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Lipitor and muscle pain
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Share & Read Lipitor Muscle pain side effects & conditions.
Post a new Lipitor side effect 200 Side Effects posted for Lipitor

March 28th
2010
11:50 PM

Oh, my gosh! I've been on Lipitor for about 3 years now, and had no
idea until this weekend, that it might be the cause of so many of my
problems!

After having worked so hard to lose 62 pounds, I was put on Lipitor 10
mg. I've gained back all of my weight, particularly around my abdomen.
I have also been treated for hypothyroidism for about 12 years.

Around three years ago, I began having spontaneous nosebleeds. My nose
would begin itching uncontrolably, sometimes for hours. Eventually, it
would stop itching, and perhaps an hour later, the nosebleed would
begin. The bleeding would be fairly heavy.

I found that if I took an allergy medication such as Claritin or
Zyrtec, the nosebleeds were eliminated, however if I missed a few
days, they would return. I've developed constant sinus congestion
which leads to frequent sinus and ear infections. My doctor tells me
I've probably suddenly developed an allergy to the dog I've had for 12
years.

Upon reading these articles, I realize that so many of my other
symptoms may also be related to Lipitor. They include;
1. Weight gain
2. Lethargy
3. Difficulty standing
3. Muscle weakness
4. Difficulty climbing stair
5. Depression
6. Heartburn and acid reflux
7. Lack of stamina (I can only walk for short distances without
suffering back and leg pain)
8. Hot flashes (Sometimes, I get so hot, I almost lose consciousness)
9. Short term memory loss (I also search for words and cannot find
them)
10. Seriously diminished libido
11. Aches and pain all over my body, (a feeling similar to being
bruised)
12, Blurry vision

Thank you so much for putting this website out here, I intend to
discontinue use of Lipitor beginning now. I hope to be myself again
very soon.

-- By jackielj  Reply  (7) replies  Private Message me

March 28th
2010
11:14 AM

Had been taking Lipitor for approximately 3 1/2 yrs., recently stopped
due to blood work showing muscle burning. Had joint and muscle pain
for at least 2 1/2 yrs. which I did not associate with the Lipitor but
has stopped upon cessation of drug. Had EKG done last week for pre-op,
found out that I've had a heart attack. Going to cardiologist tomorrow
, will ask him if heart attack could be due to Lipitor, as heart is a
muscle.

-- By donkeywebb  Reply  (1) replies  Private Message me

March 25th
2010
2:37 PM

I've been on 10mg Lipitor for 6 years with no problems. My cholesterol
went down quickly after being on them. I've been very pleased. High
cholesterol runs in my family and goes up no matter what is tried with
the diet. My mother had heart attacks when it was up to 300. I had to
give Lipitor a try. When my cholesterol started creeping up (and it
may have been due to all the cheeses I was eating in that month) my
doctor increased my dose to 20mg. I started waking up at 3 or 4
o'clock in the morning almost every day and started having a small
tremor in my thumb that I never had. Tremor wasn't all the time but I
was almost thinking it was the start of Parkinson disease. Another
thing was low libido ever since I've been on the drug. Until reading
all the messages, I never thought that it was due to the Lipitor.
Thinking twice about it now. I think because of the sleepless nights I
will lower my dose again. Oh, and also I used to be able to enjoy a
few alcoholic drinks, but I have had bad side effects since being on
the 20mg. Bad headaches and just not feeling well afterwards. This is
definitely a change. I'm going back to my 10mg and see how it goes.
Too bad both my sisters cannot take any statins as they have many side
effects with muscle pain. So, boils down to side effects of Insomnia,
tremors, headaches after alcohol.

-- By wulfe2  Reply  (2) replies  Private Message me

February 15th
2010
9:53 PM

i have stopped taking lipitor for three days now and feel about 98
percent better. a little heaviness in my legs but other than that i
feel fine. went to the gym today and wheras i couldn't tolerate any
incline on the treadmill i was automatically at an incline of three. i
increased my leglifts by 40lbs and all exercises went smoothly and
quickly amazing!!!
My cardio said wel try something else, swell!!! my ortho thinks im a
madman!! my feet and legs hurt so bad i thought it was arthritis that
they were not treating correctly and went ballistic on them. this drug
is bad!!!! if you have any muscle pain symptoms stop taking this
drug!!!
See you need cholesterol for healthy joints and tendons and the
absence of this makes all your joints and tendons hurt.. also i
believe it worsens an pre existing arthritic conditions.... if you
have any thistises keep an eye on your pain level worsening of pain is
related to this drug.....GOOD LUCK

-- By johnq  Reply  Private Message me

February 15th
2010
9:33 AM

I have been taking Lipitor for about 6 years and now have really bad
leg pain. The worse it at night it wakes me up and I cannot lay there
any longer. I had leg pain a couple years ago and stopped taking
Lipitor but my doctor told me to get back on it. Now my leg pain is
worse than ever. I am stopping Lipitor again to see it my pain goes
away. It is now 4 in the morning and I am in screaming pain. I am
hoping to get some more sleep, I just took a pain pill.

-- By sharonc13  Reply  (3) replies  Private Message me

February 11th
2010
7:29 PM

ive been on a ten mg lipitor for about a year. i am 42 and have been
in decent health 2yrs ago it was revealed during a routine physical my
cholesterol and triglycerides were extremely high. I smoked ate
whatever i wanted to and my exercise wasn't what i would call regular.
i started taking the lipitor in july of 08 in October i went back for
blood tests that were excellent everything normal. By November i was
in the hospital having a cardiac stent put in my coronary artery.
i now try to work out three days a week but the muscle pain is
horrible!!! feels like my calf muscles are going to explode and my
ankle tendons are in horrible shape cant cycle or climb stairs. any
inpact like a hard surface and the pain is worse cant walk through the
stores or mall or treadmill without an extreme amount of pain i feel
like its getting worse. cardiologist saays coq10. orthopdist says
there is nothing wrong am going to ortho again tomorrow
muscle tendon pain extreme, some weight gain, joint pain, fatigue,

-- By johnq  Reply  (3) replies  Private Message me

February 3th
2010
7:57 PM

I'm a 47 year old male, with no medical problems except high
cholesterol. I took lipitor for a few months. After the first month, I
noticed the general weakness in my legs and stiffening of my achilies
tendon. By the third month, these problems continued to worsen. My
achilies tendon would be so tight, I had to stretch my foot for a few
minutes before getting up in the morning. Then, after getting up, I'd
walk like Frankinstein for awhile. My achillies tendon was sore all
day, and my legs were weak. My legs felt like there wasn't any blood
or strenght in them; I felt like an old man who's leg were atrophing.

Anyway, I was playing tennis one night, and a friend noticed I wasn't
moving. My wife remarked that I was on Lipitor, and we think it's
hurting my legs. This friend knew of several people, including his
father, that had experience the exact same problem. I quit taking
Lipitor that very day. Since then, I've talked with others, and many
have had this same side affect.

Please note, two guys in my office are taking Lipitor with no problem,
so, it not universal. However, I believe it more common that the
medical establishment is reveling. From what I've briefly read,
Lipitor block the production cholesterol, but also blocks the
production of CoQ10, dolichols and other vital liver biochemicals
needed for healthy muscels and tendons.

I've been off Lipitor for a couple months, and my legs and achilies
tendon are good. Not a 100%, but good. I still experience moderate
stiffness in my achilies tendon the morning after playing tennis and
very stight stiffness otherwise. During the day, my achilies tendon
feels fairly normal, and my leg strengh feels normal.

I'm not a hypochondriac; however, I have no doubt, this drug is
dangerous and causes muscle and tendon stiffness and damage.

