Fish oil symptoms and conditions

I have been on Lisinopril 20 mg for the past 9 years. I can't believe I have taken it for such a long time. I noticed some strange chest sensations 2 years after taking it but pushed through it. Then I developed breast cancer and went through the chemo and radiation while continuing to take it. In the last 2 years and more recently in the last 3 months, I felt so many skipped beats that I had to check it out and I also have had significant hair thinning. I had a holter monitor, resting EKG, lots of bloodwork and was told that everything was normal. Normal???? Then why was I feeling so rotten and scared every time my chest decided to heave or get funny sensations in my throat. Doctors do not want to hear these types of complaints especially when you think it is related to a medication that they ordered.
So I decided to try an alternative approach. I have been taking fish oil, coenzyme 10, cholesterol nutritional supplement, Vit C, Vit E. I started these about a month ago while still taking Lisinopril. I finally stopped the Lisinopril yesterday so I'll see if I have any improvement of my symptoms.I also went to a website that showed 1% of people can have skipped heartbeats while on Lisinopril Here is the URL
******
Hope this helps many of you who have similar episodes. MHS

So. I have read a lot here about side effects. What have you guys switched to (i.e. what BPM are you taking now)?

Who has switched to something else and been pleased with the results?

Need specifics please on an alternative.

Started taking the Zocor generic Simvistatin just 2 days ago. My legs hurt so bad that I can not sleep. My right knee is swollen to the point I have very limited range of motion and can barely walk up stairs. It is after midnight and I can't sleep. Also having some angina and my little toe on my right foot is somewhat numb. I will be contacting my physician about this tomorrow. My cholesterol was 105 and this doesn't seem to be worth it to me!

Hello. I haven't posted anything in a couple of months, but as usual, I'm always searching for more information on natural supplementation that may help your blood pressure. If you're interested, please e-mail me and I will send you the information links. Take care :-)

52 years never had a problem sleeping, began lisinopril for blood pressure which was very high. Began five weeks ago.

Thank you for this website and for all your contributions. It has certainly informed me about what is causing these recent problems.
Side effects so far:

Insomnia
Excessive stomach gas
Hideous Smelly gas
Bloat
Diarrhea
Indigestion / acid reflux
Irritating cough
Vomiting twice so far.
Dry throat and mouth
Dry eyes

typo's on keyboard becoming an irritation, can't believe so many mistakes since medication was increased to 10 mil.

Required: Huge saucepan / stockpot, Hawthorn berries and leaves, plastic screw top fizzy drinks bottles clean.
Taking Hawthorn syrup

Which is made from berries collected locally leaves and berry's, "carrier bag full" washed and boiled for 20 minutes, allowed to cool, strained water / juice and then more water added repeating and boiling for 10 minutes more again allowing to cool and strained and press out all liquid using small plate pressed into the strainer. Combine both lots of liquid in saucepan and Re-boil adding preserving / jam sugar to taste, allow to cool and fill clean plastic bottles 3/4 full and compress bottle until all the air is gone. screw on cap and store in freezer over the winter so you can make lots. The flowers and leaves can be harvested the following year to make lighter syrup. I drink about half a cup 3 times a day.

Tastes very nice too.

Blood pressure is now normal most of the time so going to ditch the lisinopril and report findings back to doctor who happens to be a good friend of the family.

Also taking chelated potassium, cod liver oil and fish oil, calcium, garlic pearls and making own bread using Black Salt instead of sodium chloride. Use Black salt on everything now.

Check out my research on “Inclined Therapy” or google “Andrew K Fetcher” this may help your BP also.

