Feedback on Lipitor Side Effects and Usage Page 14
About Lipitor
If you use Lipitor or another statin please help others by sharing your experience. What would you tell your best friend about using Lipitor? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: Rash with muscular pain
Date: 12/18/2009
I have been taking lipitor for about 2 years recently my dosage was increased to 20 Miligrams. I broke out in a rash on my arm and had Shoulder and neck muscular pain. Went to the Dr. and they tried to tell me I had Shingles because of the pain. I told her it was muscular in nature not the same kind of pain. We actually had an arguement..Attitude was I am the Dr. Well obviously she did not know too much. From all the web sites I have read I see that the rash I have and the muscular pain is common with use of Lipitor. I am going to Stop taking it. Do you have any suggestions for the discoloration spots that the rash leaves behind?
Rosemarie
AskDocWeb: You may want to consult with a dermatologist about any rash that leaves a discoloration of the skin. It could be something unrelated such as a skin fungus rash (Tinea veriscolor).
Subj: Excruciating pain
Date: 12/23/2009
Yesterday driving home from a work-out, my husband made the comment, “I’m getting concerned about your memory.” I have noticed many of the memory loss things mentioned in previous posts, and after his comment decided to search online to see if Lipitor could be a cause. I began taking this drug many years ago at 10mg. and am now up to 80mg. Having a family history of high levels, (mother and 3 living aunts all 90+) I am ready to stop taking the Lipitor. During the past year (since increasing dosage), I have wakefulness at night, extreme itching on my hands, soreness in my joints,(particularly thumb joints on both hands, and my knees) and despite regular workouts, I am losing muscle tone.
Because I had taken the lower dose and not noticed any problems, I didn’t attribute anything to the drug until I started my research online and saw too many of the symptoms I am experiencing. My wakefulness at night, is with restless legs, and several weeks ago, I awakened with severe pain in both inside upper thighs experiencing pain like I never have had before. It was excruciating and brought me to my knees on the floor by the bed, passing in a few minutes and nothing has happened since, but it did scare me.
Two days ago I went in for lab tests to see my current numbers, but I KNOW I am coming off this high dosage, and now I am wondering if I want to take any at all. I am 60 years of age, lead an active lifestyle including teaching fifth grade and am not ready to give that up because of drug side effects. I will research alternatives to the lipitor, and anything you can advise me to share with my doctor will be appreciated. Can I quit cold turkey, or should I do 80 to 40, or every other day type thing? If I have no side effects from quitting cold turkey, I’ll do that and then follow Dr. instructions for another drug or alternate plan…..may follow my mom’s plan. She cannot take statins and now I think I may be like her. Thank you for your service on this website.
Judy
AskDocWeb: There are no withdrawal effects listed for Lipitor but it is still a good idea to talk to your doctor before quitting.
Subj: Muscle and joint pain
Date: 12/25/2009
After restarting on Lipitor for a few months, I developed muscle and joint pain in my knees and legs. I felt my knees would buckle and feared falling at age 45. I cannot get on the floor and get up without trouble. Walking up and down stairs is very uncomfortable and difficult. I was taking antibiotics, fluconozole, and cyclosporine while on Lipitor. I stopped the Lipitor. Its been 3 weeks without it and I’m better but still much pain in one knee, weakness, and inability to do stairs, kneel, squat, etc. What should I do? I had a kidney transplant in 2001 and I’m insulin dependent since then btw. thanks,
Paula
AskDocWeb: We have yet to locate good information on how best to recover from the negative side effects of Lipitor. Readers are invited to make suggestions.
Subj: Severe sinus issues
Date: 1/17/2010
I started Lipator about 8 weeks ago and found that I am having severe sinus issues that I never had before taking Lipator. Post nasal drip, throwing up, nausea. I thought it was allergies. Also I am having insomnia really bad too. I hardly sleep 2 hours a night then during the day I can’t function. I am always tired, weak feeling so I researched the side effects and found that all my symptoms were caused from Lipator. Tomorrow am contacting my doctor and hoping he will change my med.
Teresa
Subj: Stopping Lipitor
Date: 1/25/2010
I have been taking Lipitor 10 for 8+ years. I am an healthy 42 y.o. man. After stoping taking it for 2 months I resumed my daily intake and suddenly got sick. I am fainting, dizzy, exhausted all the time. I went to ER and they could not find anything. I can barely walk at times, I have memory issues, and my heart rate + blood pressure get high. It took me a few weeks to understand Lipitor was the cause.
Frank
Subj: Still have weak, tingly legs and feet
Date: 2/20/2010
I have experienced most of the symptoms that everyone else has. I quit Lipitor January 13 of this year, and although most of my back pain has stopped, I still have weak and tingly legs and feet. Does anybody out there have any good reports, or are we all just going to have to wait and see what happens in our own particular case? Any bit of news would be encouraging to those of us still suffering. Thanks.
Karen
AskDocWeb: Unfortunately much about the full effects of statin drugs remains unknown.
Subj: Stopped Lipitor
Date: 3/3/2010
I took Lipitor for 4 years until my right leg and then my left began to cramp, tense up, etc. Stopped the medication and preceeded to see multiple Drs. who all said “gee, we don’t see anything there.” Have been taking COQ10 since then…but still am living at half life having given up gold, most traveling, etc. Anything that requires leg use. Have just begun Vitamin D, by prescription and am seeng some relief. Still walk like a drunk, but at least I feel better.
