Could Lipitor be my problem?

A message board to discuss personal experiences of Lipitor and its effects.

Could Lipitor be my problem?

Postby june » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:10 pm

I just found this website a few days ago and and I have questions. I have been on statin drugs for 15 years. My total cholesterol 10 years ago was 380 off of medication. My HDL and LDL are also out of range off medication. I was 34yrs.old when first put on the drug. My readings have been perfect on lipitor but I am having problems w/the muscles in my legs and hips. The last 3-4 years have been getting worse. Was told it may be P.A.D. but I was tested and don't have it . I am also having rotater cuff and elbow pain. Need some advice if you have any. I go to my physician tomorrow to speak w/him about this. Is there any test I need to ask for?
Thank you
june
 
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Postby cjbrooksjc » Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:28 pm

June: Read through the forum entries - you have some classic symptoms of Statin-induced cellular damage. A CPK test (used to determine muscle damage) is often recommended, but, in the case of Statin damage, it is just as often unyielding. Further, and to save time, I have pasted below one of our member's responses (adec) to a previous query. Perhaps this will help:

**********************************************************

"Firstly, having large, light and fluffy particles is most paramount, this is true of both HDL and LDL. These larger particles are particularly buoyant in the blood stream. Many doctors don't understand it's actually the smaller/denser remnant particles which are particularly bad.

Next, HDL is a supremely important factor, the higher the better. And finally, it would be a great idea to get your Triglycerides better in check. Otherwise, Brian's correct, those numbers look as though you're on the right track. Now let's help you get there completely.


I would have your doctor test you for these predictive risk factors. Total Cholesterol and LDL tell us absolutely ZERO about your health. However, there are now many labs which will run these tests:

+VLDL-C (Very Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol) < 30 mg/dL
+VLDL1+2 (Large Buoyant, Better) < 20 mg/dL
+HDL2 (Largest, Most Protective HDL) > 15 mg/dL
+IDL (Intermediate Density Lipoprotein) < 30 mg/dL
+Lp(a) Cholesterol (Lipoprotein-a) <10 mg/dL
+ hs-CRP (High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein) <1.0 mg/L
+ Homocysteine < 11.4 umol/L
+ Triglycerides < 150 mg/dL
+ Blood Sugar and Glucose fasting levels < 99 mg/dL normal, < 100-125 mg/dL pre-diabetic, >126 mg/dL diabetic


I would highly suggest astaxanthin to safely raise HDL, increase overall particle size, and decrease LDL and Triglycerides. This is the supreme paradox of maintaining a healthy lipid profile. I also really like Sytrinol for safely increasing particle size, and lowering Triglycerides, and yes again, those doctor's favorite numbers: Total Cholesterol and LDL. These two supplements alone would be a huge first step.

Fish oil, vitamin C, cinnamon, and even low dose niacin would have a positive effect on particle size, as would diet and exercise. Switching over to a healthy white whole wheat bread would have a positive effect on Triglycerides. Something like Stroehmann Soft & Tasty has actually tested better in my house than ordinary white bread. Very Happy Simply eating more balanced meals with vegetables and fruits is important. Mix up those heavy carb-laden meals with more proteins, especially lean chicken and fish... Brian is SO correct here. Of course, read those labels carefully, avoid ALL trans-fats, and anything labeled hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated.

*************************************************************

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Brooks
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Postby Lipitored » Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:29 pm

I'm twice your age, was on Lipitor 5 and a half years. My cholesterol never was way high but was put on it after mild heart attack and stent. After three years began to feel tired and muscle pain. ( I am a retired carpenter and was used to aches and pains) Was told by Dr that I was just getting older. I have always been active with lots of upper body strength and strong talented hands.

