Sqad ( Or Anyone Else )

[Bazile]

What is the most likely cause of upper arm muscle and joint pain ( in the absence of an injury ) ?

The person is taking the following medication -

Doxazosin
Verapamil hydrochloride
Atorvastatin
lisinopril & Hydrochlorothiazide

[dannyk13]

Overuse?

[grasscarp]

joint pains = statins.

[dannyk13]

Not in all cases Grassie, been taking for years without any joint pain.

[grasscarp]

My husband had severe joint pain, and it IS a known side effect. Statins have a long list of possible side effects:

Uncommon side effects of statins (which may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:
•being sick
•loss of appetite or weight gain
•difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or having nightmares
•dizziness – if you experience this, do not drive or use tools and machinery
•loss of sensation or tingling in the nerve endings of the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
•memory problems
•blurred vision –if you experience this, do not drive or use tools and machinery
•ringing in the ears
•inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), which can cause flu-like symptoms
•inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can cause stomach pain
•skin problems, such as acne or an itchy red rash
•feeling unusually tired or physically weak

Rare side effects

Rare side effects of statins (which may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) include:
•visual disturbances
•bleeding or bruising easily
•yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Muscle effects

Statins can occasionally cause muscle inflammation (swelling) and damage. Speak to your doctor if you experience muscle pain, tenderness or weakness that can't be explained (for example, pain that isn't caused by physical work).

[Bazile]

Just to be clear i meant - the muscles of the upper arm and shoulder joint pain

[grasscarp]

Here you are Bazile
http://www.livestrong.com/article/476524-cholesterol-medication-shoulder-pain/

Also Zoe Harcombe's website says:
Statins stop the body from producing the cholesterol that it is designed to produce. They literally stop one of our fundamental body processes from being able to function. The intelligent view on statins is that in the very limited arena where they appear to have some ‘benefit’ (men over 50 who have already had a heart attack), they ‘work’ by having anti-inflammatory properties and that the fact that they lower cholesterol (by stopping the body from being able to produce this vital substance) is a very unfortunate side effect. (Drug companies should work on developing something that has the anti-inflammatory benefit without this huge and damaging side effect – it’s called aspirin).

One in 500 people have familial hypercholesterolemia and may have a problem clearing cholesterol in their body (rather like type 1 diabetics who can’t return their blood glucose levels to normal). For anyone else to be actively trying to lower their vital and life affirming cholesterol levels is deeply troubling.

[Sqad]

Just to be certain and particularly with the history that you have given in your OP, this "pain" isn't in the left arm and is brought on by exercise?

I am going to assume that it isn't angina.

I think that we have two main contenders here...statins and "overuse" and only someone taking a good history could differentiate.

[Bazile]

Ok i've checked with the person .

The pain is in the right arm ( although there is very slight pain in the left
arm ) - does that change your opinion sqad ?

//I think that we have two main contenders here...statins and "overuse" and only someone taking a good history could differentiate. //

Sqad - just to clarify , when you say two contenders - do you mean -
1. statins
2. the over use of the statins

Also //only someone taking a good history could differentiate.//
Sorry , could you clarify what you mean please ?

[Sqad]

LOL...sorry Bazille.

A good history means questioning by someone who knows what they are talking about...i.e a Doctor.

No, my opinion remains the same although you haven't answered if the pain comes on with exercise.

No, I don't mean the "overuse" of statins, I mean the "use" of statins.

and a) the use of statins b) over use of the arm..e.g gardening, decorating, carrying heavy bags.

I have read my first post and i agree, it could well have caused confusion in the meaning.

[Bazile]

thanks for that

The pain is there without any exercise

The person is also on Clopidogrel as well ( if that makes any difference )

[Sqad]

Bazile..thanks...no iti doesn't make any difference.

[Bazile]

So if the pain is there without exercise then it's more than likely to be the statin ?

[Sqad]

Yes...OR muscular over use as i described.

Why not suggest to the person to take ibuprofen 400mgms and if the pain goes, then it is likely to be muscular in origin.

[Bazile]

thanks for that - i'll make the suggestion .

I'm advised that the statin medication has not been taken since about 3 weeks now .

I assume however that it would take a lot longer - not taking the statins - for it's negative effect to decrease / dissapear ?

[Sqad]

Ah!....now.....that would put the ball into the muscular overuse camp and take the heat off the statins. Yes, you are correct, not taking the statins for 3 weeks should have solved the shoulder problem at least 10 days ago.

[Bazile]

you mean i'm incorrect

[Sqad]

LOL...yes Bazile.......you are incorrect.

[Bazile]

It is a bit curous though , because the person does not do things like , e.g gardening, decorating, carrying heavy bags.

[masma]

Sqad - Polymyalgia rheumatica?

[Sqad]

masma....as good a diagnosis as any.