Simvastatin and legs

Am 47 y/o male have been taking 10mg since June 30, 2008. Over last couple of weeks have had bouts of severe leg pain, not cramps but just achy. Also have lower back pain especially in morning when waking. Problem is i have chronic back pain so hard to distinguish between the two but it just feels different. Also bouts of fatigue. Called my doctor and was told that the aches in legs not a problem because the side effect is cramping not soreness. I don't buy that.

I'm 58 years old and I've been on 10 mg Simvastatin for 14 months since I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2. Also Metformin and Glipiside as my bs got up to 499 at diagnosis with high cholesterol.

I had NO IDEA that my suffering the past year could possibly be tied to one of the drugs I've been prescribed. In the first three months after diagnosis, my Diabetes was controlled and I've even backed off some of the meds. My cholesterol also came down beautifully. However, the debilitating weakness and muscle aches (which has increased over the 14 mos.) has become so bad (especially this last week) that I came to the Internet looking for possible reasons for 'body ache'.

And get this: I take a packet of vitamins every day which includes a daily dose of Q10... BUT I haven't been able to take them for about a week and this last week I felt like I was ready for a wheel chair~!!! Worse than it's ever been, knees and feet in horrible condition, hands and wrists unable to open a water bottle. Total body aches so severe it made me want to research something, anything to see what might be the problem.... before seeing the doctor about it!

My shock at seeing my medication here listed with the horrible side effects I'm experiencing has been a revelation~!! I am going to stop the Simvastatinn and see what happens. BTW, I've been an active person all my life, was a 2nd Degree Black Belt and taught Tang Soo Do and know what muscle aches and pains are, know my body (at least I did) and pretty much thought my active life was over.....

Not now~!!! I'm FURIOUS!!

I have been on Simvastatin for some years and increasingly felt tired to the point of fatigue, had muscle pain in my legs, arms, neck and back and also gained weight.
After reading an article in a British newspaper I linked my symptoms with taking these tablets and, just over a week ago, I stopped taking them.
I already feel much better. The aches and pains are subsiding and I don't feel so tired. No weight loss yet but I live in hope!
I will be seeing my GP soon and I intend to show him this website.
Good luck everyone - I hope your health improves soon!

I took a statin for 18 months, terrible aches and pains. I couldn't turn my head side to side and when a awoke in the morning my legs aches so bad I felt I'd never get out of bed.

Three weeks ago I stopped taking them cold turkey. The aches & pains are long gone and I can now turn my head to see where I'm going when backing up the car.... So far so good. I'm also started taking Serrapeptase to clean up my arteries

Lee...
Long Beach CA

I just spent 3 days in the hospital due to taking simvastatin.
I was having weakness in my legs and arms, to the point that I could not walk up steps. I finally went into emergency when I took an attack that resembled a heart attack, shortness of breath, cold sweat, trembling and
nausea. They flushed my body with saline solution for two days. I now have the use of my legs, but am very weak.

I was taking Lovastatin until the VA told me that it was not on their formulary any longer and I had to take Simvastatin. Within a couple months my feet started burning and a numbness began creeping up my legs. I began falling, staggering and lost the ability to walk without two canes. I thought I was in the early stages of MS or ALS and feared I was dying. My fiance' did research on the internet (Spacedoc.com) and discovered that the symptoms I was suffering from were the result of Statin Poisoning (don't take my word...look it up) I took myself off the Simvastatin at the doctors request and began taking 4 1000mg of Omega 3 Fish Oil, 2 50mg CoQ10, 1 50mg L Carnitine, a multi vitamin, and 1 81mg coated aspirin per day. I still have numbness in my legs and some burning in my feet one and one half years later. My Neurologist has told me (and written a letter to the effect) that I am permanently disabled...that this will never go away. Statins (all Statins) are poison...don't take them....the pharmacutical companies only push them to make MONEY they don't care about you or your health. If you need more information contact me anytime and I'll be happy to share any research I have. ******

I took simvastatin about a year ago and took myself off it because I had really agonizing night cramps in my legs. A different doctor recently persuaded me to take the drug again because my cholesterol was high, but after only two weeks this time I have a swollen throat and tongue and a persistent cough. Last night I had a breathing problem and thought I was going to die - I just couldn't get any breath into my lungs. I woke up every half hour or so in the night, unable to breathe. I'm thinking I shouldn't be taking these things into my body if they have such dreadful effects. Are they common> Does anybody else have these effects?

Have been on 20MG Simvastatin for about a month. During this period have experienced severe burning/itching on both legs between ankles and calfs, resulting in an ugly rash. After reading several responses, I believe that I will 'put the medication' away. (Like down the toilet). Thanks for all who contribute!

Mike in AZ

raised liver enzymes,nausea ,amnesia,muscle pain in legs arms and hansdsanfeet are painful, skin irritation and rash have been taking simvastatin for about nine months

Just started simvastatin the night before last. Fairly large light blue pill. Last night I awoke at about midnight and had a strong sensation of itching and burning as if my skin was really very dried out. And this was everywhere on my body -- backs of my hands and feet especially. But also my torso, back, legs and everywhere. It felt like the heat was turned up too high.

I see where Niacin should be prescribed cautiously to patients with gout or predisposed to gout. Since that includes me I don't think I should have been prescribed this med.

I've been on Simvastatin for about 4 years but have been suffering pains in my arms as well as very tender soles of my feet.

i started taking simvastatin about 6 months ago and i am getting double vision and pins and needles in my hands i also am getting cramp in my legs and backache

Have been on 40mg of simvastatin for couple of months Experiencing sore calf muscles and feet both legs. Never had side effects from medication before but I suppose there is always a first time. Are the side effects described common?? Going back to GP Friday

I take a combination of pills at night- metoprolol succinate er and simvastatin. I have been experiences skin itching on a daily basis. Specifically the itching starts normally at night or when I take off a clothing I begin the itching. Red scratches appear on my thighs, stomach, arms or back of my legs. Sometimes my head will itch after taking the medicine at night and I wake up scratching. The problem, may or may not, be related to these medicines but I would like some advise as to what to do.

Between the pain in my legs and the pain in my feet it's tough to get around. Both occurred soon after starting on statins. If I squat to pick something up I can barely get back up again. Not fun.

Only 34 I have had problems sleeping. Pain in legs. Developed chest cartilage pain since taking Simvistan.

Stomach cramps, night sweats which stopped when I forgot to take them on a long weekend away.