Suggest Treatment For Discomfort In Legs

Posted on Mon, 8 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 8 Sep 2014 Answered on

Wed, 1 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm 63 year old male in good shape. Experiencing discomfort in both legs when sitting, but it goes
away if walking. It's a dull pain, but interferes in sleep. Could it be side effect of Lipitor? My blood pressure is 108/52.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Should exclude other causes first...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The discomfort you feel in both legs when sitting might be due to:

- compression of blood vessels of the legs, leading to bad circulation of blood in the lower limbs.: get a doppler ultrasound done

- compression of peripheral nerves especially if being sit for a longer period: get neurologically examined

- diabetes, there are cases of diabetes onset in patients taking statins like Lipitor: get your blood sugar levels measured

So, before telling it's due to Lipitor, if I was your caring doctor would exclude all these other causes first.

Hope it helped!
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (8 minutes later)

Thank you Doctor; I just had blood test and my glucose was 100, so it
does not appear to be diabetes, right? What would cause compression
of blood vessels in legs? And what would cause compression of peripheral nerves?

Thanks so much

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Deep vein thrombosis,spinal cord issues,arthritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

If your blood sugar level was 100, that means that you are right: NO DIABETES HERE.

With regards to compression, sitting for long periods can cause compression of blood vessels in the legs. I asked to run Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels of the legs to exclude deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If DVT is present, less blood is circulating in the periphery.

Spinal cord problems is one of the causes to compression of peripheral nerves. At your age, lack of neurotropic vitamins (especially of B 12, magnesium) can also be a cause along with arthritis.

I advise to run a further neurological examination and to start taking vitamin supplementation.

If everything would be ok, then, we can finally conclude as Lipitor side effect.

Hope it helped!
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (22 hours later)

Hello Doctor:

Thanks so much. If I am in pain in my legs, is it okay to take Aleve?

I've been taking Lipitor for many years and never had a problem with
leg discomfort. Is it typical that leg pain would now start due to Lipitor
after so many years?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can take Aleve;This side effect can start anytime.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Yes, you can take Aleve. I usually advise my patients to try paracetamol to reduce the pain first. If it will not reduce the pain, then, can go for stronger OTC pain killers like Aleve.

As I mentioned earlier, if I was your caring doctor would exclude other causes first. If nothing is found, then, what you are experiencing is due to Lipitor use. Yes, this side effect can start anytime. That's why I always recommend my patients to observe any unusual symptom they would face while taking drugs (including Lipitor).

Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar