Carnitine 500mg symptoms and conditions

I can't believe what I'm reading, I too have been on Lipitor for four years now and in June of this year my right leg began bothering me, feeling crampy, foot felt like it was asleep, ached every minute, hurt to move my leg during sleep time. Continued to get worse everyday. Went to doctor, thought to be a strained muscle. But this was only in the calf of my leg, not my whole leg. All this time continuing to take my lipitor. Then this month, it became the worst, I got up one morning and couldn't put my foot on the floor, couldn't put any pressure on that foot at all, the pain was unbearable. Went to emergency and the doctor there advised me to get off of the lipitor. I've been off it for three days now and today I can actually put my foot on the floor, I do have to use a cane to walk but it feels ten times better. This has caused me to lose time at work plus ruined a week of vacation for me. This drug should be outlawed! Everyone beware of the side effects, it took me four years to see any but now I'm paying the price.

I am 53 years old and have been on 10 mg of Lipitor for at least 5 years. For the past 3 years I have been experiencing tight muscles in my back and muscle spasms on my right side. I have had the following tests done - all of which came back negative: CT scan, Ultrasound, MRI, gall bladder scan, kidney scan, pelvic exam, even had a colonoscopy (that sucked), and went for physical therapy which the therapist said I had weakness on my right side. The doctor never even suggested to stop taking Lipitor but after reading these posts, I'm stopping myself.

I have been taking Lipitor for about 5 years now and have had numerous things happen to me. Just trying to find out if they relate to the Lipitor or not. Have developed extreme fatigue and depression over the years. Always seems like I am in a fog. Have tried numerous anti-depressants trying to conquer this. Nothing seems to work and the problems continue. I was thinking that I just have to live with it and then I thought about the Lipitor. Has anybody experienced any of these symptoms too? I am on 20mg.

Burning & painful Heels also muscles and joints in both feet very painful. I have been on 20mg of Lipitor for 3 yrs

38-yo Male. Been taking Lipitor for about two years now for high cholesterol, otherwise healthy. Experiencing occasional cramping/muscle spasms in left forearm that sometimes cause my hand to form a fist. Slight tremor in both hands. Also experiencing lower back ache (again left side mostly) that is most apparent when getting out of bed in the morning. Blurry vision. Tests performed last year by a neurologist for the arm/hand cramping came back negative. This site is truly a valuable resource, as I am stopping Lipitor TODAY. Will follow up in a few months (or sooner if symptoms change).

I thought I was going crazy. I am 49 year old female. I just finsihed Chemo and radition in April, 2004. I thought my aches and pains were the result of this treatment. My oncology doctor states it was not related. I started taking Libitor 10 mg in October2003. Since that time I have been feeing tired ( hard to do house work without stopping to rest) Also, especially in the morning, I dread getting out of bed because the bottom of my feet appeares to be swollen and my legs and body aches. I have a double whammy regarding memory loss ( from chemo and lipitor combined) I will be talking with my doctor on Monday. This is serious.
thanks for the web site. This pain goes on daily . When I sit for long periods of times, b ody stiffiens up.

There's got to be a better way.

I don't take Lipitor but I do take Pravacol and Zetia together. They are statin drugs. I take 20mg. of Pravacol and 10mgs. of Zetia. I am so glad I was sent this info from other people. I just know that since taking these drugs that I have experiened extreme pain and stiffness in both shoulders. Went to orthopedic dr. and was told I had forzen shoulders. Since reading all of the complaints from other people, I am inclined to believe that it is coming from these drugs. I can't sleep at nite due to the pain and soreness. Been thru physical therapy and cortizone shot with no relief. I am 50 yrs old and feel like 80 sometimes. I was always very active and I just don't want to do anything anymore. I just make myself do it. Thank you all for this info. I hope I can reverse this whole ordeal. Debbie ***

YES YES AND YES, I HAVE A BUNCH OF THESE SYMPTOMS. RATHER THAN ADDING YET ANOTHER SAGA AND PILLIORING THE DRUG AND ITS EFFECTS ON ME
HEREIN ARE A FEW THOUGHTS

1. There seem to be several groups of "Lipitor Sufferers" (LS) People who have taken it for Short Term versus and Long Term Takers.

2. One group of people appear to have reversals of symptoms or similar following ceasation of the drug taking, whilst another group seem to appear stuck with the symptoms.

3. NO-ONE SEEMS TO BE OFFERING A TREATMENT FOR ACHIEVING A REVERSAL OF THE EFFECTS OF THE LIPITOR.
Several People Are Asking.

4. this space is vacant because there seems far too many questions to add in to this debate.

I ask if I am to stop taking this drug, what is the best way in which to cease? And what is the manner or modality of action of this drug in order to take the optimum supplemennt or the like to try to achieve the best I can NOW.

So in a nutshell... WHat can I/we do to help ourselves Now?

Has anyone gotten relief from lipitor side effects after having discontinued this drug?

