Statins and RA

[Gladjake]

hello everyone, my GP has decided after having RA for 9 years to put me on low dose of Steroids my cholesterol is 5.3 which is apparently borderline ,bit worried about going on these as understand sickness and diareah can be a side effect .my methotrexate jabs give me this for couple of days although not too bad just don’t really want to risk it being any worse ( bit of a baby when it comes to tummy problems 🤦‍♀️) any advice anyone thanks

[MadBunny]

I know everyone is different so I can only speak from my own experience. I was put on a statin a long time ago - i think it was about 2 yrs after I was diagnosed with RA - because my cholesterol was borderline, and I have a history of heart disease in my family. I've been on them ever since, and although I'm on mtx and a biologic, I've never had any problems. I can't recall them ever affecting my GI system .

[Gladjake in reply to MadBunny]

thanks mad bunny will give them a go😀

[MadBunny in reply to Gladjake]

If in doubt of course you could always check with your doctor/ rheumatologist

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Gladjake. Levels differ slightly between men & women, women usually have a higher HDL (good cholesterol) but my repeat LDL (bad cholesterol) reading was 3.93 when I chose to start steroids. On the advice of my GP I did try unsuccessfully to reduce it by diet for 3 months before going straight onto statins but it actually increased my LDL. Is the level you've given your total cholesterol or LDL only? If it's LDL only then you really need to consider them I would say, from a personal view. As we are in the higher risk category my GP told me she'd want it at 2 or less so I started on 40 mg simvastatin each evening, quite usual, but had to change because of upper arm muscular pain, a common side effect. I haven't had sickness or diarrhoea on either statin & have been on atorvastatin around 8 years now. I started on 10 mg but now take 20 mg each evening. It's kept my LDL down so I’m happy about that. 

We know that RD's themselves can affect the heart, so as I have family history of heart disease on both sides & attempting to control & reduce it by diet failed it was no hard choice to start statins. It's a personal decision though, as long as you're fully informed, take the usual advice of giving up smoking (if you do) & take exercise etc you'll come to the right decision for you. Just so you're aware there are others than the first tablet you'll be prescribed if it doesn’t suit you. I also have the added joy of osteopenia/borderline osteoporosis so I've opted to help my bones with diet rather than take bisphosphonates which I tried & my body didn’t like. To do this I'd to increase dairy in my diet, which without taking statins wouldn’t have been wise, but my bone density readings show it helps so statins it is.

This may be of further help to you if you weren't provided reading material by your GP bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I don't know what dose folic acid you take but if it's less than 6 x 5 mg/week then maybe ask if it could be increased. It should help ease the effects of your MTX. If you are taking max dose FA & nausea persists then maybe ask if your GP will prescribe an antiemetic. Also, if you feel you necessary, something like loperamide for the diarrhoea, although they can be bought otc in small amounts if need be (6 per pack is generally available most places).

I hope my experience is helpful.

[Gladjake in reply to nomoreheels]

thanks no more heels for your feedback my total cholesterol is 5.3 my ldl 3.2 I will probably give the statins a go they have certainly been recommended in the daily papers 😀

[Lolabridge]

Before you decide to start taking them you may wish to read the book "A Statin Free Life" by Dr Malhotra, a consultant cardiologist. My GP recommended it to me and it's most interesting. You may decide to modify your diet slightly or increase exercise first, as he suggests, and then find your cholesterol ratio has reduced anyway.

[Scottishlad]

The important thing is that we are all different.

I was put on a statin as a precaution when my breathing issues were being investigated. After a week I had to stop them because they had comprehensively upset my digestive system from heartburn to diarrhea.

Given your family history I would be still be inclined to try the statin. Rheumatoid Disease is a risk factor for heart disease. If you have problems stop and speak to your doctor again.

[oldtimer2]

It would be worth you doing your own research. The scientific position is not nearly as clear cut as the pharmaceutical companies would like to have us believe. It does appear that statins may have beneficial effects and are anti-inflammatory. Whether raised cholesterol is really a causative agent in the development of narrowing of blood vessels is another matter. It could be argued that it is not and that inflammatory processes are more important. It does seem strange that some of the countries with higher cholesterol levels in their population (France for example) have lower levels of coronary heart disease!

[Hidden]

Morning. I was put on statins about a year ago. I was also borderline. With RA we are at increased risk of a ‘cardiac event’; and I also have family history of heart issues on my dad’s side. I have not had any issues with them.

I actually read yesterday that they are thinking of doing a natiowide rollout, as heart disease and obesity are so prevalent now.

[Jackie1947]

I've had to try a few due to causing dizziness but never made my bowels bad. I only take 1 twice weekly to control the cholesterol. This is with Drs blessings. Not everyone needs an it every day

[medway-lady]

On the BBC news their was a feature about statins being given to a lot of people to decrease the risk of stroke etc. Apparently the cost of statins is less than the cost of stroke etc. Try to catch it up as a lot of people will now be in the added group .

[Gladjake in reply to medway-lady]

thanks Medway-lady and everyone who gave me advice It’s very useful and I have taken it all on board.

I also read the articles about how statins can prevent cardiac conditions and think I will give it a go see how I get on 😀