What Causes Pain And Tenderness In The Calf While On Lipitor?

Posted on Thu, 17 Aug 2017

Question: Hello, I'm 60 years old and have tenderness and pain in my right calf. No left leg issues, no right thigh issues. I changed from Simvistatin to Lipitor on doctors advice to lower choelestreol about 2 months ago. Shortly thereafter got this calf issue. Can only walk 100 to 200 yards before it begins to hurt and tighten up. Had meniscus surgery on right knee 1 1/2 years ago but that seems OK. Switched back to Simvistatin 10 days ago and seems to be a MINOR improvement. Toes will go a little numb when sitting in easy chair with feet up and just above ankle is on edge of the chair. No visible swelling and have some varicose veins (have had for many years). A friend of mine had similar condition and he took Pentoxifylline and it helped. My doctor won't recommend it. He has no recommendations.

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Myalgias are the known side effects of Atorvastatin

Detailed Answer:
Hi There

After going through your medical query I understand your concern.

I would like to tell you that your the tenderness and pain in your calf muscles is a side effect of Lipitor ( Atorvastatin ) as it can cause muscle pain , musculoskeletal pain or muscle spasm in some patients as it causes breakdown of muscle tissue.

Switching back to the Simvastatin was right and you will feel improvement in 10-15 days.

You don't require to start on Pentoxifylline as of now and that is why your doctor has not recommended it to you . It's advisable that you should continue with meds as prescribed by your doctor.

Hopefully this will answer your query.

Kind Regards
Dr Bhanu Partap

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (6 hours later)

My doctor has also recommended stopping ALL choelestreol medicine to see if it goes away but I am loathe to do so as my levels are quite high without treatment (just above 400, right at 206 with 40mg simvistatin/lipitor). Diet does not seem to help much and I'm not very good at it. Exercise helps some and I golf regularly with a cart (although difficult right now). What do you think about stopping the statin?

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello Again

Detailed Answer:
As your levels are quite high so I would not advise stopping it completely.

However the dose can be reduced to 20mg along with strict healthy diet and regular exercises.

Kind regards
Dr Bhanu partap

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy