AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question I was treated for 3yr's with prednazone for polymalaser rumatica "hope i spelled it correctly" then only to find out i was actually allergic to lipator. this has left me weak, weak, weak, will my strength come back, I am 68 year's old. can you help me ? thank you j.n.c.
Answer James
Unless there are concerns that your long term use of steroids is causing bone density problems, then I don't think that is a major problem.
What you describe as "allergy" to Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a little more concerning. Although allergic-type reactions are not unheard of, muscle weakeness and in some extreme cases, a breakdown of the muscle itself. It doesn't sound as though you have the extreme end of this problem, but your weakness may well be due to medication.
If you have not already discussed this with your doctor, then you should do so. Depending on your cholesterol level and other factors it may be possible to reduce or even stop the Lipitor which should reverse the probblem over time.
Meanwhile, I would suggest that you do your best to adapt a low fat / low cholesterol diet and try to progressively increase your exercise levels to help re-build any muscle that has been lost.
