Lipitor Muscle Biopsy, High Liver, Fit as a Fiddle, Muscle Stiffness, Leg Cramps
Posted over a year ago
I took Lipitor for about 2 years- 5 mg. Leg cramps-soreness throughout my muscles- very sore buttocks- my legs are shaky- if I use them too much; (as in walking 3 miles) I am (was ) an avid body builder that could squat with 100 lbs- and now ( I am a ... more »
I took Lipitor for about 2 years- 5 mg.
Leg cramps-soreness throughout my muscles- very sore buttocks-
my legs are shaky- if I use them too much; (as in walking 3 miles)
I am (was ) an avid body builder that could squat with 100 lbs- and now ( I am a health conscious -non drinking- NO other medication 104 lb slim female) have quivering legs if I stand for too long. I even had a muscle biopsy- and it cam back negative- I have not had a statin for 6 months- but I still have cramps- and abnormal liver values- and I have NO other conditions-I have been scanned from head to toe - open MRI- closed MRI -but the muscle stiffness- soreness- especially legs- continues-
does anyone know how long it lasts? I have also been tested for liver cancer- thank God-negative.
I really feel that Lipitor did this- has anyone else gone from fit as a fiddle to a quivering -achy person- I have gone through 5 doctors- internal - gastrointestinal - neurologist- hematologist and all is negative- just high liver values and muscle pain. Thank you so much.Maxine
Oldcarpetcleaner - Maxine, I'm similar. 54 yr male, strong swimmer, cyclist etc. Been off them since mid Dec 07. Spams & nightmares seem to have stopped. Emotions are stronger, but still tremor and get sore joints legs etc to the point of bed rest and pain killer - but I am far better off the 3 months ago. COQ10 is certainly helping a lot, check them out. I don't believe the medical brick wall I've run into. Good luck it has to come right for all of us.
Motheradele646 - HI, I just read your posting of your side effects of taking lipitor. I am just going thru the same thing. My doctor put me on lipitor last August. In December I had a liver function test which came back elevated, so he took me off of the lipitor and checked me again in one month, and then again in two months. Both times the liver test was still elevated. I have muscle weakness in my arms and legs and torso, when I had always been a very strong person. I had an ultrasound of my liver last week which came back normal, and now they want to do a biopsy. I don't think they will find anything. I'm sure this is from the lipitor because my doctor tried to put me on it a couple of years ago and the same thing happened, but the symptoms went away in a few months. I am sure hoping that things get back to normal very soon! Adele @motheradele@yahoo.com
Msbilder - I also have experienced joint pain and muscle weakness after just 9 months of Lipitor 10mg. I have since stopped and the weakness and pain have gotten better but still there. I hope all will return to normal soon.
Sandy shillskh@yahoo.com
Chippearl2 - I was amazed to see your side effects from Lipitor as I have the excat same
ones. Sore legs and buttocks. I would like to know how this was corrected.. I have not told my Dr. because I thought the lab reports would have shown any ill effects on my body. Evidently this is not true and I will now check with My Dr. and see what he has to say.
Ironic that this would catch my eye since my name is also Maxine.
Thanks
Jmull - Maxine: I took 10mg of Lipitor for approximately 6 months. On a routine liver exam, my CPK reading was extremely elevated. The doctor immediately took me off Lipitor at which time I had severe muscle aches even to the point I could not sleep at night. I went to a arthritis specialist and after review of my history, he concluded the muscle aches were the result of the Lipitor. I have not take any statin drugs since that time. It took me almost three years for the muscle ache to go away. I hope you have better luck than me but It takes a long time for a statin drug to leave your system. Just hang on because it will get better with time.
JMull
Rk21 - Have you tried CoQ10 supplements? They have helped me a lot - they dramatically reduced my leg shakiness and feelings of overall weakness. I also reduced the amount of Lipitor that I take daily, to 5mg/day. I think I'll reduce it more.
