The answer is yes, in my opinion.   Statin drugs (such as Zocor, Lipitor, Lovastatin, Pravachol, Mevacor, and Lescol) may cause cramps and other forms of myopathy because they block cholesterol production in the body by inhibiting the enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. (Please see the "mevalonate pathway" for details.) Unfortunately, the antioxidant CoQ10 is also synthesized from another HMG-CoA reductase pathway.  Therefore, statin drugs also inhibit CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) synthesis. Low levels of CoQ10 could predispose the patients to cramps, including cramping in the heart (heart attack).  Thus, coQ10 is often prescribed or recommended to prevent the cramping.  Some statin drugs now come with coQ10, but I don't know which ones.

 

Please note that the same arguments apply to red yeast rice, a natural supplement used to lower cholesterol.  It has a natural statin that is a mirror image of one of the prescription statin drugs.  Like the statins, it too can deplete coQ10 so it is often sold with the addition of coQ10.

 

At the end of the day, I believe that schlerotic deposits in the heart arteries cannot be explained with high levels of cholesterol alone.  You see, cholesterol acts like a glue on sites that are damaged, such as on micro cracks in blood vessels.  Cholesterol levels go up when there is stress (I supposed to suppress a loss of blood in a fight.)  The arteries near the heart can exhibit the highest number of micro cracks because of the huge pressure differentials they are exposed to.  If one is prone to bruising, bleeding gums, and other symptoms of weakened arteries, then it is likely that the heart arteries are clogged.  Scurvy (a Vitamin C deficiency) is a prime example.  Patients with scurvy are prone to bruising, bleeding of the gums, and heart attacks.

 

So if one is cramping (and there are many causes), it would be worthwhile to ask the doctor to check for mineral levels and all other possible causes with a blood test. 

 

As a note, statin drugs are often prescribed with diuretics that reduce high blood pressure.  Diuretics can deplete minerals and cause cramping.  It's always good to understand the cause of the high blood pressure to take the right action.

 

 

Not long after making dietary changes and taking statin drugs, I experienced horrible leg cramps in my calves and feet. I changed my statin drug but the cramps continued. I read somewhere that lack of calcium could cause leg cramping and realized that I had not replaced milk in my diet with a calcium source. I then used a calcium supplement and the cramping disappeared within a couple of weeks.

You bet the statins are bad.  I went from Zocor to Pravachol  to Lipitor and now Zetia.  Am still waiting for the dam stuff to go away.  Docs do not understand when we tell them.  Stay away from Statins.  Help?

MY DR RECOMMENED  COQ10 WITH MY STATIN - SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NO LEG CRAMPS.  ASK YOUR DR.

Yes I agree with you. I suffer from cramps as a result of taking lipitor for my chlosestrol. I have been taking slow mag (magnesisum capsules) and have found that this eliminates the cramps at night. When I stop takingg slow mag the crramps return. I sugest you try slow mag to avoid cramps.

I was initially prescribed Zocor for cholesterol and I experienced leg and upper body muscle cramps.

However sometime later when the medication was changed to Lipitor, I didnot experience the cramps and still take lipitor, proved a lucky change for me.Try your luck with medication change it just might work. Good luck.

I'm having foot and leg cramps in bed, and only in bed.  I can move in the night and the cramps start.  I take Lipitor.........not sure if this is related.

my Mum gets leg cramp taking statins do the doc,s know everything?

 

I was on Lipitor and had occasional episodes of heaviness in both my upper arms. I went off that, and then on and off Niacin, and was finally put on Lopid (Gemfibrozil). (I have Type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and was also on long lasting insulin, metformin, and lisinopril).

Last winter I suddenly developed excruciating leg cramps in both calves, worse at night but persisting all day long. After a month of taking Ca++ and Mg+ and vitamins with no success, I stopped the Lopid and there was a marked improvement. However the cramping lasted another 4 months, and towards the end of that time I developed knee pain, which turns out to be a meniscal tear. Going off the lisinopril and metformin eased the pain from fluid pressure on my knee somewhat, although there is still some residual pain. I think the cramping must have predisposed me to the knee injury, but I can't think of any precipitating events (I was not active much with the leg cramps).

