Re: Lipitor and weight training?

I started lifting to gain mass. I put on 8-10 lbs. Great! Then I had a
hard time getting past that for the last 8 months or so. I backed off
and began to train for strength in hopes of getting past the plateau.
That's when I began taking Lipitor. It started with shoulder pain. I
could never get any stronger from there. My initial reaction was that
Lipitor was causing muscle weakness, therefore, preventing any further
gains. So here I am.

My doctor said that it may cause weakness in the muscles, but that was
rare. So I dismissed that. But I need more than that. My focus is
shifting to train for strength and cardio for an overall healthy
approach.

Does anyone know who would specialize in these issues? Sports
medicine? Cardiologist? Sports trainer?

Thanks for you comments.

"D. Best" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Even though I am not an expert ... I have been taking Lipitor for almost 6
years. I do 9 miles of cardiovascular exercise daily ... In February I
began to use the Crossbow and I have definitely built muscle mass since that
time ... at what rate I am not sure. I am 52 years of age and had a heart
attack 6 years ago. As a result I had an angioplasty and stent inserted in
RCA.

good luck ...
muscle building is good ... but don't forget the cardiovascular if you are
wanting to strengthen the heart.

doug
Exercise your Mind, Body and Freedoms

"tmgaz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

tmgaz

Folks - does anyone know whether or not Lipitor inhibits growth of
muscle mass? I know that genetics play a big part in building muscle,
however, I'm on Lipitor and would like to rule it out, or nail it down
as a suspect. I've been in the gym for quite a while now and I'm
having a difficult time adding muscle. Again, I do know that there can
be other factors here, but I'm looking to rule out the drug. Process
of elimination.

If there isn't anyone who can answer this, please point me in the
right direction of the correct specialist.

Thanks!

"tmgaz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I started lifting to gain mass. I put on 8-10 lbs. Great! Then I had a
hard time getting past that for the last 8 months or so. I backed off
and began to train for strength in hopes of getting past the plateau.
That's when I began taking Lipitor. It started with shoulder pain. I
could never get any stronger from there. My initial reaction was that
Lipitor was causing muscle weakness, therefore, preventing any further
gains. So here I am.

My doctor said that it may cause weakness in the muscles, but that was
rare. So I dismissed that. But I need more than that. My focus is
shifting to train for strength and cardio for an overall healthy
approach.

Does anyone know who would specialize in these issues? Sports
medicine? Cardiologist? Sports trainer?

Thanks for you comments.

I would think you would want a cardiologist involved.

I was in a similar situation a few years back and could not find the cause of
persistent muscle (?) pain. On my own, I went off the Lipitor for a month -
reasoning that its helpful effects are long term rather than near term. That
did not help the pain. So I went back to the Lipitor. I'm not sure a
cardiologist would agree with this approach, but it relieved a significant
concern I had.

Bill

Dr. Mirkin would be my top choice - you can call for free his web
radio show www.drmirkin.com He has lots of info on weight training on
his web site. If you want to build muscle mass you need to lift heavy
enough to slightly tear muscle fibers. Again, some gain muscle mass
far easier than others. Please stay away from steroids - they may
work but are far from healthy.

[email hidden] (tmgaz) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I started lifting to gain mass. I put on 8-10 lbs. Great! Then I had a
hard time getting past that for the last 8 months or so. I backed off
and began to train for strength in hopes of getting past the plateau.
That's when I began taking Lipitor. It started with shoulder pain. I
could never get any stronger from there. My initial reaction was that
Lipitor was causing muscle weakness, therefore, preventing any further
gains. So here I am.

My doctor said that it may cause weakness in the muscles, but that was
rare. So I dismissed that. But I need more than that. My focus is
shifting to train for strength and cardio for an overall healthy
approach.

Does anyone know who would specialize in these issues? Sports
medicine? Cardiologist? Sports trainer?

Thanks for you comments.

"D. Best" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Even though I am not an expert ... I have been taking Lipitor for almost 6
years. I do 9 miles of cardiovascular exercise daily ... In February I
began to use the Crossbow and I have definitely built muscle mass since that
time ... at what rate I am not sure. I am 52 years of age and had a heart
attack 6 years ago. As a result I had an angioplasty and stent inserted in
RCA.

good luck ...
muscle building is good ... but don't forget the cardiovascular if you are
wanting to strengthen the heart.

doug
Exercise your Mind, Body and Freedoms

"tmgaz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

tmgaz

Folks - does anyone know whether or not Lipitor inhibits growth of
muscle mass? I know that genetics play a big part in building muscle,
however, I'm on Lipitor and would like to rule it out, or nail it down
as a suspect. I've been in the gym for quite a while now and I'm
having a difficult time adding muscle. Again, I do know that there can
be other factors here, but I'm looking to rule out the drug. Process
of elimination.

If there isn't anyone who can answer this, please point me in the
right direction of the correct specialist.

Thanks!