Artovastatin and Fibromyalgia

[Juneybabes]

Artovastatin and Fibromyalgia

I have just been put on Artovastatin 20mg per day for my angina , and I have fibromyalgia. Just read on your news page that this is not recommended ?? Because of muscle pain . Advice please . Thank you

[Juneybabes]

Sorry spelt that wrong ...lol..Atorvastatin....

[marypw]

I have lupus and fibro - I don't think statins make it worse. I occasionally give myself a statin holiday just to check it out.

My liver function tests did go up on atorvastatin so was switched to simvastatin. Definitely worth getting that checked after a few weeks on a statin.

[Juneybabes in reply to marypw]

Okay , thank you very much for your reply . Very helpful .

[Reykua]

Please don't worry. If you find it doesn't agree with you, just go back to your GP and explain your reactions to it and it'll be changed.

I know several people - including myself who have had heart issues - I have Atherosclerosis and Fibromyalgia (amongst other illnesses including Diabetes 2) so I can truly appreciate your reservations.

I was originally put on Simvastatin which made me extremely unwell as they thought it was reacting to the Ramipril.

It was then changed to Atorvastatin which I tolerated well and once off the Ramipril, have stayed on Atorvastatin together with all my other meds for the last six years with no problems.

It has meant that I have had difficulties persuading my doctor to take me off Duloxetine and put me on Gabapentine but that's another story.

Don't let fear prevent you from addressing your cholesterol issues but do monitor any and all reactions in the first few days/weeks and make a decision for yourself.

All the best going forward.

[lilymeg in reply to Reykua]

Hi, from a fellow fibro sufferer, my rheum prescribed duloxetine and I think it is great. However I had to see neurologist last March, I took my husband in with me. Amongst many words one of the earliest utterances as she looked at my referral was "You are on far too many pills!" and when we finally toddled out the door I carried a new prescription, for Gabapentin! AND I love it - she gave it to me for my fibro but it stopped the vomiting that was being caused by my unusual version of syncope . I still get syncope but not as quickly and I do not have vomiting. I am not having any fighting amongst my many pills either. She also told me that I had to go swimming 3 x weekly and told my spouse he had to go with me. I like it, he loves it..

[Reykua in reply to lilymeg]

Thank you for your response. Brilliant that you got your hands on Gaba. Perhaps the trick is to go in with a fella cos my GP is sooooo stubborn.

Persistence is key. Won't give up.

[Juneybabes in reply to Reykua]

Thank you very much for replying and your helpful advice.

I have just had my liver / kidney blood test results back and got the all clear , so I can go ahead and start taking the Atorvastatin now . Will give them a go and monitor any changes / symptoms. You take care too.

[lilymeg]

I was diagnosed by a rheumatology professor with fibromyalgia in1996, I had probably had it for 5 yrs before that. I have been on artorvastin since 2000. in my opinion all it does is reduce my cholesterol & lipid levels. At one point about 5 years ago I took myself off the artovastin for 6 months, I noticed no decrease in pain levels but my cholesterol went from 5.2 upto7.4. Naturally I have been on the artovastin ever since current level i 4.9 . When I get fibro pain it is always because I have exceeded my energy capacity and or I have been emotionally upset. I do see a rheumatologist on at least a two monthly basis , I have been seeing him since 1999 and he is an Associate Professor these days (time flies). It is my belief that a lot of people, maybe through desperation, become hooked by 'the rumour of the day' which is a fact that could be valid for one person in thousands. In my opinion get yourself a rheumatologist that you like and trust and don't listen to hearsay.BTW I do see a cardiologist om a regular basis, twas he who put me on the artorvastin initially. I won't add my long list of pills that he prescribes

[Juneybabes in reply to lilymeg]

Thank you for taking the time to reply . I think we get so fed up of all the meds we are on that to add a new one to the mix is rather daunting. I was a little worried about taking Atorvastatin after reading the info in the box saying not really suitable for people with Fibromyalgia. It wasn’t my normal GP who saw me and prescribed the statins, so was worried he had overlooked my fibro and many medications for that and osteoarthritis.

Anyway blood tests on liver and kidneys came back fine this morning, so going to start taking them and keep a note of any changes .

Thank you and take care .

[Qualipop]

I also have FIbro for over 30 years now. Atorvastatin didn't suit me because of stomach pain not muscle problems. I'm now on simvastatin with no problems. I don't see any reason not to take it. Statins haven't made it noticeably worse.

[Juneybabes in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you for your reply , I will keep a note of any changes in symptoms to my fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis plus any new symptoms.

Take care