 

Lessons:

1) take persistent muscle cramping very seriously, because there can be serious  consequences and doctors do not seem to take them seriously

2) there needs to be much more attention paid to the side effects of these medications -- and much more thinking about whether and when they should be prescribed. The patient information paragraphs given out with the meds are inadequate.

3) there needs to be a national (or even international) registry of patient-reports on side effects of drugs -- with millions of people taking these drugs, we would build up knowledge of their effects very fast. Why don't we (or can't we) have such a registry? This is a no-brainer, just like the cancer registries that we now have. Every time there is a symptom possibly caused by a drug, doctors should have a simple, fast way of reporting that possibility. We should not expect meds to have zero side effects, but we should have mechanisms in place to rapidly recognize them when they are occuring.

 

To Barb and all those who get leg cramps at night and who take cholesterol lowering drugs.  I have high cholesterol, and have taken lovasatin and simvastatin, and I get severe leg cramps primarily at night.  Extra dosages of calcium and potassium seem to help but I still get them.  The VA used to prescribe Quinine but that is now unavailable.  There is a product called "Leg Cramps" by Hyland, which contains Herbal Quinine and you can get it at the the local CVS or Snyders.  It comes in two different tablets, one is disolvable in the mouth the other can be taken with water.  They both seem to help but not completely.  I don't know the answer and my doctors don't either.  A good walking program will keep the legs conditioned and that seems to help too.  Good luck.

 

 

Me too....After being on 20mg of Crestor for 2 years, I was recently switched to 40mg and these same cramps have been plagueing me at night also....what have you found out?

Sybil

HI" MY NAME IS PAM AND I ALSO SUFFER FROM LEG AND FEET CRAMPS AND I ALSO TAKE CHOLESTEROL MEDICATIONS FOR MINE BUT ONLY ONE THING THAT BOTHERS ME

THE MEDICATIONS DO NOT HEAL THE PAIN OF LEG AND FEET CRAMPS I TAKE TWO KINDS OF CHOLESTEROL MEDICATIONS AND THEY STILL DON"T HEAL THE PAIN THAT

WE SUFFER FROM THE CRAMPS AT NIGHT OR ANY OTHER DAY THAT DOES NOT GO

AWAY? I ALSO SUFFER FROM A WHOLE LINE OF PERSONAL PROBLEMS THAT JUST CAN"T BE HEALED THESE ARE THE KIND PROBLEMS THAT MOST AMERICANS HAVE TO

LIVE FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES? BUT WE GO TO THE DOCTOR BUT THE ONLY THING

THEY GIVE US IS MORE MEDICATIONS TO TAKE?

This might sound too simple but when you get night cramps, get out of bed and STAND on the leg/foot that is cramped.  The act of standing on it gives immediately relief and stops the cramp. It is amazing how few people seem to know this.

Of course you then have to get yourself back to sleep....

Absolutely I take zocor and get terrible leg cramps at night. Stop the Zocor and leg cramps dissappear. Start back on it and leg cramps in my calf come back.  definitely not a coincidence. Dr says leg cramps are not serious. But I am the one in pain.

 

You bet that statins cause leg cramps. Have you doctor do a CK blood test.  I'm off statins for now and no more cramps, vibrations or trigger finger. It's so nice to sit and watch TV without the terror that comes with the precursor of an attack. My cholesterol is up from 185 to 295 in the 6 weeks or so since I stopped all statins (Crestor being the last). I meet with my doctor in 3 weeks so perhaps he'll have a plan. I read that statins in low doses taken with CoQ10 there are no cramps. I'd be willing to give that a try. Whatever we decide I want blood work every 2 weeks like a Coumadin patient to monitor my CK levels. Normal CK (Creatine Kinase) blood levels range up to 198 U/L (units per liter). My level was 540.

I can almost agree, I would get a burning like pain from my hip down my leg where I couldn't walk or stand in one spot for too long. when I would go shopping I needed to find somewhere to sit quickly, I was miserable. I stopped taking my cholesterol meds for about 2 mon. and there has been a significant change ! now I'm on a different cholesterol med. and I don't suffer as much, there has to be something about that.

i have  had terrible  muscle cramps  in my feet at night.  it makes my muscles sore and hurts to walk the next day.   my legs are very weak also. i take 20 milgm. at bedtime.

YES!

