Bursitis symptoms and conditions

I commenced Lipitor 14 years ago at age 47. At that time I was a regular tennis player, walker and generally fit for my age. No problem with Lipitor for the first couple of years until I began to experience hip and low back pain. My GP diagnosed arthritis. Gradually became worse and I started to gather injuries (over stretched ligament in right knee which refused to heal, plantar fasciitis twice) My back pain became far worse, I persevered with tennis believing that exercise would help. I began to "trip" on the carpet and going up stairs (foot drop). I was sent for a CT scan in 2002 which showed spondylolisthesis and root canal stenosisss. On advice from doctor I stopped tennis. Referred to a neurosurgeon who after several months carried out a laminectomy in July 03. Cleared to recommence exercise in December 03 which is when my nightmare commenced. I developed bursitis in one hip, stopped walking until it settled, then excruciating pain in feet, and then bursitis in the other hip and continuing foot pain. I developed rib/back pain, again diagnosed as arthritis even though I felt the pain was muscular. I had one session of aqua aerobics and woke the next morning with plantar fasciitis which continued for 3 months even with doctor, physio and acupuncture treatment. I was then referred to a Spots Medicine Dr who ordered bone scans/x-rays which revealed a stress fracture in my foot. In 2006 I began to notice that my right arm had a tense feeling all the time, I had a loss of dexterity in my right hand which assumed a claw like appearance and my normally neat handwriting became practically illegible. My physio recommended I see a Rheumatologist who said I had "no more arthritis than I would see in any 62 yo", he sent me to a Neurologist who after 5 mins diagnosed Parkinson's Disease. Within 7 weeks of commencing the PD medication I was experiencing Restless Leg Syndrome every night. The neurologist said that my condition had "progressed" and increased the medication - twice. I was then getting RLS DAY AND NIGHT and getting no relief OR SLEEP!!! Finally after 12 months misery my GP suggested that I try coming off Lipitor to see if that was causing my body pain. Within 6 days I felt better, my muscles became less stiff and relax. I went back to my Neurologist who refused to accept my claims, he insists I still have atypical PD (because I do not have tremors). I told him the cure is worse than the complaint and against his advice I weaned myself off PD medication and Lipitor. It was hard going but I NO LONGER SUFFER FROM RLS AND MY DEXTERITY IS SLOWLY IMPROVING. I still have dexterity problems with my right fingers but the tense feeling in my right arm has gone and my "claw" hand is starting to relax My muscles feel bruised all the time. I am still taking my blood pressure tablets and 150mg of Co-Q10 a day. I have been off Lipitor 9 months. It has been a painful journed for the last 8 years and a nightmare for 12 months. My GP has marked my records as "allergy to statins" but says she just doesn't know if I have Parkinson's. I know that I will never take this awful drug again. My cholesterol has skyrocketed but I will have to try and lower it naturally and take the risk. I constantly feel like I have worked too long and hard in the garden, all my muscles are so sore. I really need to know if this damage is permanent and if this drug has caused Parkinson's Disease itself or just PD like symptoms. I guess I will just have to wait and see. I don't think doctor's believe us when we say Lipitor is doing damage to thousands of people. They love it!! When we are aging we are not surprised to get diagnosed with arthritis and this is why we take this medication unwittingly for so long.

I have contacted an attorney in Delaware who is willing to pursue a possible class action suit. I explained my side effects from this drug and told him of the countless others that are suffering as well. He said if I was willing to do the "legwork" and gather up names of others who would like to join this suit, perhaps we could get a class action started. If anyone is interested please reply by contacting me at ***** Please be sure to type "Kenalog" as the subject and include your name, email address, and a description of your experience with Kenalog. I will than gather your responses and forward them to the attorney. He will than contact you individually, so please include a contact number. This will take some time. So please be patient, as you know these cases take time. I have spent 15 months trying to get some kind of help from various doctors, to no avail. Someone needs to step up and take responsibility.
Hope to hear from many of you. Thank You

I have been taking percocet for about 5 months now due to osteomylatis in my midle finger had 2surgeries before dr found it now i have bursitis in my left hip,cortizone shot didnt help ,plus i have 2 surgeries in 1 spot and develop scar tissue the pain is really uncomfortable 24 seven i have pain in the middle of my stomach ,is my liver getting damage because of percocet ? please any suggestions

