Statin drugs & muscle damage

Does anyone here take a statin? Please be very aware of any changes/pains/aches you may experience while on these drugs. As a cyclist (or any athlete), these side effects can be more pronounced. I believe that the statin I was taking (Zocor) has damaged my larger muscles. I can't seem to develop my quads & hamstrings to the point I did last year. Warm ups take 15-20 miles instead of 15-20 minutes. Has anyone else had such an experience?

You need to go and see your MD TODAY !!! The symptoms you suggest may spread to other more vital muscles....Statins can cause pains up to and including muscle wasting in a small % of the population. They should disappear if you stop the drug but any damage up to this point may not reverse. Also have him take blood to check for Liver Function. I take Lipitor with no side effects. I have noticed that muscles and joints are more painful and take longer to warm up. That's just a symptom of getting older. Good luck !!

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Thanks for the reply. I forgot to say I quit taking the statin. I watch my diet (always have), take fish oil, low dose aspirin & CoQ10 (doctor suggested). I feel great now except for the fact that I can tell my muscles aren't what they used to be. I believe that the statin drug has damaged my muscles and I hope it's not permanent. I am still cycling - my muscles feel better the longer I ride. And mountain biking is easier and more enjoyable. I don't really feel like I have the same issues when I mtb. Wierd. I'll be seeing my MD again soon.
I just want others to be aware since many either don't seem to notice the side effects or just pass it off as age or something else.

We are starting to see a common attorney advertisement based around your question. A Google search pulls up a lot of information like this one.

Doesn't hurt to get the word out like you are doing and I am glad I rejected the prescription that my family doctor tried to get me on before I started cycling back in 2004. I had other check ups immediately following that particular doctor and was told that I did not need the statin drugs.

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I've been on a statin since 2002, and I don't think I've had any muscle damage, at least not that I can tell. Rather than post things that might convince someone to stop taking a needed drug, it would be better to talk to your doctor about it. You can take fish oil until you grow gills, but if your bad cholesterol is really high (rather than just borderline), it's not really going to help you. In fact, it may even harm your riding, because too much of it can start affecting your hemoglobin level.

The last place I look for medical advice is an internet forum.

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+1

Also, the OP doesn't state their age. I've been on statins (Lipitor) since 2003 and I've gained muscle mass (I'm now 48). I also take shorter warm-ups than when I was in my 30's (I don't understand how/why some folks take more than 10 min's before training or 20 min's before a race to warm up anymore...).

That's just me in my n=1 world, YMMV, yadda, yadda, yadda...

Dave

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Muscle related side effects are well known with all the statins. It occurs in about 1% of people taking the drug, so is relatively rare. It doesn't necessarily manifest itself within a short time of starting the statin. Sometimes a person will have been taking the drug for a year or two before they develop muscle problems. However, if you are one of the unlucky ones then you do need to stop taking the statin.

I hope you have consulted with your doctor and he/she is aware of this side effect and is working with you on other ways to modify your blood lipids.