HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Can Ginkgo Biloba Supplement Cause Hip Pain?

default
Posted on Tue, 6 Jun 2017
Question: I began taking ginko pills thinking it would improve my condition:
My legs and knees feel like they are made of bricks.Otherwise the moment I try to relax I feel the sensation of motion revolving around my body which causes me to turn my head from right to left, cause motions with my body like press my hand to body parts feeling resistance (f.ex. shoulders). My hand many times look almost blue. This has being going on for years, I have been to several phisycians, taken many tests including MRIs CT scans, etc and being diagnosed with hypothyroidism for which I take Levothroxine 112mg, but this does not bring relief.
Now, after 5 days of taking Ginko pills, 240mg a day, I began feeling acute pain in my right right hip which causes outright trouble walking, also headache.
Is this last thing (hip pain) caused by Ginko?
Also does someone have any clue about what fails me?
Please advise.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Ginko is unlikely to be the cause of the hip pain

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.

Ginko is a drug widely used for neuroprotection in elderly population and is found to have some benefit with its use. Generally patients tolerate it well and has very few side effects. It does not seem that the hip pain you are having might be related to use of Ginko.

The most likely cause of hip pain is muscular so taking some paracetamol and ibuprofen might be helpful and if no improvement you will need to see a doctor.
Other causes of hip pain, especially if you had an episode of falling might be bone fractures so if you have had a trauma recently, even if you think was not major you will need to see your doctor and have it checked.

Having stiffness in your body (your hands and feet feel like bricks) and having involuntary movements of your body parts might be caused by a group of diseases that affect the coordination of movements controlled by several parts in the brain. The most common condition that might cause them is parkinson disease. It might also cause you to walk slowly and have difficulty with fine tasks like making the buttons, the shoelaces etc.

There are few other more rare diseases that effect similar structures like parkinson does and cause similar symptoms.

Also sometimes if a patient has consumed a lot of alcohol for long periods of time that might cause similar problems.

Using regularly some drugs might do that also and have the side effect we call symptoms of extrapiramidal system (a system in your brain). You don't mention any drugs to be taken so probably this is not the cause of it.

Alzheimer other than the problems with memory might also cause some of the symptoms you mentioned. It is very unlikely in your case if you do not have memory issues.

Thyroid itself might cause weird symptoms to patients also so it is good you are diagnosed and having the treatment. When was your TSH checked? It should be kept within 0.5-5 as having too much thyroid medication might cause problems with tremor and shakes. If TSH is kept in those values than you are safe.

I hope this answers to your questions but please feel free to write me back if anymore clarification is needed on this.

Kind regards,

Antoneta Zotaj, MD

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4435 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Can Ginkgo Biloba Supplement Cause Hip Pain?

Brief Answer: Ginko is unlikely to be the cause of the hip pain Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic. I carefully read your question and understand your concern. Ginko is a drug widely used for neuroprotection in elderly population and is found to have some benefit with its use. Generally patients tolerate it well and has very few side effects. It does not seem that the hip pain you are having might be related to use of Ginko. The most likely cause of hip pain is muscular so taking some paracetamol and ibuprofen might be helpful and if no improvement you will need to see a doctor. Other causes of hip pain, especially if you had an episode of falling might be bone fractures so if you have had a trauma recently, even if you think was not major you will need to see your doctor and have it checked. Having stiffness in your body (your hands and feet feel like bricks) and having involuntary movements of your body parts might be caused by a group of diseases that affect the coordination of movements controlled by several parts in the brain. The most common condition that might cause them is parkinson disease. It might also cause you to walk slowly and have difficulty with fine tasks like making the buttons, the shoelaces etc. There are few other more rare diseases that effect similar structures like parkinson does and cause similar symptoms. Also sometimes if a patient has consumed a lot of alcohol for long periods of time that might cause similar problems. Using regularly some drugs might do that also and have the side effect we call symptoms of extrapiramidal system (a system in your brain). You don't mention any drugs to be taken so probably this is not the cause of it. Alzheimer other than the problems with memory might also cause some of the symptoms you mentioned. It is very unlikely in your case if you do not have memory issues. Thyroid itself might cause weird symptoms to patients also so it is good you are diagnosed and having the treatment. When was your TSH checked? It should be kept within 0.5-5 as having too much thyroid medication might cause problems with tremor and shakes. If TSH is kept in those values than you are safe. I hope this answers to your questions but please feel free to write me back if anymore clarification is needed on this. Kind regards, Antoneta Zotaj, MD