Atorvastatin and Muscle Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bad...
• October 20, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I took 10 mg for a week. Severe stomach pains, muscle pains, and joint pain. It felt like I had body aches from the flu! So tired, wiped out my energy. Also, where I broke my wrist, I was getting sharp, stabbing pains there. I called the doctor and he said to stop taking it immediately. Thank God because these side effects were horrible. I'm going to try exercise, green tea, and essential oils before I even give another brand a try."

• LMG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I started taking 20 mg because my doctor suggested I should be taking this due to my abdominal aortic aneurysm. I do not have high cholesterol, in fact, I'm in pretty decent shape for a 52-year-old (non-smoking) female. I'm the type of person who would rather not take meds unless absolutely necessary. I read the side effects and became paranoid it was destroying my liver. (Had a blood test, and my liver was fine.) I did, however, go to work and was noticeably spacey & unable to concentrate. I stopped taking it immediately after that. Now they are pushing it again post-Triple A surgery, even though my arteries seemed fine and cholesterol is still okay. I'm hesitant to give it another try but going to see how it goes. I know some people get very bad muscle aches, and I'm praying that doesn't happen. Wish I could get the truth on this med."

• Jot...
• February 3, 2021

Atorvastatin for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "71 years. Heart attack with 5 stents. Automatically prescribed this as part of the 'cardiac cocktail,' as they call it. Had numbers getting slightly high for both cholesterol and BP before HA. Within 3 months, this drug injured my liver, and my GP stopped it. Continue to be tested to see if the liver will recover. Numbers are down, so I have my fingers crossed. I have been unable to use the gym due to muscle pain, which is now subsiding, and hopefully, I will be able to utilize the gym again. My mood was adversely affected, with me becoming easily irritated and angry inappropriately. The pain over my shoulders and between my ribs was so painful and exhausting. And then it started to affect my memory, which became so disconcerting. The daily dose was 80, and if the liver heals, we will look at the minimum dose of a statin and see how that works."

• sap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Been taking 10 mg of atorvastatin for six months now. LDL was 188, now it is 95, so a 50% drop. Total cholesterol from 263 to 136, again nearly 50%. Triglycerides from 154 to 40, which is like 75%. The only not stellar number was my HDL (the good cholesterol), which actually dropped from 44 to 33. Even though most people's goes up slightly. While that is a concern, overall the improvement in my numbers has my cardiologist pleased enough to continue the protocol. For everyone who complains of the muscle aches and pains, you need to be taking ubiquinol, not simply CoQ10. I know if I go too many days without my ubiquinol, I can be susceptible to the muscle issues too. 200 mg of ubiquinol every day prevents this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I've been taking atorvastatin for 6 months, and I feel horrible. I have had muscle pain and trouble with my asthma since I started taking it. The biggest side effect is just generally feeling like a zombie, having no energy, extreme fatigue, trouble sleeping, and just feeling like total rubbish all the time. I'm over it."

• COO...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2018

For High Cholesterol "Prescribed 10 mg daily but experienced muscle pains. I talked to my doctor and we agreed to split the 10 mg pill in half. I take 5 mg per day with no side effects. Cholesterol levels have dropped to almost near normal range."

• Tho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I have been on this medication before with no side effects. I stopped for a while, then went back on it. Weeks after starting, I felt horrible. Headaches, muscle aches, ringing in the ears, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. I ended up in the ER and then later saw my doctor, who told me about the side effects and to stop taking it. Hoping to feel better soon. This medication is HORRIBLE, it shouldn’t be prescribed. The side effects are worse than the benefits. I rate it a zero."

• KBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2019

For Hyperlipoproteinemia "Thought I was getting Parkinson's. Drink plenty of water, strong, 59, and take ubiquinol. Was losing the ability to orient in space and time, fell on brick stairs, could not get on or off escalator, tremors, muscle and joint pain. Relatively severe cognitive impairment, I would forget the subject of the conversation mid-sentence. Luckily, forgot to take the atorvastatin medicine for 2 days. The side effects started clearing. Read a research article-high insulin levels cause high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Ordered the test for insulin levels high. The research also suggests that high insulin levels are festering possibly for years before diabetes is ever diagnosed. Amazingly, it looks like I do not have any plaque buildup in my coronary arteries. Not one doctor recommended an increase in fiber. ... started taking 25 grams of fiber every 1000 calories and taking alpha-cyclodextrin, my numbers improved greatly. Will start niacin 4 times a day with food, and hopefully that will help as well."

