Lipitor side effects symptoms and conditions

I don't know if I can blame Zocor on my weak thighs--my doctor says that muscle weakness as a result of the drug should include all of my muscles. I've also developed an extremely itchy neck-also not sure if this is related. Weight keeps going up in spite of increased exercise and limiting daily caloric intake to below 1500 calories.

Not a new, but seemingly common side effect, i just recently noted could be from Lipitor.......all over achey dead weight feeling, difficult to motivate and move without great fatigue an achiness....totally out of character & even herbal energy, once helpful was completely non effective. Also have arthritis and a knee replacement...knee ok but rest of body next to completely seized up, including hands, hip, sacro iliac, foot, and extreme neck stiffness and pain. Being a retired nurse i should have noted side effects, but attributed to another BP pill which was stopped... Of course absolutely no change and now tripping to chiropractor and acupuncture hoping to get this body going again, especially with much needed walking, post knee replacement. Also i had gained wt, maybe 10-15lbs in 6 months, but when lipitor ws recently doubled, i gained even more in a 3 wk period, and my midrift is cellulite lumpy looking, unlike ever b4, with my normally preferred very active lifestyle, that is now difficult with probs occurring. The chiropractor alerted me to the potential Lipitor side effects, but i know my cardiologist would not agree with this theory.....so afraid to mention, unless there is some conclusive test to be done. Otherwise they say everybody always wants to complain or blame probs on meds, if nothing else suits the situation. I have discontinued the Lipitor, just for 2 days so far and pray i will feel back to myself asap. Now of course i am torn with the lack of prevention of atherochlorosis and future bypass surgery as in father's family.... Feel like damned if i do and damned if i don't.....so definitely empathize with most. Thanks for commoradery and hoping i am not just becoming a cuckoo hypochondriac.

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?

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.

please can u tell me does anybody on this site suffer from memory loss cause they are taking simvastatin

I have muscle pain, weakness, and chronic lower back pain. Started statin drug, Simvastatin, on 11/21/07. I take no other drugs. Within two weeks, I could not sit without severe lower back pain. Reported problem to family medical doctor on 1/11/08. M.D. sent me to physical therapy for 8 sessions. No relief from physical therapy so I requested an X-ray on 3/20/08. X-ray shows very mild degeneration at one lower vertebrae. M.D. sent me to an orthopaedics doctor who recommended continued physical therapy. Went to a Chiropractor instead. After six chiropractic sessions with little relief, I made an appointment with an Osteopathic doctor. My M.D. sent me to a rheumatologist who prescribed high dose naproxen for two weeks. The rheumatologist ordered and X-ray of my lower back area. The lower back X-ray produced no negatives. The rheumatologist's next step will be to order and MRI of my lower back area. The D.O. suspects statin induced myopathy and because of hyper reflexes he ordered an MRI of my brain and cervical spine. I am now recommended to a neurologist who specializes in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Am I getting the run around? Only one doctor said I might have statin induced myopathy. The rest will not even mention the statin drug theory. I just pray for ache and pain relief. I have some improvement after four months off of the statin which I believe is quite a strong point that it was the statin drug and not some unknown condition. I don't think arthritis or MS conditions improve. All I know is that I had no health issues before taking the simvastatin. Good luck to everyone who has or is taking a statin drug. BEWARE!!!

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?

I was diagnosed with type II diabetes and extremely high cholesterol about a year and a half ago. I was put on metformin and simvastatin. Through diet, exercise and 'natural' meds (banaba leaf, Gymnema, chromium, vanadium, among others) I got my diabetes under control to the point that I was able to go off metformin, but I was kept on simvastatin. I never experienced any of the horrifying symptoms described in previous postings; however, when I went on vacation a month or so ago I forgot my simvastatin- within 48 hours of going of this med, my libido actually returned- I had attributed the loss of not only function but desire to diabetes. When I resumed taking the pills, my libido once again evaporated. I went off of simvastatin completely a week ago and I feel like a new person!

My father (87) was on Lipitor for many years. He had a stroke and serious brain injury a few years ago and has been in assisted living since. About a year ago he began to complain that different foods tasted bad. He was convinced that the assisted living chef wasn't any good! This problem with taste and smell got worse until nothing tasted good to him, and he basically stopped eating and became seriously depressed. His neurologist suggested to his primary physician that this loss and distortion in taste and smell might be related to Lipitor, so his primary read the Physician's Desk Reference on Lipitor side effects and found one sentence that described my father's experience perfectly. So his primary immediately took him off Lipitor (this was last fall), and my father's sense of taste and smell returned gradually over the next 3-4 week and is now back to normal. I haven't seen a description of this side effect for Lipitor as I've researched it, but I'm convinced that this effect is one that many others may have without realizing the "culprit," so I thought I would share our experience.

I am 47 and have been on Lipitor now for about 7 months. For the last week or so, I have been experiencing upper shoulder, neck, and elbow pain. I passed it off as possibly the way that I sit at my computer. 1 week ago I went to the doctor to have the normal liver blood tests and she (the PA) asked if I had been experiencing any pain in my legs. At the time I didn't, and I didn't think anything of asking about my upper shoulder and neck problems, so I said "No, I feel fine".
Now today, I have been experiencing a constant twitch (for the lack of a better term) in my left foot. It's not like a normal twitch, in fact when my husband asked me to describe the sensation, I said that it felt like my nerve endings were twitching. I have also had a lot of dull headaches lately (which is very uncommon for me). I decided to search for Lipitor side effects and found this site. The thing that worries me more than anything is that my mom (which is 80 years old) has been on Lipitor now for approximately 4 years. She complained of her knees hurting but, chalked it up to her age. She contacted the doctor and he said that it wouldn't cause the kind of pain she was describing. It was most likely due to her age. I am so thankful I found this site and that everyone has taken the time to share their story. I am hoping that there is a healthier alternative. I read somewhere (maybe this site) to start taking CoQ10 and Vitamin C to reduce your cholesterol naturally. Hope this helps. Also, your natural CoQ10 is reduced considerably when taking statins. Thank you to everyone that has posted here. If I hear anything new I will let you know. God Bless and best wishes to everyone.

I am almost 54, a female. Twice since October I have tried to take Lipitor, but couldn't make it past the fifth dose. By day five (both times) I developed flu-like symptoms, the worst of which was severe nausea and vomiting every ten minutes, muscle aches and pain (including lower back), extreme weakness, dizziness, shakiness, feverish feeling, and "fuzzy" head. The last episode - just two days ago - made me realize it was more than likely the Lipitor. The first episode happened while I also had a staff infection in my eye, and although I quit taking the Lipitor just in case, I attributed my ailments to the eye infection, and totally forgot about the possible Lipitor connection after that. At that time I also had extreme head pain, and now I'm not sure which was the cause, the infection or the Lipitor. I was bed ridden for five days that time.

This time I was away on a business trip and had to spend two extra days in bed at a hotel because I could hardly walk. As soon as I got sick I quit taking the drug. I had to take prescribed suppositories to stop the vomiting because I couldn't even keep water down. The nausea was so severe I had to keep a trash can next to the bed. I drove three excruciating hours to get home tonight, and still feel very sick with the flue symptoms and aching legs. I promised myself that the first thing I would do when I got home was check the internet for Lipitor side effects, and I'm sure glad I did. I had no idea what the drug is capable of doing.

I will try to see my doctor tomorrow and discuss an alternative way to lower my cholesterol, which is only marginally elevated - in fact, if it weren't for my type-2 diabetes (which I keep under control through diet), my cholesterol would be normal.

Good luck to all of you who have more serious, long-term effects of this drug. I consider myself lucky to have gotten ill at the onset of taking Lipitor so hopefully I will avoid more dire consequences later. I will now go to bed before I fall over.

RBS

I began taking statins about 10 years ago because of a high cholesterol blood test, beginning with Lipex and then Lipitor about two years later. Until recently, I was taking 40 mg daily. I developed multiple migraines with auras after about two years of statins, then I had a 13 hour episode of transient global amnesia. For the next two years I had constant nausea and tinnitus, foot and leg cramps, with the migraines occurring frequently. At the beginning of this year, I had my first episode of paroxysmal hypertension. In June, July and August this year, my blood pressure was labile and it was accompanied by nausea, tinnitus, feelings of great weakness, painful tightening in left arm, shakiness, enervation. The general physician I saw in hospital thought my migraines could be triggering the paroxysmal blood pressure. (Later when I read the weight of anecdotal evidence on the internet, I asked myself whether both were triggered by Lipitor.) It was then discovered that I had acute gastritis. When I was told that the cause might be one of the drugs I was taking, I looked up Lipitor on the internet. I could see so many of my own symptoms but the standout side effect for me was transient global amnesia. After reading the many websites on Lipitor side effects, I asked myself whether both were triggered by the Lipitor. I stopped the Lipitor immediately and the doctor I was seeing at that time agreed that my decision was the right one. However, my general practitioner only accepts the peripheral neuropathies and tinnitus as Lipitor side effects because TGA is not listed in Pfizer's patient notes. When I contacted Pfizer, they said TGAs were not listed in their research material, but when I pressed the point, admitted that TGAs are a form of amnesia, which is listed but only in the material given out to doctors on request.

My husband is also on Lipitor for CAD. Although his cholesterol readings were low, his doctor doubled his dose of Lipitor. Since that time he developed appalling short term memory problems and could not think through relatively simple problems without a great effort. He cut the dose by half without reference to his doctor, and his short term memory had definitely improved. He is considering his next step.

I am a 51 year old male who has taken a 10 mg dose of Lipitor for years. I thought it was a miracle drug as I had no side effects. I am a retired police officer and Army Reserve Officer and have maintained good physical shape. I retired a year ago. About the same time, my doctor raised my dosage to 20 mg. During the last year, I have had physical problems pop up. They include not being able to make it through the night without having to get up and go pee. I realized that it is because of reduced flow and I do not fully purge when I do go. I went to my doctor and had my prostrate checked; it's OK. He said it was just getting old. I thought I have been getting arthritis. When ever I sit for very long, I get joint/muscle pain, I have been having pain in my hands and feet and need to stretch when first getting up in the morning. The worst is my knee. It was surgically repaired 9 years ago. The last year it started hurting bad enough that I must sleep with a pillow between my knees and still wake up from pain at night.

Eight months ago I moved. My mail order prescription (90 day supply) was recently running out of the 20mg Lipitor, but I found an old bottle of the 10mg dose and started taking it until I identified a new doctor and got a new prescription. My symptoms began to disipate That lead me to start thinking about whether lipitor had any side effects. I never thought of it until this morning. I googled Lipitor side effects and found this site and started reading about people with similar issues. I had no significant problems with the 10mg dose and may just reduce again to that level. I'm making an appointment today with my new doctor to talk about it.

The first of the nightmare was the cramps, aches and pains in my legs. eventually it spread to almost all over my body. I felt like could not wlk across the drive way without struggling. I am 51 years old and, without exageration, I felt like I was 81. It came on so slowly that I did not relate it to the Lipitor at first. A client of mine was the one to happen to mention one of his family member's experience to Lipitor and that's what clued me in. I stopped it that day. I have listed symtpoms below that I am suffering from. At least we can commisurate and e-mail with others who understand and know we are not making this up.

1.) extreme muscle/joint aches and pains
2.) extreme fatigue (falling asleep almost anywhere) loss of energy
3.) weight gain and bloating, especially in stomach area without any increase in food intake.
4.) urinary incontinance
5.) sweling in left leg and ankle
6.) swelling and pain feet
7.) depression
8.) memory loss
9.) loss of mental accuity
10.) increased oiliness of skin and hair
11.) loss of equilibrium
12.) diarrhea
13.) eyesight deteriorated rapidly
14.) irritability
15.) itching ended pretty soon after I stopped taking the Lipitor.

