Methotrexate & statins

[essexgirl]

Hi is anyone taking statins and methotrexate

They want to to take statins but very wary

[vonniesims]

Yes. 1st lot made me very achy. Now on Rosùvastatin and its fine

[nomoreheels]

I do. I've been on MTX 12 years & statins 7 years. Firstly, after talking it through with my GP, I tried to get my LDL down by changing my diet. I limited or tried to avoid saturated fats, increased polyunsaturated fats (or tried to, I'm not good with those high in omega 3 except nuts seeds etc) plus the other ones my GP recommended. Unfortunately when I was re-tested after 3 months my LDL had increased, only slightly but it wasn’t going down & I realised it wasn't something I was able to control.

I started as most do with simvastatin, tried it for a while but the longer I was on it the more arm pain I had, muscular pain. It was changed to atorvastatin which I have no problems with & still take.

I have cardiovascular checks annually as I have family history both on Mum & Dad's side so with also having seropositive RD & the potential to add heart disease to the list it is really important for me. I eat a (mostly) heart & RD-healthy diet & exercise, doing what I can but statins are still an important part of my daily meds (or nightly as that's when I take it).

I hope this helps.

[essexgirl in reply to nomoreheels]

Yes it does thankyou , I’m just very wary of taking something that may interact with my methotrexate, I was thinking trying with my diet first as I know where I go wrong , like I use butter like cheese spread and I’ve been eating so much rubbish lately because I just couldn’t be bothered to be honest , but that woke me up , they have given me atorvastatin but haven’t started it yet as I was reading about the effects on your kidneys , with taking methotrexate it just freaked me out a bit lol

[nomoreheels in reply to essexgirl]

Cleaning up your diet wherever you can is always helpful & I think many of us could relate to eating some comfort food at some times, but you acknowledge that. Maybe reduce the amount or the times you indulge. Don't deny yourself completely as that makes things harder than they need to be & can result in, & I’ve been there, having a bit of a binge! You feel rubbish afterwards. As I said, my GP suggested trying changing my diet, she didn't just start the statin so talk it through with your GP, you may be more fortunate than me.

Statins have never interacted with MTX with me, if you're meaning damage as a result of taking both. MTX did raise my liver values pre statins but that was a dose increase which I’ve tried since with the same result. I just halted MTX until they went back to my normal. I don't drink alcohol so reducing that isn't a consideration, actually I do have half a can of Guinness in an evening but with no effect either way! You are monitored with MTX anyway so any fluctuations in your kidney or liver values will be picked up in your bloods. That said I’ve not had any that could have been directly related though, as always, you don't know until the next one following starting atorvastatin. I didn’t have any damage to either organ prior to starting statins so it's weighing up risks versus benefits if you do. If it's something you've read or heard of there is often some story or other in the media about statins from this study or that, it’s a well prescribed med. We’re all different & choose to believe or not but, as usual, always discuss concerns with the prescriber. I just think for me there's need so it's wise to continue if it outweighs the risk or unless otherwise told by my GP to discontinue it. I hope you make the right decision for you but, again, any concerns ask your GP to take time to address them.

[essexgirl in reply to nomoreheels]

Do you take your statins at bedtime

[nomoreheels in reply to essexgirl]

Yes, with my evening meal meds at 8pm. My GP said to because as our body makes cholesterol at night statins can reduce LDL better.

[AgedCrone in reply to essexgirl]

I was already on statins when I was put on Mtx..& I noticed no difference.I stayed on Mtx for 7 years & my cardiologist was happy with that..& when the Mtx stopped working I remained on the statins..again with no side effects.

I think if your doctor thinks you need them…..you might be wise to listen to the advice.

[Hidden in reply to essexgirl]

I’ve been taking Atorvastatin for a long time and am also on 20mg MTX a week. Haven’t had any problems

[essexgirl]

Thankyou you’ve been really helpful and reassuring

[Hidden]

Morning. I am on 25mg Mtx (weekly) and Sulf 2000mg daily. I started taking a statin in December (atorvastatin). Had my bloods done last week. Cholesterol levels down already 😳.

