In Reply to: lipitor causing muscle pain and weakness posted by Lori on June 09, 2000 at 21:24:39:

: My husband has been on 20 mg of lipitor for 3 years. Just recently the doctor upped his dose to 40 mg. He developed severe muscle pain and weakness. When he was first put on lipitor 3 years ago after his angioplasty, he said he felt tired and just blamed it on age and what he had done but i believe it was from the lipitor and having the dose raised just made it more noticeable. He went off the drug completely for a month, because i tried guggelipid (a herb)and he said he never felt better, but his cholesterol went back up so the doctor said he better at least take 10 mg of lipitor. He was complaining again last night of leg pain. If anyone has any other idea about natural products, like maybe that red rice or something please let me know. I've heard of red rice lowering cholesterol but i don't know how much and i believe that it can also affect your liver.
I also experienced severe muscle weakness and could not finally get up a flight of steps without alot of knee joint pain and feeling like my legs would give out.
Also, had the severe numbness of both feet.
Went in to the dr. last week and he told me that if, after my blood test shows elevated cholesterol numbers, he would advise my taking plain Niacin. It will do all of the lowering of all of the numbers, but the liver has to be monitered as with the statins. However, the side effects of muscle pain, etc. are almost non-exsistent. The only annoying side effect is having a hot flush if the dosage is begun too high. A gradual work-up to desirable levels is recommended. I really think that I will try this. Niacin is one of the older drugs that were used effectively before the statins came into the picture. 60 of 250mg. of Niacin costs just #3.29 at K-Mart.
Has anyone else had this treatment successfully?
Eventually we will all find something safe to take.
Incidentally, after being off statins since Feb. 14th, all of my symptoms have disappeared and my muscle strength and feelings in feet all back to normal.

• Re: lipitor causing muscle pain and weakness Glen 23:07:27 6/13/00 (0)