Take Multiple Medications For High Cholesterol
If you take more than one high-cholesterol medication, you are at a higher risk for statin side effects because you are increasing the number of drugs in your body.
Its important to tell your doctor exactly which medications you are taking to make sure that nothing will interact and that everything is dosed properly.
Where Did The Story Come From
The study was carried out by researchers from the University of California and was funded by the university and the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The study was published online in the peer-reviewed journal, Archives of Internal Medicine.
The Daily Telegraph has covered this study appropriately. However, the Daily Mails coverage suggested that 40% of women taking statins were exhausted but the study did not assess exhaustion, only worsening of fatigue, which may not equate to exhaustion. The 40% figure appears to be based on the way the research paper itself reported its results, although the results weren’t very clear.
The Mails coverage also implied that scientists had said people at low risk of cardiovascular problems were better off not taking statins. However, the study did not weigh up the overall balance of benefits and harms of statins, and the authors of this new research actually said their findings merit consideration when prescribing or contemplating use of statins, not that they should not be used at all in individuals with low cardiovascular risk.
What Were The Basic Results
The researchers found that participants taking the statins showed a greater increase in overall fatigue than those taking placebo. They found that the effect was particularly pronounced in women.
The fatigue scores being compared had two components: general energy levels and fatigue upon exertion. They said that, compared with a placebo, statin use resulted in the equivalent of:
- 4-in-10 treated women reporting having worse energy levels or exertional fatigue and the remaining 6 out of 10 women reporting no change.
- 2-in-10 treated women reporting having worse energy levels and worse exertional fatigue and the remaining 8 out of 10 women reporting no change.
- 2-in-10 treated women reporting being much worse on either energy levels or exertional fatigue and the remaining 6 out of 10 women reporting no change.
- 1-in-10 treated women reporting being much worse on both energy levels and exertional fatigue and the remaining 9 out of 10 women reporting no change.
The researchers used these examples above to explain what the differences seen on the average scores could mean, but did not report which of these scenarios they actually observed in their trial .
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Drink Plenty Of Water
Dehydration zaps energy and impairs physical performance. âOur research shows that dehydration makes it harder for athletes to complete a weight lifting workout,â says Dan Judelson, PhD, assistant professor of kinesiology at California State University at Fullerton. “Itâs reasonable to think that dehydration causes fatigue even for people who are just doing chores.”
Dehydration has also been shown to decrease alertness and concentration.
How to know if youâre drinking enough water?âUrine should be pale yellow or straw colored,â Judelson says. âIf itâs darker than that, you need to drink water.â
Statin Drugs May Make Users Feel Fatigued
THE QUESTION Although statins are popular for their cholesterol-lowering effect, might they also lower energy levels in those who take them?
THIS STUDY involved 1,016 people age 20 and older with somewhat elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol but no signs of heart disease or diabetes. They were randomly assigned to take a moderate dose of a statin either simvastatin or pravastatin or a placebo daily. After six months, those who took statins, especially women, reported on average less overall energy, more fatigue after exercise or both than they had experienced before taking the medication, compared with little if any change noted by the placebo group. The effects were somewhat stronger among those taking simvastatin, which also accounted for a greater reduction in LDL cholesterol.
WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Adults who hope to lower cholesterol and possibly prevent heart disease by taking statins, which are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States. Besides absorbing cholesterol contained in various foods, the body makes cholesterol on its own, but statins reduce this production by blocking an enzyme in the liver.
CAVEATS Data came from the participants ratings of their energy and fatigue levels. Only two types of statins were tested. The length of the study was fairly short the authors noted that, similar to the benefits of statin use, their effect on energy and fatigue may take time to manifest.
Linda Searing
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How Do Statins Work
Statins work by not only blocking the enzyme that produces cholesterol, but also by helping the body reabsorb existing cholesterol, Dr. Haythe explains. Dr. Yamamoto adds that statins should be thought of as vascular protective medications since these meds have the ability to protect arteries, prevent plaque growth, andmost importantlyprevent heart attacks, strokes, brain damage, and premature death.
Muscle Pain And Damage
You may experience muscle pain when taking a statin. This may include soreness, tiredness, or even weakness in your muscles. The pain may be mild, or it may become severe enough to greatly impact your daily routine. If you have any new or unusual muscle pain or fatigue after starting a statin, talk to your doctor right away. Ignoring muscle pain can make it worse. Theres also a risk that the pain can progress to serious muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis.
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Combat Fatigue From Blood Pressure Medications
Does blood pressure medicine make you tired? If you answered yes, rest assured that you are not alone in feeling fatigue from blood pressure medications.
with exercise you can reap the benefits of your medication and minimize any fatigue that comes your way. Better still, some strategies simultaneously combat fatigue and reduce blood pressure.
