PeteCrev
Well-known member
Does anyone out there have or heard of leg and ankle cramping? I was diagnosed with a BAV with severe stenosis and was wondering if anyone suffers from this? If so when??
Leg and ankle cramping w/ BAV
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PeteCrev
Well-known member
big-L- Not on any meds except for Lipitor. I do get lightheaded daily only for about 5 minutes at a time and get winded going up the stairs or when I make a sudden movement. I have another echo and stress test scheduled for the 28th. Last one showed my BAV was at a 1.0 borderline severe, and that was only 2 months ago.
Could it be the Lipitor? IIRC, Lipitor is a statin drug. These have potential side effects of muscle pain and weakness. Maybe ask your doc if you can stop the Lipitor for a few days and see if the cramping improves. If so, maybe ask to try another med for cholesterol control.
Also, have you been checked for peripheral artery disease? This is a disease in which blood flow to the extremities is reduced, causing pain and other maladies. I'm no expert, but I've read that if you have lost the hair on the lower parts of your legs, this may be an indication that you may have PAD. Or, it may just be age. . .
Also, have you been checked for peripheral artery disease? This is a disease in which blood flow to the extremities is reduced, causing pain and other maladies. I'm no expert, but I've read that if you have lost the hair on the lower parts of your legs, this may be an indication that you may have PAD. Or, it may just be age. . .
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PeteCrev
Well-known member
Not sure about the Lipitor....I've been on it for many years now. The leg cramping has been going on for years but just lately it's been to a point where it's making me want to rest my feet, and uncomfortable. Have not been checked for artery disease yet. I was only diagnosed with BAV a year ago, so maybe thats soon to come. Regarding hair loss, I have lost hair around my ankles, but like you said I don't know it thats related. Today I'm trying to see if Dr. Stelzer is in my Ins. Network for the ROSS Procedure. Wish me luck.
knotguilty
Well-known member
I was on Lipitor and had cramps in my arms. They put me on a different statin and it went away. I was told this side effect from statins could cause permanent damage and as to why they try diferent ones to find one you can tolerate.
Fundy
Well-known member
I was geting a lot of muscle cramping in the forearms and shoulders several years pre-surgery. Cardiologist said she thought it had to be something other than heart related as it performed sufficiently during stress echo. I wasn't taking any medication.
However, post surgery I rarely experience tight muscles to the extent of pre surgery. Personally, I think pre-surgery my muscles asked for less blood circulation than it requests now that my heart doesn't need to work hard to provide it.
However, post surgery I rarely experience tight muscles to the extent of pre surgery. Personally, I think pre-surgery my muscles asked for less blood circulation than it requests now that my heart doesn't need to work hard to provide it.
AZ Don
Well-known member
My bet is that it is the Lipitor. My Father in-law was on statins for years and he had problems affecting his legs, including cramps. It got so bad that he couldn't take any statins. My wife bought him red rice yeast and it improved his cholesterol more than the statins with no side effects.
Jayhawk
Active member
I have had cramping in my legs. It first was just the area just to the outside of the bone but not shin splints. I can tell its muscle related. Now when I walk for exercise both legs cramp up from the knees down. Its that "feel the burn" pain that you get when you exercise. Its just very intense in my lower legs now. BTW... I am out of the waiting room in early December as my valve is now too small and the aneurysm is too large. Recently did an exercise test and found my heart rate is fine but my BP goes down therefore indicating more severe stenosis. To me that makes sense with leg cramping as the blood isn't flowing there.
PeteCrev
Well-known member
You think it's the Lipitor even though I've been on it for so many years?
Pete - It could be. My wife took lipitor for 7 or 8 years, and eventually developed pain bad enough to talk to the doc. He switched her to another statin (Crestor, I think), and she feels no side effects (yet).
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PeteCrev
Well-known member
LOL it does somewhat feel like shin splints, but its just an annoyance that, that part of my body is always the first that tires out and slow me down. I've dealt with it for so long....just thought I was out of shape, but after reading....it now makes sense. Now It just became more and more uncomfortable.....especially at night when trying to relax.
PeteCrev
Well-known member
Steve-
Yeah....i don't know, all of this is very confusing....Trial and error. Now being diagnosed a year ago with BAV, i tend to be more alert of these so called symptoms, but sometimes I think it just might me all in my head. And to make matters worse I was hoping to do the ROSS Procedure, but just found out that Dr. Stelzer in Manhattan doesn't accept my insurance, so now I might have to settle with the mechanical valve. We'll see.
AZ Don
Well-known member
That is exactly what happened to my Father-in law. His problems appeared, and then got worse over time, after he had been on statins for years. My knowledge and experience in this area is very narrow, but your experience is strikingly similar.
What does your Dr. think it is?
PeteCrev
Well-known member
He said try to take more potassium, but due to my BAV issue it's possible that it's a circulation issue. It's only been an few days but we'll see.
Agian
Well-known member
Lipitor caused leg pains in my mother, as well.