I have been taking Simvastatin (generic for Zocor) for about a month now and after about 2 weeks I felt small hints of cramping in my legs and feet. About 6:45 this morning I started getting extreme pain from cramps in my right foot. I jumped up and tried to walk and or bounce a little to get it to stop but it took about 20 minutes for the cramping to go away.

Years ago I was on my feet all the time on concrete floors and my legs would cramp. I would pretend to drop my pen or keys or look for something that needed to be picked up for an excuse to squat down to stretch my legs. I was told about vitemin E capsules. I doubted that it would work but I was desperate and so I did try it. After about 2 weeks I noticed a difference. After a month I noticed that I was not having to "pretend" to drop things any more. 

About 4 years ago I was injured on a job and could not work anymore. I was on certain medications and was told not to take the vitemin E while taking that medication. Now that I am not taking that I am starting to take the vitemin E capsule again. That, along with the prayers should work. Vit. E allows for better blood flow to your muscles and that helps. I was told all those years ago to take the "natural" vitamen. It won't hurt to try plus the vit. is good for you in other ways. One study is talking about how vit. E is being used for cramps during monthly periods.

Good luck and God Bless You!

Yes i have really bad leg and feet cramps due to cholestral tablets, mostly at night, but the pain of the cramps can carry on throughout the day. terrible and worrying

Yes I too have a problem with severe cramps.  I had taken Lescol for 3 yrs after my heart-bypass surgery.  Then the muscle pains and cramps started.  I was put on Lipitor and they became worse.  Since I have to take cholesterol medication for good it seems, I was prescribed the 10 mg Crestor drug - and the cramps, severe at times, during day and night, have started again.  I was told to drink a small glass of Indian tonic water which includes quinine but really I just do not feel fast-relief results. I am really at a loss as I know that pain in the joints and muscles could be serious........but should I stop or is there another remedy to reduce cholesterol in my case? I do get cramps even during daytime, sometimes, especially in my toes........at night they affect my ankles mostly.

I was (yes, was) taking 10mg of Lipitor for a little over a year and during that time I would have mild, annoying foot cramps and my heels hurt so bad to stand on when I first got out of bed I would wince with pain to walk.  I'm extremely active, working out 5-6 days a week and thought the heel pain was from the jumping up and down and plyometric exercises, so didn't put 2 and 2 together until I took myself off the meds. All pain and cramps went away.  I went off the meds (did let my dr. know), because I started researching statins and the side effects and they scared the living daylights out of me.  I wanted to lower my cholesterol holistically.  I purchased the book "Cholesterol Down" by Dr. Janet Brill and have been following the dietary changes for 3 weeks now.  My dr. agreed to let me try this approach for 6 weeks at which time I will have blood test to see if it works.  I will repost here if my numbers are satisfactory.

Yes! I have been taking statins for about 10 years now. I have been through the line up of statins and have had different side effects with them all, with one common one Cramps. My inter thigh muscle would feel as if it were going to tear in two. Next day so sore I could bearly walk. My fingers cramp so bad I could not straighten them. When my rib cage cramped so badly I couldn't move I finally  awoke from my dream of lowering my cholesterol with statins. I thought what if my heart muscles do the same?????? I quit for a few days, go to the Dr. he told me to try this one, that one etc. after 2 pills the cramps are back so badly I can't function.

YES, what works for me is 100mg CoQ10 w/ 1000IU vit. D3

am on 2omg of simvastatin and have pains in both my legs bad when walking also get cramp in my feet and toes ended up in hospital twice last 2 years with pneamonia last time 1 month ago was told to up simvastatin to 40 mg after 2 days i had severe pain below knees gp told me to just take 20 mg but still getting pain in legs i am female age 62

Yes I have the same problem and my doctor seems to not think much of it either.

With my family history, it is important I take the chesterol meds, however, I really suffer with the spasms in my feet.  I have cut the med in half and take it just before bed time and it has reduced the spasm.  I do not get them every day.  I am not sure, however, if by cutting the medication that I am achieving lower chesterol scores.  I will advise shortly.

I am 69 and over many years have tried almost every statin with the same feet leg cramps at night. And like others, I'm talking real pain, not just ache. Drinking a full glass of water does make it stop after a few minutes, but I too just quit the latest Statin, and will talk to my doc on Tues.  Since I am petite (5'3, 120lbs) and walk daily and ride a bike outdoors daily, I wonder at the need to reduce my cholesterol levels at all. Could mine be genetic?  Does anyone have any natural remidies to lower those levels? 