I have been on zocor, mevacor, and lipitor for five years or so. After I complained to my new doctor that I was experiencing killer fatigue, calf pains, muscle loss, and tinnitus, among other things, he put me on zetia and coreg and CQ-10. My status has improved much, and I am now laying off the zetia and coreg for a couple of weeks.
I am most disturbed by accounts from individuals who have quit lipitor but have gotten no relief from the symptoms most commonly attributed to lipitor.

I wasprescibed Lipitor and took it for four days and got the usual leg pains and disorientation that many of you talk about.
From that point on my life has descended into hell. I had a month of daily migraines(which I had not previously suffered from). I have severe pain in my shoulders, arms, chest and back and sometimes feel as though my skin is on fire. I am 55 and feel 85 to 90. I can no longer pick things up that weigh more than 5 pounds, cannot walk more than a couple of blocks ( it feels as though my rib cage does not expand) and can only drive about a mile before the dizziness and muscle spasms start. The depression and tears at what feels like a never ending condition is sometimes more than I can bear. It is now 11 months since I am off Lipitor and I have yet to see any improvement. I don't know what is worse the pain or the complacency of the medical community and their disbelief of our suffering. At least this site tells me that I am not nuts but I am sorry that so many of us are suffering.

I am a 49 yr old physically fit female who began taking Lipitor around 2 yr ago. I began having leg pain/cramps and went off of them for two weeks or so. I have to admit I felt much better. I went back on them for fear of having heart problems with high cholesterol. Two weeks ago I started having severe pain in my left leg/hip area running all the way down like muscle strains. I can literally push on the muscle and it is so sore like someone has beat me. I can't lay on my left side anymore when sleeping. I think I am going to go off of it again and if the pain subsides, find other ways to lower the cholesterol. I am worried that this has caused some type of muscle degeneration. I am also experiencing numbness in my right hand more than ever. I am scared...

I have been on Lipitor for some time, but only recently realized that it might be causing my severe calf-muscle cramp.

A few weeks ago I went to hospital, as I had continuous high-level pain in my left calf and couldn't walk. They thought it might be DVT after flying.

Although one of the two blood tests came back positive for DVT, the ultrascan revealed nothing.

Since then I have experienced moderate pain (especially when first getting out of bed in the morning) in BOTH calves and the right one has had a large area of bruising.

It doesn't seem to be getting any better and I am going to STOP Lipitor and see my doctor.

I am rather worried, reading the experiences of others, that Lipitor may have caused permanent damage, from which I will never recover.

Colin *** (70)
United Kingdom

Extreme swallowing/choking problem and extreme fatigue.I've been taking Lipitor since it came out and have been on 20 mg per day all this time.One time several years ago when I had a cough my throat completely locked up and I couldn't breathe for what seemed forever...VERY SCARY! It was never diagnosed.I recently had my Lipitor raised to 40 mg and immediately not my swallowing ability degrading.I had every test is the world and nothing was found.I just got off the drug and few days ago and hope to improve.Also I have experienced EXTREME FATIGUE ! If anyone has experienced similar symptoms please send me an email.

Well, this site explains alot. I took 10mg of lipitor and complained to my doctor of:chest pain, dizziness, alot of gas, and so much leg ache I cant sleep. My dam health care provider wont pay for the alternative drug either. Aghh!

PLEASE HELP FIND AN ANTIDOTE TO REVERSE THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY LIPITOR. IT CAUSED MY MOTHER MOTOR NEUROPATHY, THEREFORE SHE IS ON A RESPIRATOR & NOW IN A COMA.
THERE MUST BE SOMEONE OUT THERE OR THE PHARMACY COMPANY WHO MANUFACTURERS LIPITOR TO REVERSE THIS TERRIBLE SIDE EFFECT.
HELP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
******

I am 63 and taking 10 mg of Monopril for mild high blood pressure / under complete control. Just put on Lipitor 20 two weeks ago and for two night straight I had muscle cramps. Hamstrings (both legs), and upper legs the next night. Cramps lasted about 5 minutes. No other noted side effects. The fact that both legs were involved tends to indicated it was not just a fluke... Watching very carefully.

I'm really glad I found this board. It reassures me I'm not nuts. I'm a 53 yr old woman. I'm overweight and underactive. I'm on 10 mg Lipitor and just started 2 days ago. I also take Toprol to reduce my blood pressure which is now at 120/80. I started the Toprol last week. The Toprol puts me in a daze during the day. I take the Lipitor at night. This morning I woke up groggy. I felt light-headed and spacey. Funny taste in mouth. Tongue kind of burns. Some pressure in ears. My feet were freezing and the left foot tingly. It took hours for my feet to warm up and feel normal. Sometimes my scalp feels tingly too. I went to my doctor because I was feeling light-headed and had other symptoms. So I'm going through a series of tests: stress test, brain MRI etc. Most of my labs came back great. Here's my plan: if there are no other problems with my heart or brain I plan to move my diet toward vegetarianism. I've already started doing that. I also found a gym that I hope to join. After 6 months of a good diet and exercise I'll ask my Dr. if I can come off the Lipitor for a certain number of months. We can do a cholesterol test and see where I'm at. Staying on any statin long term doesn't sound safe at all. Thanks!

