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Suffer From Tendonitis. On Medication For BP, Cholesterol And Gout. Gets Muscle Cramps While Sleeping. Is It Side Effect?

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Posted on Sun, 15 Dec 2013
Question: My husband suffers from tendonitis of the AC tendon. He takes meds for hypertension, cholesterol lowering, Gout,testosterone. I just came across a piece of literature about statin drugs for lowering cholesterol causing leg pain .He gets charley horses while sleeping quite often. I can give you a list of the prescriptions he takes daily if you can evaluate. thank you.
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Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Yes, Statins are likely to cause muscle cramps. Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX As you have rightly stated, Statins are likely to cause Myalgias/ Muscle cramps. To confirm this, your husband has to undergo a blood test- CPK (CREATINE PHOSPHO KINASE) enzyme estimation. If this test reports a high value, then the muscle pains (charlie horses) in the leg may be attributed to the usage of statins. In such a case, either the dose of the statin has to be reduced or it is necessary to switch on to a different statin preparation. There are numerous other causes of pain in the legs (Nocturnal muscle cramps). A detailed clinical examination and evaluation is needed to establish the exact cause of the muscle cramps. Activities that might help prevent leg cramps include: • Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration • Stretching your leg muscles or riding a stationary bicycle for a few minutes before you go to bed • Massaging the cramped muscle with your hands or with ice • Walking or jiggling the leg • Taking a hot shower or warm bath • These cramps at times may be associated with POTASSIUM deficiency and so foods such as bananas, potatoes, prune juice and dried fruit are to be taken as dietary supplement. • Also, calcium fortified foods like seafood and fish, almonds, flaxseed, oats, prunes, sesame seeds, tofu and XXXXXXX can help to stave off muscle pain & spasm. • Avoid acidic foods and drinks like tomatoes and vinegar which blocks the body’s natural ability to absorb calcium leading to muscle aches & muscle fatigue. Hope I have addressed your query. Happy to help further Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :1996

Answered : 2148 Questions

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Suffer From Tendonitis. On Medication For BP, Cholesterol And Gout. Gets Muscle Cramps While Sleeping. Is It Side Effect?

Brief Answer: Yes, Statins are likely to cause muscle cramps. Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX As you have rightly stated, Statins are likely to cause Myalgias/ Muscle cramps. To confirm this, your husband has to undergo a blood test- CPK (CREATINE PHOSPHO KINASE) enzyme estimation. If this test reports a high value, then the muscle pains (charlie horses) in the leg may be attributed to the usage of statins. In such a case, either the dose of the statin has to be reduced or it is necessary to switch on to a different statin preparation. There are numerous other causes of pain in the legs (Nocturnal muscle cramps). A detailed clinical examination and evaluation is needed to establish the exact cause of the muscle cramps. Activities that might help prevent leg cramps include: • Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration • Stretching your leg muscles or riding a stationary bicycle for a few minutes before you go to bed • Massaging the cramped muscle with your hands or with ice • Walking or jiggling the leg • Taking a hot shower or warm bath • These cramps at times may be associated with POTASSIUM deficiency and so foods such as bananas, potatoes, prune juice and dried fruit are to be taken as dietary supplement. • Also, calcium fortified foods like seafood and fish, almonds, flaxseed, oats, prunes, sesame seeds, tofu and XXXXXXX can help to stave off muscle pain & spasm. • Avoid acidic foods and drinks like tomatoes and vinegar which blocks the body’s natural ability to absorb calcium leading to muscle aches & muscle fatigue. Hope I have addressed your query. Happy to help further Regards