Lipitor Charley Horses, Eschemia, Arms and Legs, High Blood Pressure, Hydrochlorothiazide
Posted over a year ago
My husband has been taking Lipitor for the last three years, along with lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure. Back in the summer he noticed that he had tingling and numbness in his left arm, and eventually he felt it in both legs and even complained to his doctor when he went for a physical, but the doctor had no idea what it could be. Then the charley horses and muscle spasms started but nothing was done.
But in late October he came home from work and started feeling light headed when standing up from a sitting position and we tested his blood pressure, which was dangerously low. Off to the ER he went, and spent the night in the hospital after being admitted for observation. He had mentioned the pain, numbness and tingling in his left arm but no one addressed this, and he was released the next day after having no other issues. By the way, after an IV of saline he perked right up and felt immediately better, but they kept him over night anyway. ... more »
My husband has been taking Lipitor for the last three years, along with lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure. Back in the summer he noticed that he had tingling and numbness in his left arm, and eventually he felt it in both legs and even complained to his doctor when he went for a physical, but the doctor had no idea what it could be. Then the charley horses and muscle spasms started but nothing was done.
But in late October he came home from work and started feeling light headed when standing up from a sitting position and we tested his blood pressure, which was dangerously low. Off to the ER he went, and spent the night in the hospital after being admitted for observation. He had mentioned the pain, numbness and tingling in his left arm but no one addressed this, and he was released the next day after having no other issues. By the way, after an IV of saline he perked right up and felt immediately better, but they kept him over night anyway.
The following week he followed up with his primary doctor who paid attention to his apparent weakness in his arm and legs after testing reflexes. He ordered an MRI of his brain which he had the next day. The doctor called that very afternoon and threw out things like MS or eschemia and referred him to a neurologist. So off we went to the neurologist and had more bloodwork and more MRI's of his spine and neck. After reviewing all the scans.......don't know why he is feeling this way. I brought up medications: Lipitor and she said oh no, this shows up bilaterally and it can't be. He is experiencing pain, numbness and tingling in both arms and legs and having muscle spasms in both legs that seem to go up his legs and stop him in his tracks. He walks with pain but keeps walking.
After reading these posts, I am convinced it could be the lipitor....am I wrong? I had him read some of these posts and he decided to go off and see what happens. Any advice would greatly help.
777 - Good that you stopped taking this DANGEROUS drug that cause MANY side effects. I am a victim of this POISON and I learned the hard way. The drs. and the drug co's are doing a SCAM on the anti-cholesterol drugs . . .big $$ business . . . while people suffer and waste $/time/tests. . .the ENEMY is this drug . . ..In reality, your mind/body NEEDS cholesterol to function properly. I stopped taking this drug in 02-08 and I still have side effects . . .I continue to use natural products/alternatives. DON'T LET YOUR DR. TO CON YOU. !!
Oldcarpetcleaner - PS the lisinopril is a killer as well, check that out at spacedoc. I bought my own bp metre and found I actually had low blood pressure 106/68 heart beat 50 per minute. My rotten genocidal good doctor had me on 3 lots of bp medicine no wonder I was freezing, I only chucked it all away when I was starting to loose conciouness these people are the pits. I have more faith in Osama bin Laden he at least is honest If I can kill you I will we know where we stand with him.
Dsearle324 - Thanks for the post and good wishes! I know the lisinopril has affected him as well with the cough............that dry hacking cough that both his doctors have dismissed......and two years ago he became allergic to shellfish and was anaphylactic. Luckily he got to the hospital in time. Our daughter discovered that rare side effect as she was studying drugs in her nursing course. We decided to get off one drug at a time and see how things go. It is so difficult watching him suffer these effects and doctors dismissing side effects. Why are they so quick to dismiss when we have these complaints. Where's Dr. House when you need him?
777 - dsearle324 . . . .the answer is . . most drs. are drug-happy, since that's all they know and again, the drug business is a HUGE $$$ maker for drs.and drug co's. . . there are many natural products/alternatives . . .instead of taking drugs that cause side effects.
