High Cholesterol

[Swimming20]

Hi ..l am on Tocilizumab which has been brilliant for me..the side effects can be high cholesterol..mine is raised a little so GP has put me on Atorvastin to lower it ..l am only getting a couple of hours sleep and through the day l feel dreadful...is anyone else on this ..not good at all x

[Kerensa21]

Can you ask GP to change to a different statin; first one I had wasn’t great either? Good luck

[Hidden]

I’m on this I have no problem. There are Different statins so go can try you on another

[Swimming20 in reply to Hidden]

I was hoping that could be the case ..tha is x

[Allije]

Like you I have raised cholesterol levels due to Tocimibilub and was prescribed statins a few years ago. 1st statin came with increased muscle - or at least I blamed the statin.

Now on Rosuvastatin and have also experienced very poor sleep. Ashamed to say it has taken me almost a year to work out that the statin was adding to this situation.

Serious hip pain was what I blamed initially and then put it down to post surgery pain.

It is only now that my pain levels are manageable that I have thought statin may be to blame.

I started taking it alternative days and this has helped and also taking it in the morning rather than evening.

No idea if this has had a effect on cholesterol level as no blood test due any time soon.

Doesn't seem to be an easy answer to this as apparently not taking a statin not a option - according to GP.

I'm pleased you have recognised the statin effect sooner rather than later and maybe there is a other one out there that wont affect sleep, but seems they all come with complications.

Hope you get some relief soon. Lack of sleep can be very debilitating.

[Swimming20 in reply to Allije]

Thanks l look shocking at mo with lack of sleep x

[Tottie10]

I was diagnosed with RA in 2004 in my 30s, after the birth of my son. I was hit very hard, very quickly, but as RA is in the family was diagnosed quickly due to persistence and an excellent consultant. In 2008 I was put on anti TNF with great effect. I've been on about 5 different ones since then and in my late 40s was moved to Tox. I was informed that there is strong evidence that RA causes an increased risk of heart problems and that anyone over 45 with active/ severe RA should be put on Statins, regardless of the fact that some biologics can increase cholesterol. I am now on Baracitinib, Leflunomide, Prednisolone, statins, adcal ..... which can all come with side effects. I know that side effects affect individuals in different ways but I do know that without this cocktail of drugs and excellent NHS support I would have been in a wheelchair 10 years ago. It is a process of trial and error but hopefully with help you will find an option with fewer side effects. Good luck

[Swimming20]

Thanks am waiting to discuss it with GP

[Barbs52]

Hi, I have primary Sjogren’s with lung disease and on a concoction of drugs as we all seem to be. I was put on Atorvastatin in the summer but it didn’t suit me, bad sleep pattern and stomach pains. It was changed to Simvastatin which again side effects included more breathless than usual with chest pain and stomach pain. My GP said some people don’t get on with statins and has now prescribed a non statin drug that helps lower cholesterol it’s called Ezetimibe 🤞🦋

[Swimming20 in reply to Barbs52]

Thanks for that info xx

[Chrisellie]

I had PMR GCA and LVV. I WAS ON TOCILIZUMAB injections for 12 months.

My cholesterol was a little high but not high enough for treatment.

I was watching my saturate fat intake though.

Hope you get it sorted.