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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Shoulder Pain After Taking Lipitor?

Hi, my dad has been taking Lipitor for about a year. He has had terrible pain in his shoulders, thighs and arms. His doctor diagnosed him with polymyalgia rheumatica. It has made his life miserable and can hardly sleep at night. His doctor tells him he has to take Lipitor or he will most likely suffer a heart attack. He had 3 stents almost 2 years ago. What can he do now? So frustrated!
Thu, 27 Aug 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi & Welcome.
I appreciate your concern for your beloved father.

After having gone through your query, I am of the opinion that your father has developed side effect of inflammation of the muscles (myopathy) caused by Lipitor.

Myopathy, liver injury, stomach upset, etc are the important side effects of Lipitor.

I advise you to consult his treating physician to review the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica as in my opinion he has developed myopathy that is causing the pain in his shoulders, thighs and arms and that can be confirmed by the lab test of creatine kinase.

Also, he should stop taking Lipitor & his treating physician would advise him an alternate but a safer drug like bile acid binding resin or Niacin to reduce the high cholesterol level.

Hope to have answered your query.
Wishing your father a very good health.
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What Causes Severe Shoulder Pain After Taking Lipitor?

Hi & Welcome. I appreciate your concern for your beloved father. After having gone through your query, I am of the opinion that your father has developed side effect of inflammation of the muscles (myopathy) caused by Lipitor. Myopathy, liver injury, stomach upset, etc are the important side effects of Lipitor. I advise you to consult his treating physician to review the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica as in my opinion he has developed myopathy that is causing the pain in his shoulders, thighs and arms and that can be confirmed by the lab test of creatine kinase. Also, he should stop taking Lipitor & his treating physician would advise him an alternate but a safer drug like bile acid binding resin or Niacin to reduce the high cholesterol level. Hope to have answered your query. Wishing your father a very good health.