Onset of menopause symptoms and conditions

Female, 53. I had been taking Lipitor for about 4 years, starting at 10 mg/day, then increasing to 20mg/day (at my insistence) to get maximal benefit and protection. At first and when increasing the dose, I noticed muscle pains in my legs and hips which subsided, and "restless legs" type symptoms that persisted. I belonged to a Curves gym and continued to work out regularly. About one year ago I developed tingling in my left forearm down into my thumb. I had nerve conduction and muscle tests which were normal. The neurologist told me it must be a cervical disc problem. The symptoms improved on their own, but then I developed tingling in my left leg down to my 4th & 5th toes. About 5 months ago, my leg muscles started to weaken and ache making walking and even standing difficult. I continued to work out when I could, thinking that it was due to the onset of menopause (which was also happening), but I ended up injuring my knees (chondromalacia patella) because of the weak quad muscles.
I logged on to this website and read some stories similar to mine, so I decided to stop the Lipitor. It has been almost 2 months now, and I think that there is some improvement in muscle strength and less muscle pain, but the patella problem and tingling in the left leg remain. My cholesterol shot up to 277 one month after quitting Lipitor, higher than it ever was before treatment. The doctor wants me to try Crestor, but until my knees are better, I'm afraid to do this.

Hi, I'm a 39 y.o. woman who was place on Yasmin to even out my hormones. According to my recent blood work, I am in the post menopausal range. I had been suffering severe hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and memory loss; hence, the BCP. I also have hypertension, and lost about 25 pounds over two years ago. Between my weight loss, and medication my BP was controlled.

Then, I started on Yasmin. Not only did my BP shoot up, but I began having symptoms of a potassium imbalance (shortness of breath, exteme fatigue, muscle cramps, etc.) I called my gyn, and did not receive a return call. However, my internest saw me almost immediately. he switched my BP medicine, so that is controlled.

I am still having headaches and nausea on a daily basis, cramps in my feet and legs, mood swings, irritatability, shortness of breath, depression, dry skin, fatigue, and muscle pain in my back and jaw area. I also noticed that the veins in my lower left leg are prominent, almost protrubant. I also have occasion nagging localized pain in my calf muscles. Further, my libido is not reduced; it has ceased to exist!! That was one thing that had improved with the onset of menopause for me. My husband and I are NOT happy campers.

This website is great. I took my last, and I do mean my LAST yellow pill today. I start the white tomorrow. My mom died of a stroke, and I'm really unhappy that my doctor played up the benefits of this drug while omitting all of these possible side effects. Oh yeah, in a matter of days, I packed on between 7-10 pounds. I'm not eating any more than before. I think I'll call her office Tuesday, and let her know I'm quitting. Thanks for letting me know I'm neither crazy nor alone.