I feel most Doctors won't confirm what your going through because they don't want you to discontinue the statin drug. I was on them for seven years, not a night went by that I didn't have cramps in my legs and feet. I was always told, it's your age, your getting older. I scraped the statins along with my doctors.

Statins do cause cramps, I was on them for seven years, not a night went by that I wasn't doing a jig trying to get the cramps out of my feet. Mr Doctor told me it was my age. I researched it and stated taking COQ10, over the counter. As I further researched I discovered statins can ruin your heart and muscles, do the research, it's out there. I no longer take statins and dumped my old Doctor. I exercie more, I'm sixty and my new Doc says I'm more like a 45 year old. Statins are dangerous, do your own research.

I do not use statin drugs and suffer from leg cramps every noight. I have tried everything... electrolytes,,, calcium, magnesium. lots of water,, stretching, walking  byc riding, rub on drugs advertised in the web, traumeel, tylenol, sleep meds.....you name it. Doctors, chiropracters, phys. therapists. all try everything

nothing helps. I am conviced that this will never be solved and try to catch them at the start jump out of bed and walk around and return to bed and try to get some sleep, I average two to three  such experiences each night .  I try to grab a nap during the day but it  is not the same as agood nights sleep.. Save your money on advertised rubs and meds and resign yourself to grinning and bearing this and be glad its not something much worse like cancer or another deadly disease. I have hreard of no person dying from leg cramps although i sometimes think you could do more damage trying all the weird suggestions. one serious and reputable MD even suggested vinegar and water at bedtime.no help. Work your way around this as best you can and enjoy your day life as much as possible and try""" not to let it get you downand into depression . Good luck. 

Yes statins cause leg cramps!  Try taking CoQ10 with your statins.  It has really helped me.

Like Casey Stengel said, "It's deja vu all over again!"  I was taking simvistatin (Zocor) and got little sleep because of cramping in my calves and feet.  If I did strenuous exercise, I would get cramps in my thighs that were so painful, I was reduced to sobbing until the spasms stopped.  Docs were no help whatsoever.  Because the thigh cramps were seemingly related to increased physical activity, I figured maybe I was dehydrating and losing electrolytes.  I started with a shotgun approach adding calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) supplements and the cramping all but ceased entirely.  When I exercised, I took them before and after the exercise after making sure there was no chance of accidentally getting to a toxic level of any of the metal ions.  I eventually narrowed it down to Ca and continue taking a Ca citrate supplement daily.  Eventually, I did convince my pcp that it was the simvistatin that was the problem so she changed me to pravastatin recently.  It's worse.  With nominal exercise, I have to take Ca 2x a day.

I had not heard about taking Co Q10 and will definitely give that a try.  Regarding the elevated CK levels, has anyone had the CK fractionated into MM (muscle), MB (heart), and BB (brain) components?  As I recall the MB fraction is highly labile.

Yes, it is likely that you can experience cramps from the statin drug.  Your doctor should have advised you to stop taking the drug and revert to a diet that helps you reduce cholesterol.  My doctor told me that statins can effect people with the symptoms you are having. I was adviced to stop the drug as well.  I will not go into a complete diet program, but you can search the internet for cholesterol reducing diets. You don't have to depend on the drug.  Long time use can affect your liver as well. Hope that helps

Suzanne Combs

Mooresville, NC   

I took 20-40mg of Mevacor for 15 years and never had a problem.  Two years ago my doctor switched me to 40mg of Simvastatin at my request, because it's on the low-cost drug lists at Walmart, drug stores, etc.  Six months into Simvastatin, I started having leg cramps.  They've never been so bad that I couldn't stand up and walk off the cramps.  Starting a year ago, I noticed increasing muscle loss.  Six months ago, I started having severe abdominal cramping, which the doctors diagnosed as muscle spasms.  Also, I started having unsteadiness (weakness) in my walk, and I power-walk every other day.  Two weeks ago, I started having severe back and neck cramping.  It seems like everytime I overuse a muscle, I have sever pain for 3 days and heat doesn't help.  I started a medium glycemic diet, and my total cholesterol dropped from 185 to 138 in 3 months.  I'm going to request a blood test for my CoQ10 level.  I don't think it's ever been done.  Hopefully, I can find some relief soon.