I farm, raise cattle, mend fences,ride a mortocycle, hunt the hills of S.E. Ohio. I began to notice that the feed bags were getting heavier, and the deer were harder to lift into the pickup. In the fall of 05 from out of the blue bad pain in right knee (no joint problems ever). Knee appeared puffy, showed Dr. He mentioned possible fluid on it. Went to specialist, diag torn miniscus, operated on every thing okay but still remained a little puffy (still does). Sept.06 both hands went numb over night (stinging, tingling, loss of deterity) Went to a Chiro, thought pinched nerve, went every 2 weeks for 2 mos. Quit Lipitor after 1st month. Chiro no help just took the money, stayed off Lipitor till June 07.

Went to Dr. for semi annual lipid test , questioned possible lipitor connection to hand nerve pain because of my own research on the computer, and advised to get back on lipitor. Took it for two weeks and hand problem intensified, knee started to act up . Went to neurologist, Diag. after EMG bilateral carpal tunnel, asked which Dr. I wanted to go to for wrist ligament slashing. Told all these Drs. of my Lipitor use. It meant nothing to them. In my part of rural Ohio they all belong to a consortium that I refer to as the Medical Mafia. To my great surprise the family Dr. sent a Registered letter stating he no longer wanted Myself and my wife as patients because our relationship was no longer productive. I guess he expected trouble after my Lipitor ? Rather than persue it he took the cowards way out. (He may not be out yet).

Got new Family Dr. He put me on Zetia. I quit after 10 days, felt terrible, weak, deppressed, Then over night my left knee joint developed severe pain that came and went. I figured it was a miniscus, same puffy appearance. This was in Sept 07. Noticing lack of muscle tone upper body. Dr says getting older and everything has side effects, wrot e prescrip for crestor which i never filled. Nov.07 Dr. put me on Niaspan and after 3 weeks I could barely go up three steps, do the chores, or get up out of a chair, had the chills, and finnally and itch that was unbearable. That was just before Xmas. I quit the Niaspan. The itch and the chills left my knee is 95% improved, I can walk again, my hands seem to be improving a little bit daily.

I am really beginning to feel like myself again. Oh by the the way this new Dr. was Quick to give me a cancer scare do to slightly elevated PSA. A smoke screen to keep my mind off the Lipitor damge. The "practice of medicine" fits the profession like a glove. The Pharma reps. are nothing but pimps and whores who's mothers are proud of what they do.
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Tired of the Quacks !!

Postby the hittman » Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:46 pm

Lipitored--
I feel your pain---literally Very similar story to mine---bottom line is--General Practitioners are OUT as far as I'm concerned....I'm through with them (they'd probably say I'm just a little depressed, and give me a script for Lexapro )----I'm through being a Guinea Pig...I'm finding a Nutritionist, or a Dr. that understands diet,vitamins, and minerals...I can find more info on the web than I can get from my "Dr." Good Luck to you---get back to Deer hunting, and enjoying life !!
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Reply for June

Postby sos_group_owner » Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:49 pm

Hi June,

Just wanted to add this re: + Homocysteine < 11.4 umol/L

Optimal levels of Homocysteine (Hcy) should be <6.3 umol/L ,
although most labs state <15 umol/L is acceptable.

Excerpt from an article at this link:
*http://www.y2khealthanddetox.com/truthchol.html

"The clear message from new scientific findings is that there is no
safe "normal range" for homocysteine. While commercial laboratories
state that normal homocysteine can range from 5 to 15 micromoles
per liter of blood, epidemiological data reveal that homocysteine
levels above 6.3 cause a steep, progressive risk of heart attack (the
American Heart Association's journal Circulation, Nov. 15, 1995,
2825-30). One study found each 3-unit increase in homocysteine
equals a 35% increase in myocardial-infarction (heart-attack) risk
(American Journal of Epidemiology, 1996, 143[9]:845-59)."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is not unusual for someone to experience adverse effects from
statins after many years taking the drugs, although most Dr's don't
agree with that 'fact'. The primary reason is CoQ10 deficiency.

You may have been experiencing other side effects for quite awhile
but just attributed it to 'something else'. One side effect most don't
associate with statins is sleep disturbances, which can be the first
indication that statins are causing problems. Also visual
disturbances.