My daughter is now 20 years old. she received her 1st gardasil shot in 3/08 and the second in 8/08. She didn't get the last one and will not be getting it. From the day she got the first shot we should have known something. She nearly fainted immediately after both shots and complained of weakness and flu like symptoms. Started feeling poorly in the days and weeks to come. It was the end of her senior year the doctor tested her for mono. and it was negative but she had an extremely heavy schedule at high school. He chalked it up to the stress of that. Between the two shots she started having numbness and pains in her hands,elbows and arms. She continued to feel poorly and terribly irritable in the upcoming months. We saw a orthopedic doctor for her pains in her arms. He referred us to a neurologist. She was beginning her first year of pharmacy school and we put off the neurologist because she didn't have much time until spring break. During her 1st year of school after her 2nd shot. Her personality changed completely. Became insecure, moody, very anxious , constantly complaining of flu symptoms, bladder infections and had a hard time urinating. When my daughter returned home from her first year away at college I knew immediately that she had changed. She had been a very bright, intelligent, independent daughter and came home the daughter from hell. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. She was miserable, disliked pretty much everything. I had been talking with the doctor and friends over the course of the year and they all said that she was in a very stressful field (pharmacy) and college life takes some time to adjust. Then just a few weeks home from college she was complaining of dizziness, light headedness, headaches and saying she was having an episode. I thought maybe low blood sugars.....until I witnessed one. She was having Myoclonic seizures. She could feel them coming on but couldn't move or react. By the time I witness one of them she hadn't slept in 3 days. She was diagnosed within a week seeing a neurologist and having 50 to 60 a day. It took 4-5 weeks to get them under control in and out of the hospital . She has been on many seizure medicines it seemed like if it worked to stop the seizures she had crazy side effects. She was diagnosed with Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. No one in our family has ever had seizures. I asked about the shot right away everyone said no and it was dropped. Since last July 08 we have been trying to help our daughter get her life back and it has been the worst year of our lives. She was unable to return to pharmacy school. The first fall 08 she was completely disabled. It looked as if she had had a stroke. They were saying it was the meds or maybe she had a breakdown of some kind. I am learning that it was side effects of this horrible shot. This is why I am posting this lengthy message because I wanted to let other people know that you and your daughter are not crazy!! We just started 2 weeks ago investigating the possibility of the gardisil shot being the reason for this madness. We have learned many things and are very sure that it was the shot that change our daughter.. I was contacted by a friend of a friend about a similar girl having the same pains in her arms and the focal seizures. I am learning more and more everyday about similar situations.. If this information can help one person it was well worth the time to jot it down. I will be praying for all of your families out there dealing with side effects from this vaccination.. I will let you know what we hear when we visit the neurologist at the end of the month. Any comments or information that may help us help our daughter can be sent to ******

August 12, 2009. I have been on Zocor/Simvastatin (40mgs) off and on over 5 years. I do not have any muscle mass left. I am an avid walker and exercise as much as possible in addition to still working in a high pressure position at the age of 72 (thankful for the job). My entire body hurts constantly, hands, fingers, legs, knees, neck, back, head and other parts to numerous to mention. My sex life is the pits. My doctor tells me I have high cholesterol that must be controlled by medication. I had a quad bypass in 1999, a cardiac defibrillator installed in 2003 (Actually 3 of them, first one was defective and went off, got a severe infection on reinstall #2, and 3rd one still is in and working hopefully). I never had a heart attack, no high blood pressure, just clogged up. I take enough medication to kill an elephant. At 72 I am going to trash the Simvastatin because I know it is the basis for my muscle loss and severe pain constantly. Doctor also had me on Lipitor for a long time (5 years). Statins really suck!

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.

I too have had a great deal of hair loss, deep depression and sadness.
I can't seem to remember anything, feeling very loopy...
I have just stopped taking the xl 300mg after reading all of the posts today!!! I'm going to try all natural ( B12, fish oil, st.johns wort) after being
on meds for over 13 years. the hair loss was the, well ... hair that broke the camels back. I hope it grows back.

