I have been taking 10 mg of Lipitor for several years now. I was on Zocor before that and had aching muscles in my thighs and couldn't even walk around the park like I used to. Doctor took me off that although I don't think he was convinced that was the problem. One year ago I was in therapy for pain in my shoulder which the doctor said was the muscle that goes into the rotator cup. About a month ago, my right calf started hurting when I walked and it felt as though the muscle was tight and when I got up to answer the phone in the middle of the night it felt like it popped or tore or something. I iced it, elevated it, etc. and when it didn't get much better (I was walking stiff-legged not to contract the muscle), I went to the doctor. They send me for a doppler just to make sure it wasn't a blood clot which it wasn't. I am on Coumadin for occasional Atrial Fibrillation and they did find a hematoma (bruising) probably caused by an injury while on Coumadin. Anyway, the doctor gave me some muscle relaxers and this helped for a couple of days. Then, last week the leg started hurting again and I started to have the same pain in my left leg. Now I have pain in both calves and it is painful to walk or contract the calf muscles. I also feel a tiredness or achiness in my top, front thighs and my arms.
After my experience with Zocor I decided to look on the web for anything about Lipitor and muscle pains. I was shocked by all the posts and information I found that makes me believe the problems I have been having are from the Lipitor. I didn't even think about the problem with my shoulder until I read these sites and put two and two together (especially since I didn't do anything to injure it). I have now missed two doses and I have an appointment at the docs in a week. I am hoping by that time I will feel some improvement in my legs.
My brother is on 20 mg Lipitor and he experiences light headedness, swollen lips, tongue and genitals. My other brother takes 80 mg and his wife has complained of his moodiness and I wonder now if that has something to do with it. This drug is not for everyone.