• Alo...
• February 28, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I was put on 20 mg atorvastatin for 2 months. From the first couple of weeks, I noticed a rise in my blood pressure every three days with severe cramping up my left arm to my head and down my left leg. Most times, I get so fearful that I might be about to suffer a stroke. I noticed that my memory sometimes goes haywire and now I am beginning to have difficulties in swallowing my own saliva during resting periods. I am also suffering from discharging of clear, salty phlegm via spitting when I do not have a cold. I have to put up with constant dizzy spells, muscle pain, and muscle twitching, but I am still taking the drug due to the fact that I really want to get my total cholesterol down from 329 and, most importantly, my bad cholesterol down from 265."

• poo...
• December 5, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I've only been on atorvastatin calcium for 8 days, and I have the WORST muscle pain. I could barely sit up straight on the toilet, let alone bend my legs. I feel stinging sensations, and I'm itching like crazy."

• Jim...
• March 24, 2017

For High Cholesterol "No doubt Lipitor, at any dose, does lower your numbers. But what does that really mean? Has plaque in your arteries reduced by the same percentage? I think not. Still, statins might have their place, but who can tolerate them? Very few, if you research. I just wish the doctors would push and insist on diet and exercise plans before prescribing statins. Was on Lipitor, only 10 mg, for 18 months, numbers down, but felt like crap. The usual intense body muscle aches. Off for a week now, and my body is telling me already it needs a break from statin drugs. I'm totally satisfied to move forward and roll the dice with diet and exercise. Doctor is in full agreement to drop statin for now. 66-year-old male and still very active despite some heart failure."

• Jea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2017

For High Cholesterol "My doctor has me on atorvastatin 80 mgs. I did not see one person here with a dosage this high. I am miserable. My stomach rumbles all day and night. I have uncontrollable gas all day and night. I am afraid to have company or to go out because I cannot hold this gas. My legs and back hurt, and my memory is pitiful. I did not know that atorvastatin was Lipitor. I do know that I was prescribed Lipitor 20 years ago and got very sick. I will be asking my doctor to change this medication. I am done."

• Rob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 12, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Side effects from atorvastatin meant that I stopped taking it: tendinitis in hands and ankles, muscle weakness that was debilitating. It gets better later in the day, but early morning is difficult. I have high familial cholesterol, about 8 (reduced via statins from 10), but the 40 mg dose hasn't reduced it further, and the side effects are dire for me: doc says other treatments are available, but it will take 3 months to clear."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2021

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I was put on atorvastatin for high cholesterol (300) genetic history. I asked no questions. Always accept that side effects are a given and diminish as my body adjusts. Started to feel muscle aches in hips, shoulders, thighs. My knees ached. I’m a runner, and I felt horrible during and after runs. I had no idea why this was occurring. It dawned on me that these symptoms started when I went on the statin. Come to find out, these are common side effects. It’s like I have the flu constantly. So my advice is, don’t take this drug. Sorry. I wish I could offer a positive story."

• Roy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I'm leaving a positive review because I want others to know that statins don't always have bad side effects. I've been on atorvastatin for about 3 months now. I never got the muscle aches or any other side effects. I do take CoQ10 since this is the supplement that is recommended to combat muscle aches. The best thing is, my cholesterol went down, and my doctor is pleased."

• Gen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 19, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I was 52 years and a half ago when I had a slight stroke, been on atorvastatin ever since. My cholesterol was near 200 at the time of the stroke, went on 20 mg tablets, and it dropped to 78. I had a little bit of muscle aches at first and was concerned about the side effects. My doc took me down to 10 mg about 5 months back, and now my cholesterol levels are up around 125 again, so he bumped me up a little bit to 15 mg. In the last year, I have had very little side effects, just some ringing in the ears, but that might not be a drug side effect..."

