HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Severe Muscle Pain While On Statins

default
Posted on Mon, 27 Mar 2017
Question: Hi, I've been taking statins for about 7 years to lower my cholesterol, I used to be a fit athlete but now my muscle mass is reducing rapidly and muscle pain is increasing. What can I do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would like to explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome on HCM!

I passed carefully through your concern, and would like to explain that your actual complaint (muscle pain) could be a complication of your actual medication.

Statins may lead to myalgia (muscle pain) and myopathy, which are serious adverse effects and may be a reason for stopping the therapy at least temporarily.

Vitorin and also Mevalotin may exert the above mentioned adverse effects in up to 3 - 4% of patients.

As your complaints keep persisting and even growing, you need to immediately consult your prescribing doctor and refer your clinical symptomatology.

In addition, it is necessary to perform some lab tests:

- AST & ALT,
- LDH,
- CPK,
- BUN & creatinine,
- blood electrolytes level
- PCR

You need to discuss with your attending doctor on the above mentioned issues.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 days later)
Hello again,
Is there a quick fix to get rid of the pain an muscle loss?

I had my 1st stent of total 6 when I was 50 years old.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that a rapid way to reduce muscle weakness would be stopping statin intake and restart them after a month or two.

It will help reduce the pain and inflammation and stop the progression of statin induced myopathy (which could be the reason of your symptoms).

Ibuprofen can also help against the pain.

During this period of time, as you are going to stay without statins in your therapy, I would recommend avoid fatty food and increase food reach in omega 3 fatty acids (fish, fish oil, olive oil, walnuts, etc.).

After recovering from your symptoms, I would recommend starting statins again gradually, in low doses and increasing slowly, in order to avoid these adverse effects.

Taking a lot of proteins (legumes, cheese, fish or white meat) in your diet will also be helpful to regenerate your muscles.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9541 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Severe Muscle Pain While On Statins

Brief Answer: I would like to explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome on HCM! I passed carefully through your concern, and would like to explain that your actual complaint (muscle pain) could be a complication of your actual medication. Statins may lead to myalgia (muscle pain) and myopathy, which are serious adverse effects and may be a reason for stopping the therapy at least temporarily. Vitorin and also Mevalotin may exert the above mentioned adverse effects in up to 3 - 4% of patients. As your complaints keep persisting and even growing, you need to immediately consult your prescribing doctor and refer your clinical symptomatology. In addition, it is necessary to perform some lab tests: - AST & ALT, - LDH, - CPK, - BUN & creatinine, - blood electrolytes level - PCR You need to discuss with your attending doctor on the above mentioned issues. Hope to have been helpful to you! In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again. Kind regards, Dr. Iliri