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Have Degenerative Disks. Have Muscle Spasms Under Ribcage Goes Into Stomach. Taking Simvastatin And Have Back Pain. Suggest?
Question: If I have degenetive disks should I have muscle spasms in my side. It starts right under the rib cage.It goes into my stomach. And I am taking simvastatin , one doctor said I couldn't take statin because it makes my back hurt. Can I take aleve with simvastatin? I am having muscle spasms when I turn a certain way or sit for long time or not enough water. it hurt when I sniffs or cough. My stomach looks like it swells.
Dear Madam,
Thank you for posting your query on XXXXXXX
Well your doctor is right in saying that statins might be the culprit in this regard .Statins are drugs which help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
Statins are reported to cause Back pain, muscle cramps, myalgia , arthralgias and feeling of fatigue in a number of patients . Studies document Myositis, , rhabdomyolysis , elevated CPK levels as serious side effects .
Nausea ,vomiting ,abdominal cramping , bloating are also known side effects of this drug .
It will be difficult to say just by history that whether your pain is related to statins or something else. But I suggest you to see your treating doctor for evaluation and change of drug if necessary . A calcium level , CPK also needs to be done .
Take care.
Wish you good health.
Dr. Shruti
Thank you for posting your query on XXXXXXX
Well your doctor is right in saying that statins might be the culprit in this regard .Statins are drugs which help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
Statins are reported to cause Back pain, muscle cramps, myalgia , arthralgias and feeling of fatigue in a number of patients . Studies document Myositis, , rhabdomyolysis , elevated CPK levels as serious side effects .
Nausea ,vomiting ,abdominal cramping , bloating are also known side effects of this drug .
It will be difficult to say just by history that whether your pain is related to statins or something else. But I suggest you to see your treating doctor for evaluation and change of drug if necessary . A calcium level , CPK also needs to be done .
Take care.
Wish you good health.
Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had gotten of statin when I started to having muscle spasm. But I had to get back on them because my cholesterol got to high. and I had an ultrasound on the side and I had a mri. the mri said I had degenative disks and another doctor read my results he said bulging disks. I don't know if they are the same. One day when I picked up a computer monitor and that night I had muscle spasms. I have been two times to emeg room for pain so bad in my side then to my stomach. and my stomach feel bloated. and what is cpk?
Dear madam,
Thanks for reverting back.
In old age due to degenerative changes the discs bulge out thus leading to pain when they compress nerves which emerges from their sides . Thus both your doctors meant same thing .
Regarding cholesterol lowering there are many other agents like ezetimibe , fenofibrate etc. that can be used.
Since your pain is so severe it may be due to degenerative disease rather than statins .
CPK is muscle enzyme which gets raised in diseases that affect muscles. Get a USG abdomen done to look for any pathology as you are experienced stomachache also.
Take care.
Dr. Shruti
Thanks for reverting back.
In old age due to degenerative changes the discs bulge out thus leading to pain when they compress nerves which emerges from their sides . Thus both your doctors meant same thing .
Regarding cholesterol lowering there are many other agents like ezetimibe , fenofibrate etc. that can be used.
Since your pain is so severe it may be due to degenerative disease rather than statins .
CPK is muscle enzyme which gets raised in diseases that affect muscles. Get a USG abdomen done to look for any pathology as you are experienced stomachache also.
Take care.
Dr. Shruti
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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