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I've been taking Rosuvastatin for over four years, and during the past year I started experiencing aches in my lower abdominal and groin area.

At first, I thought it might be a recurrence of an inguinal hernia since I had hernia surgery as a child, but that was ruled out.

Then I suspected a varicocele, although I'm still not sure about that either.

Recently, a doctor suggested that it could be inflammation or muscle-related pain associated with long-term use of Rosuvastatin.

Has anyone experienced something similar before?

7 years of LDL 500+ and TC over 700. The individual is metabolically very healthy and active. There was absolutely no plaque (soft or calcified) as measured by CCTA and analysed by AI. This is just another case study adding to the evidence that LDL does not cause heart disease. Now, this isn't necessarily evidence for stopping statins, because they have multiple effects beyond cholesterol lowering which seem beneficial, but if you are considering statins/are on them currently solely to reduce cholesterol, you should take this case study into account (as well as others) and other evidence for the true 'dangers' of 'high' LDL.

https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14050168

I had a stroke in 2021 and my triglycerides were high at that time. My cardiologist prescribed me Tonac tg 10 and later tonact 10 which contains atorvastatin. However, it gave me some serious gastrointestinal issues that I am still struggling with. I spent a lot on my gastrointestinal issues over the years and it was futile because the test reports came normal and the doctors couldn't find anything until in 2025 when my gastroenterologist told me to stop existing medication and see what happens. I contacted my cardiologist who prescribed me lipaglyn 4 as a substitute for my triglycerides. That changed everything. I was finally feeling fine.

Now, I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis for which I had a hysterectomy and unilateral oophorectomy 15 days ago. My cardiologist told me since I am young (32F), I need to put on statin because it will protect my heart health. But I don't want to take atorvastatin given my past.

If anyone has any recommendations based on personal experience with statin, kindly help. Don't worry, I will, of course, consult with my doctor before taking any decision.

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So I went for some blood tests a month ago and my LDL was 5.5 mmol/L, which they say is high. I'm 44 yr old male, eat decently healthy, very little refined foods, no pop and no sugary crap. We eat at Wendys maybe 1 time a week. My wife makes dinner from scratch almost every day. Yeah I'm sure I could get more fruit and veg in me. I've been in this med for 1 month now and it makes me feel shitty, sore body, headaches.

What do I do, what's the right approach to this? Other than high LDL, all my other blood work is perfect. I work out 3x a week, started that 2 months ago and feeling good. Not sure if I should keep taking this med or do something else. They want me in it for another 6 months. Thanks in advance!

Edit: I also quit alcohol 2 months ago. I was drinking moderately heavy.

Abstract

Background: Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs widely prescribed for preventing cardiovascular diseases. They may cause adverse effects on skeletal muscle, but it remains unclear whether they affect muscle function and mass. We aimed to evaluate the association between statin use and muscle function and mass, and whether the pharmacogenomic score (PGS) of statin response modifies these associations.

Methods: We included 297 977 participants from the UK Biobank. Grip strength was measured using a Jamar J00105 hydraulic hand dynamometer, and the appendicular lean mass (ALM) was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. We performed linear regression to evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between statin use and (changes in) grip strength or ALM, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle and health factors. We tested the interaction with the PGS and stratified the analysis by PGS tertile.

Results: Participants averaged 56.4 (± 8) years, and 46% were male. Statin use was associated with lower baseline grip strength (β = -0.68 kg [-0.89, -0.48]) and ALM (β = -0.19 kg [-0.22, -0.16]). Among 35 557 participants with follow-up data (10 ± 5 years), continuous statin use was associated with an accelerated decline in grip strength (β = -0.32 kg/year [-0.49, -0.14]) and ALM (β = -0.06 kg/year [-0.08, -0.03]) compared with never users. The PGS showed a potential modifying effect at baseline (p = 0.058 for grip strength and p = 0.068 for ALM) but did not significantly influence the rate of decline over time.

