Welcome to Medications.com

I have muscle pain, weakness, and chronic lower back pain. Starte...

Posted at 2:21 PM on Sep 03, 2008 by pdsdenver, #34121
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!!!
REPLY TO THIS POSTING | Private Message me | Add as friend | Flag as inappropriate
 
Reply about 1 year ago on Sep 03, 2008 by oldcarpetcleaner, #11926

Get off it fast, see my reply posting above yours, also see my reply under lipitor side effects. I've had a total hip replacment - that I now know I did not need at the time (last Year). I was ready to go back to the doctor for a second hip replacement now 95% of that pain has gone. My arthritis wasn't to excessive for my age 54. After my THR I was on a crutch for 6 months - muscle wouldn't build up and no one knew. I regretfully now put general practioner doctors in the same wonderful respectful group as car dealers, insurance salesmen and politicians I can't believe that i have just written this but it is completely true. Have you been to spacedoc dot net yet? good luck from New Zealand

Private Message me | Add as friend | Flag as inappropriate
 
Reply about 1 year ago on Sep 03, 2008 by davidirish, #11934

there are simple blood test to see if you are exp. serious side effects from your statin. a ck level will show muscle breakdown. sounds like you have good insurance with all the testing! most statin patients exp. some muscle aches from the drug, these usually are not harmful. less than 1% of people have serious muscle issues w/statins. the benifit of these drugs far outweigh the inconv. of the aches on exp. you very well could have other issues, have they ordered nerve conduction studies? these studies will show if there is a problem in conduction thru the nerves, causes of this could be neuropathy, ms, comp. of a nerve (cevical, thoracic, or lumbar). i would not see the chiro. until you are cleared by your mris. also hyperreflexia is not caused by myopathies, they are caused by electrolyte imb. or nerve conduction issues from the central nervous system. the muscles do not control the reflexes the nervous system does. ms does wax and wain in the early years but never recovers to the condition prior to the first "attack." good luck, hope this gives you some info. for the record i am a medical provider and not just some internet opinionated person w/no medical facts to back up what they are telling you.
david

Private Message me | Add as friend | Flag as inappropriate
 
Reply 4 months ago on Jul 20, 2009 by bluefox, #21682

i have been taking simvastatin for three years now. last 7month have had lower leg pain which has got worse. have had M.R.I.scan and vascular scan to see what the prob is. I think it is the statins because the pain has got worse with physio and stretching exers and ice packs. Waiting for results from scans, but will probarly be negative. Active person who now finds it hard to walk to far. right leg difficult to lift up, and if i stub my toe the pain is excruitiating i am coming of tabs to see if problems gets better before i think of going back on them.

Private Message me | Add as friend | Flag as inappropriate
 
Reply 4 months ago on Jul 20, 2009 by 777, #21687

bluefox, . . Statins can cause MANY side effects . . .I suggest that you stop taking it. The drs. and the drug co's are doing a SCAM on anti-cholesterol drugs . . .it is all about $$. In reality, your mind/body needs cholesterol to function properly.

Private Message me | Add as friend | Flag as inappropriate

Make a reply to this posting:

Type your reply to this side effect post:


Medical advice disclaimer
© 2002-2007, Skylabs Inc.  |  About Us  |  Disclaimer/Terms of Use  |  Advertise  |  Contact Us  |  Site Map  |  Developed by: W3matter.com | Sleep Apnea