-- By paensmin  Reply  (4) replies  Private Message me

December 18th
2009
6:19 PM

I have been on Lipitor for a year. I could walk ten miles without leg
Fatigue before lipitor but walking a mile is killing me I know it is
the lipitor I cant find a doctor who admits this plus I am limited to
Medicare doctors only. Is there a doctor that can advise me how to
stop the use so I can walk my miles which should be better for my
heart? I can change my diet.

-- By 305  Reply  (4) replies  Private Message me

November 9th
2009
1:52 AM

I am 39 years old and work for an interventional cardiology medical
device company in Tokyo, and so know the importance of controling
one's cholesterol, keeping the LDL's low and the HDL's high. About two
years ago, my doctor put me on 10 mg of Lipitor. Several months later
I herniated a disc in my neck between C6&C7. From that point onward, I
attributed all of my neck and back pain, and newly acquired total body
muscle and joint pain, to the herniated disc, it made the most sense.
Over the last seven months, I have really worked on my diet and began
to exercise more (even though quite painful) and was able to lower my
cholesterol. This resulted in my doctor lowering my Lipitor
prescription from 10 mg to 5 mg. I noticed a slight alleviation of the
pain I felt in my hip joints and calves. About two weeks ago I took
myself off Lipitor completely and found further improvements in my
total body muscle and joint pain. It's still there but greatly
improved. In retrospect, I now believe the Lipitor may have been the
culprit (or at least a contributing factor) to my herniated disc due
to muscle degeneration in the neck, and all of the subsequent muscle
pain, especially in my hips and calves. I fully understand I am not
going to die from calf-pain, but may from heart disease. However, I
have found my quality of life has improved tremendously over the last
few weeks. Less irritability, better sleep, less pain, clearer head. I
feel like I have lost two years of my life on Lipitor via personal
suffering and lack of ability to do much of anything with my wife and
two young daughters. We all need to take charge of our own health and
therefore I encourage anyone who feels completely different after
taking Lipitor to engage your physician, and make sure its the right
option for you. If damage has been done to my musculature I hope I can
reverse it. It is evident to me that some serious clinical studies
should be done to investigate Lipitor's effect on muscle degradation
and hope others will consider carefully whether or not do go on this
drug. If you do, monitor yourself closely.

-- By thinner  Reply  (5) replies  Private Message me

September 4th
2009
5:11 PM

The Health & disability commissioner in NZ has received my complaint
of criminal negligence re my former doctor. They have now asked my
former doctor for a please explain his version of events. The police
have written to me saying they are seeking medical advice re
criminal/negligence/failing to carry out professional duties
complaint. Whilst I agree with everyone's feelings on big pharma, it
is my very firm opinion that the doctor is the "retailer" and it is
the doctor's direct responsibility to us the customer/patient to
monitor and inform us of all safety concerns. Big pharma in covering
their butts have warned the doctors to warn the patients. Of the 8
doctors including an anesthetist I have spoken with socially and in
consultation, not a single doctor could name any adverse effects with
statins beyond mild muscle pain. Given the warnings from pharma on the
labels that is wholly shameful & negligent. An effective way to help
others avoid being maimed like us, is to fight back from the bottom.
The FDA and CARM in NZ take no notice, litigation is expensive and
drawn out so neither really helps future innocent victims. I encourage
everyone where negligence is fairly on the table to take your
complaints to your country's police and medical discipline bodies
enough of these complaints will soon have the doctor's "reading &
obeying instructions" which would go a long way to preventing more
tragic victims.

-- By oldcarpetcleaner  Reply  (5) replies  Private Message me

August 9th
2009
11:12 PM

I have used Lipitor and/or other satins for many years. I had to get
off a generic a year ago and went back to Lipitor. I believe it caused
my tinnitus and muscle and nerve issues all over my body. I recently
stopped taking it and now 4 weeks later I am getting some relief. I
did find something that has really lowered my triglycerides and my
cholesterol. It is a brand new diet supplement that contains a new
source of omega 3 and antioxidants. contact me and I will give more
info on this wonderful all natural wellness product. It really helped
me.

-- By moxxcare  Reply  (3) replies  Private Message me

August 7th
2009
4:29 AM

CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE COMPLAINT FILED. I copped the worse of everything
and almost croaked with statins. 20 months since stopping the poison,
I'm still not right but vastly improved. Medsafe in New Zealand twice
posted to prescribes ".. . . warn the patient of muscle pain and if
muscle pain or weakness occurs cease the medicine immediately ...
"they also warned prescribes "20% of adverse reactions being reported
included mental disorder including violence and anger .... "Apart from
all my pain, I suffered severe mental disorder and violence to others.
I repeatedly presented painful muscle cramps to the doctor, who
repeatedly told me age, arthritis, salt in diet etc. I went to my
doctor frightened at the nasty way I was treating my wife of 30+
years, telling him it was so bad one of us was going to have to move
out until the problem was sorted. he was sympathetic and told me none
of his patients had said this to him before, probably true, but
Medsafe had. Today in writing I hand delivered a written complaint of
criminal negligence to our police and the New Zealand medical council,
the doctor ignored clear written instructions putting my life at risk
and those around me with my violence and dangerous driving, heres
hoping others may be saved. There is a new report out from JACC
journal of American cardiology stating the wonderful strengthing and
healing power of fish oil, google it. We personally know of about 20
customers, friends and family who have been poisoned, a couple have
indicated they will consider following and laying criminal negligence
charges.Saturday afternoons are visiting days for prisons in New
Zealand if the after hours doctors are closed. I'll post when I hear
from the police. This very dangerous practice has to be stopped for
the sake of humanity.

-- By oldcarpetcleaner  Reply  (1) replies  Private Message me

July 14th
2009
1:28 PM

Cholesterol slightly elevated Dr. recommended 10mg dosage. Began
experiencing neck and shoulder pain, dizziness, nausea, foot stiffness
and leg numbness up to the lower thigh. Voluntarily stopped the
medication after four months. All noticed side effects disappeared
except for the foot stiffness and leg numbness. It has been 2 1/2
years and these remaining side effects are constant. Not optimistic
for recovery. Anyone else with similar symptoms?

-- By ter204  Reply  (6) replies  Private Message me

June 1th
2009
11:17 PM

I've been on lipitor and other generic forms of it for the last 8
years since the age of 26. I started on 10mg then 20mg and later 40mg.
About 4 years ago I started with severe stomach cramps. The pain is so
bad that I have to go home in the middle of the day, I can't walk or
sit straight the pain is that bad and NOTHING helps. On a scale of 1
to 10 I would probably put this at a 7 or 8. I would also be nauseous
and be really tired. I have had countless opinions and tests done and
doctors keep telling me it is an "enigma" and there's nothing wrong
with me. We've treated it through coeliac diet, exercise, lots of
water, but it never helped. About a week ago I stopped drinking my
meds by pure chance. I have not had one incidence of stomach ache. My
doctor tells me that it's not possible for the lipitor to be the
cause. I am sure he's wrong. Has anyone had a similar experience?

-- By nans  Reply  (7) replies  Private Message me

May 27th
2009
6:02 PM

Was on Lipitor 2 years ago and had to come off because of side effects
- sever muscle pain.. Prescribed Niaspan instead .. 2 months ago my
cholesterol rose to 7.1 and my doc put me straight back on Lipitor -
10mg.. Feeling lousy - neck pain, leg pain, dizziness, fatigue ...
head feels fuzzy all the time and get sudden twinges in my chest.. Had
stress test done last week and all ok.. Also have severe digestive
problems. Going to wait until 2 full months done and going to get
bloods done again

-- By filly  Reply  (4) replies  Private Message me

May 23th
2009
1:06 PM

I have been taking 40mg lipitor for over 9 years now.