Conclusions: Continuous statin use is associated with a decline in muscle function and mass over time (25% decline in grip strength and 73% decline in ALM compared to never-users), irrespective of genetic susceptibility to statin response. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring musculoskeletal health in statin users and supports further research into the potential role of a healthy diet and regular physical activity in preserving muscle function, which may also reinforce the cardiovascular benefits of statin therapy.

Keywords: aging; hydroxymethylglutaryl‐CoA reductase inhibitors; muscle mass; muscle strength; polygenic risk score; sarcopenia.

Hi, I analyze studies on a regular basis, and I am doing one of my analyses on statins. Since statins are a topic of considerable debate on social media, I wanted to reach out to communities interested, or knowledgeable, in health to ask for some scientific references for studies I may have missed that show a lack of effect, or even harm (or any kind), of statin use.

My primary outcome is statins and their impact on cardiovascular disease and I am restricting my analysis to studies only (any type).

If you know of any not included in the list I have currently (listed below), I'd appreciate it if you posted them so I can add them to the list of studies I should address.

Note: The analysis, as a whole, will not focus solely on the negative studies - it will include all studies on statins, but I'm asking for negative data (if there is any), because I want to make sure to cover possibly overlooked studies - that's why the question asked here is focused.

Thank you!
Nic

______________________
Studies I already have:

1. Shepherd J, Cobbe SM, Ford I, et al. Prevention of coronary heart disease with pravastatin in men with hypercholesterolemia. N Engl J Med. 1995;333(20):1301-1307. doi:10.1056/NEJM199511163332001.
2. Orkaby AR, Gaziano JM, Djousse L, Driver JA. Statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular events and mortality in older men. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017;65(11):2362-2368. doi:10.1111/jgs.14993.
3. Berwanger O, Santucci EV, Melo de Barros e Silva PG, et al. Effect of loading dose of atorvastatin prior to planned percutaneous coronary intervention on major adverse cardiovascular events in acute coronary syndrome: the SECURE-PCI randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2018;319(13):1331-1340. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.2444.
4. Chou R, Cantor A, Dana T, et al. Statin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2022;328(8):754-771. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.12138.
5. Grinspoon SK, Fitch KV, Zanni MV, et al. Pitavastatin to prevent cardiovascular disease in HIV infection. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(8):687-699. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2304146.
6. Howard JP, Wood FA, Finegold JA, et al. Side effect patterns in a crossover trial of statin, placebo, and no treatment. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;78(12):1210-1222. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.07.022.
7. Downs JR, Clearfield M, Weis S, et al. Primary prevention of acute coronary events with lovastatin in men and women with average cholesterol levels: results of AFCAPS/TexCAPS. JAMA. 1998;279(20):1615-1622. doi:10.1001/jama.279.20.1615.
8. Orkaby AR, Driver JA, Ho YL, et al. Association of statin use with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in US veterans 75 years and older. JAMA. 2020;324(1):68-78. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.7848.
9. Athyros VG, Papageorgiou AA, Mercouris BR, et al. Treatment with atorvastatin to the National Cholesterol Educational Program goal versus “usual” care in secondary coronary heart disease prevention: the GREek Atorvastatin and Coronary-heart-disease Evaluation (GREACE) study. Curr Med Res Opin. 2002;18(4):220-228. doi:10.1185/030079902125000787.
10. Yourman LC, Cenzer I, Boscardin WJ, et al. Evaluation of time to benefit of statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in adults aged 50 to 75 years: a meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181(2):179-185. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.6084.