My doctor prescribed Pravastatin to me 4-5 months ago.  I had never heard of any side effects with this drug and did not connect the HORRIBLE leg cramps I've been having in the last few months with this drug.  I would get 'charlie-horse' type cramps from my right hip down to my foot several times a day and I would have to move my leg or walk around to relieve the pain.  At night, the pain would culminate while I was sleeping to extreme pain that would wake me up and I would have to pace the upstairs (limping) of my house for a few minutes to get the cramp out.  

Surprisingly, I saw my family doctor (who prescribed the Pravastatin to me) and he gave me an anti-inflamatory and ordered my an MRI -- he had no clue, apparently, of the correlation of cramps with statins.  A chiropractor I saw two days ago said, emphatically, to stop taking the statin.  I am two days off the statin and the cramps have completely gone away.  

I'd rather eat better and exercise more to get my cholesterol down.  I am questioning whether these (or any drugs) should be prescribed to anyone under a reading of 250.  The drug companies are out of control and the doctors prescribe too freely, in my opinion.

 

I am having exactly the same symptom and when I discontinue the lipitor the cramping disappears.  

I absolutely believe anti-cholesterol drugs cause extreme pain in the feet. My husband was on Lovastatin for approx. 8 months, experience increasing pain in his feet - so I had him stop taking this drug and use an herbal remedy consisting of "red yeast rice" and "milkthistle" for 7 months, with gradual reduction in the pain in his feet. At his annual physical, his doctor had him begin Tricor, and within 3 days of this medicine the pain in his feet increased so badly he thought he was going to die! Again, I have had him stop this medicine but his feet pain is so bad that he is seeing a foot doctor about it, so we'll see what can be done to undo what the drugs have caused....

They definitely cause feet and leg cramps.  I was taking chlesterol medicine and started having leg and geet cramps.  I didn't know what caused them so I kept taking the choesterol medcine.  Finally they got so bad I was screaming in pain so I called the doctor.  He had me stop taking the medicine and within a couple of days they stopped.  He had me start taking them after about two weeks and they immediately started again.  That is when he took me off the medicine for six months.  After about six months we tried a differently choesterol medicine and I was doing fine until about two weeks ago when I started having leg cramps again.  I immediately called the doctor this time and he told me stop taking the medicine for three weeks and try again.  Unfortunately, note like the last time when they immediately went away I am still having cramps at night.  It has only been a week so I am going to wait another week before calling the doctor if they don't stop.  I'm not taking the medicine so if they don't stop I don't know what he will do.

I am taking Gemfibrozil 600 MB for about 4 month and have been getting cramps in my calves and feet at night and when just watching TV.  I get woke up about 3 to four time each night and have to walk around to get rid of the cramps.  Gemfibrozil is not a statin.

I did, and cut my prescription in half. bad leg cramps/  also got a round of Espophogial Verices and almost died. I'm Ok now though.

Hi Barb.

My sister was on cholesterol meds and she went to Dr after Dr trying to find out what was causing her SEVERE pain.  She was at the point of thinking  disability as she could barely function.

One day she was watching TV when a commercial gave the side effects of the CHOL med (she was taking) and lo & behold  that was it. The very symptoms she had was a side effect. She stopped taking it and less than 48 hrs later she was pain free. She was so mad that apparently none of the Drs  looked at the drugs she was taking.

Soooooo, yes they can cause severe pain. Don't let the Drs tell you otherwise.

OMG I am on Crestor and I feel likr someone is trying to break my legs.I have been on this before and told my doctor and she put me back on this stuff. I cant take this. Over 5 or 6 bad episodes of cramps a day.