Dsearle324 - Thanks bellabear and oldcarpetcleaner for the advice about lisinopril. I remember another of his symptoms: he complains of his hands and feet always being cold. Sometimes I can feel the coldness in his fingers and feet, sometimes his feet are warm to the touch and I will ask him if he is warm and he will answer that they are still cold. Oldcarpetcleaner, what did you mean about disrupted toiletries? I really am hopeful that stopping the lipitor will improve his symptoms and that is the cause of all his problems. It is difficult to see him so uncomfortable, and you are right about there being other things wrong that we haven't noticed. Thanks again.
Oldcarpetcleaner - It's a bit personal and embarrasing but if it helps others - here we go.
Toilets number 2s all my life I have been a 7.00 am man. I ended up going once every 3 days taking 4 coloxyl pills a day ie 12 pills for one movement that wretched the gut muscles painfully and the movements looked like a baby goat. No 1s after weeze during the day I'd have a second involuntary squirt in my britches after I had finished. Just B4 I stopped the poison I was up 8 times a night for a thimble full, that had the strength of a premature born baby and went over the floor. Large quanties of vitamin C to bowel tolerence, along with water improved the no 1s rapidly and it was cured within 6 months. I still take 6000 mgs of vit C a day 3000 spread throughout the day and 3000 just B4 bed. I wake up about 5 hrs later blast the sign writing off the bowl and don't get up again until breakfast.
Manhood ruined. It had been completely dead for about 3 yrs. After ceasing the poison it quarter stands up and squirts over the bathroom floor without any arousal at all. There is no "activity" in my marriage but I squirt in my sleep several times a month. It's bloody sickening, angering and was wholly avoidable. You are a good person standing by hubby. If it wasn't for my wife of 35 yrs I would have died for sure. This all came about because I was responsible and went along to one of these horrible fraudulent doctor people with nothing wrong just a health check up. If you think this is bad what these b#####ds are doing to our generation have a look at gardiasil on this sight and see what these mongrels are doing to our beautiful daughters and grand daughters. Osama bin Laden is far more worthy of a peace prize than these people. Also for yourselves check out doctoryouself dot com. Best 2 U.
Dsearle324 - Oldcarpetcleaner,
Thank you for sharing your personal experiences with me. It has to have been so difficult for you, and thank goodness you have a wonderful wife. My husband and I have been together for over 33 years. My husband's recent problem with bathroom issues is that he finds that he "leaks" his #1 and doesn't often feel it until after it has happened. I don't think it happens every day but it does happen. He is quite embarrassed by this and did tell the neurologist yesterday, but she just took note of it. I really believe that she is looking for MS, but the scans don't show anything significant. I do appreciate you sharing such personal information with me and thanks for the information on vitamins. I have him taking more B12 and Vitamin D and Calcium as well as a regular multi. He has seen what taking supplements has done for me. My doctor has been having me take Omega 3 and Red Yeast Rice and what a change it has been for my cholosetrol......My cholesterol is higher because I am hypothyroid with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.....I recently made adjustments to my thyroid meds and added the red yeast rice and the changes were dramatic. So slowly but surely I will get him on those and see how he does. What a difference a doc makes, actually mine is a nurse pratctitioner in our family practice office.....he sees the doc, I see the NP. Hmmmm maybe we need to change...thanks again. Be well.
Oldcarpetcleaner - Be very very careful, statins were made from red yeast rice. If you go to spacedoc dot net you can read an article there where red yeast rice causes all the same problems as statins. Don't be afraid of "high" cholestrol as we age higher cholestrol enhances every function of our body. The whole cholestrol thesis has been totally disproved by historical data and honourable cardioloigsts. Slowly read all the articles at spacedoc.
Ask yourself these two questions if cholestrol blocks arteries near the heart where the blood pressure is at it's strongest why doesn't it block your arteries and veins at your feet where the pressure is lowest? Doesn't make sense eh ! Second question what is the very first food that comes out of a nursing mothers breast when new life is born? Colostrum ! and of course you know what colostrum is full of, cholestrol the very essence of life, without it baby dies, so obviously strip the cholestrol out of our body and we die as well. Make sure you educate yourself at spacedoc. Best again it's sleep time in NZ
Bobby - Dsearle, Cholesterol plays a vital physiological role in neurological function. Cholesterol helps form the myelin sheath ( protective fatty layer) that insulates nerve fibers. Disruption of this protective layer is called demylenination and causes wide spread neve problems, including inhibiting nerve synapses in the brain.
