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Swollen legs and feet (statin to blame?)

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Posted 9/14/2015 3:53 PM (GMT -5)
Hi guys and girls, since this is the only health forum I come to :) I have to ask if anyone has an idea about this problem that is bothering my Dad. His feet have much swelling and it is spreading to his legs. He says he cannot wear sneakers anymore only flip-flops. It has lasted for about a week. about 2 months ago GP put him on Zocor (statin) because of high triglicerides (he has normal cholesterol and is very thin, go figure....). His liver values were not so good to begin with. I am wondering if this medication is somehow the cause of his swelling. He started the second hormonal phase "off" and will get his PSA reading tomorrow, but from everything I know, PC couldn´t be the reason. He seems a bit panicky because my mom is with us and he is alone, not quite knowing what to do. Anyone have an opionion?
Posted 9/14/2015 4:03 PM (GMT -5)
My father has heart problems. If he doesn't take his diuretic, his feet and ankles swell.
Good luck.
Posted 9/14/2015 4:36 PM (GMT -5)
Get him in to see his doctor. That's not a normal SE of zocor.

There are a bunch of other problems that could cause that. Best evaluated by his GP.

Andrew
Posted 9/15/2015 7:54 AM (GMT -5)
Did the swelling start shortly after he started taking the statin drug? Or did he already have the swelling before the drug? Either way, he needs to have it checked out by his providers ASAP. Even more so since " His liver values were not so good to begin with".

www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm293330.htm#1

"FDA has found that liver injury associated with statin use is rare but can occur."

Post Edited (BillyBob@388) : 9/15/2015 6:58:31 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/15/2015 8:36 AM (GMT -5)
Hi,
I would also suggest checking for anemia, which oddly enough can cause edema. One other thought - is he taking any meds for blood pressure? Some of them can cause swelling as well.
Coyotegirl

Post Edited (coyotegirl1025) : 9/15/2015 11:50:48 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/15/2015 1:42 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks everyone, so helpful. BiliBob, swelling started about 1.5 months into statin use. He never had swelling or edema before.

Coyotegirl1025, he is not on blood pressure meds, his blood pressure is OK. Good tip about anemia, since he had some gastro issues in the spring he didn´t eat well and lost even more weight from his thin frame, they rarely eat meat as my mom has adopted "prostate-healthy" diet.

He went to his GP today, she is sending him for a series of tests tomorrow. She suspects heart but I find this hard to believe as he has never had heart problems, never in his life....feel so bad for him, to have to go through this alone...
Posted 9/15/2015 4:57 PM (GMT -5)
Please do the tests. I know it's hard to believe, but yes, heart problems are the most likely cause of the swelling. Sometimes it happens suddenly.

Andrew
Posted 9/16/2015 1:58 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks Andrew. He was at the cardiologist today, and his heart seems OK, but the cardiologist took a look at his lab results from July and said he was anemic, and had "low protein" (not sure what this is), and he sent him for another thorough lab testing to compare with July results, and also for "blood vessel in lower limbs" testing. He had two medications in mind to treat his condition.

The obvious question is why did not his GP recognize all this back in July or even now. So, tomorrow he is going to the hospital, all by himself on his swollen feet... :( I advised him to go back to the cardiologist with the results, this doctor seems competent.

Good news is that dad´s PSA came back at 0.189. Not bad for a guy diagnosed with advanced PC 4 years ago!!
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