Yes they can. I have a sister who took cholesterol drugs. She started to have cramps in her right leg and ankle. She kept thinking she hurts herself some how just couldn't pen point when or how. She suffered with this for days and decided to call her dr. As soon as he heard about her leg he told her to stop the meds and see him the next day. She ended up with damage to the nerves in her leg and angle which the dr. said she will improve somewhat but it will never be totally back to normal.  Please if your dr does nothing go to another dr who will listen to you.
Good luck      

it is a given that statins DO cause muscle cramps

we used to be able to take quinine for it, however the FDA has taken quinine off of the market

a simple blood test looking for the "cpk" will tell the dr what he needs to do

a drug called "baclofen"  will reduce the cramps

if your doc does not believe in the drug........get a new dr

Absolutely...I have tried 3 different statins, and all three gave

me muscle cramps and charlie horses, whether moving or just

sitting.  The shin cramps were the most pain. The last pills I

took were Lipitor.  I tried them and got the cramps in my theighs, shins, feet, toes, and calves....though not all at once.

I got cramps during the day, and/or at night when it woke me up.    I stopped taking Lipitor for about 2 months, then I tried them again....and it didnt take but a few days to get the muscle

cramps/spasms , so I quit again and am waiting for the doctor

to come up with something else. I have a 227 cholesterol count as of this week.  Some people never get the cramps, but it is the one thing listed on the pharmacy info you get with the prescription, that I have trouble with...I have no other ill effects that are listed, and there are a lot. So good

luck with finding something that you can live with.

So glad I found this site!   I have been on Lipitor for years (although not good about taking it regularly) - and realized recently that taking it correlates with having AWFUL cramps, mostly in my right calf, but one time it was very high in my left thigh.  

I get the cramps at night, and they are so bad I'm afraid I'll pass out or die.  [and I worry about cramps elsewhere - like in my heart.   That's a muscle too, right?  So I'd be dead if THAT muscle got a cramp! ]

 The cramps go on and on and on.  and if I even think about moving they begin again.   If I wake up before a leg cramp really gets going, I can stop it by slowly and steadily straightening my leg and bending my foot forward/upward (to stretch the back of my calf).   This hurts too, and there is a residual ache that lasts a day or two - but it's way better than the full development of the cramp. 

 

Coincidence that my cramp problems started when I stopped taking CoQ-10???

I had been taking it (along with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, for arthritic reasons) and had run out of it, didn't get more).    I'm going to start the CoQ-10nright away, to see if that resolves the problem.

 

Time will tell - but if the cramps continue -I agree with other folks here - I'd rather have slightly high cholesterol, than these  horrific cramps. 

 

Two years ago I was given Gemfibrozil 600mg x twice a day and then told to take Prevachol 80mg at night. My left leg and foot have been cramping since then. When it cramps, all joints lock up, my foot turns inward and I cannot move my whole leg. It can happen when I have been walking, or just sitting , or just standing up. I have to have my daughter massage my leg and push my foot slowly back and forth until it is over. I have spoken to doctors and can't get a answer. I am just not comfortable taking a ton of drugs anymore. Side affects seem to cause more problems then it's worth.

 

I had been told this by someone who stopped taking statins and started to take Tomato Yeast Rice instead, who swears by this.  My leg cramps are described in the question above exactly.

I have also been suffering from Fatigue, affecting work, play, and now emotions. This same person (a doctor, NOT my internist or cardiologist) says the same statins may be the cause. I sometimes start to nod off while at desk or working in clinics, or just relaxing.  Situation becoming very distressing.

While on these statins for 2 years, my cholesterol "numbers" have improved to a normal range, so I am wary about ceasing statins. Is using the Yeast Rice a way to lessen the effects but maintain some cholesterol control?

I have been taking Simvastin for a couple of years now, after insurance stopped coverage on Lipitor.  I get severe leg cramps 2-3 nights a week.  We're not talking about the kind of cramps that you can walk out.  It is the most intense pain I have ever experienced.  The only thing I've found that helps is a product called Biofreeze.  After I apply, the cramp will release in about five minutes.  Knowing that it WILL be gone shortly carries me through the pain.  I was glad to find this site and read all the feedback.  Gives me great argument to present to my doc during my next visit. 