My 76 year old Mother on hbp meds for 30 years, on Diovan and metoprolol and two other hbp meds, Well after years of complain of severe pain, coughing, NIGHTMARES!! fainting,hair loss, she also has lost her walking gait, walks funny, Well a few months ago, I started cooking and shopping for her, Lean protein, LOTS of raw fruits and veggies, and lots of water,Last month the Dr cut the metoprolol and a lot of the pain stopped, So did the nightmares!! shes feeling so much better, Well her bp was so good today at the doctors He said she could cut back on the DIovan, Maybe in time she can get off of this one also, She also has been taking 1-2 tbl a day of apple cider vinegar,garlic,fish oil, and eating mostly vegan, Shes lost 20 lbs, ALL of this has taken place in a few months, I feel bad I didn't do this for her 30 years ago, She takes her bp daily and it seems if she eats white flour sugar salt anything but healthy food, it goes up. GOOD LUCK ! and don't wait 30 years,

About 4 months ago I took 7 days worth of Levaquin after my sinus surgery. It was a preventative measure, I never had an infection. A few days into the prescription I started having tendon pain in my knees & ankles. I couldn't sleep, I was having nightmares, I was emotional, anxious and drained. My doctor told me to stop taking the Levaquin immediately. 4 months later and I am still suffering from entire body tendonapathy, neuropathic pain, joint pain, skin sensitivity, severe migraines, temperature sensitivity, twitching (muscles convulsing), basically my entire body hurts. Some days are a little better than others but not by much.

I have been to rhuemetologists, neurologists, pm & r doctors, physical therapists, acupunture, orthopedic surgeons, & allergists (in Chico Ca, & @ UC Davis in Sacramento Ca). NONE OF THE DOCTORS KNEW WHAT TO DO. My general physician actually told me to "go home and wait it out" because there was "no hope of finding help" (I'm not kidding). I've had tons of blood tests with fairly normal results. Thankfully I have a wonderful neurologist who has taken some interest in my situation. All of the other doctors told me that my case was very rare & that they had heard of such side effects but had never seen any patients with them! After some research on the internet I seriously doubt that my condition is as "rare" as they claim.

I am only 28 years old, I can't walk, I can't work, and my life has been turned upside down. I was very healthy before, I don't have a family history of health problems, nothing like that...it was the Levaquin.

Here is what I am currently taking: Lyrica for neuropathic pain, twitching, not being able to sleep etc., and oral morphine for the severe pain, Milk Thistle to promote glutathione (important because it helps your liver detox), Magnesium Malate (also helps detox), a multivitamin, vitamin c, and fish oil pills. I also attend acupuncture 2x per week (honestly feel some relief from it). Also, I heard that glutathione infusions are helpful but I haven't tried them yet. At this point I will try anything.

IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF ANYTHING OR ANYONE WHO CAN HELP WITH THESE DEVASTATING SIDE EFFECTS PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

~J.

I was diagnosed with pneumonia on July 6 and prescribed Levaquin 500 mg for 10 days. I took my last pill tonight and could not understand the pain in my right hip, red eyes which I suspect comes from the insomnia I have been experiencing since July 10. I am still having difficulty sleeping and tonight I feel extremely tire with discomfort in the back and shoulders. I wish I had read these comments earlier, I would have discontinue using this drug. I have not experience any depression, but lack of appetite, stomach pain and upset stomach. I have had intermittent diarrhea. How long will it take for this drug to get out of my system.

I just had the Mirena removed after 2 years with it (finally connected the dots that it was causing all of my health problems). I've had it out for 6 days now, and I feel so sick. Every night, around 5 p.m., it feels like really bad morning sickness or flu (do hormones fluctuate naturally around that time?). I'm a working single mom (recently divorced...scared THAT might not have happened if I weren't so emotionally damaged by the Mirena), and I can't just take it easy and ride it out. When does the nausea stop? I've read that it's taken some people a YEAR to get over the side effects after having Mirena removed. I don't want to feel like this for a year...what can I do besides the nutritional supplements, etc? I need to function! Please help if you have any advice (or at least let me know if you felt this nausea and when it went away.) I appreciate it!

severe GERD, respiratory problems, blurred vision,tingling sensation, abdominal pain, abdominal spasms, nerve and muscle damage,chest pain,headache,

I am 50 years old. Two years ago was diagnosed with very high LDL and low HDL. I told my doctor then that I did not want to go on statin drugs, but 3 months of Niaspan didn't help the cholesterol, and I hated the hot flashes and flushing that could come at any time after taking a dose. So my doc put my on Zocor.