My husband had a torn rotator cuff from statins. It started with
neck/shoulder - pain/stiffness and progressed (over years) to the
torn rotator cuff. It took over a year to heal properly (he was off
statins for a couple of years).

Hope this info help,

Fran
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Postby cjbrooksjc » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:04 pm

June and Lipitored: One thing I forgot to recommend was that you get a referral to a cardiologist and get an echo gram to determine if your heart has been compromised. Statins deplete CoQ10 severely and CoQ10 is required by the mitochondria of your cells; especially the cells of muscle tissue. That's why you develop muscle pain and joint/tendon injury. I don't need to tell you what the most important muscle in the body is.
However, the body is innately capable of protecting its most important parts if threatened; so, your heart may be OK. Still, it's a good idea to get a checkup. Unfortunately, I waited a bit too long and now must rely on supplements for proper function and, hopefully, repair. And things are improving.

So, net: get a checkup and get a supply of good CoQ10.

Regards,

Brooks
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Postby june » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:14 pm

I am 50 years old now, I started on statin drugs @age 34. I will ask my doctor tomorrow about my Homocysteine and CoQ10 levels. I read above about an itch from these drugs. I have developed itching for about the last 6 weeks. I figured after all these years if there were side affects they would have started years ago. Not just these last 3 years. I also have developed a soreness in the pad of my foot (where your toes connect to your feet) I don't know if this has anything to do w/it or not. Just squating down doing normal things in the garden or around the house hurts my thigh muscles. When I walk without stopping (like through a paking lot) my legs get tired in the thigh and hip area. As soon as I stop it is ok, till I start walking again. So, shopping or anything that start and stops w/out continues walking is ok. Does this make since to anyone?
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Postby june » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:24 pm

I had a full cardio workup about 1 year ago. I had a cath done on the lower extremites because of my leg function and it was ok.
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Postby Lipitored » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:45 pm

[quote="june"]I am 50 years old now, I started on statin drugs @age 34. I will ask my doctor tomorrow about my Homocysteine and CoQ10 levels. I read above about an itch from these drugs. I have developed itching for about the last 6 weeks. I figured after all these years if there were side affects they would have started years ago. Not just these last 3 years. I also have developed a soreness in the pad of my foot (where your toes connect to your feet) I don't know if this has anything to do w/it or not. Just squating down doing normal things in the garden or around the house hurts my thigh muscles. When I walk without stopping (like through a paking lot) my legs get tired in the thigh and hip area. As soon as I stop it is ok, till I start walking again. So, shopping or anything that start and stops w/out continues walking is ok. Does this make since to anyone?[/quote]


Oh! I forgot to mention the pain in the hips. I probably noticed that after the first year on Lipitor, but attributed it to aging. I walked up the hill of 4 or 5 hundred feet without stopping the other day. All these things have kept me from any prolonged walking as excercise since year 2 on the poison, even though walking exercise was reccomended. I attributed the itch to winter itch.
Lipitored
 
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Reply for June

Postby sos_group_owner » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:54 pm

Hello June,

Re: "Just squatting down doing normal things in the garden or around the house hurts my thigh muscles. - When I walk without stopping (like through a parking lot) my legs get tired in the thigh and hip area. As soon as I stop it is ok, till I start walking again. So, shopping or anything that start and stops w/out continues walking is ok. Does this make sense to anyone?

This makes absolute sense June. A cath on your lower extremities would not disclose damage to your muscles. Statins cause 'exercise intolerance' and could be experienced in something as simple as 'walking'.

Brooks mentioned requesting the CPK test (results can be normal, but there is still muscle damage). When CPK results are normal (and you're still in excruciating pain), the next course of action would be a 'Percutaneous Muscle Biopsy'.

Dr Paul Phillip of Scripps Mercy Hosp in San Diego, CA, is the guru for this procedure... his recommendations at this link:
*http://web.archive.org/web/20070415143255/http://www.impostertrial.com/physician.htm

You might want to print this article. A copy for you and one for your doctor.

Fran
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