I am looking for some advice around taking a Statin for borderline high Cholesterol. I recently had a blood test for Cholesterol and the headline figures were:-
Total Cholesterol 6.6
HDL 1.27
Triglycerides 1.86
LDL 4.5
10 year Cardiovascular risk score 14.6%
I started taking a Statin as advised and all was fine until after about two weeks I started experiencing severe pain between my shoulder blades. I had not experienced upper back pain like this previously & could not attribute the onset of this pain to any event which might have caused a strain so rightly or wrongly assumed it could be caused by taking the Statin as I had read that this medication could potentially cause muscle problems in some cases.
It is probably completely unconnected but I stopped taking the medication immediately as a precaution. I then contacted my GP surgery for advice and subsequently saw a doctor who was quite dismissive but took blood which thankfully came back with no abnormalities so has suggested I have physiotherapy.
My dilemma is whether to resume taking the Statin or not as I am quite reluctant as I am still not convinced that there is no link between the onset of the pain and the medication. It is about eight weeks since the pain started and appears to be resolving on its own gradually so I could restart the Statin to see if the pain worsens again but I am reluctant to do this as I am also unsure whether my figures for Cholesterol are actually high enough to really warrant taking the Statin in any case. I am also reticent about taking another medication if it is not really necessary. I am currently taking MTX 20mg per week.
Hope this makes sense, as you can tell, I am a bit confused about all this and would appreciate any advice.
Thank you in advance 😊
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Hightower62
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There are other statins. My poor dad was gaslighted about his symptoms! Ask to try another though with a 10 year risk of 12 largely if not entirely caused by my drugs I’m holding out for now.
I was given statins years ago. Within a week of starting them I could barely walk. We were staying on a campsite in the south of France and in previous years we used to walk into town - about a half hour walk - walk round all day then walk back home. Once I started statins I couldn’t even walk to the bus stop on the other side of the road and I was so depressed I just wanted to curl up in a corner and shut the world out. Soon as I stopped life went back to normal. The doctor I saw to say I had stopped them offered me a ‘better’ statin ( i was taking simvastatin which was really cheap but I declined and she suggested those yoghurt drinks and spreads.
Have a read at The Great Cholesterol Con by Dr Malcolm Kendrick? You really have to decide if the side effects are worth it for you. I also know that when my thyroid was overactive with Graves’ disease my cholesterol was really low but when my overactive thyroid was fixed, my TSH increased and so did my cholesterol level. I pointed that out to my doctor who smiled sweetly and nodded but as my thyroid results were ‘within the range’ - which is enormous - then that was just my tough luck. It is known that there is a link between thyroid levels and cholesterol levels.
You could try another type though and I think they can test before starting people on statins to see whose muscles are likely to be affected
Don’t you think this comment is rather judgemental considering you have no knowledge of anyone’s lifestyle and diet?
Personally I was told by my GP that I could do no more in this respect to improve matters and I’m guessing this applies to the vast majority of people.
I am not being judgemental but my work friend lowered his chol with a very good diet. He was determined not to take the medication, therefore he made sure he had much less carbs on his plate and gave up fried food and sweet items. He went at least 3 times a week to gym too. So after knowing what he did over 6 months and it worked. So this is why I posted the suggestion.
My friends brother had to try several statins before he got one that suited. My husband has been put on statins 4 weeks ago after mild heart attack with no side effects, he has no real choice as now had two stents .
My rheumatologist wants me to be significantly lower than the generally accepted “ok level” for cholesterol because of having RA which increases risks, and also because of my own history (ex smoker, father died from heart disease, have mild aortic stenosis). So she set a ideal target of 4 I think, can’t quite remember.
Tried to achieve this with exercise, diet and good living but didn’t get there. So accepted her advice to try statins and have had no side effects whatsoever. Just low cholesterol.
As far as I have read the muscle issues with statins are mainly in the long muscles of arms and legs, not shoulder blades. But since I’ve not had this can’t offer any experience!
Personal choice of course, but remember you can stop drugs as quickly as you start them .
Hi Hightower62, Statins to take or not to take seems one of our big dilemmas and so many have a view. My own is that my cholesterol was border line but my Gp was reluctant to start me on one as he was honest enough to say it can increase muscle pain. As I had rheumatoid in many joints he didn't want to add to my pain. However knowing my family history and the fact that he had been thoughtful in his approach I decided to start. Several years later I am still on it and I perhaps have had the odd increased muscle pain but at the same time I am glad I am reducing my cardiac risk. Its a big weigh of so many what ifs so good luck.
If the pain continues ask the doctor who prescribed your statins to change the type of statin he prescribed. I have been taking statins for many years & when first prescribed I had such severe muscle pain my GP referred me to a cardiologist for advice & as soon as he prescribed the right type of statin I was fine.
There is no right or wrong statin…but for some reason if the one you are prescribed is the wrong one FOR YOU….muscle pain is the result.
I am interested to hear comments, mine was 2.4 and 4.1. I expressed concern to GP that I wanted to avoid side effects as I seem to be doing ok with my RA symptoms. He is going to repeat the test before prescribing stations. Is there a particular one that is less likely to cause muscle pain?!
I only had slightly raised cholesterol at 5.8, however I had a severe stroke in 2018, and was told part of preventing further strokes was taking a statin. Part of the reason for it, is that with inflammatory arthritis, we are higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Initially I was given Atorvastatin, which gave me cramps. The pharmacist recommended getting my gp to switch to Rosovastatin, which has been fine. My stroke was caused by an adrenal crisis, but they did say my AS would have contributed to it. So I’m happy taking it, to reduce further risks. I was 52 when I had the stroke, with no other risk factors
Could I ask what you take for your AS? I have been taking naproxen for twenty years but have greatly reduced my dose recently as I’m getting older and becoming more concerned about my kidney function. Do you know if the other medicines used for AS are better for your kidneys? Having reduced my naproxen I’m now sore every day so wondering if that constant inflammation is just as bad for my body.
