Loading...Statins are the most successful drugs in history. It’s estimated that more than 20 million people take drugs like Crestor, Lipitor, lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin. Over the past decade, sales have reached hundreds of billions of dollars.
For people with heart disease, these medications lower cholesterol and save lives. But three fourths of the statin prescriptions in the U.S. are written for people who don’t actually have heart disease. They just have elevated cholesterol levels, and their doctors are trying to prevent problems.
Is this a good idea? A recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine (June 28, 2010) throws doubt on the value of these drugs for people without heart disease. Investigators analyzed data from 11 clinical trials involving more than 65,000 people without heart disease. They did have elevated cholesterol and other risk factors.
There was no evidence statins saved lives in these participants.
Yet questions remain about long-term benefits and risks. One comment at www.peoplespharmacy.com notes: “I’m a neurologist who has seen countless cases of mild muscle weakness and several cases of profound weakness cured by stopping statins. There are a host of other statin side effects, including cognitive compromise and neuropathy, that go unaddressed.”
The possible link between statins and ALS is controversial but unsettling. Here is one woman’s story: “Two years ago, my cardiologist prescribed Zocor to treat moderately high cholesterol. Within a month, I had to take Vicodin for severe muscle pain; even small efforts like getting out of bed were extremely painful. I decided to stop taking Zocor, and the muscle pain decreased over time.
“My cardiologist strongly urged me to take another statin. Soon after starting Lipitor I noticed that I sometimes slurred a few words when I talked, and I ‘ran out of air’ after only a few words. I had to take short ‘catch-up’ breaths to finish sentences. I also choked on food and medications.
“I told my cardiologist about these problems, but he seemed unconcerned. In a few months, my speech, choking and breathing had worsened considerably, and the cardiologist ordered a CT brain scan. It showed no signs of a stroke or other abnormalities. I was referred to a neurologist.
“The neurologist ordered an MRI of the brain and commented that I had ‘extremely weak muscles.’ (At this point, knowing that statins can cause muscle weakness, I quit taking Lipitor.) But he refused to answer any of my questions or tell me what was wrong.
“Another neurologist reviewed my tests (including the MRI), and ruled out a tumor or a stroke. He wants to test for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), but I have not consented because weak muscles, speech and breathing problems are my only symptoms.
“None of my doctors will even consider the possibility that Lipitor caused my condition. It is documented that statins are tied to muscle weakness. Statins have also been associated with slurred speech and ‘ALS-like symptoms.'”
In a postscript several months later, she reported: “I have been diagnosed with ALS. Do I blame statin drugs? Yes. Am I heart-broken? Yes. Am I scared? To death.”
It is unclear whether statins trigger ALS, but we urgently need to learn about their long-term benefits and risks.
PGT
About seven years ago, my doctor put me on statins, but I developed speech problems and arm pain after about four months. We tried several different statins, but each time I had problems. When I didn’t take the statins, my speech was back to normal within a few days. Before I took statins, my cholesterol was around 220. With Statins, my cholesterol was around 170. I refused to take the statins, but watched my diet, took Omega3 fish oil, and ate oatmeal, fruits and vegetables and almost no red meat.
Unfortunately, almost a year ago I suddenly experienced major blockage of the main coronary artery. I was lucky to be on the table quickly, and had a heart cath and one stent placed. Other arteries were fine. Due to the close call, I agreed to try statins one more time. I am now taking low-dose Livalo, and even though my cardiologist planned to increase the dose, he hasn’t because my cholesterol is low, LDH is low, and HDL is high. (perfect) I’ve had NO side effects in the past 11 months. Also, I’ve had no chest pain or other cardiac problems.
Hope this helps someone.
RAI
After having stents placed in a couple of my heart’s arteries back in 2003, I began taking 20mg of Lipitor. I noticed about a year later that I started to experience pain in the back of my legs and generally in my body. It got to the point that I needed a cane to walk and I couldn’t bend down to pick up the dog dish to feed my dog without great pain. I literally had to push through the pain.
I told my doctor that I felt the pain was caused by Lipitor. He didn’t agree and put me on pregnizone (an anti-inflammatory) which did away with the pain almost immediately, proving, he said, that I was just suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica.
About five years ago I switched to Zocor or simvistatin and I have not experienced the same kind of pain but I am starting to definitely experience pain, especially in the morning; similar but different than with Lipitor.
Throughout all of this I have experienced problems with memory; usually I lose my train of thought as my mind seems to race ahead of me. This was particularly difficult when I was teaching in a local community college.
My cholesterol numbers have definitely improved but I just had a blood test and now I am seeing an increase in my glucose and my blood pressure is up. Is this caused by simvistatin?
My doctor (this is hard to believe) actually suggested that I stop taking simvistatin for a month. I just stopped last night. This morning my pain in my legs was different. It seemed more natural, more topical.
I am really not sure what to do next. I know that the doctor will want to continue with some kind of statin, but I would like to find an alternative while I am also working on my blood pressure and my glucose. Both of those I can monitor. And developing a healthier lifestyle, though it isn’t bad.
I am fairly active, practice yoga most days and play tennis when the weather permits.
jad
I have been on statins since 1999. I am a 70 year old female. After beginning the statins, I complained of muscle pain and weakness to my neurologist who nearly went into orbit about the statins, wanting me off of them. I have a family history of artherioscelerosis so I have always been afraid to get off statins. Later my younger brother had a quintuple artery replacement with vessels from various parts of his body and is on a statin. I notice that he has become weak and their are mental changes to his once extremely bright mind. Also a little touch of paranoia I think.
I am embarrassed by my inability to come up with proper nouns and names I know I know. I wish I knew the right thing to do.
Wasn’t there another possible substitute for statins mentioned here some time back? What is it? Any credible research? Even my cardiologist would like to know?
Jae
What was the name of that non-statin Rx… My Dr. will want to put me on statin tomorrow for high cholesterol and I would rather not take then if there is a non-statin alternative. I appreciate the information.
mh
I’m 63 yrs old male, I have tried all kind of statins until 2 yrs ago. The last one I was on was pravastion, it lowered my cholesterol all right, but it shot my liver enzymes up fast, so I was taken off and the Dr ordered a liver ultrasound which came back that I have developed NASH (fatty liver) after a year on this stuff, which there is no cure for NASH.
The Dr state statin do not cause fatty liver, well I never will take them again, did anyone else have this experience with statin? I just had another ultra sound and the results showed fatty liver > acute liver disease, thanks Statins.
EB
Are there more negative’s than positive’s to the Drug Crestor? I’ve just been given crestor 10 mg daily… After reading the negs’ I’m really scared… I’m 77yrs old, quad. by-pass almost 6 years ago… My total cholesterol is 185… my HDL is 67…. and LDL much too high..103… for my history, should be under 70!!!
That’s why he wants me on crestor..I’ve been on pravastion 80mg for 3 yrs… a beta blocker Atenolol 50mg as well..
I’m scared to take Crestor…. I was tried on Lipitor for several years and was dying of muscle and joint pain…. What to do????
paulbyr
After talking to my Dr. (an internist) about reducing the statin (Zocor generic) dose from 40 to 20 mg, she suggested I instead switch to 10 mg Lipitor. We knew my LDL would rise but wanted my HDL to rise from 35 to >40. I did and after 6 wks., I had my blood checked (last week). LDL was up from 135 to 173 (still good enough, I think) and HDL was up from 35 to 46 (very good).
The only problem was leg pains when I walked my dog. I told her and she asked me to stop the Lipitor and we would discuss strategy when I visited her office this week. I quit Lipitor 3 days ago and realized yesterday that I had NO leg pains. I think we will discuss niacin but I am wondering how bad it would be to go “cold turkey” for 6 weeks and re-check blood. Does anyone have experience with this scenario?