My pain started within a few days of a switch from Fosamax to a generic form. I had been on the med for about ten months and hadn't had anything significant as far as side effects are concerned. First my shoulder blew up with very painful tendinitis and bursitis - doctors said it was likely a strain. Then I had jaw pain a few weeks later and that was supposed to be because of a crown I had done. The latest and worst has been my right hip and right leg to the knee - very sharp and burning pain - really made it impossible to walk. The doctors did not make the connection to fosamax and I think they probably still think I am crazy - but I KNOW that it where it is coming from. I am being treated for the pain with the usual stuff - it has been about two weeks. I think I have a long haul ahead before I feel really great again. The biggest problem with these drugs is that the side effects can present so long after you start the drug that most people don't make the connection. I figure people have been living with osteoporosis forever - so I will risk my osteopenie without any more of this toxic stuff. How many people are out there suffering without a notion that this is the cause - still taking that magic pill once a week?

I too, have been having weird symptoms over the last several months and just connected it all with having a Kenalog shot 7 months ago. In October 2007, two months after my injection, I developed severe anxiety and panic attacks. I thought it was related to perimenopause. Then, in January, I started having lots of muscle and joint pain all over my legs and hips. I've been a healthy and active person, so this was very unusual. I saw an orthopeadic surgeon who diagnosed me with a strained rotator cuff and bursitis on my hips. Now, just two weeks ago, I woke up with a large indentation on my left glut. Right where the Kenalog injection was given. My doctor had no clue what it was and said she might refer me to a Plastic Surgeon. I am SO relieve to find this board. It all clicked when I read everyone's postings. Now I just want to know if it will get worse or eventually go away. I did find some interesting information about the drug. BTW, the nurse or doctor NEVER said anything about side effects before giving my the injection. I am seriously going to pursue a law suit, so we can get this terrible drug OFF the market and no one else has to endure this disfiguring problem. If ENOUGH of us join together in a law suit, it might be worth suing the drug manufacturer. But we have to somehow get organized. Anyone intersted in pursuing this?

Here are some facts about the drug I found online.

Kenalog is not appropriate for everyone. A thorough medical history should be assessed prior to prescribing this medication. Patients with a medical history which includes skin infection, tuberculosis of the skin, chicken pox, herpes, cold sores, sunburned or wind burned skin, chapped skin, open sores, diabetes, or a stomach ulcer may not be able to take Kenalog or may require careful monitoring while undergoing drug therapy with this medication, depending on the condition and the severity of the condition.

The American Food and Drug Administration rated Kenalog as a pregnancy risk category C. This medication has been known to cause harm or birth defects in unborn babies. It has yet to be determined whether or not Kenalog passes through the mother’s breast milk and affects a nursing baby. The prescribing physician should avoid prescribing this medication to women who are pregnant, nursing, or have a high likelihood of becoming pregnant.

There is a risk of side effects associated with Kenalog, some of which are severe. A patient who is experience a serious side effect or an allergic reaction should seek immediate emergency treatment. An allergic reaction will present with symptoms which may include facial swelling, such as swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, hives, and difficulty breathing. Other serious side effects which require immediate emergency medical treatment include symptoms such as insomnia, blurry vision, mood changes, halo vision, fatigue, weight gain, facial puffiness, or irregular heart rate.

Even more information regarding subcutaneous atrophy and the class of drugs which Kenalog fall in to:

"Subcutaneous atrophy developed in a 36-year-old woman at the site of a triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) injection for subdeltoid bursitis. Occurrence of local atrophy after corticosteroid injection is relatively frequent yet unappreciated. It is more common in young women and girls who are given preparations with a lesser degree of water solubility. Although the condition is often reversible, instances of long-term disfigurement are well documented. This complication of a useful treatment method can be avoided by following a set of precautions for local injection of corticosteroids."

The above excerpt from a 1986 article in the U.S National Library of Medicine. There is also an article as far back as 1967 in the British Medical Journal (10/14/1967) that puts forward the same theory (though it is argued about in the editorial of the Journal).

Anyone who has experienced this problem should print this out and show it to their doctors. Presumably and hopefully your doctor is aware of medical journals and respects the DATA!

I ran out the other day and haven't taken Lisinopril for three days. I feel overall better! One thing. I've been fighting knee and shoulder pain something like bursitis or tendonitis and the pain seems to have diminished. Any others with this experience? It may be all in my head but what the heck!!

