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What Causes Muscle Pains, Swollen Joints And Muscle Cramps After Using Statins?
Question: Hi, I've been on statins of one sort or another for about 12 yr. It's taken quite awhile to put things together. I guess I'm just not the suspicious sort. But, I believe I can relate some now pretty severe symptoms to statin and fenobibrate meds. Most notable early was very severe "gout" like symptoms that have morphed over the years to what seems now to be a very significant muscle loss. I've also had surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. It seems that my complaints aren't all that uncommon despite 'pharm.'s' description that side effects are rare. Where can I find out more about this? I'm pretty embarrassed for the pharmaceutical industry.
Brief Answer:
Yes, statins and fenofibrates causes these side effects
Detailed Answer:
I warmly Welcome you!
Thanks for consulting me at virtual clinic. I have carefully worked through your case, and I can realize your health worries. Being your physician, I assure you not to worry as I will take care all of your medical concerns.
Your concerns are true! Statins and Fenofibrates cause these side effects. Muscle aches and pains, swillen joints, muscle cramps and pains, tiredness, lower back and side pain, swollen face fingers or lower legs, swollen joints.
To worry with are two complications ( if they appear) 1. Kidney problems due to overwhelming the nephrons trying to eliminate large amounts of muscle breakdown products. ( I recommend to my patients to check their Renal function tests)
2. Muscle pains and damage due to statin. Causes raised creatine kinase levels. I recommend CK levels in my patients on long term statins.
Hope it helps today. If you need further, detailed and quick assistance related to any health issues, feel free to 'ask me a question' directly from my profile. You can also attach Lab reports and pictures with direct question.
May you get very well soon and have a wonderful time ahead. Please don't forget to give your valuable feedback and five star rating, to help me assist you in a better way. Click at 'I Find This Answer Helpful.' Please, write a review about your experience with me.
Regards!
DR. HANIF
XXXXXXX USA
Yes, statins and fenofibrates causes these side effects
Detailed Answer:
I warmly Welcome you!
Thanks for consulting me at virtual clinic. I have carefully worked through your case, and I can realize your health worries. Being your physician, I assure you not to worry as I will take care all of your medical concerns.
Your concerns are true! Statins and Fenofibrates cause these side effects. Muscle aches and pains, swillen joints, muscle cramps and pains, tiredness, lower back and side pain, swollen face fingers or lower legs, swollen joints.
To worry with are two complications ( if they appear) 1. Kidney problems due to overwhelming the nephrons trying to eliminate large amounts of muscle breakdown products. ( I recommend to my patients to check their Renal function tests)
2. Muscle pains and damage due to statin. Causes raised creatine kinase levels. I recommend CK levels in my patients on long term statins.
Hope it helps today. If you need further, detailed and quick assistance related to any health issues, feel free to 'ask me a question' directly from my profile. You can also attach Lab reports and pictures with direct question.
May you get very well soon and have a wonderful time ahead. Please don't forget to give your valuable feedback and five star rating, to help me assist you in a better way. Click at 'I Find This Answer Helpful.' Please, write a review about your experience with me.
Regards!
DR. HANIF
XXXXXXX USA
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hi, and good morning Dr Hanif,
Thank you for your time. I'm satisfied with the answer.
Is there, or have you found, a link with long term statin use and lumbar stenosis?
Can you point me in a direction where I might learn something, anything, more myself? I'm well aware that symptoms may not go away with cessation but if there is anything I might do to enhance recovery, I will.
I've already stopped the statin, with my physician's blessing, tho he'd like me to switch to Livalo. I'm hesitant.
I wonder if it I might stop the fenobibrate as well especially as it has been prescribed along with Colcrys and that combination seems to really be hard on muscle.
Thank you and best regards
Thank you for your time. I'm satisfied with the answer.
Is there, or have you found, a link with long term statin use and lumbar stenosis?
Can you point me in a direction where I might learn something, anything, more myself? I'm well aware that symptoms may not go away with cessation but if there is anything I might do to enhance recovery, I will.
I've already stopped the statin, with my physician's blessing, tho he'd like me to switch to Livalo. I'm hesitant.
I wonder if it I might stop the fenobibrate as well especially as it has been prescribed along with Colcrys and that combination seems to really be hard on muscle.
Thank you and best regards
Brief Answer:
I appreciate your compliments
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back Mr. XXXX!
Thanks for the compliments. I am always more than happy to help you anytime in future too.
You are thinking very logically and scientifically. But remember that with every pain there is a gain. God made an enzyme in the liver that is needed for cholesterol formation in your liver factory. But if, our cholesterol levels (due to many reasons goes up, your doctor stops that enzyme with an inevitable agent called statin, so that you might not get your important vein clogged. It avoided heart attack, sudden cardiac death and stroke.
But at the same time the drug caused side effects. We as a physician have to decide in the best benefit of patients. So we choose the option least likely to cause sudden serious and life threatening effects. That's why your physician needs you to comply with, and shifted to a much better but again a statin, Livalo (pitavastain). It will give some relief to your aching muscles.
Fenofibrates cause more muscle problems when used for long periods of time as compared to Colchicine (Cocrys). If you want to stop any medication, don't go to literature by yourself as you may lead to a wrong side. Every information on the internet isn't for everyone. You may search at leading hospitals and clinics in the USA websites. They have latest updates regarding every treatment. But, Only your treating physician is trained for that purpose, of treating you with the best possible therapy guidelines, that are updated daily. I also use those guidelines in everyday practice.
Hope it helps today. If you need further, detailed and quick assistance related to any health issues, feel free to 'ask me a question' directly from my profile. You can also attach Lab reports and pictures with direct question.
May you get very well soon and have a wonderful time ahead. Please don't forget to give your valuable feedback and five star rating, to help me assist you in a better way. Please, write a review about your experience with me.
Regards!
DR. HANIF
XXXXXXX USA
I appreciate your compliments
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back Mr. XXXX!
Thanks for the compliments. I am always more than happy to help you anytime in future too.
You are thinking very logically and scientifically. But remember that with every pain there is a gain. God made an enzyme in the liver that is needed for cholesterol formation in your liver factory. But if, our cholesterol levels (due to many reasons goes up, your doctor stops that enzyme with an inevitable agent called statin, so that you might not get your important vein clogged. It avoided heart attack, sudden cardiac death and stroke.
But at the same time the drug caused side effects. We as a physician have to decide in the best benefit of patients. So we choose the option least likely to cause sudden serious and life threatening effects. That's why your physician needs you to comply with, and shifted to a much better but again a statin, Livalo (pitavastain). It will give some relief to your aching muscles.
Fenofibrates cause more muscle problems when used for long periods of time as compared to Colchicine (Cocrys). If you want to stop any medication, don't go to literature by yourself as you may lead to a wrong side. Every information on the internet isn't for everyone. You may search at leading hospitals and clinics in the USA websites. They have latest updates regarding every treatment. But, Only your treating physician is trained for that purpose, of treating you with the best possible therapy guidelines, that are updated daily. I also use those guidelines in everyday practice.
Hope it helps today. If you need further, detailed and quick assistance related to any health issues, feel free to 'ask me a question' directly from my profile. You can also attach Lab reports and pictures with direct question.
May you get very well soon and have a wonderful time ahead. Please don't forget to give your valuable feedback and five star rating, to help me assist you in a better way. Please, write a review about your experience with me.
Regards!
DR. HANIF
XXXXXXX USA
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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