If your blood pressure has been high for some time, as it often is in older patients, the process of lowering it with drugs temporarily reduces circulation in some blood vessels, including in the brain. Because it can take time for these vessels to relax, you may have to continue taking your medication for approximately two to six weeks before you get past the initial fatigue.
In the meantime, regular exercise can combat fatigue. Mitochondria in cells fuel your bodys activity. The more you exercise, the more mitochondria your body makes for energy. If you have not been active for some time, it is important that exercise is performed under a quali ed physical therapist.
A program of nutrition and exercise can increase blood flow and get you feeling more energetic as your body adjusts to blood pressure medication. Aerobic exercise, such as walking, is considered safe for most people. Another technique, therapeutic ultrasound, uses high frequency sound waves that can increase blood flow to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and remove cell wastes.
Comparing Statin To Statin Do Some Cause More Or Less Muscle Pain Study: No Evidence For That
It has been suggested that some statins would cause less muscle problems than others. A March 2021 paper in the Journal of general internal medicine made a comparison. This is what the researchers documented:
Statins are effective lipid-lowering drugs for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, but muscular adverse events can limit their use. Hydrophilic statins may cause less muscular events than lipophilic statins due to lower passive diffusion into muscle cells. The statin users were divided into groups:
New patient group 1: pravastatin 20-40 mg vs simvastatin 10-20 mg .
New patient group 2: rosuvastatin 5-40 mg vs atorvastatin 10-80 mg
New patient group 3: simvastatin 40-80 mg vs atorvastatin 10-20 mg.
Following the start of these prescriptions, the researchers waited until the first symptoms of muscular event during a maximum follow-up of 1 year. Each statin had their results recorded and compared against its group counterpart.
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How To Increase Your Energy While On Cholesterol Medication
Now you know that statins will decrease your CoQ10 levels, resulting in increased levels of fatigue. Therefore if youre on a statin medication, adding a CoQ10 supplement is probably the best thing you can do. Studies have shown that the simple addition of CoQ10 resulted in improved muscle pain, weakness, and fatiguability.
When supplementing CoQ10 , ensure it is an oil-based/liposomal form. These kinds of CoQ10 have far higher absorption rates. When you look at the back of the bottle, ensure that the type of CoQ10 is listed as ubiquinol. Ubiquinol is the most easily utilized by your mitochondria.
Take 600-3000mg of CoQ10 every day. If youre on a statin medication, ensure your dose is at the upper end of the range. CoQ10 has been shown to be extremely safe even at high doses.
If you find that the addition of CoQ10 is not improving your energy. Check out the other supplements I recommend for chronic fatigue. Adding one or two more may be enough to increase those low energy levels!
Cholesterol Medications Effect On Your Brain
The side-effects or consequences of statin use are not limited to your body. They can also have dramatic effects on your brain!
Weighing only three pounds your brain houses 25% of your bodys total cholesterol. Your brain uses cholesterol to form myelin around its nerves. Cholesterol is so important to your brains health that elderly patients with the highest levels of cholesterol actually have been shown to have the best memory/cognitive function. With all that cholesterol stored in your brain, its not hard to believe that a statin medication will have an effect on your mental health as well.
And thats exactly what the research suggests. Statin medications have been linked to depression, anxiety, irritability, sleep issues, and even suicide. Low levels of cholesterol have shown themselves to be an accurate indicator of depression. High levels of cholesterol were shown to prevent depressive symptoms.
Statin medications have also been linked to cognitive impairment and even Alzheimers disease. While there have not yet been any studies done on the link between statin use and chronic fatigue, the fact that statins affect your brain health should make you cautious. Those with CFS often report brain fog and/or cognitive impairment. Avoiding medications that are known to contribute to these symptoms are best avoided.
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A Sense Of Perspective
Many people who take statins experience no or very few side effects.
The risks of any side effects also have to be balanced against the benefits of preventing serious problems.
A review of scientific studies into the effectiveness of statins found around one in every 50 people who take the medicine for five years will avoid a serious event, such as a heart attack or stroke, as a result.
“Your doctor should discuss the risks and benefits of taking statins if they’re offered to you,” advises the NHS.
Is Muscle Fatigue From Statins Permanent
I am suffering from muscle ache and muscle fatigue and some muscle pain from taking Statin drugs. Lipitor, specifically. I took statins 2 yrs ago for about 2months and was then taken off them by the doctor. The aches still continue.
Joshua Answers:Do Statins like Lipitor cause permanent muscle fatigue?———————-Please reply using the comment link below. Do not submit a new submission to answer/reply, it’s too hard for me to find where it’s supposed to go. And, comments have a 3,000 character limit so you may have to comment twice.———————–
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Possible Side Effects Of Statins
Table of content
If you have high cholesterol, chances are youve at least chatted about statins with your doctor.
Not only are they typically the first-line medication prescribed when lifestyle changes alone cannot manage high cholesterol, theyre also some of the most commonly used drugs in the world.