I have had back issues since an injury to one disc (L4?), and had
microdiscectomy in 2001? Took about two years to actually get close to
normal.

The last few years, I have had multiple issues with shoulder pain,
wrist pain, elbow pain, lower back pain, Upper rump muscle pain , and
now both hips are killing me (the shoulder, upper rump muscles and
hips are by far the worst). And I am now so weak in my lower back
muscles, that it feels like I will (and do) pull out my back.

I have seen NO many doctors I can't even name them all. I have had
operations, multiple injections (cortisone) taken pain meds, etc.
Nothing has helped and in the last year and a half, I have gotten
steadily worse. To the point where I can't really do much of any
activity. Sleeping at night is painful. Can't lie on left shoulder,
and can't lie on either hip for more than a few minutes. If I fall
asleep on my side, the pain wakes me up. When I try to walk, 80% of
the time, I end up with a pain in my upper right rump (sacroiliac
area), that I MUST sit down to get the intense pain to go away, which
it does. But comes right back when I walk again.

I have had x-rays, MRIs etc, and never reveals all that much. Disc
issues, yes. NOt much else.

Recently, I have begun to get a nasty clicking (catching) on my left
jaw (joint?). Not really painful, but something definitely wrong. My
dentist sent me to his Chiro. I went and liked him right away. I had
gone to another chiro for years and I believe in them. But this one is
the best I have seen.

Anyway, one of the FIRST things he suggested, was that it was POSSIBLE
that the Lipitor is causing all of my problems. Put me on COQ10, and
doing multiple adjustments and treatments. I will be seeing my regular
doctor 5/26, and my chiro wants me to see if he will take me off
lipitor and put me on Niaspan instead.

I guess my question is: Can Lipitor be fine with me for so long, and
then in such a short period of time, turn me into a compete wreck from
the pain and wasting away of my body/muscles? I've told doctors for
over a year now that there is SOME connection as to all these issues
and pain. One Doctor, of course, gave me the "you are getting old"
bull. Yes, I am 56 yrs old. But I understand the process of getting
old, vs the complete failing of ones body.

Also, IF it is the Lipitor, can it possible all go away? Or should I
expect some damage forever?

One more thing, the last ortho I went to the other day for a second
opinion, wants me to do a EMG, to see if there is muscle damage. I was
not planning on doing it, but wonder now, should I? He was not doing
it because of lipitor, as he never even talked about that to me. I had
shoulder operation and have not had the results I feel I should have
had.

-- By stephenzi  Reply  (9) replies  Private Message me

April 28th
2009
2:39 PM

My mother, who is in her early 70's, is diabetic and had high
cholesterol. She had been taking Lipitor and the doctor increased her
dosage. She was experiencing muscle pain for some time, especially
when she woke in the morning. The muscle pain worsened and her muscles
became very weak. She had been complaining to her doctor for some
time. It took a chiropractor to suggest it was the Lipitor. Her doctor
finally ordered blood work and her enzyme levels were at 9500. She was
immediately hospitalized, tests run and IV's given to flush the
Lipitor from her system. She was expected to slowly recover. After
weeks, her levels dropped to 6500 then began to rise. Her doctor now
says her muscle damage is permanent and plans to give her prednisone
to stop the inflammation. This muscle damage is a terrible "side
effect" for a drug that was supposed to help her. She can hardly get
up or down from a sitting or lying position, can hardly walk and her
lifestyle has been severely curtailed. She is also exhausted all the
time.

-- By joy2all  Reply  (5) replies  Private Message me

April 23th
2009
5:21 PM

I was put on Lipitor 10mg 2 weeks ago after my bloodwork from my
yearly physical came back that my cholesterol went up again. Levels
are HDL 61 LDL 176. After the first week I called my MD to advise that
I was having chest pain and muscle pain in my legs and forearm. He
said to cut the dose in half which I did last Thursday. Yesterday all
of a sudden I had heart flutters the entire day! I am a 43 female who
goes to the gym 3 times a week doing 30 minutes of cardio and weights.
I eat right and overall I am in great shape except having high
cholesterol. My blood pressure is great, had a stress test and echo
last year both negative for any problems. I called my doctor today and
advise that I was still having fluttering in my chest and that I am
stopping the Lipitor. What good is being on a medicine that helps with
one problem but then causes others that you may need more medication
for???
I have been feeling like crap ever since being put on Lipitor and I
believe that it is the medication that is giving me the problems. Last
year my MD put me on Zocor and I stopped that after having the muscle
pains. I am now hoping that things will get back to normal and I plan
on telling my doctor that these "statin' medicines are not for me and
there has to be something else.

-- By honeybeeintn  Reply  (2) replies  Private Message me

March 14th
2009
9:53 PM

I have been on 10 MG of Lipitor for almost 3 years. Since I began
taking it I have had recurring issues with an anxious feelings, my
lower GI is constantly churning and I feel like I am stressed out. I
have a low stress job, a stable happy family life and yet I feel
nervous all the time. I sleep for 3-4 hours and then wake up and am
unable to get back to sleep. I have been forced to take a nap ever day
after lunch just to get through the day. Additionally, I developed
tremors in my hands and was diagnosed with something called Benign
Essential Tremor and put on another medication to control the shaking.

Yesterday I decided I had enough of this and went to see my
cardiologist to discuss the symptoms. I stopped taking the Lipitor on
my own 2 days before. The doctor told me that none of my symptoms were
related to Lipitor! I replied that I was convinced that they were all
in fact caused by this drug. He suggested I stop taking the statin for
2 weeks and see if the symptoms stop. I am now on day 4 without
lipitor and am already feeling less anxious.

I went to the Nuerologist 2 weeks ago and got her to discontinue the
anti-tremor medication. I am going to get all this crap out of my
system and hopefully get my life back.

-- By jeffracer  Reply  (7) replies  Private Message me

February 23th
2009
11:50 PM

I am a 65-year-old female. I was given Lipitor 10mg in Feb 07, which I
appeared to tolerate, with the effect of reducing my high familial
cholesterol. Because of a genetic enzyme problem, I am careful about
my diet; having been a vegetarian for decades. I don’t smoke, and
rarely have wine. By May that year my GP increased the dose to 20mg.,
but days later I was sent to A + E with cardiac concerns. The hospital
adamant it had nothing to do with Lipitor.

By mid 2008 I told my GP of dizzy spells, and loss of balance, also
swallowing difficulties, but after liver function tests I was
reassured it couldn’t possibly be Lipitor.

Early October 08, saw me in hospital with a ‘stroke’, although the CAT
scan and MRI were puzzling. I was sent home with no help or guidance
after the Consultant insisted Lipitor was not a problem, and I should
not reduce it, as it was already a very low dose. Unable to walk to
the end of my street, my calf muscles feeling as though I’d run a
marathon, and experiencing cardiac stress. Severe neck and shoulder
pains, and confusion with words. Frequent muscle spasms in my feet,
legs and hands, etc. etc. No energy for anything, and so difficult
coping - living alone. End of Dec. a friend from out of town visited,
and was alarmed, as she’d researched a web site for her brother, who
was using a walking frame. I was astounded at the reports from users
of Lipitor, so many suffering in the same way. Although my GP had
arranged more laboratory tests for me, I was not prepared to wait.

On 6th January 2009, (almost 2 years later) I reduced my dosage to
10mg., and within days was experiencing improvement in many areas. By
17th January, I reduced to 5mg., (maybe a little hasty) and by 24th
stopped it. By 28th my GP could see for himself, the considerable
improvement generally, with a lower blood pressure reading.

By then, I could complete half, of what used to be my regular walking
regime. To date, I am able to cover more than that, and hope I will
eventually be able to cover the full distance. I’m hoping there will
be no lasting damage, but am so thankful that my friend found this
website. Its scary to think I had no quality of life, and doubt I
would have survived more Lipitor. So I’m taking my chances with high
cholesterol, and a near normal life.