Nature knew what it was doing when it placed cholesterol in our bodies at the level it is, without medications. Big Corporations knew what they were doing when they portrayed cholesterol as evil. They created a demand for their product with the invention of "bad" cholesterol. In reality there is no such thing. Its all consumer perception.
Despite what a person believes. Creation, evolution, whatever. Do you think the forces that hold the earth in perfect position for our survival and holds a perfect balance of nature placed cholesterol in our bodies for the purpose of giving us a heart attack. Think about it.
Dsearle324 - Bobby and oldcarpetcleaner,
You both are right about cholesterol and our bodies. I remember when my daughter was able to switch from breast milk to whole milk as a baby, the doctor was insistent that she be given whole milk because the fat was important for brain developement. So we get the good stuff when we are small and then later in life it is now BAD for us. Cholesterol has only been an issue in the last 20-25 years.......and look at what the statins are doing to so many, including my husband. He has only been off of Lipitor for a couple of days, and I am hovering over him, asking him how he is feeling. I know I am anxious for relief for him, and I guess I am starting to make him a little nuts. Oh well, can't blame me for being concerned. I am letting him read these posts so that he can see that other people are having issues and care. Thanks! Be well.
Dsearle324 - To those of you who stopped taking lipitor.....did you stop gradually or did you stop cold turkey. And how many days before any of you noticed improvements? My husband did stop a few days ago, and not seeing anything apreciable. Thanks.
Oldcarpetcleaner - It got a hell of a lot worse for me before it improved. What you are looking for is change. My sweats and nightmares were intolerable. Have you ever seen a documentary showing recovering heroin addicts? BUT that is my case, I have heard of lots of people who come right in a very short space of time. There is no one quick fix. Time, pain killers and correct supplemention to repair the damage done seem to be all that is available. It's horrid but on the postive side in all likely hood you have now eliminated the causation of your misery. Cheers.
777 - I stopped taking this POISON "cold turkey" . . . everyone is different . . .age, dosage, how long that you take it, etc. I did a detox right away and started taking natural products and deep tissue massage . . . anything I could to rid of this DANGEROUS drug in my system. . . . it is almost 2 years now . and I still help to heal my mind/body . . . .that's why I am still angry and don't trust drs. anymore . . . VERY SAD.
Bobby - Dsearle,
I have studied this issue for 8 years now, and can testify that recovery from statin damage will vary with the individual. A few recover quickly, in a matter of a week, while others take months to years. Permenant residual damage can be left in others.
I was overjoyed when the 70 year old woman on this site recovered in only 6 weeks. Lets remain positive about your husband's recovery, and know that there are people out there that care about your situation.
You are a good wife to be so concerned about your husband.
Bobby
Bobby - Dsearly,
I went back and reread your original post with care. You have offered vital clues, and one of my theories on statin damage is evidenced by your posting.
In addition to nerve damage from these drugs, I beleive that statins can upset hormonal balance. All our steroid and adrenal hormones are manufactured from LDL"bad" cholesterol.
The Adrenal hormone Aldersterone depends on the body being able to manufacture LDL cholesterol to maintain adequate levels of Aldosterone. If this hormone drops to low levels, it would induce low blood pressure, and there would be a loss of regulation on sodium. People with low aldersterone would crave salt, and consuming salt would relieve the symptoms.
Noting that your husband's blood pressure fell low, and that a saline solution "perked him up", I beleive this is one possible mechanism by which the Lipitor may have exerted its damage.
But due to cholesterols many positive roles in physiology, odds are the damage is due to multiple reasons. Not just one.
Bobby
Dsearle324 - Thank you Bobby for your post and your insight into this problem with the side effects I believe my husband has been experiencing. It has now been a week and there have been minute improvements, but overall not enough to really get excited about. My husband has an appointment with the cardiologist today to follow up on his experience in the emergency room at the end of October. Our daughter (a nursing major) is going with him today to make sure he tells the doctor EVERYTHING he needs to tell him. I don't know if he will tell the doctor that he has stopped the lipitor. Our daughter was very upset that he stopped without discussing it with the doctor first. She will make sure to ask the doctor about other options and make sure my husband remembers what the doctor says.
My husband is a great guy who is suffering from these side effects and I hate seeing what he is going through. To have the neurologist unable to see what is wrong with him on the inside of his brain and spine was devastating to him......