And for good reason: Statin therapy can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death from cardiovascular disease by 25% or more.
Still, like any medication, statins are not the right choice for everyone.
They come with a risk of possible side effects, ranging from mild to severe, and certain people are more susceptible to these effects.
In this article, Ill explain what statins are, the types of statins, and the different side effects that can occur when taking them.
Ill also go over who is most at risk for these side effects.
Everyone responds differently to different statins, and by working with your doctor or primary care provider, you can find the right treatment for you.
Statins Can Cause Inflammation In The Muscles What Is Worse Is That The Muscle Inflammation Continued After The Patients Stopped Using The Statins
A May 2020 study offered these observation on muscle inflammation and the use of statins. What is worse is that the muscle inflammation continued after the patients stopped using teh statins. Here is what the paper said:
Statin-induced immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, . . . It is a rare side effect of statins, distinct from the more commonly recognized statin-induced myalgia, that is challenging to diagnose and treat.
The researchers described the case of one patient a 59-year-old male with a prior history of statin intolerance presenting with markedly elevated creatinine kinase, myoglobinuria, and one month of progressive proximal muscle weakness after restarting atorvastatin 10 months prior to admission. High-dose glucocorticoids led to rapid clinical improvement, although the patient relapsed upon tapering. Remission was attained at three months after combination therapy with azathioprine, intravenous immunoglobulin, and a prolonged prednisone taper.
That is a lot of medication to counteract the use of statins.
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Why Are These People Tired And Achy Simply Statins Disrupt The Production Of Energy
Over the years statins have come under the scrutiny of researchers for their non-effectiveness in helping patients with cardiovascular disease. Researchers are not only questioning the widespread use of statins as unnecessary and non-effective medicine, but they are also expressing concerns with the side-effect statins may cause. In this article we will focus on two side-effects: muscle pain and fatigue.
At the Magaziner Center for Wellness we have always been critical of the use of statins especially considering the numerous alternative treatments that can be extremely effective and safer.
How are statins harmful? Lets let the researchers explain for themselves.
Cholesterol is processed in the body through the function of the metabolic mevalonate pathway. Doctors try to disrupt or inhibit this metabolic pathway by targeting a key cholesterol enzyme reductase). A November 2019 study from the Sapienza University of Rome questions the use statin medications in targeting the mevalonate pathway because of side-effect concerns.
Statins are in a wide medical use, yet statins treatment could induce side effects as hepatotoxicity and myopathy in patients.Further, the researchers add statins can disrupt the function and process of mitochondrial DNA. What does this mean? Statins cause fatigue.
The researchers noted:
the decrease of respiratory chain function ,
the alteration of calcium homeostasis ,
Simply, statins disrupt the production of energy.
When Is Muscle Pain An Emergency
Most statin-related aches arenât harmful. But rarely, statins can cause serious muscle damage. You could get a life-threatening condition called rhabdomyolysis. This only happens to a few people out of every million who take these drugs. Your odds go up if you take a high dose of a statin or take other drugs at the same time.
Your doctor can run tests on your blood and urine to check for this condition. Tell them right away if you have a mix of the following symptoms:
- Serious muscle pain
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When To See A Doctor
If you think you are experiencing side effects related to taking statins, check in with your doctor immediatelybut dont stop taking your medication unless they tell you to.
They may suggest altering your dosage or trying a different statin instead.
However, if you are experiencing severe pain or concerning symptoms, seek emergency care.
What Kind Of Research Was This
This was a placebo-controlled, randomised controlled trial assessing the effects of statins on non-heart related outcomes. Trials using this design randomly assign participants to take either an active drug or a dummy placebo drug, and compare their results. Trials of this type are considered to offer the best level of evidence about the benefits and harms that can be attributed to a drug. This is because the randomisation process should create balanced groups, who should differ only in the medicines being tested in the trial, and not in other characteristics that might affect their outcomes.
In this analysis the researchers were interested in general fatigue and fatigue after or during exertion, which was one of the subsidiary outcomes of the trial. The researchers said that observational evidence has suggested statins are associated with fatigue, but that no RCTs have assessed this link.
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Try A Different Statin
Most statins are lipophilic, which means they passively diffuse into the muscle. These statins, including atorvastatin , simvastatin and fluvastatin , are more likely to cause muscle aches. The hydrophilic statins, including rosuvastatin and pravastatin , have to be actively transported and cause fewer muscle aches. If you havent tried a hydrophilic statin, talk to your doctor about switching to one.
Rule Out Health Problems
Fatigue is a common symptom of many illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, anemia, thyroid disease, and sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor if you feel unusually tired.
Many medications can contribute to fatigue. These include some blood pressure medicines, antihistamines, diuretics, and other drugs. If you begin to experience fatigue after starting a new medication, tell your doctor.
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