• jak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2024

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "I was on 40 mg/day for 3 months and lost 30 kgs. Way too much weight loss too quickly. During this time and towards the end, I started having all the side effects mentioned - bone pains, muscle pains, hip pains, sore shoulders, unable to lift arms or legs, and generally feeling lethargic, sometimes nauseous and dizzy. Personally, I found the weight loss too severe and far too swift to the point of being dangerous. I've paused atorvastatin for a month and now feel 100% better with no more pains. No, I don't recommend this, but that is my opinion."

• jak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2024

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "I was on 40 mg/day for 3 months and lost 30 kgs. Way too much weight loss too quickly. During this time and towards the end, I started having all the side effects mentioned - bone pains, muscle pains, hip pains, sore shoulders, unable to lift arms or legs, and generally feeling lethargic, sometimes nauseous and dizzy. Personally, I found the weight loss too severe and far too swift to the point of being dangerous. I've paused atorvastatin for a month and now feel 100% better with no more pains. No, I don't recommend this, but that is my opinion."

• CRC...
• September 2, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Was on atorvastatin about 4 months with no problems. Then developed severe musculoskeletal pain and extreme fatigue. Was due for a follow-up visit at 6 months, so I just continued thinking my body would adjust. It had become so bad that I told my husband that if this was how my life was going to be from here on out, I was just ready to die, that is how poor my quality of life had become. During the 6 months, I worked hard to lose 30 pounds, eating clean, also eliminating dairy and gluten, and developed an exercise regimen to include cardio and resistance training. I added CoQ10 and magnesium supplements, but didn’t see any relief from the symptoms. At the 6-month follow-up, all my numbers looked good except my A1C, which now categorized me as prediabetic, despite low fasting glucose. I told the HCP, no more, I was done with it. My biggest regret is not going in before the 6-month recheck."

• Ble...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I took atorvastatin 20 mg, and I experienced the worst symptoms ever! I took the medicine for 2 1/2 months. I had a loss of appetite, memory fog, insomnia (I slept a maximum of 2 1/2 hours a night), weight loss, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, muscle pain in the legs and chest, my right leg was so bad I could barely walk, my hands were weak, headaches, my throat felt like it was closing, I developed hives on my back, I had the worst burning sensation on my back and in my chest until my skin was literally burned from the inside out (my skin had turned 3 shades darker than normal), I had heart palpitations and was hospitalized twice (10/20 and 11/20) because my heart enzymes were elevated, they said that I was threatening a heart attack! I went to the ER on 12/8/20 and 12/9/20, and no one could figure it out! I changed doctors, and on 12/10/20 he took me off of atorvastatin and put me on a Mediterranean diet! My doctor checked my blood work again on 4/21, and it went down! And now, 8 months later, I still have symptoms!"

• wor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Was on Crestor with muscle pain. Tried atorvastatin 10 mg and then 20 mg - now have LDL at 68. I recommend trying different statins and lower doses to find one that doesn't bother you. I most clearly was rosuvastatin intolerant."

• Les...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I have been on this pill for 2 months now. Experiencing the same side effects: muscle aches, cramps, headache, nausea, and stomach problems. By reading what others say about this drug, it helped me to understand why I'm having all these pains without realizing that it's due to this drug. Got to see my doctor."

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I have been taking Simvastatin for ten years. When I first started taking them, I had quite a lot of muscle pain, but the pain eventually went away after a year or so. A month ago, my doctor changed me to Atorvastatin (why, I don't know), and within a month, I have muscle pain returned, weak legs, plus I seem to get irritable easily. Worried!"

• mor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 5, 2025

For High Cholesterol "I experience a bit of pain in my left chest, thought it might be my high cholesterol causing a bit of a block in my blood vessels to the heart, so I took 40 mg of atorvastatin that night. The next day, I experienced muscle ache, whole body ache, weakness, a headache, cough, fever, flu-like symptoms, and was sick for the whole day. I stopped taking the medicine, now I feel well again. This is not the first time. But I'm still confused about what causes it."

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2009

Atorvastatin for High Cholesterol "Suffered from memory loss/lapse and muscle aches/cramps in my legs. Switched to Crestor and have had no side effects at all."