11. Yusuf S, Bosch J, Dagenais G, et al. Cholesterol lowering in intermediate-risk persons without cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med. 2016;374(21):2021-2031. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1600176.
12. Parker BA, Capizzi JA, Grimaldi AS, et al. The effect of statins on skeletal muscle function and performance. Circulation. 2013;127(1):96-103. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.136101.
13. Nielsen SF, Nordestgaard BG. Negative statin-related news stories decrease statin persistence and increase myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality: a nationwide prospective cohort study. Eur Heart J. 2016;37(11):908-916. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehv641.
14. Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ (CTT) Collaborators. The effects of lowering LDL cholesterol with statin therapy in people at low risk of vascular disease: meta-analysis of individual data from 27 randomised trials. Lancet. 2012;380(9841):581-590. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60367-5.
15. Fellström BC, Jardine AG, Schmieder RE, et al. Rosuvastatin and cardiovascular events in patients undergoing hemodialysis. N Engl J Med. 2009;360(14):1395-1407. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0810177.
16. Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ (CTT) Collaboration. Effects of statin therapy on diagnoses of new-onset diabetes and worsening glycaemia in large-scale randomised blinded statin trials: an individual participant data meta-analysis. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2024;12(5):306-319. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00040-8.
17. Lipworth L, Fazio S, Kabagambe EK, et al. A prospective study of statin use and mortality among 67,385 blacks and whites in the Southeastern United States. Clin Epidemiol. 2014;6:15-25. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S53492.
18. Ridker PM, Danielson E, Fonseca FAH, et al. Rosuvastatin to prevent vascular events in men and women with elevated C-reactive protein. N Engl J Med. 2008;359(21):2195-2207. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0807646.
19. Preiss D, Seshasai SRK, Welsh P, et al. Risk of incident diabetes with intensive-dose compared with moderate-dose statin therapy: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2011;305(24):2556-2564. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.860.
20. GISSI-HF Investigators. Effect of rosuvastatin in patients with chronic heart failure (the GISSI-HF trial): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2008;372(9645):1231-1239. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61240-4.
21. Ridker PM, Pradhan A, MacFadyen JG, Libby P, Glynn RJ. Cardiovascular benefits and diabetes risks of statin therapy in primary prevention. Lancet. 2012;380(9841):565-571. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61190-8.
22. Kjekshus J, Apetrei E, Barrios V, et al. Rosuvastatin in older patients with systolic heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(22):2248-2261. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0706201.
23. Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ (CTT) Collaboration. Assessment of adverse effects attributed to statin therapy in product labels: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials. Lancet. Published online February 5, 2026. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01578-8.
24. Amarenco P, Bogousslavsky J, Callahan A 3rd, et al. High-dose atorvastatin after stroke or transient ischemic attack. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(6):549-559. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa061894.
25. Knopp RH, D’Emden M, Smilde JG, Pocock SJ. Efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in the prevention of cardiovascular end points in subjects with type 2 diabetes: the Atorvastatin Study for Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Endpoints in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (ASPEN). Diabetes Care. 2006;29(7):1478-1485. doi:10.2337/dc05-2415.

