Do I Have Arthritis? -- Is Lipitor a Possible Cause?
Only your healthcare provider can answer these questions for you. "
Arthritis" is actually not a single disease. It is a term used to refer to a group of more than 100 different conditions (including
osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, and gout, to name a few). These conditions may affect not only the joints, but also other parts of the body -- including important supporting structures like muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. They can also affect some internal organs. In fact, joint pain may not even be a symptom for some
types of arthritis. On the other hand, many other conditions can cause symptoms similar to arthritis
(see Diagnosing Arthritis).
Therefore, if you are taking
Lipitor and joint pain or any other possible
arthritis symptoms develop, talk with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you come in for a visit, during which he or she will ask several questions, perform a physical exam, and may recommend certain tests or procedures. Your healthcare provider will then consider things such as:
These types of questions, along with the physical exam and tests, will help your healthcare provider determine whether Lipitor may be causing your symptoms. If the symptoms continue or if your healthcare provider believes that Lipitor is causing your symptoms, he or she may recommend lowering your dose of Lipitor or may suggest trying another
cholesterol medication.
Previous