I WAS JUST RESEARCHING STATIN DRUGS AND SIDE EFFECTS AND RAN INTO YOUR QUESTION.  YES, STATIN DRUGS ARE A CAUSE OF LEG CRAMPS.  MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN SUFFERING WITH THIS SINCE HE STARTED TAKING STATIN DRUGS.  HE QUESTIONED HIS DR. ABOUT THE LEG CRAMPS AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY HIS CHOLESTEROL MEDICATION.  MY SUGGESTION IS ALWAYS GET A SECOND OPINION.  SOMETIMES DR'S HAND OUT MEDICATION LIKE CANDY. WE ALL KNOW HOW THEY'RE HOUNDED BY DISTRIBUTORS AND HOW THEY GET KICK BACKS ON PRESCRIPTIONS.  WE DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH RESEARCH THEY DO BEYOND THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURERS. SO, IT'S OUR JOB TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WE ARE PUTTING IN OUR BODIES. WE HAVE TO BE OUR OWN MEDICAL ADVISORS IN TERMS OF FOLLOW UPS. TRY A HEALTHIER DIET AND EXCERCISE TO CONTROL YOUR CHOLESTEROL.  GOOD LUCK

 

 

 

 

I have been taking 2 herbal tablets every morning called Guggul by Himalaya products, my cholestrol control has come down from 15 to 5 in three months. Of course the Dr attributes it to the statin's but I know better. Try it it's fantastic, especially for people with hyperthryoidism. My thryoid count came down from 84 to 20 also in three months. You can also combine the guggul with Garcinia by the same people for lipid control.

Yes they do!!!!! And they can cause permanent muscle damage!!! My doctor told me the same thing and I fired him!  I had cramps from my things to my toes!  When I had them at work, I quit cold turkey!  The pharmacist also told me to stop taking them.  I then went to a holistic doctor.  He placed me on Red Yeast Rice and Non-Flushing Niacin and Fish Oil.  I take 2400 mg of Red Yeast Rice, 1000mg of Non-flushing Niacin and 3000 mg of Fish oil.  My cholesterol went down over 100 points!  Imagine that!  All those vitimins are natural and the body will not reject this.  I have been on this regimine for 3 years now.  Of course, I watch what I eat but cheat at times.  I am 61 and look and feel great.  See a holistic doctor!  It might save your life and your suffering!

Yes I am taking statin and yes my leg cramps at night. I have been on lipitor and so far I have not had that problem I take 20mg of Lipitor

 

 

Yes I am taking statin and yes my leg cramps at night. I have been on lipitor and so far I have not had that problem I take 20mg of Lipitor

 

 

Yes. I have been taking Lipitor for a few years with my cholesterol still stay high. Two weeks ago, my Dr. doubled my dosage to 40mgs. Last night I was awaken at 3am with extreme leg cramping. It envolved both legs and feet and toes. I also had diarria and vomiting until 7am. In the morning, I was sitting on the couch and the cramping continued. I am not taking my Lipitor anymore. It was all caused by Lipitor. Anyone else?

Yes, I have been on Lipitor and Ezitrol for years and I as well have numberous leg cramps during the night. Even if I just attmept to roll over generally my ham string muscles cramp.

 

At times when just sitting watching TV or what ever and attempt to get up, my upper thigh will cramp severally.

 

Calf and foot cramps occur as well at night but not as often.

 

 

Of course they can!  Why do doctors INSIST that a patient is not experiencing what they KNOW they are experiencing, especially when nothing else has changed in that person's intake and activities?  I was on statins for several months before the cramps started, and then after a year they were unbearable.  I stopped the statin meds and the cramps subsided within 2 weeks.  I started them again and the cramps returned.  Stopped and they went away. Then I started taking CoQ10 with red rice yeast and the cramps returned.  A nurse explained to me that the red rice yeast has a naturally occurring statin.  So stopped that and the cramps went away. It makes me so angry when docs won't listen to the patient.  OF COURSE their drug distributor is not going to tell them about the side effects. I thought it was common knowledge by now, in the medical community, that statins have that sort of side effect.  I would rather die younger and have a full, rich, enjoyable life than live as a cripple and live longer.  It had gotten to the point that I couldn't play with my grandchildren, couldn't get in positions needed for my work as a sign-language interpreter (for instance, interpreting a CPR training, on the floor), and it even interfered with being intimate with my husband.  I hope you will be able to find what works for you, and that you have found a doc who will LISTEN to you :) 

Sincerely,

A fellow sufferer

Barb

 

If you start taking 400 IU of Vitamin E while still taking the statins your leg cramps will go away. I now know 4 people who had the same symptoms while taking Lipitor - leg cramps almost every night. Once they all started Vitamin E the leg cramps went away within 2 days. 200 IU did not work.

dave r