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Statin Drugs. Loss Of Appetite, Nausea, Painful Back And Legs, Muscle Weakness. What Is Wrong?
I was checking the side effects of statin drugs. My mother is having problems now which the doctors are unable to figure out what is causing them. She has pain in her back and upper legs, no appetite, at times nauseated, lost about 20 lbs in the past month. The muscles in her legs are becoming weaker and she's finding it harder to walk, afraid her legs will give out. She is a very active person and this really has her down and out. I just saw an ad for a statin on TV and caught the end of the side effects - two of which were the muscle weakness & no appetite. Would you have any ideas?
Mon, 16 Sep 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Yes, Muscle weakness, muscle pains are common side effects related to statin usage. Rhabdomyolyis (muscle breakdown) is a much more serious complication seen in some patients with statin usage and may cause renal failure.
I suggest you to get CPK(creatine phosphokinase) level estimation (which is a blood test) for your mother. If the value is raised, it indicates muscle damage in which case either the dose of statin should be reduced or she has to shift to a different statin.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
Yes, Muscle weakness, muscle pains are common side effects related to statin usage. Rhabdomyolyis (muscle breakdown) is a much more serious complication seen in some patients with statin usage and may cause renal failure.
I suggest you to get CPK(creatine phosphokinase) level estimation (which is a blood test) for your mother. If the value is raised, it indicates muscle damage in which case either the dose of statin should be reduced or she has to shift to a different statin.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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