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muscle loss

For two years I took Zocor for the purpose of lowering my Cholesterol.  When I complained to my doctor about my body aching all over she suggested I discontinue using the Zocor for several weeks.  As time passed I realized a lessening of body aches so I decided not to go back on the Zocor.  It has now been 5 months since I have taken Zocor.  Meanwhile, I have been losing weight (about 5 pounds) without changing my diet.  I realized that my pants were baggy in the thighs and seat.  I am skinny and don't need to lose weight at all.   What I have lost is muscle.  As I have gone on a muscle building program I have become aware that my thigh muscles cannot last more than a minute and a half on the elliptical machine,even when the rate is set at the lowest level.  I assume Zocor didn't agree with my muscles.  Is it possible that I will ever be able to regain my muscle mass by continuing to work out and eating more protein?  Is there a magic pill which might help me in myendeavor to become strong again.  I need muscle support!
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757137 tn?1347196453
When my doctor wanted to put me on statins, I said, "No." He was sort of surprised. People tend to trust their doctors without question. Whenever a medication is recommended, the first thing I do is research it. And I don't research the self-serving blather of the drug companies.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My father experienced the same thing. He has been using Zocor 40mg for the period of almost 2 months and he lost 18 pounds of mostly muscle mass. What is he to do next? How to recover his muscle mass? He is 68 years old.
Thanks  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My father experienced the same thing. He has been using Zocor 40mg for the period of almost 2 months and he lost 18 pounds of mostly muscle mass. What is he to do next? How to recover his muscle mass? He is 68 years old.
Thanks  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Muscle wasting while on lipid-lowering medications is a rare but serious side effect called myolysis, where the muscles become inflamed and breakdown. Worst case this can progress to the muscles cells dying, releasing their contents and causing kidney damage. If you are taking any statins, niacin, or fibrate medications to lower cholesterol and you get symptoms of muscle weakness or pain you need to 1. stop taking them and 2. go to your doctor to see if the medication is truly the cause of your problem, or if its something more serious.
However, it is also important to note that as people age, they naturally loose muscle mass even with regular exercise. Only a doctor can determine what is causing the problem!
Helpful - 0
1159111 tn?1263399606
My father has been having the same problem of muscle loss while taking zocor. He has been very fit his whole life and was a marathon swimmer - and at 84 years old he still exercises regularly. However, he finds his doctors are very UNsympathetic to his complaint that the cholesterol lowering medications are stripping his muscles away. Dad makes the important point that he would very likely be healthier if he kept his muscles and ability to be active than if he took the medicine and kept his cholesterol levels low!! Best wishes and blessings to you.
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