I had my daughter read all of the posts so that she is aware of what is going on. I really hope there is some meaningful dialogue with the doctor today and that he doesn't discount these symptoms my husband is experiencing. But somehow I doubt it. Thanks again!
777 - Don't be surprised that the dr. will try to push another drug. .since that's all they know. . . . most drs. are too busy and they rely the drug co's.reps to give info. . . .. and the drug business is a HUGE $$$ maker . . . . by the way, I used to manage medical office buildings, so, I know how it works.
Dsearle324 - 777, you are right......I am worried that the doctor will push another drug, or better yet try to deny that there could be any side effects. I just found out that my daughter won't be able to go to his appointment, so now I doubt that he will effectively tell the doctor everything he needs to. Already I expect to be disappointed by whatever information my husband comes home with. Oh well...............
777 - Why not re-schedule the appt. when you and your daughter will be available? Also, when I go to a dr. appt. (which is rare now days) . and the dr. tries to push any drug . . .I just tell them, I am not interested . . . I take natural products . of course, they don't like it, but, who cares. . it is my body/mind . . . thanks to the drs. who pushed LIPITOR . . .I am still trying to heal myself. I do go regularly for my chiropractor and massage therapist . . .again, I don't trust m..d.'s any longer.
Dsearle324 - 777
Well he went to the doctor anyway and told him everything that has been going on and then even discussed his hospital stay. Doc agreed with me that he had probably been dehydrated that day. And when he told him about the problems he's been having and what I thought about the lipitor, he actually agreed that it would be okay to take a month off from lipitor. My husband did not tell him that he had been off of it a week but the doc's attitude was if he felt better in a month then he would look at alternatives for him. I was shocked. he also took off lisinopril and gave him samples of another medicine to try. Sorry i don't remember the name now but i will post it tomorrow.....it's late now. This visit went better than i had anticipated.
777 - Glad that you are happy about the dr. appt. today . . . .I would be interested to hear about "look for alternatives " . . . I bet it will be another stain . . .my dr. tried to do that. .. . regarding the " blood pressure samples" . . .please remember, most drugs cause side effects . . . . .much better to take natural products, as I do now.
Dsearle324 - 777,
The drug's name is Benicar for high blood pressure and I have already read up on side effects, most common being dizziness. My husband was ready to switch to the new med today and I told him to wait a day when he was not going to be driving anywhere to try this out. His doctor doesn't think lisinopril had anything to do with his other symptoms, but I am not so sure, but first get off lipitor and see how things go. What is good naturally for high blood pressure and that is safe? thanks!
Dsearle324 - 777, I have told him about the posts at the lisinopril site and he needs to read those as well. I think he wants to proceed cautiously and he's afraid his blood pressure will soar. I would like him to stop everything but we are also looking at process of elimination.
Dsearle324 - Hi oldcarpetcleaner,
thanks for the advice. we are taking things a day at a time, as this crap leaves his body slowly. Haven't seen much progress yet, but i know it takes time. I am glad that you are feeling so much better in two years time. I will check out spacedoc.net. Hope all is well in NZ. take care
Oldcarpetcleaner - I'm sure the crap will be gone in a very short time, it's the damage that has been done that takes the time to heal.
Oldcarpetcleaner - I am positive in my case it was the blood pressure lowering meds that caused the cold for me. From memory cold is written as a side effect. i needed to put a hat on after a shower in the morning in summer. You need to bare out the problems, perhaps diary them and look at them at monthly intervals. Daily or weekly monitoring will probably only cause you more stress. Have you purchased a bp metre and purchased the correct supplements? Happy New Year.
Dsearle324 - hi, sorry i have not been able to write the last few weeks. my husband was doing much better until the last week or so. The muscle spasms had almost completely disappeared and he was able to walk without discomfort from the pins and needles, but his hands still bothered him. This week he seemed to regress a bit and his hands and feet really bothered him and he had a muscle spasm after weeks of relief. He has monitored his blood pressure and that seems to be good, holding steady. Next week he has to have another set of MRI's for his brain, neck and spine as ordered by the neurologist. so, just as i thought we were rounding the corner, he seems to be falling back. I hope this is temporary.. I am making sure he is taking his vitamin supplements, he tends to forget to take them.
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