My creatinine levels increased slightly, but I genuinely think that was down to me not drinking enough fluids; I am being rechecked in a fortnight.

[essexgirl in reply to Hidden]

So did you wait 4 weeks after taking statins to have bloods done

[Hidden in reply to essexgirl]

Hi. It was just over that. I was due my 3 monthly bloods for my Mtx , so it may be have been 6-8 weeks later.

[essexgirl in reply to Hidden]

Would you say they have helped your situation

[Hidden in reply to essexgirl]

My cholesterol is down, so yes. I am at increased risk of CVD because of my RA and also because of Paternal family history. Also, I’ve put on tons of weight during ‘Covid-time’. Getting rid of it is my next mission (after some redecorating😎).

[essexgirl]

Brilliant, I think I’ll start taking them tonight . Do you take yours at night

[Hidden in reply to essexgirl]

Yeah. At tea-time. Your body produces cholesterol in the evening apparently.. Fun fact!

[essexgirl in reply to Hidden]

😂😂

[Lolabridge]

I was told to start statins but had problems with two types I was prescribed. Then my GP told me to read this book and cut down my carbohydrates. That brought my cholesterol down a lot.

Do read the book!

“A statin free life” book

[nomoreheels in reply to Lolabridge]

If you do ever find that your cutting down carbs isn't quite lowering your LDL enough ask your GP about ezetimibe Lola. My h can't take statins & this is what has worked for him & he's had heart surgery.

[Lolabridge in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks for the tip nmh x

[nomoreheels in reply to Lolabridge]

👍x

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Lolabridge]

Very interesting Lolabridge. Thank you for that. I looked the book up on Amazon, read the preview and about the third page in where the paragraph starts ‘But, in the real world where I practice, I would suggest to you etc’. The symptoms the author describes completely sum up my experience when I was prescribed Simvastatin about twenty years ago.

By the time I had taken them for a couple of weeks I could barely walk and felt really, really depressed. It took a long time to find depression / very low mood as a side effect but the author mentions that in the preface too.

Will definitely read the book.

[Lolabridge in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Yes please do. Like you I had a bad reactions to statins. My GP told me she is not a fan of statins and recommended the book. I was surprised to read that the people selected to take part in the original trials were very carefully selected and very unlikely to have any of our autoimmune conditions!!

[Lolabridge in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

But please don’t just stop taking statins without discussing with your GP.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Lolabridge]

Oh I did years and years ago when I took them. I started taking statins as we went to the south of France on holiday. After taking them for a week I couldn’t even walk to the bus stop across the road from the campsite we were staying on - when in the past we used to walk 45 minutes into town and back again with no problems.

I could barely walk, my muscles were really painful and I had the weirdest feeling that I wanted to curl into a ball in a corner of our camper and shut the world out. I had never felt like that before or since.

At that point I knew absolutely nothing at all about statins - I had been prescribed them by my doctor and so I took them even though my husband said to stop taking them.

I went straight to the GP when I got home and said I had had enough. She offered me a ‘better’ statin but I declined. She said to try Benecol drinks, yoghurts and margarine etc. I’ve had conversations about statins since and I won’t take them again.

I’ve since read that taking statins can raise your blood sugar levels which I definitely don’t need and there seems to be no clear evidence that high cholesterol leads to heart disease or death in elderly people.

I also know that when I had Graves’ disease and my thyroid was very overactive my cholesterol levels were the lowest they have ever been. As my thyroid went inti remission and my TSH crept up my cholesterol crept up to. There is a definite link between thyroid levels and cholesterol levels and I’m pretty sure if my TSH was kept around 1 (it’s around 2.5 now) then my cholesterol would reduce but alas my TSH is ‘within the range’ and the NHS doesn’t do ‘fine tuning’ it’s easier to prescribe statins.

Plus I worry that an awful lot of the research into statins is carried out by pharmaceutical companies/ researchers with a financial interest in the product.