I am a 42 year old male. I have been on Lipitor 10mg for 5 weeks now. My cholesteral level is 257 and heart disease runs in the family. So after trying to diet properly I still have not been able to bring it down. I had surgery for a herniated disc July of 2003. I put on about 15-20 pounds. I am a marathoner and I run 5-6 miles 5 times a week. This was not a problem for me. Now I have noticed that I am tired all the time. I have started taking Siberian Root and Ginseng as well to try and bring my energy level back up. I have noticed a pain in the left foot along the inside of my ankle. I have been attributing this to the way I run. The herniated disc caused nerve damage and numbness in the left foot. I have also noticed a pain in the arch of my right foot. After reading several of the postings on this site I am beginning to wonder if these things are now side effects of the Lipitor.

I have taken Lipitol 30 for about 12 months, I have sore feet, sore intermited left ankle, sore calf musles, sore when i wake up in the morning seem to be throbing. sore lower back, sore shoulders my strength seems to be disapearing cant lift myself up anymore on the bar my hair has gone very gray. ringing in the ears, i also seem to be losing my eye sight.
Iam 59 years old and have stopt taking lipitor about 4 months ago but no inprovement

muscle cramps, feet and ankles; low and middle back pain; dry eyes.

husband notices mildly spicy foods now burn lips and tongue; before Lipitor not bothered with this symptom.

I am a 32 year old male who has been on Lipitor for about four years. High cholesterol runs in the family, and recently went up to 40mg. I think this was a big mistake.

I have experienced some nasty side effects including chest pain, upset stomach, and horrible muscle cramps and tingling. My feet are always cold and have a tingling sensation in them. I did have some mild muscle cramping before upping the dose, but it defintely became worse. I have stopped taking any more lipitor for a week, but the symptoms remain. I also do get dizzy at times, and have trouble sleeping.

I have now stopped taking the drug for a week now, but the symptoms remain. I would appreciate if anyone could let me know if they have stopped, how long, if any, did the symptoms start to go away. I am worried that it has been a week, and I still have the foot tingling sensation and the muscle cramps in the legs. I hope this goes away.

For some good news, for people that have exprienced some chest pain or discomfort, I did find that taking a gas inhibitor did provide some relief. The chest pain is caused I believe by the stomach, like a heartburn. This did provide some relief, though I have not found anything that helped the muscle cramps and coldness.

I am off to the doctor and I hope to hear something that will make me better. My wife thinks I am crazy and thinks it will go away now that I have stopped. I hope she is right, because it is really starting to wear on me mentally.

I have never posted or complained about Lipitor before. I am not an angry patient, or someone who has a grudge to bare. I just want to feel normal again, and not feel so crazy and bad all the time. I am took young to feel this way.

Thank you for reading my story.

I have been taking 20 mg of Lipitor daily for 60 days. After about 35 days, muscle in right upper arm at shoulder became sore, making it difficult to raise elbow out and up horizontally at right angles to shoulder. Bicep not affected. Because I had been working on computer more than normal, I thought it might be from holding right arm up and out on "mouse" - perhaps "mouse shoulder" like "tennis elbow" or typewriter wrist.

But now same muscle in left shoulder is sore, and I can no longer move my arms above my head without pain. Both shoulders hurt when put hands on steering wheel of auto in 10-2 position.

Also pain in hips and knees - thought this was from taking longer walks now that weather is warmer.

When I sleep on either side, I wake up after an hour with shoulder hurting - 6-8 times per night. Much harder to get out of bed in morning. Seem to tire more often.

Stopped taking Lipitol today after reading of side effects. What is experience about loss of pain after quiting this medication?

72 year old male.

I started on 10mg of Lipitor a week ago. I have excellent cholesterol levels (total = 184; HDL = 77; LDL = 91), but because I am a diabetic (I have been for 35 years), my physician suggested that I begin taking the drug.
I feel like I am hooked up to a diazepam IV!!! I am totally zoned out and have very little energy...and I don't really care if I get any of my work done or (not good!) The other thing that is driving me crazy is that I am cold all the time. As I am typing this, it is 70 in the room and I have on a turtle neck sweater, two sweat shirts (one with a hood that is up), a pair of lined jeans, two pairs of socks, and down slippers...and I am STILL cold. Has anyone experienced this side effect? I don't think that this drug is for me...

pain in arm and shoulder. Does it go away and how long does it take?? Was on Lipitor for approx 3 years, no side effects then. Was off Lipitor for 2 months and started in again. This time terrible pain in shoulder and arm.