Most of these symptom come and go but someof them seem like they are here to stay. Is there a class action law suit that might prevent this happening to more innocent, unsuspecting people? Is there a list of things people can do to help the symtpoms? Another friend in need - Rebecca

I am a heathy 63 year old male. Completed a half marathon last year. Run 15-20 miles a week and bike 20-35 miles a week. I've never had any medical problems except to be on blood pressure medicine for 20 years. It is controlled.

Last April I had a bout of plantar fasciitis in my right foot. The podiatrist recommended and I purchased orthotics.

The heel pain did not subside, in fact the whole foot became sore all the time. The other foot joined the party and within a couple of months I could not run because of pain.

I used stretching exercises recommended. Purchased two foot splints to hold the foot at 90 degrees at night to reduce tearing of the tendon. I mixed Aleve and Iboprophin to help with the pain. No relief.

The discomfort in both my feet was at a level it hurt to get out of bed and walk. I did not wish to walk to the mail box or go shopping with my wife. I hold national computer workshops. I could not stand all day. I had to use a bar stool. When I finished for the day, I'd go to my hotel room and order from room service. I had no interest in walking.

I was wondering if it was the orthoditics. Tried it without them. No change. It was now into the 8th month. I was thinking I was just an old man who had worn out his feet running.

Then I did research on the Interent and discovered Lipitor side effects. I had gone on Vytorin (Lipitor/Zetia combo drug) a couple of weeks before the plantar fasciitis started.

I slowly reduced my Vytorin until it was zero. Within 3 weeks 95% of pain was GONE! Within 2 months it was completely gone including the heel pain.

I now run again, walk and have my quality of life back.

When I went for my annual physical I explained what happened. The doctor did not say wow, that is common. He was kind enough not to make a judgement call. He said well, you must have had a side effect not well known. I told him it was muscle pain in my feet rather than large musle groups as is usual with this side effect of Lipitor.

My lipids are not over the hill bad but he is aggressive in treating carcio vascular issues. So we are going to try Zetia by itself and then possibly Niacin.

Let me say, I am not an extremist about statins nor do I believe there is a conspiracy wiht drug companies. Statins do work for most people.

I have a strong opinion that we must have a equal relationship with our doctor to determine our treatment. The Internet gives us that opportunuity to get the knowledge we need to talk to our doctor. Without the info on boards like this I would been a broken down old man with bad feet using the electric cart at Sams and selling my RV.

Best wishes in your search for satisfactory health.

Lawsuits Filed Over Lipitor Side Effects

By DAVID B. CARUSO

The Associated Press

Thursday, June 8, 2006; 9:33 PM

NEW YORK -- Two men who believe they suffered lasting muscle damage
from taking the popular anti-cholesterol drug Lipitor are suing
medication's maker, Pfizer Inc., claiming the company didn't issue
loud enough warnings about potential side effects.

Charles M. Wilson, a former insurance executive from Atlanta, and
Michael Mazzariello, an attorney from New York City, said in separate
lawsuits that they began experiencing debilitating pain, weakness and
memory problems after taking the drug.

"It ruined my life," said Mazzariello, 47. He said that within weeks
of going on the medication, he couldn't walk without a cane, tend his
garden or lift his 1-year-old child.

The symptoms subsided once Mazzariello stopped taking the medication _
he stood under his own power at a news conference Thursday at a
Manhattan hotel _ but he said he still suffers from pain, fatigue and
a tingling sensation in his hands and feet.

Pfizer called the two suits "baseless" and vowed to fight them in
court. A spokesman for the company, Bryant Haskins, said all potential
side effects of the drug are included on its labeling and often
mentioned in advertising.

Haskins said the number of Lipitor users experiencing those symptoms
is "very, very small ... well under 1 percent," and that they are far
outnumbered by the millions of people who have taken it safely.

Mark Krum, the lawyer handling the suits filed by Wilson and
Mazzariello, acknowledged that the medication may be safe for most
people, but he said that didn't absolve the company of its duty to
market it responsibly and adequately disclose side effects.

