DEAR DR. GOTT:
You have written several times about restless legs syndrome but I feel you left out one very important thing. Were any of these people taking statin drugs?
I took simvastatin for four years. After about two years, I started having a slight weakness and muscle pain in my left leg. I talked to my doctor about whether the statin was to blame and he said no. The pain got worse and I started having restless legs syndrome and cramps at night in my left leg. The weakness progressed to the point that I had to hold on to a railing to climb stairs. When it got to the point that I couldn’t depress the clutch pedal in my stick shift truck I stopped the simvastatin without my doctor’s approval. One month later the weakness, pain, cramps and restless legs syndrome were gone.
DEAR READER:
Restless legs syndrome is not a side effect of simvastatin; however, all of your other symptoms were.
I have received several letters about side effects from statin drugs and doctors claiming that the statin was not blame. I find this astonishing, especially considering all the publicity and manufacturer’s warnings about these potentially serious side effects.
I am glad that you discovered the source of your pain but urge you to return to your physician to discuss other cholesterol lowering options. A low fat diet combined with flax seed oil, omega 3, or niacin may be an appropriate option. Adequate exercise can also aid you in this aspect.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Cholesterol”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
