Ramipril joint pain side effect

Hi,

I am age 63 with type 2 diabetes. Four years ago I exprienced Rhabdomolysis, which caused me severe muscle pain, nausea, vertigo etc etc. Due to being overweight, I had previously been prescribed Simvastatin, which I had taken for 3 years without any adverse side effects - but then I received my annual flu jab, which caused a severe reaction, resulting in the Rhabdomyolyis event. I then stopped taking all medication, went on a strict diet, lost 5 stones in 8 months, controlled my diabetes and was relieved of the pain incurred by the Rhabdomyolysis. Over the next 3 years, I put on2 stones in weight. Two months ago, my doctor was concerned about my blood pressure and prescribed 1 x 1.25 mg Ramopril per day. Also, at the same time, he booked me for a blood test for 1 month later to assess the effects.   I took the Ramopril tablets for 3 days only because I suffered very severe pain in my shoulder joints, lower back, hip joints,

 knuckles, upper arm muscles, thigh muscles and abdomen, I also suffered vertigo. I can only compare the joint and muscle pain I sufered as what I imagine was inflicted by "torture on THE RACK". Because the symptoms were similar, I thought I had suffered aother Rhabdomyolysis event but having Googled and found your comments, I now know the symptoms to be caused by Ramopril. FOOTNOTE: I asked for an appointment with my GP, was told the earliest available appointment was 3 weeks away and that would be with a "locum" - I will wait for my diabetes review, a further 3 weeks from today.  I am still in cosiderable pain and, most concerningly, that in my abdomen. I hope you have all gotten better.     

hi , been looking at  your post plus others , im 51 been on ramipril for about 3months , low dosage 2.5 mg but nearly 2 months ago started getting stiffness and pain in my left knee , , stopped using ramipril for two days and knee seemed better , doctors x ray ed my knee , and ok , said it was arthritas , im not so sure , , i think its these pills 

Have been on Ramipril 1.25mg, Bisoprolol, Simvastatin, Warfarin  for a couple of years now and  I have experienced joint and muscle pain.   A couple of months ago

my consultant increasede my dosage to 2.5mg, as a start to eventually go up to

10mg daily.   Since the increase to 2.5mg I have experienced more intense upper arm and shoulder pain, also in knees and fingers.   This afflicts me worst at night

time but is still present during the day.   I practice TaiChi and Pilates and am finding that I am incurring a lot more difficulty because of pain in upper arms and shoulders.   Saw my GP yesterday as it was time for next increase.  I declined.

I am going back to 1.25mg and lets see what transpires.

My experience with Ramipril, on 5mg for one year, weight gain, cholesterol numbers increased, and this medication never really made much of a difference in lowering my BP!  After the one year my Dr. Increased (DOUBLED) my Ramipril to 10mg once/day.

About two - two and a half weeks later, I started noticing chronic indigestion, bloating, and complete devastating MUSCLE WEAKNESS, MUSCLE PAIN, JOINT PAIN AND STIFFNESS.   My activity level prior to this physical setback was I exercised (dancing, rhythmic aerobic exercise) and had done so for the past four years and more!   I was a very active Senior, LEAD A VERY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE and never ever had any joint problems, or muscle soreness!  This medication weakened me so much I couldn't even push myself to a sitting position to get out of bed in the morning.  It affected my left shoulder and clavicle, right hip, right groin and lower back.   I also suffered not able to stand up after sitting in the bathroom. It's been about two months now since I suffered the acute loss of strength, IM NOT MYSELF!  I stopped taking the Ramipril 5 weeks ago, made myself eat well, walk outside doing the best I could, and lost about 15 lbs. My blood pressure is now excellent as I've learned relaxation breathing techniques and keep stress to a minimum.

i continue to be challenged with this weakened condition and am getting checked out (X-rays and ultra sound).  I have a masseuse and a physiotherapist I work with but can never be sure what day will be good.  Today was not a good day, very weak and shaker and lots of stiffness and pain!

is there a class-action lawsuit anywhere against Ramipril? I feel this needs to be addressed!

Can i first say its a relief to read that other people have experienced left shoulder and arm pain possibility due to ramapril. I've been on a reducing dose for a year now. I found a diet from US call dash diet (dietary approach to stop hypotension) and have lost 6 stone. This has helped my bp alot. But ive found it strange that my symptoms from ramapril have only just started? I've gone from 10 mg to 5mg over the last 12 months because of the weight loss. But in total i would say I've been on ramapril for about 3 years. Im only 40 too. Think i will ask gp to stop meds altogether as pain in arm is awful???

Hi Simon,

I was originally on Lisinopril and changed to Ramipril due to excessive perspiration some time ago for my blood pressure.  I am 64 and have played Squash all my life and also 10 pin bowling and Skiing, so have been a fairly fit person. 