Two years later I my bad cholesterol is within normal limits but my good cholesterol is still too low, even with fish oil and borage oil taken regularly. Almost immediately after starting the Zocor I started experiencing light-headedness and dizziness that would last for up to a minute--even lying down in bed! My doctor prescribed Meclizine for the dizzy spells--more stinking drugs! I get migraines at least twice a month. For the last six months now I have been experiencing increasing muscle pain, joint pains in the knees, elbows and fingers, and now have been having stabbing pains in lower back around the kidneys. I would wake up in the middle of the night with shooting pains and stiffness in my left knee and cramps in my calf muscles. The first joint of my middle finger had become extremely soar so that I could not make a fist or grip tightly. I have had a recurring stabbing pain in my chest under the left pectorals muscle. My feet and toes are soar--especially my left foot. When I exercise even the slightest or do some long walking or outside work, my muscles in the arms and legs get very soar and tender, then stiffen up. I had to see a massage therapist to loosen up my legs last week! Six months ago I would be up at the crack of dawn, ready to start my day, but recently I have become very lethargic and tired with little zeal for any physical activity. I have had intermittent pain in my left testicle. We recently moved and I started seeing a different doctor. After a physical exam, he brushes off these symptoms.

Well, I stopped taking the Zocor a week ago, and already my fingers are much better, although my knees and elbows are still soar. The dizziness has gotten worse but I'm hoping that after my body re-adjusts and flushes the simvistatin that that will subside, too. I have drastically changed my diet to drop 15 to 20 pounds and lower the cholesterol with better eating habits and swimming exercise; hopefully that will help alleviate the pain, too.

I have been on Simvastatin for about 4 months now. For the past 2 months, I have been having unexplained muscle/joint pain and tightness in my hips and thighs. I couldn't figure out what I'd done but thought it was just one of those things (slept wrong, stepped wrong, etc.). I've been working with a foam roller to get the knots out, even getting up in the middle of the night to work on the roller because it hurt so much. That helped some. Took Motrin but that didn't work at all! Added Omega 3 fish oil and glucosamine and that did help a little. Have been limping for 2 months now and it finally occurred to me, "I wonder if it's the Simvastatin?" I already knew I was sensitive to chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate, so everything I see written here makes sense to me. I emailed my MD today and she said to stay off it for 3 weeks and see if I see any improvement, plus get blood work. I sure hope I don't have any muscle damage. Thank all of you for posting your experiences