Interesting the mention of autoimmune conditions - when I think back - I had no autoimmune conditions back when I was given statins. They came later - Graves Disease first, then sero negative inflammatory arthritis. Are you still taking statins?

[Lolabridge in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Gosh you’ve had a lot to deal with. No I’m not taking statins. Having read that book I recommended I don’t intend to either, with the support of my GP. I reduced my cholesterol considerably by getting starchy carbs to a very low level. The advice about reducing all fat intake is plain wrong as the book explains. It’s a fascinating read!

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Lolabridge]

It is a fascinating read, thank you so much for telling us about it. I’ve read The Great Cholesterol Con too but it’s good to read this one as well.I love the 5 principles of optimum health that given at the start - they makes so much sense don’t they.

I’m glad your GP has supported you. I wouldn’t say mine supported me, the first doctor I dealt with recommended the Benecol stuff but since then apart from the odd ‘new’ GP who suggested I take statins no one else has bothered. I have never felt pressured to take them. I’m like you - I have a very low intake of starchy carbs.

[essexgirl]

Will do , I’ll try anything rather than take more meds 😫

[essexgirl]

So are you still taking statins fruitandnutcase ?

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to essexgirl]

No - see my reply above to Lolabridge.

[Nuttyshirlz]

Start of lockdown my blood was borderline so GP put me on low level of statins. I was already on blood pressure pills as It’s in family.Dr told me to take at night. When I was rushed in hospital heart dr said I didn’t need them but can’t be stopped. I’ve being on mtx for 5yrs.

[Ggauge]

Hi, been on Simvastin (statin) for some 30 years without any apparent adverse effects. Added to this for the last 4 years is MTX, again without any adverse effects. Hope this helps.

[Piggyinthecraftroom]

I refused to take statins, probably for the same reason as you - possible live damage. RA Nurse said it was ok as bloods regularly monitored.However after NOT taking them for 3 months I saw same GP again and she said my cholesterol levels were much better now I was taking statins. Hmmmm!

My cholesterol problem though is because my HDL is too low, not because my LDL is too high. Another GP agreed with me because statins lower both…

So no wiser really but a third GO agreed it was defensive prescribing…

Hope that sheds some light even though it’s probably not very helpful…

My latest problem is that no one is prepared to do my 4th vaccination without a letter. GP says they don’t do the letters. Hospital said GP would do it. Vax centre can’t do it without authorisation.

Yes I do qualify - been taking 20 mg or more MTX for about 13 years and have Benepali (etanercept).

Ggrrrrr!

[MistysMum in reply to Piggyinthecraftroom]

Hi, Piggyinthecraftroom! I'm in the same situation as you re:4th vaccination & the letters. Have you asked the your Rheumatology Nurse? Mine has told me to go back to her if I meet a dead end, & she will sort it. I am hoping that I won't have to bother her, but it's not looking hopeful so far......Good luck with yours!

[essexgirl in reply to MistysMum]

I’m waiting to see my rhuemy as I take her word instead of my doctor as they specialise in that , hope goes well for you

[MistysMum in reply to Piggyinthecraftroom]

Update to my previous post....I had my 4th jab on Thursday, & all I had to show was the copy of the letter to the GP from the RA Nurse. All done ver quickly & easily, so I really don't understand what was so difficult! Have you had any luck yet?

[Ggauge]

Hi, I have been taking Simvastin (statin) for some 30 years without adverse effects. Added MTX 4 years ago, again without adverse effect. Hope this helps.

[MrsSBJ]

I take 20mg Metoject and 20mg Atorvastatin as Cholesterol over 8. No problems with adding the statin but only been on it 6weeks so far.

[Evie3]

Yes (not on Metho now tho). They always start u on the cheapest so I then got more muscle pain …which is quite common. Swiftly changed to another and now no probs.

[Briefencounter]

Yes , I do . I've been on MTX for over 20 years and atorvastatin for about 10 years . I've not had any adverse reactions . To be honest , I wasn't aware that there was a problem . My husband tried statins after a heart attack , about 30 years ago but suffered very bad muscle pains so stopped them .