I have been on a biologic, called Benepali for my AS, as well as methotrexate for the peripheral symptoms. My AS I was told at diagnosis is quite aggressive. Recently been told both knee acid are partially dislocated, from calcified tendons shortening, and pulling the kneecap out of its track.
Are you under the care of a rheumatologist, if not I’d get a referral as Dmards and biologics can only be prescribed by a rheumatologist. The meds I’m on are more likely to cause liver problems, but you are monitored regularly m, with 3 monthly blood tests. Criteria for biology is quite strict, you need an mri showing significant active inflammation. You also need to have tried and failed 3 nsaids. This is due to vista as they are around £8-12000 per patient per year. 🤗
Thanks for your reply. NSAIDs have always worked for me but I saw a neurologist for something else recently who was horrified I had been on them for so long. I haven’t seen a rheumatologist since I was diagnosed thirty years ago. I think you are right and I need my Gp to refer me.
I have been on statins for 25 yrs due to high BP, was switched from simvastatin to atorvastatin which has less risks. My initial dose was 20 mg. but am now on a maintenance dose of 10 mg. with no problems.
My GP wanted to get my cholesterol as low as possible (a percentage decrease of my reading) to hit a target she had been given. I remember asking her "How low do you want it to go!") I had a change of statin and agreed to a lower dose. Don't want cardiovascular trouble!!
I went through a lot of different statins in an attempt to find one I could tolerate. Eventually referred to a lipids clinic who prescribed one that had no side effects.
I was diagnosed with T2 diabetes 11 months ago - on top of my RA.
My cholesterol was 5.7 and my blood pressure was borderline normal. I was told that the threshold for cholesterol and BP is lower for diabetics so had to start on BP meds and Atorvaststin (several weeks apart in case of any reactions).
I reacted badly to the BP tabs and these were changed, I’ve had no issues with Atorvastation. Bloods 3 months later show my cholesterol is now 3.4.
I kind of think I’m lucky that a careful watch on cholesterol and BP levels will hopefully identify any issues and reduce risk.
My doctor said cholesterol level should be under 5. Mine was 7. Started taking Atorvaststin and within 8 weeks had dropped to 4 8. I am perhaps fortunate but not experienced any pains at all
I had. 3 goes at statins and eventually put on something that my body likes ie ezetimbe and this has been so much better. You have to in my view weigh up the pros of statins vs not then the possible outcomes etc. it’s personal but my GP had a good discussion with me due to my meds causing higher cholesterol so it made sense to be on them to me.
Hi Hightower, I couldn’t tolerate statins (tried 3 different types) so my GP started me on Ezetimibe it’s a cholesterol lowering drug not a statin and works with diet, e,g. Low fat stuff etc… I haven’t had any problems with this medication. Best of luck 🍀
They seem to put RA patients on statins now as they have a little app where they put details in and that decides whether you need or not. I couldnt take Simvastatin which is the cheaper one. So take Atorvastatin now which seems ok. My poor husband with high cholesterol was getting awful muscle pains and they did a blood test…to check Kinase which came out high so he was changed to Atorvastatin too and is fine now. At the end of the day, we have a choice whether we take it or not. All the best
You have my sympathy - medication is so variable and in times to come will be prescribed according to genetic profiles...Gather all the reliable evidence you can and assess the authors of the evidence! ConsuIt the British National Formulary - you can buy cheaper copies when they are a few months out of date. Wise to consult relevant Cochrane systematic reviews before making some decisions. Cochrane Reviews are usually considered to be unbiased gold standard quality; clearly reported and methodologically often better than systematic reviews.
If possible it's worth considering/finding out how much the prescriber/or practice gains from the pharma company/government for relevant prescriptions. 'Very old researcher and previously trained as a Cochrane Reviewer.'
Like many here my cholesterol was just above the level ( 5.4) , but due to RA etc my risk factor was 14 on the scale that gps use . The accepted level for risk is <10.I already have a low fat diet and am slim n active. Plus only 20% of cholesterol can be influenced by lifestyle . So I now take atorvostatin ( along with 8 other meds for various reasons ) l guess its about risk analysis . All the best
I was offered statins for several years before I agreed to take them, my most recent total cholesterol being 8.3.The assumption being the JAK inhibitor I take is pushing up my cholesterol. Being on my 11 (I think) med I don't have many places left to go, so I chose the stay on the JAK and take a statin.
Often it is Hobson's choice about the meds you take, but you do need to be reasonably comfortable about what you do take.
An informed chat with your GP might be useful. I always ask how they know that they are saying, could there be alternative explanations and what are my options ? I've found my care to be better (less gaslighting 😊).
The major part of your QRisk score will be the RA. RA increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, so it makes sense to reduce any risk factor you can. If you re-start the statin once the pain has resolved & it comes back, then you know it definitely was the cause. If it doesn't come back then you can carry on with the statin & reduce your overall cardiovascular risk.
HelloHightower. having read what other forum members think......
my GP wanted me to start a statin... Atorvastatin 20 mg.....
I am unusually sensitive to pharmaceuticals and after one tablet....my tinnitus ( as a result of hydroxychloroquine) went through the roof ! I stopped immediately but the increased level of tinnitus has not subsided yet.
I am reluctant to try anything else too ....have yet to discuss with GP possible alternatives.
I am currently in remission with Benepali........my last blood test showed total cholesterol
was 7.4. ( not shown as HDL and LDL and triglycerides)
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