Jimbenefiel - I took Lipitor for 13 months after aortic valve replacement, macron ascending aorta replacement, and single bypass. I had taken co-Q10 for years before and thru the Lipitor months. I had progressively more torso muscle aches which I described to my cardiologist who listed Lipotor as one of the possible causes. I did google search, confirmed a wide range of complaints and immediately stopped Lipotor. The next day after stopping, the aches were substantially improved. Two and a half years later I feel ok if I don't put stress on my torso muscles. But if I do by lifting heavy objects, doing machines at the gym , or yard work the torso muscles get real sore and I even get a nausea and flu like aching. I feel like I won't live another 6 months.
I have did weight work outs and bike riding consistently 5 to 7 days a week for past 20 years. Now I must be very careful about heavy work that tends to put tension on my torso muscles like loading 20 (40#) bags topsoil in my truck or even cutting inch thick branches with anvil clippers.
Statins are very dangerous. Jim B.
Motheradele646 - Just an update--here it is January, 2011--three years after I was taken off of lipitor because of the high CPK levels I had. I had normal levels when I started (15 - 30) and 4 months later of being on 80 mg. a day, they went up to 3000!! I had a liver biopsy, which came back normal, I went to a muscle doctor, who said I didn't have a degenerative muscle disease--he agreed with me, that this was caused by the lipitor! My muscles have improved a little, the CPK level is now about 1400--still way over the top! I have my doubts that I will ever be back to where I was. I believe that I have muscular myopathy, and my muscle tissue has just been destroyed and cannot be completely repaired. I thank God that I didn't take this poison any longer. I would probably be wheelchair bound right now if I had.
Motheradele646 - I disagree here--it's the CoQ10 that was destroyed by the lipitor, and that needs to be replaced! Take it first!!
Motheradele646 - I wonder if your CPK level ever got back to normal. It has been three years for me as well, but I'm still only half way there.!
Misslynnie - I have taken Lipitor for years. At first I just ignored the nightly leg cramps. Then I requested something for them and was given Requip which only help while I sleep. My Chiropractor told me today that it was likely from the Lipator and to take CoQ10. I plan on stopping the Lipitor totally and start the CoQ10 and I pray my leg cramps, that are an all day thing now, stop soon.....
Oldcarpetcleaner - Misslynnie, My leg cramps eased a little after 9 months. It took almost 3.5 years for the to go. My legs are still weak. All my joints still throb at rest. There is a better life waiting for you. Be patient. Never trust a "white coat again"
Motheradele646 - Here it is January, 2012--four years after I stopped my lipitor. After being on COQ10 all this time, along with most of the supplements that SpaceDoc recommends, I have to say I have improved a little. My legs don't ache as much as they used to. I tried exercising with weights last winter, but when I had bloodwork done, it showed that my CPK got worse. It just proved to me that you cannot rebuild the muscles that were destroyed by the lipitor. This winter I am just doing brisk walking for 45 to 50 min. most days. Hopefully this won't hurt my muscles any more! I have no hope of every having normal muscles strength again. I just hope and pray that I don't lose what I do still have left!
Motheradele646 - Here it is January, 2012--four years after I stopped my lipitor. After being on COQ10 all this time, along with most of the supplements that SpaceDoc recommends, I have to say I have improved a little. My legs don't ache as much as they used to. I tried exercising with weights last winter, but when I had bloodwork done, it showed that my CPK got worse. It just proved to me that you cannot rebuild the muscles that were destroyed by the lipitor. This winter I am just doing brisk walking for 45 to 50 min. most days. Hopefully this won't hurt my muscles any more! I have no hope of every having normal muscles strength again. I just hope and pray that I don't lose what I do still have left!
Oldcarpetcleaner - "Happy Aniversary" I was 4 years off the poison on Dec 17th. I still throb all over and can't walk a slow 1 mile. Life is ruined the way I knew it before I started taking that horrific statin poison.
Oldcarpetcleaner - motherdale, send me an email to mymagnet at xtra dot co dot nz I will send you a picture of statin damaged fish flesh tissue taken at harvard
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