I was put on Lipitor in 2004 and didn't realize what was happening to me-I thought I was just getting old. (I'm now 66) I went from a very active person to one who struggled to get out of the car and my entire body ached. I was constantly tired, I had trouble putting thoughts together. I would sit at the kitchen table and cry because I felt so awful. I started losing my balance and falling down. In one of my falls in December 2006 I injured my left hip. I went to a chiropractor to see if he could help relieve the pain in my hip. While going over my symptoms and medications he pointed out that the Lipitor I'm taking could cause most of my symptoms. He suggested I call my doctor and talk to her. I did and she said that Lipitor could cause severe muscle aches-she wanted to do a blood test and said that I could just go off the Lipitor. My blood test was normal. That was in March 2007 and I have been off the Lipitor since. The fatigue and muscle aches have gone away. I still have the hip pain (bursitis) and have been going to physical therapy for that. My memory is improving but I still have to concentrate, repeat names and write things down trying to remember. I'm trying to lose weight (most of it gained around my middle). I go to the gym and exercise to try to build my muscle strength. I'm not tired all the time, I've read that the symptoms can last a long time and sometimes may never go away. I've been told by the doctor that if my cholesterol is up at my next visit that she wants me to go back on Lipitor. She also said that if it had been the Lipitor, the symptoms would have gone away right after I went off the Lipitor. I will absolutely refuse to go on any Statin-I cannot take the chance of feeling so badly again.

I have fibromyalgia so when I complained to my doctor about the increased and almost unbearable pain after being on Lipitor it was not taken seriously, also blood tests showed up negative for any problems. Finally after being sent to a arthritis specialist he took me off the drug. He also told me that half of the patients that he see that are on Lipitor have serious side effects even though blood works shows nothing. More than a year off the drug I still have chronic and debilitating tendonitis in both arms and bursitis in both hips- which doctors tell me is highly unusual.

38y.o F taking toprol 100mg once a day for hypertension x 15mths History of Hypothyroidism which is controlled w/ synthroid and closley monitored w/ lab work.
Experience weight gain, unable to lose weight w/ diet and exercise including w/ a nutrionist and personal trainer. Hairloss, lack of libido, chronic joint pain, swelling in hands and ankles/feet, back pain and/or muscle aches, lack of interest in everything, no energy. Major swelling after high sodium intake. Ear drainage, tingling of extremities especially in feet and fingers, visual disturbances. Blood Pressure is okay.
Has anyone experienced an improvement since they've stopped using toprol?

I am a slender, athletic woman who is now potentially scarred for life by this horrible drug. In July 2006 I was given kenalog injections bilaterally for bursitis by a rheumatologist. In early October I noticed the development of a large indentation on my right hip. During a consultation with another doctor regarding my ongoing hip pain, I was told that this dent was caused by kenalog and would likely never go away. I confronted the rheumatologist who administered the injections and she pretended to be unaware of this as a result of injections and ordered an mri claiming that my horribly disfigured hip could be caused by a pinched nerve (said with a straight face). Well, the MRI confirmed the kenalog caused my dent, and I read on Bristol Myers Squibb's kenalog information site that local fat atrophy is caused by improper administration of the injection. Rheumatologist claims a plastic surgeon can fix this. I am consulting an attorney because this screams negligence.

I have been having this unbelievable sweating at about3:00AM that keeps me up from then until 6:00. I thought it was this new mattress we bought, but it suddenly dawned on me today that it may be the yasmin. I had a terrible shoulder pain that I thought was bursitis and now have absolutely no interest in sex...Before I went on I had been very interested. I also am experiencing that lack of interest in anything. i just want to be by myself and am not happy. Although I went on to prevent a surprise preg@ 40 and to help control major bleeding I am beginning to feel like it's not worth it. But after reading all these letters I'm terrified to go off!

I took Levaquin for 8 months due to chronic sinusitus. Since then I have had surgery on my elbow due to tendonitis. I am also having difficulty in one hip. It appeared to be bursitis and now the docs are thinking some kind of tendon involvement also. Has anyone had an experience like this?

