Chest muscles also ache with statin use, normal?

[Imacarbuff]

I'm just wondering. It seems that after years of statin use, my latest run with Lipitor (about 18 months) has caused more muscle aches than any previous statins (Lescol, Pravachol or Zocor).
To me it seems that since I've had all of these muscle aches, the more I do that is out of my regular physical activity, the worse the aches become. I moved a few pieces of furniture a few weeks ago-not that heavy really, and normally it would not even registered any "next day backache" or anything. Now, it certainly does. I even have muscle aches in my chest-not bad, but any chest discomfort will grab your attention pretty quick
My question.....do statins cause you to have MORE muscle aches when you do more physical work? Will now being on Zocor (which did not seem to cause me discomfort years ago when I took it) delay recovering from my Lipitor involvement? I wanted to just dump all statins-that was my plan. The Dr. said that would be very unwise. The lower sides of my back also seem to be more painful as the day wears on. I never had back problems in my life. Any chance this will all resolve itself....has anyone had an experience like this, with the same symptoms with Lipitor-including chest discomfort....and then had it become better as you got off of Lipitor? Thanks for any advice anyone has to offer.

[gardeninggal]

Imacarbuff, I have been on two statins Lipitor and Lovastatin, I developed a pain in the muscles just below the collar bones and it was brushed off as a muscle inflammation but I also would get what seemed like the beginning of a Charlie horse in my neck muscles, I could feel it coming and I lived in terror that it would completely set in. Both were statin related and now that I no Longer take it I have never had either again. But my problems were not only muscles but intestinal, stomach pains and eventually black stools meaning bleeding. All is gone now that I am off all statins. I can not go on without cautioning you about any chest pains, Please do not ignore them, pain is the bodies way of trying to get your attention, tell your doctor.

[Stumper]

Imacarbuff,


It is my understanding that Lipitor is a "heavy duty" type of Statin. It seems that more people, if they are going to have problems, tend to have it with Lipitor. Zocor is a more "moderate duty" and seems to be tolerated very well. Personally I use Vytorin which contains a small amount of Zocor and Zetia which makes me feel super. It blocks cholesterol right in the intestinal tract before your body can ever suck it up.

I think, and I may be wrong, that you could just get Zetia alone as a prescription which will get you away from Zocor and Lipitor and get benefit. Perhaps someone like Lenin might know more.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Imacarbuff

I'm just wondering. It seems that after years of statin use, my latest run with Lipitor (about 18 months) has caused more muscle aches than any previous statins (Lescol, Pravachol or Zocor).
To me it seems that since I've had all of these muscle aches, the more I do that is out of my regular physical activity, the worse the aches become. I moved a few pieces of furniture a few weeks ago-not that heavy really, and normally it would not even registered any "next day backache" or anything. Now, it certainly does. I even have muscle aches in my chest-not bad, but any chest discomfort will grab your attention pretty quick
My question.....do statins cause you to have MORE muscle aches when you do more physical work? Will now being on Zocor (which did not seem to cause me discomfort years ago when I took it) delay recovering from my Lipitor involvement? I wanted to just dump all statins-that was my plan. The Dr. said that would be very unwise. The lower sides of my back also seem to be more painful as the day wears on. I never had back problems in my life. Any chance this will all resolve itself....has anyone had an experience like this, with the same symptoms with Lipitor-including chest discomfort....and then had it become better as you got off of Lipitor? Thanks for any advice anyone has to offer.

I would definitely talk with the dr. My husband was on LIpitor for years, and all he did was complain about pulled muscles, and yes, even in the chest, but figured it was half his job, lifting, and half arthritis. After several years of this, and also after I went on Lipitor and got very ill, mostly GI problems, but also weakness and muscle aches, mostly back and legs, we started to question the statins. Luckily our old dr. talked with us and definitely said I was not a candidate for statins, and prehaps hubby should try going off to see how he felt. He has since retired, but both hubby's regular dr. and his cardio man have decided he also is not meant to be on statins, and I just keep fighting with my drs., even though my GI guy and old dr. said for me to not take them. I think my newest dr. is getting the message I won't take them, if not, oh well, she can be fired too.......

Are U on Lipitor and Zocor, as I have heard that is NOT a good combo at all, and yes Zetia can be taken alone. Have a talk with your dr. now before U hurt any more then U should. BTW, how bad were your numbers, and did U get a chance to try diet and exercise before being put on any statin?

Best wishes, and good luck.....

[lane413]

Yes zetia can be taken alone. My mom's dr. gave a a month's supply, but after taking for a wk she started having backaches. There are postings on this board about zetia and its side effects.