Aa
Simvastatin = Bad News
I am currently 30 years old and when i was 28, I had a kidney transplant on April 22, 2008. Since that time I was able to start running again and completed the 2010 Houston Marathon in a time of 2:41:20 - 6:09 per mile! Following the race my Dr. told me that my total cholesterol was 303!!! So they instantly prescribed me 20mg of Simvastatin. With in a matter of 7-10 days I was nearly unable to run my legs became so heavy. Lead Legs! I lost all desire to run, slept all the time and was worthless at work - because I was constantly tired. I even had co-workers say to me "what happened to you at Houston - ever since you got back your not the same." I felt miserable. I have been trying to run, but cant seem to manage even 7:30 pace for a 4 mile run!!!! Post runs my legs feel WORSE THAN THEY DID AFTER THE MARATHON. For a while I thought I had not recovered from the race - but being a competitive runner for over 16 years, I know my body - and this was a different type of tired feeling! I am going to try taking that Co Q10 that everybody keeps talking about. I have since stopped the s-statin drug, against my Dr's orders and REFUSE TO TAKE IT! I am going to do this the natural way - diet and exercise.
Has anybody else had symptoms like this and did the CoQ10 work? Did any other cholesterol med work without the side effects????
This discussion is related to Tired/weak legs all the time but no loss of strength.
Has anybody else had symptoms like this and did the CoQ10 work? Did any other cholesterol med work without the side effects????
This discussion is related to Tired/weak legs all the time but no loss of strength.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Muscle and joint aches is a common side effect of statins. Muscle ache often happens because with statins patients indulge in rigorous exercise. The exercise level should be raised slowly over a period of time. Some times dose adjustment helps. Starting at a very low dose and slowly building it up. The level of creatine phosphokinase enzyme should be checked. If this is raised then there is muscle injury and the drugs should b stopped. If CPK is normal, then the dose and exercise adjustment should help. Fat-soluble statins like Lipitor and Zocor cause more damage than water soluble statins like Pravachol and Crestor. Hence the latter should be tried at lower dose. Possibility of hypothyroidism and diabetes should be ruled out as the presence of either disease can complicate the muscle pain. The role of Co Q10 in lowering cholesterol is controversial and should not be tried without consulting your doctor. Please discuss these points with your treating physician. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Muscle and joint aches is a common side effect of statins. Muscle ache often happens because with statins patients indulge in rigorous exercise. The exercise level should be raised slowly over a period of time. Some times dose adjustment helps. Starting at a very low dose and slowly building it up. The level of creatine phosphokinase enzyme should be checked. If this is raised then there is muscle injury and the drugs should b stopped. If CPK is normal, then the dose and exercise adjustment should help. Fat-soluble statins like Lipitor and Zocor cause more damage than water soluble statins like Pravachol and Crestor. Hence the latter should be tried at lower dose. Possibility of hypothyroidism and diabetes should be ruled out as the presence of either disease can complicate the muscle pain. The role of Co Q10 in lowering cholesterol is controversial and should not be tried without consulting your doctor. Please discuss these points with your treating physician. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!
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