I have been on lipitor 40 for about 6 weeks. I am 50 and pretty fit - doc prescribed it because my cholesterol was 6.7 and I have family history of heart disease. The last 2 weeks I feel like I'm getting the flu. Joint pain and very tired. Have trouble motivating myself to exercise. Although I have had psoriasis for some time, it also seems to have become worse since taking the lipitor. I would rather try to reduce the cholestorol level naturally but doc said its in my genes. How do I work out if I am generally run down and stressed (which could be the case) or if I have genuine lipitor side effects? What will happen next?? It's pretty scary reading some of the posts on this page...

I have been taking Lipitor for only about a month, but already I have had side effects from this drug. What led me to this site was a search for Lipitor side effects, while I was searching for what may have caused the development of a couple of blue/purple/yellowish "bruises" on one of my breasts. I have also been having leg cramps during the day. I never put these symptoms together or ever thought of them as being side effects from the Lipitor until reading all this and it has dawned on me that nothing like this has ever happened to me until the past month when I started taking Lipitor for high cholesterol. I am also diabetic. I know that my mother takes Lipitor and her skin bruises easily, which made me wonder if it was the Lipitor causing my breast to bruise, but it hasn't been hit or anything like that.. just showed up as two little bruises, except one of them is getting darker instead of fading away. I'm supposed to go back to the doctor the end of the month. My husband doesn't want me to take any more of the Lipitor. I think I will search for alternative methods in dealing with my high cholesterol!

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING ANY OF THESE
LIPITOR SIDE EFFECTS??

The following adverse events were reported, regardless of causality assessment in patients treated with atorvastatin in clinical trials. The events in italics occurred in >2% of patients and the events in plain type occurred in <2% of patients.

Body as a Whole: Chest pain, face edema, fever, neck rigidity, malaise, photosensitivity reaction, generalized edema.

Digestive System: Nausea, gastroenteritis, liver function tests abnormal, colitis, vomiting, gastritis, dry mouth, rectal hemorrhage, esophagitis. eructation, glossitis, mouth ulceration, anorexia, increased appetite, stomatitis, biliary pain, cheilitis, duodenal ulcer, dysphagia, enteritis, melena, gum hemorrhage, stomach ulcer, tenesmus, ulcerative stomatitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholestatic jaundice.

Respiratory System: Bronchitis, rhinitis, pneumonia, dyspnea, asthma, epistaxis.

Nervous System: Insomnia, dizziness, paresthesia, somnolence, amnesia, abnormal dreams, libido decreased, emotional lability, incoordination, peripheral neuropathy, torticollis, facial paralysis, hyperkinesia, depression, hypesthesis, hypertonia.

Musculoskeletal System: Arthritis, leg cramps, bursitis, tenosynovitis, myasthenia, tendinous contracture, myositis.

Skin and Appendages: Pruritus, contact dermatitis, alopecia, dry skin, sweating, acne, urticaria, eczema, seborrhea, skin ulcer.

Urogenital System: Urinary tract infection, urinary frequency, cystitis, hematuria, impotence, dysuria, kidney calculus, nocturia, epididymitis, fibrocystic breast, vaginal hemorrhage, albuminuria, breast enlargement, metrorrhagia, nephritis, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urinary urgency, abnormal ejaculation, uterine hemorrhage.

Special Senses: Amblyopia, tinnitus, dry eyes, refraction disorder, eye hemorrhage, deafness, glaucoma, parosmia, taste loss, taste perversion.

Cardiovascular System: Palpitation, vasodilatation, syncope, migraine, postural hypotension, phlebitis, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, hypertension.

Metabolic and Nutrtional Disorders: Peripheral edema, hyperglycemia, creatine phosphokinase increased, gout, weight gain, hypoglycemia.

Hemic and Lymphatic System: Ecchymosis, anemia, lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia, petechia.

Post Introduction Reports

Adverse events assocaited with atorvastatin that have been received since market introduction, that are not listed above, and that may have causal relationship to drug include the following: angioneurotic edema and rhabdomyolysis.

I am seeing my doctor today because of what I think are Lipitor side effects:
Leg pain, loose stools, itchy skin, lichen planus, continuous hum in the right ear, occasional 'off kilter' feeling. I have had various tests with no identifying results.

I'll do a write up of the doctor's response.

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