Some time ago after I had plantar fasceitis and could not play squash till my heel got better.  I noticed  many months ago that my knees were giving trouble and got treatement and started excercising them and cycling every day to combat it. I also found that whilst I normally could whizz up a ladder into the attic, I was having to assist my legs with my hands to get up the ladder ?  by now I was cycling daily, swimming 50 lengths once a week but still unable to play squash.  By this time both my elbows had gone weak and the grip strenght in my hands severely deterioated.  Something was not right so I went to the Doctor whereupon I was diagnosed with Tennis Elbow in both arms and given maximum strength Ibroprufen for 2 weeks and stomach damage prevention capsules to prevent damage from the Ibruprofen.  I only took them for a week and started my own research.

On the website I found that an identical chain of events in others using Ramipril, so I went to my doctor, who would not listen as it was not in the book of side effects and insisted on blood tests to check for artheritis etc.  Test came back all clear.

I then stopped taking Ramipril and monitored my blood pressure whilst pursuing a more healthy diet to reduce my blood pressure naturally.  Within 5 days of stopping taking Ramipril my blood pressure stabilsed and my strength was coming back, and I tried bashing a squash ball on court for an hour with no side effects,  where a month before I tried for 20 mins and was in an elbow bandage for 10 days.  On that day I put my name back on the squash leagues and am now playing  for 2 hours on Mondays plus my league games too.  After 5 weeks my strength is now fully restored I can now play without and elbow support, my grip strength is restored and I can now play full strength shots with no ill effect.

In short,  Ramipril appears to have been destroying my muscles and joint strength and althouth I was cycling daily and swimming,  I was swimming upstream all the time and my efforts just holding back the gradual detioration process.  Now I am swimming in still water and allowing my muscles to get stronger.

Sorry for such a long reply, but it has changed my life and I felt that I had aged rapidly,  but am now back to where I was 5 years ago.

Good Luck to all but only change your own medical prescriptions on medical advice,  but I an now on no medication where formerly I was on full time Blood Pressure and Reflux Medication.  For me  reduce weight, eat better and come of Ramipril has sorted me.

Hi Simon,

It was interesting to hear your experiences. I have always worked out hard at the gym and walked a lot but after 5 years of being on Ramipril I struggle with my strength and endurance. I still push hard but it takes days to recover.

In the last week I have suffered a kidney stone which is presently bypassed by a stent in the ureter awaiting removal. However, the urologist would not allow me to keep taking the Ramipril during my stay in hospital as he thought it would inhibit recovery of the kidney. I have since learnt that Ramipril can actually induce kidney stones! I don't think that is featured in the list of side effects. During my last 3 days enforced abstinence from Ramipril, I noticed that:

My night cramps have stopped completely.

My sense of taste has returned. I had not realised that it had gone!.

I had also had a persistent cough, back pain, joint pain and muscle weakness but I cannot assess the effect on these until the effects of the general anaesthetic have worn off and I get more mobile.

It should be noted that my blood pressure was continuously monitored in hospital and did not rise significantly after I stopped taking the Ramipril. Interesting.

I do not intend to go back onto Ramipril so I will keep this blog updated with the longer term effects. I would also be interested in your ongoing experiences.

Regards

Steve H

I have been taking ramipril 5 milligram capsules for 10 years with no side effects,but when i was first put on them they gave me 10 milligram capsules ,shortly after i began to have dexterity problems with my fingers, my doctor reduced the dose to 5 milligrams, and that cured the problem I do not have hypertension ,but i do have angina, hope this helps.

Hi Simon.

I too have been on Ramipril for a few yrs now ( 10mg). However, my Cardiologist recently increased my dose to 20mg. When she did that I asked what the side effects would be, and she said the only one is a cough. Well since the increase I have been experiencing muscle pain in my upper arm, along with shoulder pain, and also recently occasionally sharp pains in my arm. Well, since I didn't know or realized that this may have been a result of the medication, I turned to the Internet for help. Surprisingly, there have been many patients experiencing the same results. Thanks so much. I definitely going to be calling her office this morning.

Aldyth

I am SO pleased I found this thread. I thought it was just me! I have put this joint pain down to the menopause, food intolerances or even a frozen shoulder and old age catching up with me (except 57 is not old!)

I had a frozen right shoulder (probably down to an old accident) and a few other 'twinges'. But over the last 18 months my other shoulder is playing up, both knees, my right foot, both elbows and hands ...It would be easier to say what isn't hurting! My GP has put it down to arthritis and/or rheumatism. What EVERYWHERE?

After reading these posts I am going to stop taking the Ramipril and start taking Niacin - which does just about the same thing and the only side effect is flushing, and believe me, after the menopause, that's nothing!

I knew Ramipril was known for causing a dry cough - something that hasn't bothered me until recently. But a chance trawl on the internet and hey presto, I think I have the answer!