I'm 15 years old and i've been taking prednisone for a few months, and from what i've read i'm on a really high dose. i was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and another autoimmune disorder concerning my muscles at the same time. my doctor told me prednisone was my only choice; it was either that or i would lose the ability to walk. he told me there'd be side effects, but i had no idea it'd turn out like this or i would have fought harder for another course of action. i started out on 30mg twice a day, and since then was weaned down to 20mg twice a day and now i'm down to 30mg once a day. i've been looking up a bunch of information trying to figure out if there's a way to lessen the side effects or any hope at all that they will get better. apparently there isn't much. after reading a bunch of these stories i gotta say i'm not feeling great about this. i totally understand everything everyone is going through. i'm sure you can imagine what it's like being smack in the middle of high school with a huge puffy face, acne so bad on my face, chest, back, neck, and shoulders that wearing a bra could put me in tears, and mood swings so bad i've lost friends over it. everyone knows how brutal high school can be, where appearance and attitude are everything. and i try to tell my doctor about it and he literally looks at me like i'm a whiny teenager and says "you're just going to have to deal with it." and people like my mom and my closest friends don't get it either. nobody understands how beyond frustrating it is. i'll get into the worst moods and not have a reason for it, but i'll stay angry for hours or burst into tears over someone looking at me the wrong way. it'll get to the point where i have to isolate myself from other people because the abrubt mood changes get so bad. as bad as i hate to admit it, the pain from the arthritis is gone now and supposedly my muscles are doing better too. developing arthritis caused me to have to quit cheerleading, something i've loved doing for 6 years, because the pain got to the point where i couldn't get my arms above my head or bend my knees. however, i'd almost rather deal with the horrible joint pain than deal with the side effects of prednisone. if your doctor gives you and alternative method, take it. i've always been confident in the way i look and really outgoing and happy and now i sometimes catch myself thinking about suicide. that's shocking to me because i've got so much going for me, but this medicine makes me miserable. and when i complain about it, anyone i'm talking to just looks at me like i'm being a cry baby. my mom does too, she'll say things like "you just have to do this. i know it's not what you want but to be honest i'm sick of hearing you bitch about it."
i feel a little better knowing other people feel the same way - like nobody gets whats going on with them. the prednisone does give me days of really great euphoria and days when i feel like i could run a marathon, but waking up in the morning to the acne and huge face puts me to tears every day. i have to pee all the time, usually getting up at 2 or 3 am. i don't sleep well anymore and i do sweat all the time. which also sucks being a teenage girl. i'm always hungry, and when i eat i never feel full so i don't know when to stop. my neck and face have put on so much weight that when people see me in the halls or out and about they ask me what happened. mind you these are people i don't talk to, just ones i know from classes or whatever. and it's pretty bad when teenage boys i've never really talked to ask what happened to your face. kind of a blow to the ego, or whatever is left of it at this point.
i'd like to know if, as my dosage gets lowered, the side effects will diminish and when i'm off the prednisone completely if they will disappear altogether. any help there?
or if there is any way to help the acne or puffy face

my doctor just put me on something called methotrexate or something like that to help wean me off the prednisone, and does anyone know what those side effects will do? or if they'll affect the prednisone side effects?
i'm constantly obsessing over gaining weight and what my skin looks like and what i eat and how heavy my face feels and the occasional pressure in my eyes to the point where i just want to be put out of my misery.
and after reading other people's stories i really don't understand why this drug is still given out as freely as it is. but maybe all doctors are like mine, they just don't get it.
best of luck to anyone who's on prednisone, my heart goes out to you; i'm right there with you
sorry this became like a book it wasn't meant to be this long

My healthy, active 55 yr old husband of 30 yrs was prescribed SIMVASTATIN in Aug. of last year. He started having pains in his legs & back and had an appointment in Oct. with the dr. to check on how he was doing with the new drug. When he went in to the office, he was having terrible pains in his chest, legs & back. The dr. immediately called 911 thinking he was having a heart attack. He was in the hospital for a week while they ran a multitude of tests. All came back clear for his heart. He kept telling the dr. that the back & leg pains were still there. They didn't seem to be concerned about anything except his heart. He was dismissed continuing to have pain. The pain steadly increased over his whole body, then in Feb. of this year, he suffered a major seizure and spent another week in the hospital. This time they wrote it off as epilepsy and put him on anti-seziure pills. After he was released, the symptoms increased, his memory, vision & balance are all effected, he has chest pains, depression, and is in constant pain. He's been sent for numerous MRI's, bone scans, blood tests,etc. He has been to neurologists, neurosurgeons, chiropractors, physical therapists, etc. The entire time, his health has declined because he was being poisoned by Simvastatin. Finally, after doing our own research, we found a neurologist that recognized the problem. He told us that this drug distroys muscle tissue and that the damage may be irreversible. My husband can no longer work, drive, or enjoy life. He walks without a cane or walker, and depends on pain pills because the pain is so severe. He stays in bed most of the time due to the pain and lack of energy. He has been off Simvastatin for a week now with no change. We are hoping & praying for improvement over time. PLEASE, if you are your loved one are taking this drug-STOP IMMEDIATELY. The results can be devastating. I can't imagine why the FDA would approve a drug like this that destroys quality of life.

