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 the flu all the time. I had pains in my fingers, arms, shoulders, hips, legs and feet. My doctor took me off Lipitor. Four days later, I could move my fingers again.
Many readers report that muscle pain can be a side effect of statin-type medications. There may be a genetic basis to this. A University of Buffalo study is aimed at tracking down responsible genes. 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. Contact Cathy Kern at ckernbuffalo.edu or call (716)829-2695.