I am so glad I found this sight! For all Prednisone users out there...I was prescribed Prednisone for an upper respiratory infection (I had for 9 months). I was prescribed a 21-day 'taper down' course five (5) times; in actuality not all that much...if I had only known what this drug would do to my body! Besides the insatiable hunger and weight gain (5 - 7 lbs. weight gain per course of the drug), the swollen face/neck, muscle aches, double-vision, sleeplessness - I have been through the worst three (3) years of my life since taking this 'drug'! Three years ago, I had the worst knee pain (in both knees). The orthopedists said tendinitis, bursitis, IT band syndrome...finally a new ortho. ordered an MRI and found out I had Stage II Avascular Necrosis (AVN) in both knees. This is a condition where the blood flow has STOPPED reaching a certain area of the body. It is a side effect of this so-called 'wonder drug' (Prednisone). I had the surgery that is used for AVN (Core Bone Decompression) - it did NOT work! They tried other surgical procedures to no avail. A big issue was that AVN in the knee is very rare. AVN commonly strikes in the hip. There was little or no medical documentation on how to treat AVN in the knee(s). A year later, I ended up having total knee replacements in both knees. Last summer (Summer '06) I broke a bone in my pinky finger by barely hitting a wall in frustration over all this. My bones are extremely brittle from this drug. I am sitting writing this after having dental (oral) surgery because I have lost four (4) teeth as a result of this drug! I need over $7,000 in dental work (implants/bone grafting) that insurance does not cover as a side effect from this drug. I realize that some people out there must take this drug...If you have taken this drug, and have pain in your hips and/or knees, please ask your doctor for an MRI (AVN can not be seen in X-ray until end stage - when the joint collapses from lack of blood flow) and see your dentist regularly. I am only 34 years old and if I can reach just one person regarding the side effects of Prednisone, I will sleep better tonight!

Bi-polar II: recent diag. after years of chronic depression. on 25 mg for 1 week so far, just weaned off Effexor. Experiencing odd "brain pulses" and "white noise", irritability and ANGER, feeling persecuted. Could be mitigation of physical pain from acute bursitis flare. Hoping side effects will dissipate and I won't be such a bitch.

I took Levaquin - 500mg for 10 days for a sinus infection. It was only on the 9th day that I bagan having side effects. At first I thought it was bursitis, but when I read the side effects after checking on the internet, I realized that it is from the Levaquin. It is not getting any better and even my right leg is painful. I cannot lift my arm or even move it too much.
I also notices that my hair is falling out more than usual, I don't know if this could be related.
I was hoping that this would be better after a few days,but after having read all the reports on this drug, I am beginning to worry.
Where do I find a reliable doctor?
Is there any treatment at all for the pain?

I've been taking Neurontin for about 2 months (300mg 3x/day) to lessen the pain of occipital neuralgia.....the pain is still present, but not disabling. This is the only medication I am taking.

Side effects I've experienced are extreme fatigue the first couple weeks....then, tired often if I don't get enough sleep. Another thing I've experienced is weight gain and increased appetite - Big time!! All I want to do is eat.

I'm forgetful and miss doses often. If I skip two doses, the pain comes back full force and I'm in bed for a day.

wish you all the best.

Someone here mentioned one pupil was "unequal", which I found interesting: I had an eye exam a couple weeks ago for eye pain; it was noted that my left pupil was more dialated....this is a first for me. However, overall, my eyes are good...

My husband has been taking Topomax for a year along with Wellbutrin and Lamictal for Bipolar 2. He also has the often tingling, he describes it as crawling bees, on his feet, numbness in his hands. He bruises very easily now, and the worst symptom is the chronic muscle bursitis and joint aches. We were'nt sure at first, but after every test in the book came back negative, and realizing the pain started when the drug was started, he is finally off of the drug and the pain...unfortunately, the mental symptoms may soon reoccur. Has anyone else dealt with this?

I have been off lipitor for 6 months after 3 years on the drug. I had extreme muscle pain in legs and thighs and a slight raise in cpk test. After 2 months I began to get better but still have pain and weakness in one hip and thigh. The doctor said it is bursitis but I'm wondering if it is permanent from the lipitor. Has anyone had lasting pain and weakness after stopping?

Previous statement didn't go through, which was about my shock when I read my suspicions about Levaquin were confirmed and validated by so many on this website.

I first took Levaquin for 10 days several months ago ,for a sinus infection. Around the 8th day, I experienced neuropathy with leg aches and pains, some numbness, and feeling like bricks were on top of my feet. My sister had also just taken Levaquin had some of these symptoms, but we chalked it up to a virus. She told me to take Super Vitamin B complex pills which seemed to help a lot.

In Jan. I took Levaquin for 5 days for respiratory problems with no ill effects.

Mid March I was switched from Z pack for sinus infection to Levaquin for 10 days due to progression to pneumonia. It was thought later to be viral as I didn't improve on the Levaquin. I continued to take it to help prevent picking up a secondary infection.

