Hi,

I've got a lot going on but I thought I'd post here to see if anyone has any experience with these symptoms. About 2 years ago, I noticed that when resting, I would get burning pain to both wrists which would radiate into the hands. I brought it to my doctors attention and they thought it was due to taking lipitor. I went off of it and the pain disappeared gradually. Lately, I have been getting this pain again and I'm not taking any rx statins, only a natural one called policosanol. Since I was diagnosed with FMS, I figured that this could also be associated with that and I've just recently discovered that I have a herniated disc at C5-6, so I seem to have a lot of overlapping stuff going on and its become increasingly difficult to tell what is related to what.

So, if this sounds familiar to anyone, please share or point me in a different direction please. Also note that two rheumatologists didn't find any indications of arthritis, via bloodwork or exam.

Thanks to all, Ellena

Hello Ellena,

I too had some serious issues with Liptor, but I refuse to take anything for the cholesterol.

In regards to your neck and the numbness in your hands. I would talk to a neurologist if you haven't already. This sounds like it could be a pinched nerve. I am not a doctor, but I had pinched a nerve in the past and that made my fingers tingly for quite a long time until the inflamation went down.

Welcome to the NT forum!

John

Hi John,
Thanks for the response. Since I posted, I've had even more stuff happen, but I'm still alive and kickin. I have seen a neurosurgeon who wants a myelogram and another nerve study. So theres a lot more pain on my horizon which isn't fun, but necessary.
Take care, Ellena

[I thought I had a problem with Lipitor but a CPK check in the blood test showed for my count is 140 which is the normal 60 - 200 range.

I get bad foot cramps when lying down that are eased when I sit/stand and have shoes on. My MRI showed OK and my vascular imaging is clear so does anyone have an idea what this could be? I take Tramal for the night pain.

There have been a number of studies validating that myalgias and other muscle problems CAN develop from statin use without elevation of CPK...the article below is one that notes significant myopathy identified from muscle biopsy without an increased plasma CPK.
You may want to search "statins" or "lipitor" for all the sites on Neurotalk--peripheral neuropathy, parkinson's, ALS, etc. http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/137/7/581

Annals of Internal Medicine
Statin-Associated Myopathy with Normal Creatine Kinase Levels
Paul S. Phillips, MD; Richard H. Haas, MD; Sergei Bannykh, MD, PhD; Stephanie Hathaway, RN; Nancy L. Gray, RN; Bruce J. Kimura, MD; Georgirene D. Vladutiu, PhD; John D.F. England, MD, the Scripps Mercy Clinical Research Center*

1 October 2002 | Volume 137 Issue 7 | Pages 581-585
Results: All four patients repeatedly distinguished blinded statin therapy from placebo. Strength testing confirmed weakness during statin therapy that reversed during placebo use. Muscle biopsies showed evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction, including abnormally increased lipid stores, fibers that did not stain for cytochrome oxidase activity, and ragged red fibers. These findings reversed in the three patients who had repeated biopsy when they were not receiving statins. Creatine kinase levels were normal in all four patients despite the presence of significant myopathy.

Statins block the liver's production of CoQ-10 which we all need for proper muscle functioning. Without CoQ-10 the mitochondria of the muscles don't produce energy properly.
So firstly, you need to take CoQ-10 if you continue with the Lipitor. At least a 100mg a day and hopefully 300mg a day of a type with enhanced absorption-- ie. not dry powder, but Q-sorb soft gels or CoQ-10 with Bioperine (Doctor's Best brand).

Secondly you may be low in magnesium. Most Americans are.
Muscle cramping, pain and twitching are early signs when this necessary mineral becomes low.
Caffeine,alcohol, acid blocking drugs, and diuretics, steroids and long term antibiotics also deplete this mineral.

Here is my magnesium thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

Hi Ellena,
I am kind of going through the same thing you are. My NS had wanted to do a Myelogram a few weeks ago. But I told him my Neurologist had diagnosed me with neuropathy and/or Central Pain Syndrome. So, instead he ordered another MRI with and without contrast. Fast forward to this past week and I had a follow up with him. My films look okay; not great but not bad enough to warrant any more fusions at this point. What he did instead was to refer me to the Hand Center to a Neuro doc that I assume will run more tests; EMG, etc. He is thinking I MIGHT have "double crush" going on. It is just a matter of finding out if and where there is an impingement. He is also looking at possible carpal tunnel since my Neurologist diagnosed me with slight carpal tunnel about a year ago. Anyway, once done at the Hand Center I will go back to the NS with the results. He did mention the Median nerve. Hang in there, I too, think it is awfully difficult to pinpoint it.