I had a minor TIA stroke in 2002 but my cardiologist says my heart is still fine, last Feb after stress test and nuclear trace testing.
sandy
am wondering if you could elaborate on the type of meds/therapy that you
are now on to replace the statins.
Rita
I have Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Hypothyroidism…recently diagnosed with high cholesterol and some carotid and coronary blockage. Was put on generic Zocor but numbers did not come down although blockage in carotids did seem to improve somehow.
Some side effects but not terrible with the Zocor, such as muscle cramps. Started CoQ10 and showed improvement. Recently put on Crestor to get numbers down lower. Horrible muscle pain in shoulder. Can no longer lift my right arm. Horrible nightmares. Sitff neck. Horrible headaches. Blurred vision. Joint pain.
Feel as if I am going into an auto immune flare up which had been under control prior to being put on the statins. Feel like there must be some connection.
condoline
I have spent the better part of a year going over statin research (yes, I have a research background). I find absolutely no credible evidence anywhere that statins confer more benefit than risk to senior citizens; indeed, I am within a gnat’s eyelash of saying that, based on clinical observations and some research (mostly European), a senior citizen is safer crossing the street against a red light than he is taking statins.
I suggest you challenge your doctor to come up with any research at all that proves anything to the contrary. In fact, how about telling him you will go back on statins only if and when he finds that research. That should settle the matter once and for all!
GFD
I recently turned 50. I have been taking Livalo for high Cholesterol. I have been experiencing all kinds of symptoms like no sexual desire, can’t sleep through the night, feel totally exhausted and have missed several days of work. Now my doctor prescribed Androgel for low testosterone levels. My question could taking Livalo be causing all my problems and has anyone taken AndroGel for low T problems? Thanks Guy
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE: LIVALO IS A NEW STATIN, AND THE SIDE EFFECTS YOU ARE DESCRIBING CAN OCCUR WITH STATINS ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT LISTED AS COMMON WITH LIVALO.
JB
NCR,
What was the non statin RX you were put on and how are your numbers and muscle pain?
Joe
NCR
As a neurologist I have been aware of very serious muscle disease occurring in several people taking statins to lower cholesterol. I even found a medical article recommending statins for the treatment of severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis because the statin targets muscle receptors. I have found that most internists ignore the seriousness of the muscle weakness effects of statins because of preoccupation with lowering cholesterol in the absense of heart disease. I demanded that my cardiologist put me on a non-statin Rx which has worked very well. NCR
GCM
I took lovastatin for at least 3 years and now take simvastatin (10 mg) for at least 3 years.. I reduced to 10 mg on my own. Recently had 2 cortisone shots in neck to help arm and wrist and index pain. Having next shot next month.
Not sure if pain is from drugs.
barbara
Hi – I have been on simvastatin for just under two years after having an angiogram and being diagnosed with angina. I also take a beta blocker and slow release monosorb. Over the past couple of months I have experienced pain in my hands with the two middle fingers showing ‘trigger’ symptoms.
At first the pain and swelling was in my left hand and this spread to my right hand. I have had two sets of blood tests – the first showed there was inflammation ‘somewhere’ and the second (for rheumatism) was clear. I have seen three doctors at the same surgery and the practice nurse. I have mentioned my concern that the statin was responsible and the usual response was that ‘you have been taking it for some time so it is unlikely’.
My past experience of prescription medicines has been that this is precisely when it is most likely. the last doctor I saw finally agreed that statins could be responsible and suggested I stop taking them for two weeks and see if there is any improvement. It is too early to be sure but there has been some improvement in my hands although the ‘trigger’ is still there. My understanding is that if the problem clears up then statins are indeed the cause and I don’t know whether they will want me to continue taking some form of statin – but if the problem persists then I am looking at x-rays and possible neurological investigation.
Has anyone else had this problem and if so did it clear up by stopping the statins – and how long did it take? Would appreciate comments. thanks.
ag
Hello All,
I have been on 3 statins. I was first on simvastatin for about 1 year when my doctor up the dosage to 40 mg. At this point I started experiencing muscle pain. He switched me to Cerivastatin. After just 1 month my entire body ache – I am talking about my eyeballs elbows, hip, leg muscles.
My last stain was Lipitor. I took this for about 1 month before my hand went numb. It then spread up my arm over a week, then my entire shoulder had extreme pain. I have been off it for 1 week and still have pain – although milder.
I have also experienced over the time of taking the statins Memory loss – I am only 58 years old. I am concern what else this horrible drug is causing. I will be telling my doctor – never more!!!
L. E.H.
The satin drugs made me very tired just walking to the mail box.
Also, had muscle aches. I just watch my diet and feel much better.
My Dr. said I was allergic to them.
I’m 74 and have had good health for all these years, so don’t think
all these new drugs are for healthy people.
gm
I have been on simvastatin for appox. 5 years, before that I was on another that used 3000 mg niacin… I take Q10 daily. Still have lots of arm pain down to index finger. Just had a cervical cortisone injection on 8/12 and having another on 9/17. Pain still exists. I am 70 years old and played rugby and college football to age 25.
Swim and (water aerobic class 3days /week) and walk 2 miles every everyday (helps reduce discomfort.)
Tried naproxum and tylenol (soso results) STILL HURT.
wg
I read your article “How safe are statin drugs?” I had the same symptoms as the Zocor (simvastatin) user. After reading various on line articles on the link between statins and muscle pain and weakness I decided to try the recommendation to take Coenzyme Q10.
Within 24 hours my leg pain and muscle weakness improved. I visited my doctor and he acknowledged the muscle pain and changed me to pravastatin and reduced dosage. I still had muscle pain. More reading on line pointed to the fact that statins are designed to reduce cholesterol/tryglceride production by the liver and that this is the same organ that produces Coenzyme Q10 which is essential to muscle health, especially heart muscle health.
I concluded that the potential damage to muscles, particularly the heart muscle was more significant than the slightly elevated cholesterol he was attempting to treat with the statins. I no longer take any statin drug and am attempting to monitor my diet and lose some weight before the next blood check. I feel much better now and am continuing the Coenzyme Q10 therapy. Thank you for your interesting articles.
TeeVee
I’d had been on statins for 9 years and because of severe muscle pain was taken off completely. Last 4 yrs tried Zetia. Same side effect. Now on Triipex for control of Triglicerides. But now only have my cholesterol checked 1x a year under Medicare.
SMW
I have been on Simvastatin and Amlopine for several years.
I am 77 years of age.
I do not have a heart problem. Was put on these drugs because my cholesterol was a little above 120, and blood pressure 140/80. Recently I am experiencing pain in my left shoulder, left upper arm and left leg.
The arm pain is every day the leg pain comes on strong and then goes away in a few days. I’ll see my doctor in September and discuss this problem.
AMJ
I too was alarmed when I was unable to recall from memory in a timely manner. I am 73 yrs old so of course I started to wonder if this was early Alzheimers. I would try to recall the name of a person or thing and become frustrated when I couldn’t fully recall what I wanted to. For example I could remember first names and know the letter the last name started with and even recall their face but there was a blockage and the info would come 25 minutes or more later.
In doing research about the statins’ side effects I came across some books written by Doctor and former NASA astronaut Duane Graveline who experienced memory loss after taking a statin and also has now been diagnosed with ALS. His books have many cited references for the causes of the side effects and to hopefully minimize them.
The statins eliminate many essential substances like CoQ10, vitamin D, etc. in the body and in the books he describes some of the cell functions affected. His website is Spacedoc.net
I had been taking several different statins for about 10 years with Lipitor the most recent RX and because of the memory problem I stopped. My Doctor wasn’t happy with my decision but I don’t see the benefit if my memory is interrupted and I’m constantly frustrated. My recall of info is much faster now-