M.

New Zealand

-- By wellington  Reply  (5) replies  Private Message me

January 29th
2009
11:10 AM

777
I've been noticing that you as well as bobby are continuously replying
to many of the posting. I stopped taking lipitor in December after
having chest pains for 10 months which included being hospitalized for
2 days of testing. I'm still having the chest pain although I believe
it's getting better. There was a week in the beginning of this month
that I had no pain at all but now it's back. My question to you and
bobby is you keep saying you still have some side affects for months
but fail to list them. What are they and with your experience, why
does Lipitor cause chest pain? What have you found out in your
research? Is this drug causing damage to the interior lining of the
arteries? Is this why many people are getting the pains from?

-- By russ2947  Reply  (7) replies  Private Message me

January 28th
2009
2:54 PM

My dr. put me on Lipitor. I took it for 4 months. At the 4 month mark,
I was SO depressed, I couldn't function. Crying constantly, no
concentration..almost like I was in a trance most of the time. I had
problems finding the correct words to use, was paranoid about
everything and everyone. I actually thought I must be in the early
stages of Alzheimer. Honestly..I didn't know what was wrong with me. I
had an actual "pain" in my heart and pins and needles feelings in my
fingers and hand on the right side. My forearm became terribly "achy".
I went back to the dr. and she said.."oh, I think you're depressed!"
Gave me a prescription for celexa (anti-depressant, and sent me on my
way. I went home..decided that I WAS NOT going to take an
anti-depressant and began to do a little research on the lipitor.
Amazingly..I couldn't believe the info that I found with people who
had the same symptoms as me! I stopped taking it immediately and
within 2 days..my depression and paranoia went away. However I am left
with such weakness and pain in my rt. forearm and bicep as well as
both shoulders. I went back to the dr. and explained what I had done
(guess I shouldn't have mentioned about what i had read on the
internet) Because she wouldn't believe that the lipitor would cause
that and also said that I had been off of it long enough now(4 months
at that point), that any pain that i was experiencing would be all
gone! She wouldn't believe me and made me feel like I was crazy!!
So..now not sure what to do. Will the pain go away, I wonder? Is there
a way to "detoxify" one's self to rid us of all the bad stuff or is
the muscle damage permanent and does it keep on going and just keep
destroying the muscles, even though we've stopped taking the stupid
stuff?? I wish someone could come up with an answer, because I don't
know who to go to ask. I can't believe how weak my arms have become
since taking it. Will it ever improve I wonder?

-- By colleen58  Reply  (3) replies  Private Message me

January 26th
2009
12:25 PM

January 26, 2009
I stopped taking 20mg of Lipitor for the following reasons: arm and
muscle pain, wrist pain, neck and shoulder pain, knee pain, foot pain,
arm weakness when raising my arms, mental fuzziness. I
Withdrawal symptoms : headache, eye ache, increased neck pain.
My goal is to see if the dosage symptoms decrease within two weeks and
maybe I will try 10mg of Lipitor and see if that amount produces the
same symptoms. My doctor directed me to a Rheumatologist as recent
blood work showed inflammation in the arthritis panel. I am waiting to
see if being off Lipitor for two weeks might reduce my arthritis
symptoms .
I had a stint put in March 2008 and I am on Plavix (75mg), Lisinopril
(10mg) and Lipitor (20mg).

-- By cassann  Reply  (7) replies  Private Message me

January 18th
2009
9:07 PM

I am a male 45 years and used simivastin another statin for three and
a half years. Over this time i had severe muscle pain at time then
about 4 months ago the muscle pain in my legs came on with a
vengeance. It started in both thighs then calfs got very tight sore
ankles feet and eventually got in to my arms. A deep achey sort of a
pain and an irritability that casesa feeling like a toxin in my inside
elbows that makes me want to stretch all the time. I feel very weak
compared to my former self. I tried many things to alleviate the pain
but nothing really took the pain away or even decreased it much.
sometimes i would lay and groan in agony. I especially noticed that
draghts and weather changes made me feel worse????. I stopped taking
the simivastin 6 weeks ago. I have not had a lot of improvement but
must admit thet i have been trying to push my self over this and
probably done more damage. My ck levels are normal but my liver enzyme
is increased a little. I started also to take q10 and L- carnitine
along with magnesium. I might be improving a little each day but
nothing definite. I saw a rheumatologist who has no diagnosis and
isn't to committal on whether the statin is to blame. He put me on
celebrex which has finally given me some relief. Can anyone relate to
the worsening of symptoms with cooler changes in weather? and is there
anything else i could do to hasten recovery? Thank you to all
contributors on this board although it is the first time i have
contributed this board has been a scores of help to me.

-- By bradadelaide45  Reply  (3) replies  Private Message me

January 11th
2009
7:22 PM

I started taking Lipitor in 2004 and by 2008 was taking 40mg daily.
I'm not sure exactly when certain symptoms manifested themselves, as
looking back they now seem insidious, but I do know they became bad
enough in 2008 I went off the drug myself, especially after reading
postings like those at this website. After being off the drug for a
month, it was clear to me the most of the symptoms dissipated, but it
did have a residual affect. I realized I had suffered a loss of range
of motion (ROM) in my left arm (frozen shoulder) and have been in
physical therapy for over a month to restored 80% of it. I could not
have done this while staying on Lipitor as I was experiencing “deep”
muscle pain and weakness. I still have some weakness and pain in my
left arm and shoulder and don’t know if it is permanent.

I am Hypothyroid and take Synthroid and am currently going through
menopause and am on partial HRT. I took no other meds other than the
Lipitor. At one point, I thought my symptoms were stress related, but
realized my symptoms were causing the stress. Aside from the muscle
pain, spasms, tingling and numbness experienced in my left
extremities, I experienced gastro intestinal disturbances, occasional
vertigo, some lower back problems and other aching in other
extremities (like that of flu symptoms). I also suffered recurrent
mental fogs, which I initially attributed to some lack of regular
exercise (although I lead a relatively an active life), but that was
not the case, as even after aerobic activity the tingling and pain
would resume.

When I told my physician I had stopped taking the Lipitor (at that
time for nearly a month), he didn't blink an eye. I agree with
previous blog; the idea of statins are to lengthen your life, but what
kind of life is it when you are in misery and nothing short of ceasing
the medication brings relief?

I'm not advocating everyone "doctor themselves. Listen to your
physician, but most importantly listen to your body and trust your
instincts when it comes to these types of medications. Symptoms listed
about scripts described as "rare" are usually not that rare at all.
You are not crazy.

-- By campbellohio  Reply  (2) replies  Private Message me

December 27th
2008
5:46 PM

I took Lipitor for about 6 months. Right after I began taking it, my
legs, especially my right leg began hurting. I got off the drug at 6
months because my legs hurt so badly I could not sleep at night. I
just had X-rays of my right knee done, and I have almost no cartridge
left on my right knee cap. I now may have to have knee replacement
therapy. My doctor that put me on the lipitor said that it was not the
lipitor that caused. I think it is very odd the pain began when I
started the drug.

