Q. In less than two years on Lipitor, I went from being able to climb the ancient temples at Angkor Wat, Cambodia, to being almost unable to walk to my mailbox. I felt like I had flu all the time. I had aches and pains in my fingers, arms, shoulders, hips, legs and feet. I felt so bad I began to wish for a short life.
My doctor listened to me and took me off Lipitor. Four days later, I could move my fingers easily again. I am hoping that I continue to improve, and that there is no permanent damage.
A. Many readers report that muscle pain can be an incapacitating side effect of statin-type medications like Lipitor. There may be a genetic basis that determines who is vulnerable to this reaction.
A study underway at the University of Buffalo is aimed at tracking down the genes that may be responsible. Anyone who has experienced severe muscle pain, cramps or weakness while taking statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Crestor, Lipitor or Zocor may participate. To learn more, contact Cathy Kern at ckern@buffalo.edu or call (716) 829-2695. Include your telephone number and address in your message.
