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what do muscle cramps signify when using Lipitor? I've been using Lipitor for 7 monrths. About 3 months ago I started getting muscle cramps in my legs. About the same time the cramps started I also went on 3 vacations, 1 each month and they all consisted of a daily intake of alcohol... about 3-6 drinks a day. I normally don't drink. I've been told the alcohol and Lipitor mix is the cause, I've been told Lipitor in general can cause cramps, I've been told don't worry about it, and I've been told to stop taking the lipitor. I recently had a blood test and everything came back great. So, what do cramps and Lipitor have in common if anything and should I be concerned?

A.J. replied: "That is a symptom of a serious side effect. You need to go to another md for a second opinion. Maybe get different bloodwork done. And drinking does increase that side effect. And whoever told you that alcohol and lipitor doesnt mix were right. Go see a different md and have them test you again."

kathyw replied: "There was some concern about a very serious condition that involved muscle pain with statins - but I believe the statin was Baycol or Baycor or some name like that... Your blood tests looked normal and probably that is why your doctor wasn't concerned. There's a lot of discussion about the side-effects of taking statins and muscle pain is sometimes mentioned. The problem is that it is hard to isolate the causes of things. For example, you went on 3 vacations - did you walk a lot? 3-6 drinks a day is a lot. But now you aren't drinking that much, right? Have the cramps gone away? This is what I mean about it being hard to isolate causes.. Did you walk a lot of vacation? If you were a tourist out walking around, you probably did. What kind of shoes did you wear? You say the cramps were in your legs. Those are the muscles most active when you are walking. Posture and shoes can really affect the way you feel - but basically, one good way to test this out is to ask your doctor to change you to a different, similar statin (Pravachol comes to mind but I don't know - obviously, I'm not a doctor!) and see if you have the same problem in 6 months. I think it takes 6 months for lipitor to leave your system but ask your doctor."

nicedoc replied: "Statins such as Lipitor can potentially cause a dangerous side effect of muscle breakdown. Make sure your doctor checked a CK level in your blood; if it's high it could signal muscle breakdown."

I have been taking lipitor and it causes terrilble gas and abdominal pain - what else can I use? I have called my dr. and waiting for him to call back. Can't sleep at night from the terrible pain and diarreha. I had stent put in right artery one month ago, thus the mega 80mgs of lipitor. Taking Plavix also. Would Nexium taken right now help the damage that the lipitor caused? What else can I do right now to stop the pain and the diarreha? Have never had this kind of pain before and it scares me. Would appreciate any help from you. I have posted before and have gotten good advice. thank you.

Say replied: "Nexium is not a "fast acting" drug. So it will not give you immediate relief. Are you eating fatty foods with the Lipitor? That is the most common cause of those side effects. Maybe the Dr needs to lower your dose."

Billie77 replied: "Imodium tablets - take two every time you have a bowel movement will stop the diarrhea. The supplement , "red rice yeast" will take down cholesterol levels as good as any medical drug, two capsules twice daily. There are no side effects. Also metamucil and lecithin will reduce cholesterol levels. Try these and I can guarantee there are no negative side effects."

the_only_solorose replied: "Lipitor is not the only antilipemic out there, just stop taking it, and ask your doctor for a different one."

mom of 2 replied: "I am so sorry you don't feel well, and especially on top of having your stent put in. But I have been on Lipitor for several years now and have never had this side effect from it, and I have irritable bowel syndrome where everything bothers me. So I'm wondering if it's really the Lipitor or just that your body is under stress right now from everything that's going on. You may even have eaten something that didn't agree with you. Or maybe the Lipitor and the Plavix don't work well together for you. So I would not take any more meds till you talk to your dr. You don't know for sure what's causing this and you don't want to make it worse. Try calling your pharmacy and ask if they can recommend anything. Try using a warm heating pad on your belly, that may make it feel better. Have some hot herbal tea and watch some TV to distract yourself. Sorry I can't be of more help to you. I hope you feel better soon."

Does Lipitor really make a difference in prolonging your life? I know Lipitor lowers your cholesterol. But is there any real proof you will be healthier because of it?

drankurbhardwaj replied: "not healthier but the risk of CAD is reduced."

What would happen if you ate a grapefruit while on Lipitor? What are peoples opinions on lipitor? Are there any side effects the Doctor is not telling me about?

Peter K replied: "Don't know if this link is accurate but it certainly is a point of view against Lipitor. The combination appears to cause muscle pain, muscle problems and kidney damage. OUCH!"