-- By itsjusme  Reply  (4) replies  Private Message me

December 22th
2008
7:12 PM

Hello I'm a 41 year old female, and I took Lipitor 20 mgs for 6 months
about two years ago. When I called my doctor's office to complain
about side effects they told me it couldn't be the Lipitor because I
had been taking it for a month already, and would have had problems
before that. I eventually took myself off of the drug 5 months later.
Here are some of the side effects I experienced:
Itchy fingertips, increased blood pressure, 30lb weight gain, shaky
hand writing, acne, poor driving skills, poor memory, hair loss,
"frozen joints", IBS, incontinence, low grade fever, itchy feet, numb
toes, numb hands, foggy brain, joint pain, muscle pain, foot pain,
plantar pain, dizzy, jaw pain, back and neck pain, week ankles and
wrists, nasal allergies, skin rashes, migraines, heartburn, Increase
in Astham, heart palpitations, knee pain, difficulty standing up from
sitting position, difficulty climbing stairs, water retention
alternating in feet, hands, arms and legs, almost constant taste of
bile in my mouth.
These are only the ones I can remember. Two years down the road
everything but the muscle and joint pain and weakness is gone. even
those have improved a lot. I stopped taking the Lipitor and lost all
30lbs I had gained on it, without dieting, in a months time. I still
have two toes on each foot that are partially numb. I have trouble
climbing stairs, and getting up from a sitting position. I can do
both, but I move slowly while doing them. The pain in my muscles and
joints drives me crazy, but I'm grateful that the rest of the symptoms
have cleared up. My doctor never believed me about my symptoms, and
neither does my new doctor really. Went to the emergency room for
asthma that was not responding to my inhaler, and they were about to
let me go home when I mentioned to the doctor that I had been on
Lipitor. Suddenly a huge battery of tests were ordered including a CT
scan and a stress test. When I asked the doctor why he said that they
just wanted to be sure that it wasn't something other than asthma. Why
did they do that after hearing about the Lipitor? Do they know
something? Are there doctors who believe that statins are killing and
seriously injuring people? I'm so angry. Even as I sit here typing I
know when I stand up I will have massive amounts of pain that I will
have to "walk off". My quadriceps have not recovered, and remain
ridiculously weak.
If I can stop one other person from going through this I will be
happy. Thanks everyone for taking the time to list your symptoms. It
makes me feel better to know that someone believes me, and knows what
I am going through.

-- By ouchie  Reply  (13) replies  Private Message me

December 15th
2008
8:22 PM

I've been on 10 mg of Lipitor for approx 2yrs. A few months back I
began experiencing severe constant right hip pain. A could walk
through it, but had many sleepless nights due to the unrelenting deep
pain. I had difficulty lifting my right leg without support from my
arms. I'm 54 and otherwise in pretty good health. I stopped taking the
Lipitor about 2 weeks ago and while I still have some pain it has
decreased about 75%. I can sleep at night and am even pain free some
of the time. If anyone has had a similar experience would appreciate
knowing and if the pain eventually subsides and any suggestions to
support the healing process.

-- By freespirit  Reply  (5) replies  Private Message me

December 2th
2008
2:16 PM

I am a 62 yr. old female and in good health. In January 2007, my
doctor ordered a cholesterol test and the results indicated a number
of 237..."bad" cholesterol was not horrible, "good" cholesterol was
very good. The doctor put me on 20mg of Lipitor without any
hesitation... After a week or so, I started having horrible leg and
muscle pain, so when I went back in 3 months (cholesterol 181), I told
him I couldn't take this med, so he put me on Zocor. Really bad joint
pain with this one, so I went back again in 3 months(cholesterol about
the same) and told him again that this one had similar side effects
and diarrhea. He then put me on Crestor...took this med, but was so
lethargic and in a fog, my family told me to get off of that one. Went
BACK to the Dr. in 3 mos., told him I couldn't take this one...he put
me on prescription strength fish oil (6 per day) saying that this one
should not have side effects. Other than some gastric/intestinal
rumblings and some diarrhea, it was ok, but when I had my cholesterol
checked it had gone up HIGHER than when I started this whole ordeal,
so he put me on Welchol...saying that this one was not absorbed in the
blood...blah,blah, blah... Still had the gastic/intestinal issues, SO
when I went back 3 mos. later in March 2008 (cholesterol 200)and
having already stopped this one myself, I told him I was NOT going to
take any more meds for this "issue," and I would manage it with diet
and exercise. I told him that this was supposed to be the best time in
my life, and I was tired of feeling so poorly. He blatantly told me
that if I did stop taking the cholesterol "you'll probably have 10
good years and 10 "crappy" years, and he was visibly angry about MY
personal health decision. I had at one point during that the 1 year +
mentioned to him about the information that I had been reading
online...he pooh-poohed the whole "internet" thing, indicating that he
had better information (I"M THE DOCTOR" syndrome!). Needless to say, I
don't trust him, BIG PHARMA, or anyone else who says that these statin
drugs are NOT harmful...My husband has since stopped taking Lipitor,
due to our children and me noticing lapses in his memory. These drug
companies and doctors are totally ignoring the side effects and health
issues of the unsuspecting public. Hopefully, the truth will emerge,
but how long it takes...who knows??????? I am glad I'm not on them
anymore...I feel GOOD, and I know that whatever aches and pains I have
ARE from aging and not drugs!!

-- By salemgrad86  Reply  (3) replies  Private Message me

November 24th
2008
12:08 PM

Hi, I am a 45 year old male with high cholesterol. prescribed 20mg. of
Lipitor to control it. Am having a strange twitching muscle in my
right calf since I started the meds. Forearms hurt, trouble sleeping,
twitching in my sleep, apparently, tiredness. I'm worried about going
off it. My dad died of a heart attack. Would it hurt to try going off
it for about 3 months?

-- By mikepaul  Reply  (14) replies  Private Message me

November 21th
2008
10:55 PM

I posted several months ago on this string and wanted to update. I had
bloodwork done for the 1st time since I quit the 20mg of Lipitor in
August. LDL went from 123 to 210. Total Chol went from 191 to 285.
HOWEVER all shooting pains I had been experiencing in legs, feet, and
chst are GONE! Went back to my Dr. today, told her that same result
and my serious objection to taking any kind of statin and she
prescribed CRESTOR while telling me it was more potent than Lipitor!
WTF!!!

I refuse this course, am drinking 30 - 40 ozs. of water each day now
like I should have been, doubled my CoQ10 to 200mg/day, finally
getting back into the gym to lose weight and get the HDL up from the
level of 36 it is now. also started to drink the new yogurt type
"shot" of Promise for cholesterol that provides 2 grams of plant
sterols per day.

I will not take statins ever. I WILL find a natural way to keep my
Chol under control. I've also been convinced that you don't have to be
at or under the 200mlg of total chol to be healthy. Look at your C
Reactive Protein and Homosiytes (sp?) If they are in range you should
be good.

I know Lipitor was the cause of my rupturing each of my Achiller
tendons a year apart while playing tennis in my late 40's Muscle pain
soon followed.

-- By rickinatlanta  Reply  (8) replies  Private Message me

November 11th
2008
12:13 AM

I am wondering if the plantar foot pain that my husband is suffering
for 6 months could be from lipitor that he is taking for several years
now. Has anyone have this problem?

