Cholesterol-Lowering Medications Cause Pain

I had to cease taking statins because of muscle pain. I did switch to Red Rice Yeast and Omega 3 fish oils along with increasing exercise (warm water lap swim), eating lots of salmon and mackrel and following a food plan which reduces body inflamation (anti inflamatory diet). My cholesterol is now within normal range. I am hypothyroid with MS so lots of drugs are contraindicated and one must find alternativies. Thanks to the Andrew Weil MD and Jim Mercola DO web sites which have helped more than my pharmacy trained physicians.

I am a 55 year old woman who is very physically fit and eats very healthy.   My good cholesterol is very high, but unfortunately so is my bad cholesterol.   I was initially put on Zocor for my hereditary form of high cholesterol.   I immediately started experiencing muscle pain and weakness.   My cardiologist switched me to Simcor - which DOES contain a statin like Zocor, but also contains prescription strength niacin which is though to better address the familial aspects of my high cholesterol.    I do not seem to be (yet) experiencing the same muscle pain and fatigue from this medication.   It comes in different dosage levels of the statin - and I'm on the lowest one - so maybe this is why.   It's a good idea to check with your doctor on dosage levels, because I read that with drugs like Lipator, the dosage level of the statin is much higher than people without heart disease may need.   I am not advocating splitting pills or self-medicating - please discuss with your doctor.   Another thing that I take is the supplement red yeast rice, a natural statin (in time-release pill form).   There are many different brands, and as supplements are not regulated like medications, make sure you buy a reputable brand.   In addition, I was also advised to take CoQ10 - another supplement that works in conjunction with the statins to lower cholesterol.    I will tell you that the side effects from the prescription strength niacin can be VERY uncomfortable.   It is called "flushing" and the sensation is like being a thermometer - you feel the heat rising up through your body - your ears get red and hot and then the rest of you follows.   You look like you have a bad sunburn - and it itches like poison ivy.    This can last for up to an hour.   I searched for advice on how to mitigate this effect and have found the best solution (for me).   I take a baby aspirin 1/2 hour before - then I take the Simcor with food and follow it immediately with LOTS of water - at least 16 ounces - preferably more.   Best to take the medication around dinner time so that you can comfortably drink that much water before bedtime.    Spicy foods, hot liquids and alcohol can exacerbate the effects of the flushing - so best to avoid those near the time you take your medication.    Lastly - I eat a lot of steel cut oatmeal to help lower my cholesterol.   I was never a fan of regular oatmeal - but the steel cut (which takes a half hour to cook) is great - especially when you doctor it up with brown sugar, cinnamon and craisins.    Hope this information is helpful - especially remember the water after taking niacin!

Might be of balance to address the positive research on statins and alternates to stopping. Urinalysis? Blood test (I don't think so).

Jerry Hesch

HeschMethod
HeschManualTherapy 

I'M SEEING MY INTERNIST ON THE 29TH AND SHOWING HIM THIS ARTICLE!

I'VE BEEN OFF OF MY STATIN FOR 8 WEEKS- COINCIDENCE-MY PAIN HAS DECREASED BY 50% ???  AM GETTING LAB WORK DONE AND HOPEFULLY I WON'T BE ON STATINS ANYMORE!  I'VE ALSO CHANGED MY DIET & LOST 70 LBS SINCE LAST JANUARY.  

My pain began while I was taking Lipitor.  I only took it for one year and by the end of that year I could barely move.  The muscles in my legs became painful first, then my hips, arms, shoulders, higher back, and up into my head.  After quiting Lipitor the pain did not subside.  It has only gotten worse.  I am told it has nothing to do with the Lipitor because my blood does not have the right antibodies or something.  So I sit with so much pain on somedays that I can not type.  I even had a swelling in my left hand that itched.  Well, my left shoulder itched.  When I scratched it I felt it go down my arm and then felt the scratching on my hand. I am seeing a nerologist in October but it is frightening because I do not have health insurance.  No one will insure me and I am too young for medicare.  Since I go to a 'free'clinic they will not give me any pain medication.  They think I am drug seeking.  Actually I am relief seeking

The less medications the better; just by promoting health, doctors will find the cure for these preventable diseases like high cholesterol within their grasp. I am so surprised when another doctor refers a patient who has chronic pain due to a "statin" medication. Does it really take a specialist to figure this one out? Please share this information and carry the torch for: "Promote Health, Not Medications".

Dr. Christina Lasich, MD

I had been on  a statin ( Vytorin, Zocor, then back to Vytorin with Niaspan) for period of 18 months. These drugs reduced my mildly elevated TC of 218 down to a TC of 105. I flipped out. I stopped sleeping, became depressed, started bleeding again and went hormonal. I stopped the Vytorin and I became a normal person within 3 days.

When my cholestrol dropped to 105, no one could tell me what was too low for cholesterol and I was asking everyone. Everyone would remark how wonderful my numbers were. I was thinking if these numbers are so great why do I feel like crap? "Lower is better", is a mantra sold to doctors by the pharmacuitcal companies without talking about what is too low. Too low is very dangerous.

Cholesterol is not something evil in your body, it is needed by your body properly function. Cholesterol is a problem when the levels get too high.

Reta

All too interesting!  My husband was just put on Pravastatin, and I have been looking it up.  Just trying to learn all about this situation he finds himself in.  I feel like I learned a lot just reading this article...I am going to ask some questions come Monday, that is for sure.  He just told me tonight he already is getting a headache, he thinks from the med., and he doesn't even know the side effect of it.  Thanks for writing on this topic!:>)

My pain management specialist suggested Coenzyme Q10 for muscle pain resulting from statin drugs.  Works like a charm for me.  Of course, everyone should check with his/her own doctor before trying any advice found on the internet. :)

I was put on statins several years ago and the doctor had the lab run tests every month and the test always came back with higher levels than it should. He asked me every time if my muscles where sore or achy. Usually they werent and I would say no. Some times they really hurt but I thought it was because I was working outside, doing work that I shouldnt. He took me off the statins any how and put me on Niacin. This didnt work either. Finally he put me on Colestipol and I have been on it ever since.

I was diagnosed with hereditary high LDL today and was put on Crestor.  I read the article in the New England Journal of Medicine regarding the potential benefits of combining a statin with a slow release Niacin.  Has anyone taken the Slo-Niancin product?