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Statins and Neuropathy

G

goji

Well-Known Member
Messages
251
Hi

Just wondering if anybody knows if you can get neuropathy in one whole leg with the other not being affected at all?

I had a period of illness about a 6 weeks ago and was immobile for a couple of weeks. I started to get numbness in one foot from about the calf down. Since then I started to get some pain in the same leg around the hamstring and the numbness/decreased sensation/aching feeling is now occuring from the hamstring down. My foot feels like it's more swollen than the other but when you look at it there is no visual difference.

I thought maybe I'd slept funny and irritated a nerve but sleeping on the other side doesn't make a difference. It feels different to previous nerve problems (sciatica) I've experienced as it's more of an ache in the whole leg than nerve pain.

Does this sound like it could be neuropathy? I am apparently well-controlled (according to the GP) with my last hba1cs at 5.9 and 6 with fastings in the 4-5 range, though sometimes I have post-priandal spikes.

I'm not asking for an online diagnosis - just people's experience/knowledge about how neuropathy presents eg. does it usually present in one whole leg or are both legs equally affected? I'm not keen to go to the GP about this.

thanks
goji
 
Re: Neuropathy in only one whole leg? Possible?

Goji, whether you like it or not I would see the doctor about this. See the doctor asap, this could be potentially serious.
 
Re: Neuropathy in only one whole leg? Possible?

goji, doesn't sound like neuropathy to me, which normally presents symmetrically. As Sue says, you need to see a doc fairly urgently on this one...
 
Re: Neuropathy in only one whole leg? Possible?

I was diagnosed 10 years ago when I complained about numbness of my right thigh. Any problems attack that leg - statins & neuropathy pain.
 
Re: Neuropathy in only one whole leg? Possible?

Hi Goji,
I also have severe pains and numbness in one leg.

Proximal neuropathy, sometimes called lumbosacral plexus neuropathy, femoral neuropathy, or diabetic amyotrophy, starts with pain in the thighs, hips, buttocks, or legs, usually on one side of the body. This type of neuropathy is more common in those with type 2 diabetes and in older adults with diabetes. Proximal neuropathy causes weakness in the legs and the inability to go from a sitting to a standing position without help. Treatment for weakness or pain is usually needed. The length of the recovery period varies, depending on the type of nerve damage.

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/pubs/neuropathies/
Allan
 
I am concerned about the effects Simvastin is having on me. After two weeks I developed agonising pains in my left thigh, numbness and tingling.

My Dr said it was diabetic neuropathy and not the statins!!!! Strange I never had these pains before, just because being diagnosed Diabetic day 1 , day 2 no other symptons should occur.

One month later I am now developing pains in my shoulders and hips, I have decided to come off this drug myself to see if my condition improves.
After reading many articles on the side effects I am convinced it is the Statins.

Through diet and exercise my Cholesterol is now within the normal levels and if I continue with my diet and exercise I hope to keep it there.

Any comments please.

Allan
 
The leaflet I have with my Simvastatin clearly states that "These tablets can cause muscle problems.....greater at higher doses". "Drinking grapefruit could increase risk of muscle damage"
"Contact your Doctor immediately if you experience muscle aches & pains.............this is because on rare occasions muscle damage can be serious".
How many more warnings does there have to be before your Doctor thinks there could be something going wrong??!!
I think you are right to come off this drug especially as you are dieting and exercising. However keep a check on cholesterol levels nevertheless.
 
Allan.

There are more statins available than just Simvastatin. That is the one that seems to have had the most problems for people. Well documented problems. I too had problems on this drug and was switched to Atorvastatin, never looked back. No side effects at all.

See your GP and tell him/her that you are having trouble with this drug and you want an alternative. Do not suffer in silence...... :twisted:
 
After the pains spread to my shoulder and a sleepless night, my wife contacted our DD and explained again the relationship between the pains and statins.

He replied, no, no its not the Simvastin, oh just out of interest is his urine reddish in colour? answer yes, ah thats the start of Myopathy, stop the Simvastin at once.

Time to change Doctors me-thinks.

I just hope that the two months taking this hasn`t done any serious damage as I believe it can be reversable over time.

Allan
 
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