was going, but the worst was not recognising a friend. We met him in town and he was talking to OH and all the time I'm thinking who is this person, how does OH know him. After a couple of minutes his voice became familiar and I eventually realised who he was but it was really scary. So I came off them.

[SpikeyBush]

I've been taking Atorvastatin for a number of years now as a proactive measure to reduce risks from my type 1 diabetes. No issues at all. There are a number of statins available and what works for one may not work for another, just like the particular insulin regime I am on. I'm lucky that the drugs I use effectively manage my condition, your particular case may need some further fine tuning. After all I only got this sorted through a lot of trial and error in the early days of my diagnosis.

[mrs_overall]

I tried several statins and had the same side effects with all of them. The worst side effect was joint and muscle pains and it was so bad I could barely walk.
My doctor took me off them.
I now take a low dose of aspirin each day and make myself eat a bowl of porridge once a day (as well as having a very healthy diet.) Last month my cholesterol reading was down to 4

[WELSHYORKIE]

I'm currently on Atorvastatin 40mg as diagnosed with FH (familial hypercholesterolaemia) some time ago and suffer witrh symptons similar to those described , and more. Doc changed me to Simvastatin but they didn't seem to work as well. I am due a 6 monthly review shortly and am certainly going to discuss coming off the statins and what other options are available.

[Iluvspikey]

my mother had terrible joint pain, she said it was like somebody trying to drill hole in her joints and it stopped after taking them, tried the other and the same thing again, she watches her diet anyway so will no longer take them