-- By achoo44  Reply  (5) replies  Private Message me

October 29th
2008
11:12 PM

I have been on 20 mg Lipitor for years, and as I also have Rheumatoid
Arthritis, all my symptoms have been blamed on that. I have been
diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and put on Lyrica because of the muscle
aches and depression. My lower back, hurt in a car accident when I was
17 years old, had gotten so much worse that I had 12 steroid shots in
my lower spine a couple of years ago. They didn't help my back at all,
but my blood sugar went from normal to diabetic levels, and I am now
on Byetta to try to lower it.
I am a 56 year old woman who was the math specialist in a school
district until last December when I had to retire early. My back pain
was so severe that I could no longer go from school to school carting
materials. I could barely make it from the parking lot to my office.
Mentally I was not ready to retire, but physically, I was (and am) a
wreck. I have severe muscle pain in my shoulders, sometimes one or the
other, but always present. I have tingling in my right hand,
especially in my fingertips, and have trouble gripping and drop things
easily. In the last few months the pain in my right thigh and calf has
gotten unbearable. I thought at first it was sciatica, but I have had
sciatica before, and this isn't the same, although there is tingling,
burning , but the pins and needles is so deep in the muscles I have
just sat and cried, or wanted to scream. I have wished I could just
cut my leg off. And...I am on some pretty heavy duty pain killers for
the RA: a small dose of prednisone plus Enbrel, Methotrexate, and
Vicodin, and this pain is cutting right through all these meds. I get
severe headaches, I went off Lipitor for 5 days and seemed a little
better, but then went back on, and it came back.
Since I no longer work, I sleep longer, am exhausted ALL the time,
have terrible mental fog, am clumsy, cannot stand for more than a
minute or so without wanting to scream, cannot walk more than a few
yards...just getting to the car is an ordeal. I tell people that I can
only shop in shoe stores and furniture stores...the only stores with
places to sit down.
I no longer cook or clean, cannot play with my granddaughter, even
holding a book to read can be too much, and I love reading. I feel I
am just dying bit by bit as I lose parts of myself.
My doctor is really into lowering cholesterol, and has put me on Zetia
in the past few months...and it has been in this time that the pain in
my leg has gotten unbearable. He wants my cholesterol to be between
50-60, and has said that the Zetia along with the Lipitor will do
that. Is this normal or in any way reasonable??? I am having a full
blood workup done tomorrow morning, and I want to go off the Lipitor
starting the day after.
I came across this web site tonight while looking up Lipitor side
effects, and I am shocked. I have so many of these symptoms, and there
are so many I had no knowledge of at all. I knew about the muscle
aches, but that's all. I hope someone can help me with what
supplements and vitamins I should be taking. I started taking CoQ10 a
month or so ago. What else should I be taking for my health? I know
vitamin C and fish oil, but don't know how much or anything else.
Right now I am just stunned with the thought that all of these
problems that have left me unhappily retired, exhausted and in
constant pain can all be caused from a drug I have been taking to help
me be healthier.

-- By lancbet  Reply  (5) replies  Private Message me

September 29th
2008
7:54 PM

Eight years ago I started with 10 mg. Lipitor and took it without
problems for about five years. Doctor wanted me to change to Crestor
and within four months I could hardly walk, shuffled my feet and had
pain in muscles. Switched back to Lipitor two years ago and this week
began to experience muscle pain so I stopped taking it three days ago.
Any time I am in a prone position, or sitting, the leg pain is
incredible. Walking there is minimal discomfort. Tried a massage today
to no avail. Any way to alleviate this withdrawal reaction, if not,
when might it dissipate?
J. in Pain

-- By 1hacienda  Reply  (2) replies  Private Message me

September 6th
2008
12:09 AM

Boy, after reading all the negative testimonials on Lipitor, I will
throw mine in the garbage. That is what they are meant for. I have
severe headache, and muscle pain, and foggy head, and I have only been
on the crap for 2 months. I believe a lot of people's health is being
ruined, and a lot of deaths are happening as well because of Lipitor
and other statins. Mark my word, one day this drug will be withdrawn
from the market, and the poor Pharmacutial companies will be in huge
trouble.. They have the world convinced that we all need statins to
bring cholesterol down.. The era when my parents lived , and lived
long lives, and on farms, with butter, bacon, lots of fats, and never
heard the word STATIN. I think every one that is writing to this forum
and complaining about LIPITOR, should make a phone call to PYzier and
tell them your side effects, that is the only way anything positive
will come from this forum.. thank you for listening... I have called
Pyzier and told them as well.

-- By tennis  Reply  (5) replies  Private Message me

September 5th
2008
4:30 AM

I'm a 38 y/o woman. For 7 yrs I knew my cholesterol has been high. I
refused to take cholesterol medication and decided to diet and
exercise but that didn't work. I've had 2 children in the past 3 yrs.
In May of this year I started having chest pains and palpitations. I
had blood tests done. I was given Inderal and also prescribed Zocor
20mg for my cholesterol. It was 243 with and LDL of 178. I took Zocor
for a week. I felt so awful. I was weak, I lost my appetite. I was
constantly tired. I couldn't even carry my 10 month old son, yet alone
care for him. I informed my physician and she changed it to Lipitor
20mg. I thought I was doing fine. I checked my levels again after a
month. My cholesterol was 113 and LDL 58. I trusted the doctor knew
what she was doing. At the same time I also was taking Omega 3's. I
asked my doc to lower the dosage to 10mg. From the time I was taking
Zocor and the start of Lipitor. I was feeling tingling and numbness in
my arms, hands, fingers, toes, feet and legs. I also was having muscle
pain. I asked my doctor about that. She mentioned because of my heart
palpitations, it could be symptoms of anxiety and panic. I had feeling
of pins and needles throughout my body, not knowing when it would
occur. I had muscle pain in my arms and legs and neck pain. I went
online to see the side effects of Lipitor and came across this
website. I decided to do an experiment. I stopped taking Lipitor 9
days ago. I was on statins for almost 4 months. I don't have the
feeling of tingling and numbness, but I still have pins and needles
and muscle pain. I have to say, I feel so much better. I hope to get
better. I 'd really like to know, how long does the medication stay in
your system? What are the effects of getting off it so suddenly. I'd
love to feel myself again.

-- By gaja  Reply  (3) replies  Private Message me

August 29th
2008
2:21 AM

I am a 54 year old male who started taking Lipitor about 4 years ago.
It seemed OK at first, but over the next several years I began to have
increasing amounts of joint pain after exercise. Nor muscle pain,
joint pain. And it seemed to be a result of exercise. By the time I
stopped it, I was hurting after everything, not just exercise. I felt
better within the first two weeks, but it took about 4 months for me
to be able to exercise vigorously again. Over the years I seemed to
have forgotten how much vitality I used to have. I am a physician, and
because of the long lag time until I felt better, I wondered whether
improvement might have related to other factors, so after about 5
months I decided to restart Lipitor. It surprised me that after just
one dose, I got back all of the joint pain and fatigue when I was at
my worst on Lipitor. I was really hurting. Needless to say, I didn't
take any more.

Coincidentally, a physician friend of mine who had statin induced
polyneuropathy had a similar experience. After his symptoms went away
he found that after only one dose the entire polyneuropathy came back.

Stopping and restarting the drug is a way to test the correlation
between the drug and the side effect. For such a large spectrum of
side effects to recur after only a single dose, it argues that the
problems that my friend and I had was due to some sort of immune
memory response. I have not seen this in the medical literature.

I am off it now for about 8 months and am able to comfortably play
singles tennis and jog - much more energy (and I took 200 mg of CoQ10
a day with the Lipitor).

-- By n8healer  Reply  (8) replies  Private Message me

August 17th
2008
12:12 PM

I was given 40mg Lipitor for elevated cholesterol. I took it until I
started having muscle weakness .I am a retired nurse of twenty five
years, and knew this symptom was not correct. So I stopped taking the
medication and told my doctor of this.He did not protest in any way.My
symptoms now include;two torn ligaments, sob,mental deficits, muscle
wasting, night sweats, weakness,h/a's, and more. I have not taken
Lipitor for two years now. Damage is done.My doctor said it should be
out of my system by now. Is this a cover up?

-- By boerne  Reply  (7) replies  Private Message me

August 15th
2008
8:42 PM

I have been on lipitor about 4 yrs. I am a runner and keep tract of my
times. I have been losing about 4% of my speed each year and have
recently had a large amount of muscle fatigue. Today a ran a 940 pace
and thought I was not going to make it home. Three years ago my
average pace was 805. Could the 20mg dosage be causing this problem?