Mr. Knowitall replied: "I was not able to take Lipitor, it made my legs hurt. So next we tried Zocor and that worked great. It has really lowered my cholesterol! If you can do Lipitor, though, it's better. All the other statin drugs, you have to take them at bedtime, because it's during the night that your body produces cholesterol. Lipitor, you can take any time. Grapefruit won't hurt you, but if you have it in your stomach when you take Lipitor it decreases the effect of the Lipitor."

Is there any serious interaction between Lipitor and Plavix when taken together? Im trying to find out if anything harmful can happen if someone takes Lipitor and Plavix together. Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.

hannahkk replied: "They seem to be acceptable to put together, but you need to speak to a physician about it. These will only work well together if you are monitored by a doctor."

Can I stop taking Lisinopril and Lipitor if I eat right and exercise? NOTE: I am a diabetic 1 and on an insulin pump. I really want to stop taking so many meds and I was wondering if I eat well, can I stop taking them. Lisinopril is for high blood pressure and Lipitor is for high cholesterol. ANOTHER NOTE: I, of course, will talk to my doctor so don't say to talk to my doctor.

Anonymous replied: "ask your personal doctor, he/she is the only person who can safely answer that sorry hate to say the one thing you didn't want to hear"

deckskier replied: "Try changing your diet and increase your exercise. Monitor your own blood pressure. If you see a positive trend, tell your doc. Maybe you can reduce or eliminate the lisinopril. I don't know about the lipitor."

How much Bad cholesterol does LIPITOR reduce in how much time? Im a 35 yr old male, 253 pounds. with a cholestrol of 246.. I got into a strict low fat diet and am doing cardio 35 min for 4 days a week. plus im taking 10 mg lipitor each night.. also i eat Oatmeal or Cherrios each morning..how long will it take me to get at least under 200 of Cholesterol?

DCG replied: "10 mg seems like a low dosage. They started me out at 40, then dropped it to 20. Went from 289 to 190 in about 3 months. With your excercise and new diet, you should see a pretty good drop pretty quickly. Some drug stores offer cholestrol tests if you want to check up on your progress. Good luck!"

Does anyone know if the side effects of Lipitor can be reversed ? My ex mother in law has muscle damage from taking Lipitor, and she was wondering if its permanent? Does anyone know anything about this. She is elderly.

Daniel E replied: "Rare cases of muscle inflammation (myositis) and breakdown have been reported with other drugs in this class (HMGCoA reductase antagonists), and it is assumed that this side effect also may occur with atorvastatin. Muscle breakdown causes the release of muscle protein (myoglobin) into the blood and accumulation of the protein in the kidney tubules, resulting in kidney failure. Although there is no cure for myositis, prompt and aggressive treatment to reduce inflammation of PM and DM can help prevent muscle weakness from progressing and might help restore some of your strength. Medications: Corticosteroids (i.e., prednisone) and other drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosuppresants) may slow down the attack on healthy tissue and improve skin rash. Your doctor will probably repeat blood tests throughout your treatment for myositis to monitor improvement. You may also want to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin or ibuprofin for pain relief. Exercise: After drug treatment takes effect, a program of regular stretching exercises prescribed by your doctor can help maintain range of motion in weakened arms and legs. Physical therapy may also help prevent permanent muscle shortening. You may also want to add whirlpool baths, heat and gentle massage. Rest: Getting enough rest is an important component of managing myositis. Take frequent breaks during the day and limit your activity."

How many folks out there have had problems with Lipitor? My husband was perfectly healthy until the doctor put him on Lipitor, while on it he had 3 heart attacks and 3 strokes. Now he's been off the drugs for 3 years and there have been no trips to the ER. How common is this sort of thing?

Ashley A replied: "MANY MANY See here THE FORUMS The Lipid Hypothesis is FALSE Cholesterol is NOT associated with CHD in persons 55 and older "After age 50 , 11 % overall and 14 % CVD death rate INCREASE per 1 mg/dl DROP in cholesterol" Cholesterol does NOT cause CHD LOOK AT ALL MY ARTICLES AND RAZWELL'S"

samhillesq replied: "Very common, my doctor took me off of it stating it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, which I have had 3 of each myself so far! The best thing you can do for your health is eat nutritious foods always. I only take pain pills, and tranquilizers, and metoprolol for my chest pains, and never leave the house without nitroglycerin! I advise not taking it too! Just change his diet!"

Harmony replied: "I think you are just unlucky. Clinical trials have shown Lipitor and other statins reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The majors side effect that doctors monitor for is liver failure."

ckm1956 replied: "Your husband likely had the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes before the Lipitor. Contrary to some uneducated opinions, serious reactions to statins are rare. If they were truly as dangerous as some people would like you to think, then they would've been pulled from the market. Look at what happened to Vioxx. As a testimonial, I've been on high dose statins for years. No bump in liver function, absolutely no side effects."