Statin Drug Users BEWARE!!

[bonebreaker]

If you're taking any Statin Drugs, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, etc., be careful!! I had taken Lipitor or other Statin drugs for quite a while and recently I started having problems with joint pain, muscle tightness and stiffness and lack of range of motion, especially in my hips lower back and hamstrings. On a lark, I had my doctor check my Creatine Kinase levels, which basically indicates if there is a potential problem in the muscles. The normal level is under 200, mine was 867, so there was indeed some deterioration. I immediately stopped the Lipitor and within a month the levels have dropped 300 points, but I still have 300 more to go. Most of my joints have pretty much stopped aching, except my elbows. I still feel weird in my hips and hamstrings, like they are weak and un-coordinated and my lower back still throbs like I have a severe lumbar strain. I had to stop lifting as the Dr. suggested that I could really tear up some tissue with my CK levels that high. And it's probably true, given the fact that I ripped a hamstring water skiing and wasn't really under too much physical pressure at the time. Thing is, I had tolerated the drug(s) well for a very long time, and it seems like almost overnight I started having these weird problems. Since my cholesterol levels are so naturally high, I am now taking Policosanol which supposedly has no side effects. I go back to the Dr. August 25 for a re-check for my CK levels and I'll see if the Policosanol has helped any. If you are on any Statins and feel little weird things happening to your joints, muscles, etc., don't wait, get your CK levels checked at once. BB

[spidey]

This is one of the most common problems with the statins and is why every commercial you see on TV for any of them says to "immediately report any muscle pain as this may be indicative of a serious but rare side effect."

[bonebreaker]

The problem is I didn't have any muscle "pain" until I tore my hamstring. They don't say anything about muscle stiffness, joint pain or loss of range of motion. They just use the word "pain". Again, I really never had any pain until it was too late.. BB

[jipped genes]

been on crestor before and had no probs. also treid niaspan is that one a statin?

[bonebreaker]

Originally Posted by jipped genes

been on crestor before and had no probs. also treid niaspan is that one a statin?

No, it's not a Statin, it's just Niacin, (B-6), in a time released medication. I tried Niacin many years ago, but at a dosage high enough to do any good it caused me to have horrible hot flashes. BB

[Shibby]

This sounds like a geriatric thread

[bonebreaker]

Originally Posted by Shibby

This sounds like a geriatric thread

Ha, ha, very funny, lol. But, alas, I must confess, on my part anyway, it's true, lol. You'll get there too someday Grasshopper. Got to go, I think someone has stolen my walker. BB

[Primal Instinct]

Wow, very informative stuff. Thanks BB. I was also on Lipitor for some time and I too had noticed hip/knee joint pains. Deep in-the-bone type pains. I'm not THAT old but I sure felt it sometimes- like grandfather old...no offense. LOL. This info helps to fill in a picture some for me in past months. Thanks again.

[Puddles]

My mom tried Lipitor twice in recent months and just the sides were awful.

[Cory]

There are natural cures for just about any ailment, usually with no sides. All statins are going to have sides after long term use. You won't ever catch me using a statin unless my life absolutely depended on it.

[Stonecold54]

Man I will always stay away from these new age drugs...I don't even take pain meds anymore if I don't have to. I drink Tea for headaches and it usually works. About the only one I will venture with is ambien for sleep and that is only every few nights at best so I get a full nights sleep before a workout. I take my vitamins regularly and a lot of stuff to help control Cholestrol...I know I am young but I figure its never to early. I take the polisacnol and that Guggul complex...along with my vitamin E. and healthy fat oils. For cycling on Test for almost three years and my cholesterol is under 200 with HDL's in the 40's I am pretty pleased.

[NYCmitch25]

Originally Posted by Shibby

This sounds like a geriatric thread

lol

[jipped genes]

Originally Posted by bonebreaker

No, it's not a Statin, it's just Niacin, (B-6), in a time released medication. I tried Niacin many years ago, but at a dosage high enough to do any good it caused me to have horrible hot flashes. BB

it worked well at bringing up my hdl from 11 to 39. i took it at night before bed and slept right through it 95% of the time. when i did wake it was uncomfortable to say the least. but worth it

[Howzits]

from a cerified geriatric:

peripheral neurapathy is a well docuemented problem with all statins.

herbal natural "sanols" (statin equivs found in nature) seem to have less problem but are not very effective.

interactions with other medications are frequent and poorly docuemented.
Most notably, the calcium channel blockers used by many hypertensive patients are most likmely not compatible with any statin (and maybe natural sanols).

exaccerbation of fluid retension resulting in joint-pain and general coordinative loss / loss of muscle mass (often in legs) are common complaints.

read up on CoQ10 -- some addition of that supplement may help these conditions.

REALLY BAD STUFF ANY OF IT.

I expect to need a walker in a couple of years due to this junk.
Can't get off it due to cholesterol levels.


Some choice - crip or stroke.

[Pumpdogg]

How are things going BB?? I am going to my endo tomorrow and was thinking of seeing if there is anything else I can take.. I used to take provachol, it gave me fits, then I went to crestor and zetia both, and my joints hurt all the time... A month or so ago I stopped taking both the crestor and zetia and my joints have not hurt at all....I will see what he has to say

PD

[bonebreaker]

Originally Posted by Pumpdogg

How are things going BB?? I am going to my endo tomorrow and was thinking of seeing if there is anything else I can take.. I used to take provachol, it gave me fits, then I went to crestor and zetia both, and my joints hurt all the time... A month or so ago I stopped taking both the crestor and zetia and my joints have not hurt at all....I will see what he has to say

PD

Hey PD, thanks for asking. I won't know until 08/25/05, my next blood workup, if my Creatine Kinase levels are back to normal. I have almost lost all my joint and muscle pain except in my elbows, especially my left one. Plus, I have noticed that the second and third fingers, counting from my pinky, are a bit numb, like they're asleep. Nerve damage? Carpal Tunnel? I don't know, although I have had numbness from time to time when I have my hands at rest, although, I could always shake out the numbness. Now these two fingers on each hand are pretty numb all the time. When I have the results of my CK check, I'll let you know. The biggest problem I will have though, is what will I be able to do to keep my cholesterol levels in line? Diet and excercise never were the answer before. I hope the 60mgs. of Policosanol/day have done some good to my chol. levels. BB