-- By rjberger  Reply  (7) replies  Private Message me

August 15th
2008
8:26 AM

I am taking lipitor for 3 months and sinds one week i have pain in my
left arm and a constant twinkle in my left hand. i stop now for 3 days
and wait to see the results

-- By esl  Reply  (1) replies  Private Message me

August 14th
2008
2:27 PM

I am a 46 y/o male whom took lipitor 20mg for about 10 days. It was
the first medication taken for me aside from occasional antibiotics.
Within a week I began to develop severe nausea, weakness, postural
dizziness and worst of all, chest pain at rest! I took my last dose
last Saturday 8/9/08. Because of the chest pain, I went to the ER on
8/10/08 and discharged the next day after I ruled out for an MI and a
negative exercise stress test. My chest pain recurred on 8/12. This AM
awoke with nausea, dizziness and chest pain again. I'm going to have
an adenosine stress test this PM. I consulted a pharmacologist
yesterday about the metabolism of Lipitor and she told me indeed these
side effects are not uncommon and in my case, Lipitor will not be
eliminated from my body until probably this Sunday or early next week.
Anyone experience what I'm feeling?

-- By vgc1962  Reply  (5) replies  Private Message me

August 11th
2008
5:17 PM

I HAVE BEEN ON LIPITOR FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW AFTER HAVING 3 STENTS PUT
IN I AM A 50 YEAR OLD MALE THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE IN SPORTS, MY
LIPITOR SIDE EFFECT ONLY STARTED A FEW DAYS AGO, I HAD SEVERE PAIN IN
MY RIGHT SHOULDER SO BAD I COULD HARDLY USE MY ARM THE PAIN GOT SO BAD
LAST NIGHT, WE WENT TO THE ER, NO PROB FOUND JUST INFLAMMATION, SO THE
DR PRESCRIBED MOTRIN 800 AND A MUSCLE RELAXER, WHICH DID GIVE ME SOME
RELIEF IN ABOUT 25 MINUTES .
TODAY WHILE SHOPPING I NOTICED A PAIN NOW IN MY LEFT SHOULDER AND NOW
THROUGH THE DAY IT IS JUST ABOUT AS BAD AS THE RIGHT ONE THEN AFTER
DOING THIS RESEARCH I WILL AS OF RIGHT NOW STOP TAKING MY LIPITOR I
WILL POST MY UPDATE TAKE CARE

-- By mgprker  Reply  (3) replies  Private Message me

July 30th
2008
9:34 AM

I am a 35 yr old male and have been taking lipitor about 7 yrs. I have
a genetically high cholesterol and it has been up to 275. On lipitor
its around 175. Over the years I have been on this drug I went from
being a normal weight and active to pretty much lethargic and
sedentary due to lack of energy and gained ~50 lbs. I couldn't sleep.
I got random nausea and fogginess in my brain to the point I could not
remember how to perform my job. I usually had minor aches and was
bloated. the past year everything has gotten much worse. For a year
now, I have been getting large rashes on my body that itch severely
and no medications have worked to alleviate them. I found out recently
from my doctor that I have a genetic marker in my cholesterol that
makes me 3 times as likely to have a heart attack. Its a portion of
the cholesterol, i think its called LDL-b or something like that.
Anyways, My doctor prescribed zetia to help with my cholesterol since
the lipitor wasn't doing it alon. I begin feeling very sick when
taking the zetia and after a week or two stopped it. The problems
didn't end. As long as I remained on the lipitor, the problems seemed
to continue. Its like the zetia released a dam of problems. I stopped
the lipitor 4 days ago and have noticed that I feel energy coming back
to me and the rash is starting to go away, but I ache severely all
over. My shoulders, forearms, and legs are so sore and painful that I
can't do anything about this except sleep so I don't feel the pain. I
am also very weak feeling and I notice stiffness in my fingers and my
grip is very weak compared to how it normally is. I have nausea and
stomach cramps and constipation. I feel miserable. I notice its worse
in the morning and gets a little better towards the afternoon. I
typically took my lipitor in the morning. I do not know if there is a
relationship here. Please advise on any help you can provide.

KMJ
07-30-08

-- By kmj1  Reply  (6) replies  Private Message me

July 28th
2008
7:56 AM

I have been on Lipitor for about 4 years. Now I have an arthritic
right knee and the left knee has a little bit of arthritis. My
arthritis started getting really bad in both legs my left leg was just
as bad as my right leg. Muscle pain was tremendous and getting up and
down stairs. furniture, and the car. Then the day before Memorial Day
I could hardly move, I thought I was losing both my legs. I could only
walk a little bit. No energy. I too had blurred vision with this drug
but the doctor said that it probably was just my diabetes. I hurt from
the shoulders all the way down to the ankles..It felt like every
muscle group was involved. Earlier this year the doctor put my Lipitor
up to 40 mg from 20 mg even through my ldl was only 93. My last ldl
was 67. The doctors say your cholesterol cannot go to low but I am
wondering with all the side affedts I had. I took myself off Lipitor
on Memorial Day this year and I feel better. The pain is gone except
for the arithritic pain but it is not as bad as what it was on
Lipitor. Soo I am done with statins I will lose weight and exercise.

-- By char0215  Reply  (2) replies  Private Message me

July 26th
2008
11:47 PM

I started taking Lipitor 12 years ( 1997 ) ago as my Cholesterol was
at 315. I was always athletic but had a crappy diet. My Cholesterol
dropped to 200 within a year. However, in 2001 I ruptured my left
Achilles playing tennis. Thought nothing much and that I hadn't
stretched enough. Recovered from that and started playing tennis again
in 2002. Within three weeks of playing again, I ruptured my RIGHT
achilles! At that point I started to question the effect of Lipitor on
muscles/tendons with various medical "professionals". ALL said it was
nothing to do with medication. I quickly developed a tingling/numbness
in both feet that doctors said could not be happening but it WAS!

I've had MRI's, nerve conduction tests, wondered if it was diabetic,
alcohol, etc. Finally found sites such as this where real life
experiences validated my concerns over this statin. I told my Dr. I
was quitting Lipitor last Monday, she had no problem with that. This
is Saturday night and I'm sitting here with a NOTICEABLE decrease in
my numbness/tingling in both feet that I've had for the past TWELVE
YEARS!!

I hope that the statin did cause my "mild sensory polyneuropathy" as
was diagnosed in 2002. As of right now, it seems to be getting better
in less than one week! I can flex my toes with NO pain and my feet
don't feel like dead weights.

I WILL NEVER USE A STATIN AGAIN!

-- By rickinatlanta  Reply  (3) replies  Private Message me

July 25th
2008
10:24 AM

I would encourage every patient on statins to read the recent article
(Feb. 2008) by Dr. Peter Langsjoen, MD/Cardiologist:
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2008/feb2008Alleviating-Congestive-Heart-Failure-With-Coenzyme-Q1001.htm

The following information from this article is pertinent to complaints
of muscle pain/weakness and fatigue:

"All statin drugs block the biosynthesis of both cholesterol and
CoQ10, which explains statins’ common side effects of fatigue, muscle
pain and muscle weakness, and a worsening of heart failure. When CoQ10
levels are lowered by statin drug therapy, one of the first changes to
occur is a weakening of heart muscle function, known as diastolic
dysfunction. This has nothing to do with diastolic blood pressure, but
rather represents impairment in the relaxing or filling phase of the
cardiac cycle. After heart muscle contracts, it takes a great deal of
cellular energy, or ATP, to re-establish the calcium gradients such
that muscle fibers may relax. Thus, if diastolic dysfunction is
severe, it can result in congestive heart failure. In 2004, a study
published in the American Journal of Cardiology showed that diastolic
dysfunction (heart muscle weakness) occurred in 70% of previously
normal patients treated with 20 mg a day of Lipitor® for six months.
This heart muscle dysfunction was reversible with supplemental CoQ10."

