Statins and Leg Cramps with Swimming?

RE: Statins and Leg Cramps with Swimming?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 06:47:30 GMT

Unfortunately, blood tests are of little value in gauging statin-associated muscle side effects. The only thing it tells is that you aren't having a severe muscle reaction. It seems to me that a lot of docs haven't figured this out; it took me a while, too, until some of the most stoic patients I have set me straight. Now thats interesting ! Perhaps I should check back with him. My cramps certainly hamper the amount of training I am able to do. I had been given the all clear for anything major causing me my problem. One comment was perhaps I was just overdoing training based on my medical back ground. (triple bi-pass). Thanks for the comment.

RE: Statins and Leg Cramps with Swimming?

Former Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:27:50 GMT

He advised that would be unlikely but carried out a blood test to confirm and these came back negative. Unfortunately, blood tests are of little value in gauging statin-associated muscle side effects. The only thing it tells is that you aren't having a severe muscle reaction. It seems to me that a lot of docs haven't figured this out; it took me a while, too, until some of the most stoic patients I have set me straight.

RE: Statins and Leg Cramps with Swimming?

Stevepowell — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:47:30 GMT

For me a very small dose of Zocor (5mg) seems to have relieved some of my leg cramps. I take it along with 100 mg niacin (not the slow release non flush kind) and a small aspirin. There has been some PAD blockage in my legs (ankle cuff with sonar thingamajig technique), maybe they actually opened the pipes.

RE: Statins and Leg Cramps with Swimming?

Former Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:31:33 GMT

I have been taking Statins for 3 years and started swimming again 2 years ago. I had leg cramp probems earlier this year and ashed my Doctor if Statins could be the cause. He advised that would be unlikely but carried out a blood test to confirm and these came back negative. (Not sure of the detail for test). I also had circulation checked in my legs. Fine too. I have since taken Taurine and Electolytes prior and during training sets and cramps have lessoned if not completely gone.

RE: Statins and Leg Cramps with Swimming?

Former Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:45:26 GMT

Swims with a fist. Ten years ago I lost ability to walk because of side effects of Zocor & Pravachol. Leg cramps just the beginning. Look up Side Effects of Statins on Google & STOP USING! No one has ever died of high Chol. If you wish contact me at tgir2.cox.net. Tom Haver (Wethead)

RE: Statins and Leg Cramps with Swimming?

Former Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:20:58 GMT

I've been lucky that both Lovastatin and Lipitor have not caused any cramping. Anyway, try drinking a defizzed bottle of Schwepps Quinine or Tonic before a workout and see if that helps. Tried that and also the OTC leg cramp pills, which are just quinine pills. While that may have helped reduce them a little, the cramps are still there. I also already take 1000 mg of vitamin D and have had my vitamin D level tested within the past year (came out fine). I'm planning on dropping the simvastatin for a while to see if I notice a difference. If so, I'll bring that info back to my doctor and request a different drug.

RE: Statins and Leg Cramps with Swimming?

Former Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:56:17 GMT

I've been lucky that both Lovastatin and Lipitor have not caused any cramping. Anyway, try drinking a defizzed bottle of Schwepps Quinine or Tonic before a workout and see if that helps.

RE: Statins and Leg Cramps with Swimming?

Former Member — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:24:01 GMT

Here's the scoop: there can be a wide range of muscle-related symptoms associated with statins, but there is a lot we don't know about them, and info about it is only recently getting around. The good thing is that it occurs in a minority of people who take statins, and they will go away without any lasting damage in the VAST majority of affected individuals. Could the cramps be related? Absolutely. There is a possibility that those of us that are more active may be more susceptible to statin-related muscle symptoms. But of course, there are other possible causes of cramps as well. Here's what I'd do: stop the Zocor, and start taking Vitamin D (about 1,000 Units daily of D-3; this won't hurt and it may just help as D-deficiency is quite common). If the cramps go away, give it a month or so and then re-challenge yourself with Zocor. If the cramps return while still taking D, then there is a very high chance the statin is the culprit. If Zocor ends up being the problem, don't sweat it. Lovastatin (aka Mevacor) or pravastatin (aka Pravachol) are both cheap and are much less likely to cause this trouble. Of course, you want to let your doc know what you're doing.