I took Zocor for 9 months after I had a heart attack. After about 8 months I began having sever muscle spasm in my legs. I had a couple of episodes where when walking I couldn't pick up my feet and thought I was having a stroke and had to sit down and rest before walking on. I had to do this several times to get where I was going. I told my cardiologist and he had me stop the Zocor. The spasms stopped but I never regained the strength in my legs. Today I have had to put ramps in at home cannot climb steps. The ramp is difficult because of the incline but it is better than crawling up my steps to get in the house. I can only walk about 50 steps before my legs give out on me. I cannot walk on uneven ground without holding on to something or someone. I have now had 2 back surgeries because I have been told over and over it is my back with no relief for the legs. This last surgery my left foot drags and my big toe hangs down and I cannot pull it up. Now I fall a lot because of that and have to wear an AFO to keep my foot and toe up so it doesn't drag and trip me. The back doctor thinks it another pinched nerve and wants to open back up again. I am so tired of them trying to convenience me it is my back when I know it was the Zocor and the damage apparently is irreversible but no one wants to agree with me. I am sick of it and just wish they would say yes it was the Zocor and get you a scooter and live the best you can. I know I am headed for that road I use a walker and cane when I don't have someone with me to hold on to. Because I am so unstable on my legs.

Except for having high cholesterol (310), I'm a 29 yr old healthy active female, very petite and weigh 98lbs. My mother has had a quadruple bypass and 4 stents at the age of 54, high cholesterol is just hereditary in my family. My doctor put me on 40 mg of zocor. The first week taking zocor I started feeling strange, a little soar here and there and very tired at times, also I have become very forgetful. It's been almost 2 months now and I have severe pain in my legs. First it was the right leg and now both legs, the pain starts at my lower back all the way down to my cav. I have a burning painful feeling sometimes numbing feeling, its driving me crazy!!!! I can't stand for too long cause I feel tons of pressure on my lower back pushing down my legs, It feels like my sciatic nerve. I went to my doctor and he said he is 95% sure that this is from the zocor medication, he told me to stop it right away. This is my first day without it, I know I need to do something to prevent what happen to my mother, I'm on a strict healthy diet, staying away from all fatty cholesterol filled foods, but there has to be a better way then taking statin drugs! If anyone has some ideas of what kind of alternative meds I can take, please help.

I have been on prednisone since I was two years old (I am now sixteen) because I have Autoimmune Hepatitis IIa. I would like to point out that there is still a life worth living being on prednisone, maybe I say this because I do not know life without it, but at least we're alive! Last year I had a flare up of the AIH and had to 6x my dose of prednisone. It sent me into a spiraling depression of constant sleep, crying, hopelessness etc....but I made it through. Just PLEASE keep hope that things would get better, because I know what it's like being on the dreaded drug better than most.

my mom has been on simvastatin
40 mg for 3 months & she has had
back pain leg pain & know kidney
failure she is a diabetic but never had any problems before but taking tthis medication it has ruined her life plus she gets lots of night mares & night sweats she
feels & looks like she is drunk
but she has never drank in her life

I am a male, 61. and have a history of switching around cholesterol meds, most recently because of cost due to my high number of medical conditions and large number of medications for, but not limited to: CAD. CHF, diabetes, hypertension, renal impairment, and herniated disks. I have barely been on zocor a month and have experienced extreme weakness, pain in neck, shoulder, hands, legs & feet. Because I have both cervical & lumbar herniations, I was somewhat uncertain until I began reading these posts. I took myself off zocor yesterday and emailed my doctor's nurse. It also occurred to me that after any length of sitting, my legs hurt upon standing while i was on Lipitor, but don't really recall other symptoms. Sometimes, when you have a number of health issues, you come to believe this is "as good as it gets," but now I believe differently, otherwise why bother with the meds at all.