Again, around the 8th day, the leg aches and pain returned but this time it was different. The stiffness was much more pronounced. By the last day of the Levaquin, I could not rise from a sitting position with yelling out in pain. It felt as if my right knee was ripping. I had to grab on to tables and counters to get up. The next day I was pretty much immobilized and kept ice packs on my swollen knee all day. I had started back on the Vitamin B Complex, was flushing my system with juice and water and began researching this antibiotic which had worked so well for some problems.

I hobbled in to see my regular physician that next day for follow up of the pneumonia. The stiffness was subsiding but my right knee was swollen in several areas and painful. My doctor said I had 2 areas of Tendonitis and 1 of Bursitis. He said he couldn't say it was from the Levaquin. He prescribed Prednisone, which I chose to take only the 6 day pack as he said there was a 1 in 100,000 chance the Prednisone could cause further injury and possibly even require a knee replacement, the longer I stayed on it.

After I got home, I researched more and found this website. Everything I had experienced, even the insomnia, twinges of pain in my arches, especially all the leg and knee problems, had been documented by a multitude of others. There are too many cases for this to be considered coincidence.

I appreciate eveyone taking the time to register these side affects of this harsh medication. I plan to educate eveyone I can as to these dangers of Levaquin, especially the various doctors who have prescribed it.

I don't know for others but the Super Vitamin B Complex daily did help me. Since Levaquin instructions say grapefruit juice inhibits the absorption, maybe we all should be drinking that, as long as it doesn't affect any other medications.

It is now 9 days off the Levaquin. The Prednisone helped significantly with the knee stiffness and chest congestion. I still need to wear the knee brace, walk with a very slow gait and a limp, and hear my knee popping regularly. The hip pain radiating down my legs, which I almost forgot, has improved but it is still difficult to find a comfortable position when reclining.

I am 70 years old. I got bursitis in my right hip after climbing up and down a ladder during a kitchen remodel. The doctor gave me a shot of Kenalog in my sore hip and within a week I had a small lump at the injection site. Within a month it was the size of a walnut. The doctor gave me 2 different doses of antibiotics followed by surgery to remove the lump. I went into shock during this simple surgery and was in bed for a week. Less than a month later I started experiencing severe hot and cold flashes. After $250 blood/urine tests, the doctor said I was going through the 'change' again and I am now on Premarin (hormone) At 70 years old??? Why? In addition, the scar from the surgery is still red and inflamed and it's been 6 weeks.

/my surgery

I HAD A CORTISONE SHOT OVER 30 YEARS AGO FOR ACUTE BURSITIS IN MY UPPER ARM/SHOULDER. MY ENTIRE ARM BLEW UP TWICE ITS SIZE, TURNED BRIGHT RED, VERY HOT, SEVERE PAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. NOW I NEED A CORTISONE SHOT FOR RELIEF FOR A TRIGGER FINGER LOCKING UP AND GIVING ME PAIN. I HAVE A SPLINT ON IT, ICE IT SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND TAKE ADVIL. I AM TOLD THE CORTISONE SHOT WILL HELP IT THE MOST OTHER THAN SURGERY WHICH I AM TRYING TO AVOID. COULD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN? THANKS./ N.M.CURTIS

Hi, I was given prednisone for bursitis in my knee. It was administered 60mg for three days-40mg for three days and 20 mg for three days. On the eighth day of the regime I was given a shot of cordisone directly into the bursae. After the second dose of prednisone I began to expirence night sweats, insomnia, acid reflux, and premature ventricular contractions. the irregular heartbeat landed me in the hosptial for two days where they determined the drug had made me hyperkalemic (low potassium). I have had all the test and my heart is healthy. I have been off the drug for almost two weeks and still feeling the side effects especially the P.V.C.'s. Has anyone else had arrhythmias. Does anyone know the half life of this poison?

Thanks, Roger

I have been on 10 mg of Lipitor for 2 years and on 5mg for a year. The dosage was reduced because of leg cramps. The past few months I have had bursitis in hips and thighs and am in pain all the time. It seems to be getting worse. Can such a low dose cause this. I have taken myself off. How long does it take for the pain to subside, if ever?

I had kenalog shot in my left knee for bursitis aug 2005. Ever since then I wake up in the middle of the night and have to go take a leak. Although when i do go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, most of the time I don't really pee all that much. For me it is a major inconvience.