I hope this information will be of help to patients suffering adverse
reactions from statins..

-- By drmike4777  Reply  (1) replies  Private Message me

July 25th
2008
8:41 AM

I am a male of 67 years old. I took Lipitor for a year, and after a
few months of taking it, I felt muscle pains in my arms and shoulders,
as well as my back. I felt weak and could hardly put my socks on by
myself. I told my family doctor that I thought the problem was caused
by LIpitor. He said it couldn't be possible, but he couldn't figure
out what was wrong, so he sent me to a rheumatologist, who gave me an
initial diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica. I went back for a
checkup, and although the sed rate was normal, the C-reactive protein
was elevated. He felt his diagnosis was an accurate one. He prescribed
prednisone for me. I had some doubts about it, since I am diabetic,
and was concerned about the elevated blood sugar it might cause. Well,
it did elevate my blood sugar, and I weaned myself off it within three
months. My blood sugar went back to normal, and while the prednisone
helped the symptoms of muscle pain and aches, after I stopped it, the
pain returned with a vengeance.

About a year passed after discontinuing the prednisone, and I felt
worse and worse. Any time I engaged in physical activity, such as yard
work, I was almost incapacitated for two or three days. I felt weaker
and weaker, and by now, my activity is about ten per cent of what it
was three or four years ago. I am unable to do anything physical
without paying a heavy price.

I would tell the doctor that I felt the problem was caused by the
Lipitor. He would dismiss my comments, saying that the pain should
have gone away after discontinuing Lipitor. He sent me back to the
rheumatologist with results of recent blood tests. Both the sed rate
and C-reactive protein were normal. The rheumatologist touched my back
and other areas, which caused me to jump. He said it might be
fibromyalgia. I told him again that I thought it was caused by the
Lipitor. He said the same thing my GP had said: if it had been the
Lipitor, the pain would have gone away when I stopped taking it. I
know the Lipitor caused the pain, because I tried red yeast rice for a
couple months. The pain increased to almost unbearable, so I
discontinued the red yeast rice. If I were not susceptible to the pain
from the Lipitor, would the red yeast rice have increased the pain?

So here I am with a fuzzy diagnosis from the rheumatologist, and no
clue from my family doctor (that he will verbalize, at any rate). My
life has gone steadily downhill. I used to be a strong, active person,
but now I can do very little, and my strength is a shadow of what it
formerly was. What can I do?

-- By bbsmith2008  Reply  (7) replies  Private Message me

July 14th
2008
8:36 PM

This is a follow up to my July 5th post, I am the 42 male, it has been
almost two weeks since I stopped Lipitor, all the side effects are
completely gone. Muscle pain, numbness in the fingers etc..It looks
like it takes at least a couple weeks for the substance to completely
exit the system. I know not everybody is the same, but at least this
give hope that there are cases where the condition is reversible.

-- By nicknash  Reply  (1) replies  Private Message me

July 5th
2008
11:07 PM

Here are some more side effects that I encountered during my ordeal
with Lipitor. A week after I started the medication, I started
experiencing blurry and decreased vision, this used to go away and
come back sometimes, I could swear I always had 20/20 although I never
went to eye doctor, but I never needed glasses all my life, if fact
any type of glasses will blurry my vision and make me dizzy. I had my
first eyes exam a couple days after I discontinued Lipitor, guess
what? I have 20/20 vision.
More details about the back and right arm pain, not only the pain was
unbearable, I felt my muscles sagging and they did not have any
strength, this thing sucked the life out of my muscles, it made me
very tired and easily irritable. My fist victim was my little baby (
my beautiful 4 year old), her daddy couldn’t hold her anymore, I even
avoided staying close to her, because anyone who touches that right
arm will make it feel like another deep stab to the arm deep into the
bone. I have never experienced pain like this. I knew about toothache
when I had a cavity at 23, but it was fixed and went away, I even
experienced the pain of a broken arm at 16, but this thing was
something else. The other victim is my wife, I stopped doing stuff, I
used to be a very active dude, I do stuff on weekends with family and
even every day after work ( you name it, park, boating, swimming pool,
malls etc..). It felt like I was dying one piece at a time, going down
the tubes fast with no clue of what was wrong with me.

-- By nicknash  Reply  (3) replies  Private Message me

June 25th
2008
8:27 AM

My doctor started me on Lipitor over a year ago. I started having
muscle pain in my shoulders but didn't equate it to the meds until I
was watching television one day and a Lipitor commercial came on. It
said that some people experience muscle pain.....I thought HALLELUEH
THAT'S WHAT IT IS.....I stopped talking the meds and went to see my
doctor who immediately changed my meds to Zocor.....guess what? The
same thing happened. Went to see her again and she switched to
Crestor.....same thing happened....so I started doing my own research
and was amazed at what I learned and bewildered as to why my doctor
was acting like I was some whining baby.

No problem, I say to myself and stopped the meds. That was last
November, in January I had my yearly physical and blood tests were
ordered for me in December......guess what.....my triglycerides were
still high so my doctor orders Antara. It didn't say "cor" anything so
I'm thinking it's not the same stuff. No, it wasn't the same stuff it
was WORSE!! Within three weeks I was crying I was in so much pain. I
called her and got her nurse practitioner who says that my doctor said
to stop taking the pills and the pain will go away. I call back and
say, "you don't understand, I can't sleep, I can't move, I can't
function the pain is so bad." After several calls back and forth, and
let me tell you I NEVER call my doctor unless something is incredibly
wrong and that is less than rarely. Well, my doctors partner tells the
nurse practioner that they will not prescribe narcotics for me. WHAT?
Who asked for narcotics? I needed relief from this pain.....I would
have gone for amputation!!!

So I change docs...more blood work.....high triglycerides, I refuse to
take any statins. She says she has something for me that will not
cause muscle pain and hands me samples of Welchol.....this one took
less than a week for increased muscle pain...again I wanted to trust,
but guess what i learned when I went to the Welchol site? The first
side effect listed? Muscle pain.

Called the new doctors office to let them know that I was experiencing
pain again and was told to stop the Welchol (which I had already done)
and take Red Yeast Rice and have bloodwork done in 3 to 6 months and
come back to see her. Oh no! Not without research and guess what? A
side effect of Red Yeast Rice? Muscle pain.

It has been 4 months since I stopped taking the Antara and took
Welchol for a week in that 4 months. Sometimes my shoulders/neck and
arms don't hurt too much. Unfortunately most times they do. Both
doctors insist that the pain cannot be from the drugs because the
drugs have left my body. The new doctor said I probably have myolgia
just because I'm 52 and that it's just a coincidence that it happened
while taken the drugs but then goes on to agree that I must be
"sensitive" to statins. Both doctors treat me like I'm stupid and nuts
all balled up in one. I am frustrated and in pain most of the time. I
have been trying to find out how long to expect this pain and am
dismayed to learn that it can be years or never go away.

Yes I have high triglycerides (so does my mother and she experiences
the same kind of pain so refused to take statins) and I've been warned
that not taking statins could cause pancreatitis and/or heart
problems. My question to that is - "then my choice is chance the heart
stuff or live an incredibly painful life?"

I'll take my chances and pray for the best because right now my
quality of life stinks!!

-- By shavsha  Reply  (2) replies  Private Message me

Pages: 1 2 3 4 »

Add a new Side Effect for Lipitor:
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This registry is a place to share positive or negative side effects of
using Lipitor. If you directly experienced a side effect while using
Lipitor, then we encourage you to enter it here. Please note that
entries here are the experiences of individual users, and in no way
means that you or anyone else will experience the same side effect,
since the same medication affects people in different ways. Please
always contact your physician.
-- Read the entire disclaimer

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