Hi everyone, I read some of the posts here and thought to share my experience with you.
About 15 years ago I started having heart burns and started taking Tums, Gaviscon and some other antacids and they seemed to work for a little while. But my heart burn slowly got worst and worst until I went to my family doctor. He sent me to a specialist and after sending the scope in my stomach (EsophagoGastroDuodenal (EGD) endoscopy), he said that I have H. Pylori infection in my stomach, as well as LES malfunction (LES = Lower Esophageal Sphincter). He prescribed some antibiotics and 20mg/day of Losec for 8 weeks.
After 8 weeks I ran out of Losec, and my heart burn returned again. I went and saw my doctor again and he said I can continue taking Losec and that I can take it as long as I need it and that Losec has been in the market for over 19 years and no one had any side effect from it and it's one of the safest drugs that they have come up with. So I kept on taking it regularly 20 mg/day for 15 years now. Until about 6 months ago I switched to Omeprazole because my insurance company wouldn't cover the cost for Losec but covered the generic brand Omeprazole. I've had none of the side effects mentioned here, BUT PLEASE READ THE REST OF THIS.
Losec is also called Prilosec and Omeprazole is a generic brand with the same active ingredient but different fillers.
About 2 months ago, I went to a Nature's Source store (here in Canada) and was looking around. An employee of the store offered his help to me and I told him about my case. He said you have totally shot down your digestive system and told me to go and see a Naturopathic Doctor.
I found one and went and saw him. His recommendations were: have 2 tablespoons of an Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Bragg brand) 10 minutes prior to each meal. Also gave me some Probiotics pills as well as some Digestive Enzymes pills.
Prior to this, if I missed taking Losec in the morning, I suffered a great discomfort in my stomach with heart burn (a lot!).
I followed the naturopathic doctor's advice and did what he told me. After about 1 month, today is the second day that I haven't taken Losec. I haven't had discomfort in my stomach yet. I'll have to see how long I can go without it. I will post and update this again. BUT PLEASE READ ON!
Losec, Prilosec, Ranitidine, Omeprazole, Nexxium (the purple pill), and all of this family of drugs are Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI). Which means, they stop the production of the stomach acid. Therefore, no acid reflux or heart burn....
But when there is no acid in the stomach, the stomach becomes the biggest target organ and a paradise for bacteriums, microbes and other microorganisms, which otherwise can not survive in it's very high acidic environment (H. Pylori is an exception). We can not digest our food properly any more. Our bodies suffer from lack of Calcium (regardless of the amount and type of calcium intake), because it can not be processed any more. Meat can not be digested properly any more. Therefore, lack of Amino Acids which are the building blocks in our bodies. Guess what, NO AMINO ACIDS = JOINT PAIN WHICH LEADS TO ARTHRITIS. And lots of other problems later in life.
NO SIDE EFFECT, MY A*S.
If you're suffering from heart burns, indigestion, reflux, or GERD, stop eating: ANYTHING THAT HAS WHEAT IN IT, TOMATOES OR ANYTHING MADE FROM IT (i.e. ketchup, tomato sauce/paste...), DAIRY FOOD, COFFEE/TEA, ALCOHOL. NO CHEWING GUMS, SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, FRIED/OILY FOOD, STARCHY FOOD. STOP SMOKING AS SOON AS YOU CAN. These are all irritants to the stomach and esophagus.
I'm still educating myself about this. I read this book about stomach acid called: Why Stomach Acid Is Good For You by Jonathan V. Wright, Lane Lenard. Read it and you will be surprised.
I hope this will help some of you.

God bless.
S. AA (Toronto, Canada)

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.