Statins, pain and the negative placebo effect

SIR – The conclusions of Ian Smethurst’s experiment on himself to determine whether statins cause muscle pain (Letters, February 27) could be explained differently if he were very susceptible to a negative placebo effect.

He might consider it worth repeating as a double-blind test to verify his results. Your report (“Statins not to blame for muscle aches, says study into common symptom”, February 25) indicated the strength of this well-known medical phenomenon.

Mike Jeffes

Baldock, Hertfordshire

SIR – I started on a low dose of Atorvastatin and after six weeks developed severe muscle pain in my leg that made getting out of bed extremely painful. Within a week of stopping, the pain disappeared. I then started a different statin (Pravastatin), and again, after six weeks, developed even more severe muscle pain. Again, within a week of stopping, the pain disappeared.

If Professor Liam Smeeth (report, February 25) is confident that statins do not cause muscular pain, perhaps he would accept my challenge. Every six months he gives me a placebo or a statin I have previously tried. If I fail to identify which it is, I pay him £5,000, but if I do he pays me just £2,500.

David Ray

Norwich

SIR – Fifteen years ago I was prescribed a statin, but got muscle pains across my shoulders. After nine months, I could not put on a picnic rucksack by myself – my wife had to slip it on for me.

I visited the doctor, who said I had been taking the cheapest brand of statin and prescribed a new one. After four months the pain dissipated, and I have had no problems since.

Wilfred Gill

Carnforth, Lancashire