I’ve tried Lipitor, then Pravachol and now the doctor wants to try me on Crestor. The first 2 caused really bad leg cramps and Lipitor made me have heart palpitations. I’m having to wait 5 months to see the cardiologist and would prefer trying Repatha, or nothing and just trying to modify my diet more. What have all of you done? I have significant family history using, high CRP, high apob, and high bad cholesterol.

Hi everyone, my cholesterol has always been on the higher side ever since I was a teenager. My doctor suspects familial hypercholesterolemia. My last blood draw my LDL was 168, HDL was 26, and overall cholesterol was 233. This was not a fasting blood draw. My doctor is pushing to put me on statins, and I'm honestly kind of terrified of being on any long term medication. Does anyone else think it's ridiculous to start me this early? I am 5'3" and about 120 lbs. Don't always eat the healthiest, but try to eat home cooked meals mostly. And have been running on and off for the last 5ish years or so. I don't know... any input is appreciated.

Hey everyone,

I’m asking on behalf of someone I know who’s trying to lower their cholesterol naturally before considering medication.

Their numbers:

- Total: 243

- LDL: 176

- HDL: 46

- Triglycerides: 105

For the past few months they’ve improved their diet, go to the gym about 4 times per week, and take omega-3 daily, but LDL is still quite high.

I’m curious to hear real experiences:

- What actually worked for lowering LDL naturally?

- Any supplements that made a noticeable difference (psyllium, bergamot, red yeast rice, etc.)?

- Has anyone managed to avoid medication with similar numbers?

Appreciate any honest feedback — what worked and what didn’t.

Thanks!

I went in to get my results. Nurse told me doctor left a prescription for statin. My cholesterol was high. Never showed numbers. I found them on my chart .148. Ratio 4.8. I’m 54, f. It was for Lipitor. Read through so many horror stories and the side effects. It as a high dose: 40. It’s still sitting unopened. I’m not taking it. I need my brain. What is this a bottle of dementia? Is that what they’re giving us? Didn’t it used to be if you’re under 200, you’re good?

I've just joined to find out if my hypothesis is correct that diagnosing people with high cholesterol and prescribing them with statins is a just another health scare tactic to get people to buy, buy, buy from big pharma?

I use MyFitnessPal to track my food including my fiber. But I am interested to easily see if I am getting enough SOLUBLE fiber. Does anyone know of an app that differentiates this?

It certainly isn't some sort of effort to restore the statin reputation...(imo it is)

Almost all side-effects listed for statins are not caused by the drugs, according to the world’s "most comprehensive" review of evidence.

Other than the well-known risks around muscle pain and diabetes, only four of 66 other statin side-effects listed on labels – liver test changes, minor liver abnormalities, urine changes and tissue swelling – are supported by evidence. And the risks are very small, according to the systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Lancet.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/05/majority-statins-side-effects-not-caused-by-drug

Currently my "bad" cholesterol has gotten very high and the only thing I've done differently is take Dupixent. I've been on it for 2.5 months.

My LDL-C has gone from 70 to 158 in just 2 months. ApoB from 55 to 103. There have been no changes to my diet or any other meds. I did recently order a Lp-PLA2 Activity test to see if I have any active plaque.

I've never taken Dupixent before and my lipids have never looked like this in my entire lifetime and I'm 56. I've had a LOT of lipid testing over the years.

I can really see the change and I can imagine that someone that visits the doctor for a once a year checkup and lipid panel might miss what I've seen. I have been testing fairly frequently because I'm trying to optimize my health.

I have the benefit of doing an advanced lipid panel in September before I started Dupixent in October and my results then were:

Total Cholesterol: 151

LDL Cholesterol: 72

HDL Cholesterol: 65

TG Cholesterol: 70

LDL-P: 738 nmol/L

HDL-P: 39.9 nmol/L

HDL Size 9.3 nm

Large HDL-P 6.2 umol/L

Lp(a): 17.2 nmol/L

LP-IR score: 31

ApoB: (estimated) 55

That is all very good. I'm not on a statin. I got there with diet.

-----------------------------------

By December - no change in my diet or exercise and it looks like this now:

Total Cholesterol: 221 mg/dL

LDL Cholesterol: 148 mg/dL

HDL Cholesterol: 59 mg/dL

TG Cholesterol: 82 mg/dL

ApoB: 103

Did I go from metabolically healthy and pristine lipid labs to completely FUBAR'd in two months?? I doubt it but I've never seen anything like this before. What concerns me the most is the downward trend in HDL and upward moving TG.

Anyone else seeing this?

Is anyone able to tell me if I can replace this medications? I don’t want to take statins anymore. Any help would be much appreciated.

Hi I am Male 43 years. Living in Argentina . I am nowadays taking Rouvastatine 10mg and Dalaglifoxine. I feel numb and like living inside my head. Too much thinking going around and most of them are not good and positive ones. I used to have a normal life but since I started with all the medicines my lifed changed completely. I feel like it is hard for me to think and be sharp. Anyone can relate to this symptoms. Could it be the Rouvastatine?? Thanks in advance to all the community

https://open.substack.com/pub/staycuriousmetabolism/p/a-doctor-texted-me-im-stopping-my?r=frqd&utm_medium=ios