Betty
Subj: Swollen legs
Date: 3/5/2010
I had two Stents inserted in my Arteries about 10 weeks ago and since then my legs have been swollen. One more than the other. I take Rosuvastatin (Crestor) to lower my Cholesterol, which is now quite low. Should I stop taking the Crestor?
Rob
AskDocWeb: Only your doctor can say if it is safe to stop taking your medication or not. Swelling should be reported to your doctor because it could indicate a problem that needs attention.
Subj: No adverse effects
Date: 3/10/2010
I have used Lipitor for over 7 years. As of today I have had no adverse effects from it. It is of interest to read of the folks who have suffered such bad effects and it is a reason to question if Lipitor is a time bomb waiting to go off.
Gerald
Subj: Bad side effects
Date: 5/23/2010
I will be glad to share side effects from Lipitor upon request. I was put on lipitor twice in two years and went off it myself because I was convinced Lipitor was the culprit. I went off it myself the first time and the second time when I experienced similar side effects I mentioned the problem to my doctor who just chewed me out and with confidence ordered me to keep on it despite bad side effects. I again took myself off it and the problem ceased in matter of days.
For some reason doctors must have an ulterior motive to push lipitor and I would love to find out whether it has to do with the almighty dollar. Lets face it, no doctor knows enough about drugs to warrant such confidence. They go by the printed material produced by the pharmaceutical entrepreneur and knows no more than the layperson. They stick together and get very personal and offended about criticism which is very telling and revealing.
My few words above reflects, in part, my profession as a lawyer. I would love to see lipitor “tried” in a court of law. I am now informed by relevant reading material on the subject that Lipitor may contribute to loss of memory. I only wish someone in a position to do some good would do something about Lipitor. I am just dreaming because it will never happen due, as I stated earlier, to the allmighty dollar.
Gus
Subj: Sudden shortness of breath
Date: 5/24/2010
I have been on Lipitor 80mg for five months now for familial hypercholesterolemia and have been experiencing sudden shortness of breath which I have never had before. It is occurring all day long and at night as well. My cardiologist performed a nuclear stress test on me last week and the results were fine, no apparent problem with blockage in my arteries but my shortness of breath persists. I am only 38 years old with no other health problems. Could the Lipitor be causing this symptom? Thank you.
Lisa
AskDocWeb: An allergic reaction to Lipitor is rare, although it is possible. A sudden shortness of breath may be life threatening and should be reported to your healthcare provider, emergency medical care or call 911 right away.
Subj: Shortness of breath and trouble walking
Date: 7/14/2010
I have been taking Lipitor (20mg) for several years. Last year, my MD increased my dosage to 40 mg. Within three weeks, I started having trouble walking my dog without stopping several times to catch my breath – I had taken that walk twice a day every day for three years prior. I believe that the problem was Lipitor and I went back to 20 mgs. It took less than 10 days, but I stopped having shortness of breath and am able to do my walking with no problem now. I am convinced it was the Lipitor. Have you heard anything about this side effect?
Sue
AskDocWeb: Yes, if you read the comments here you will see that others have also had muscle problems, which are the most common reported adverse effects of statins, according to an observational database maintained by the University of California at San Diego Statin Study group. Shortness of breath sometimes accompanies statin-associated muscle problems. The “respiratory exchange ratio” (the ratio of carbon dioxide exhaled per oxygen inhaled) is altered in people with statin myotoxicity (Phillips et al., 2004). Occasionally, shortness of breath is the predominant symptom. Patients may experience marked shortness of breath that occurs following initiation of statin therapy and is sustained as long as statins are continued.
Subj: Breathing problems
Date: 7/14/2010
My father in law is experiencing difficulties breathing. His sinuses have been unusually “full” since taking Lipitor. For the past 3 weeks he is having problems sleeping because of breathing problems. He is convinced the drug is causing the problem. Could this be the case?
Martina
AskDocWeb: Difficulty breathing is one of the possible side effects of Lipitor that should be reported to your doctor.
Subj: Pain in legs and waking up
Date: 7/23/2010
I’VE been TAKING Lipitor for 2 1/2 3 years. I’m 56 years old I speed walk 7.2 miles everyday no more then 15 20 days ago I found this site after reading most everybody’s problem I realize that every symptom I was experiencing was LIPITOR, the pain in my legs, waking up all hours of the nite, well I TELL YOU WHAT I DONE. I went back to what I was talking 18 years ago im takin 500mg of NIACIN 3 times with every meal soon in about 2 weeks i will double the dose. I’m happy to said that because I stop taking LIPITOR right after finding thi wonderful site I no longer have any pain. I’m getting more sleep I’m walking at full speed.
TONY
P.S PLEASE IF YOU THINK THE STEPS I TOOK CAN HELP YOU DO TELL YOU DOCTOR FIRST I WNEW ABOUT NIACIN FROM OTHER DOCTOR YEARS AGO I KWEW IT WILL WORK. Again THANK YOU for this site. Read more feedback about Lipitor.
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