Statins and Hydroxychloroquine

[Turnaround]

Has anyone ever experienced a reaction when taking statins and hydroxychloroquine? I have had Palindromic RA for four years and hydroxyl has kept it under control with just occasional flares. I was prescribed statins and within six weeks have continual flare in both forefingers and thumbs and am unable to form a fist. Now shoulder and knee pain is occurring and also the general lassitude and exhaustion that sometimes RA induces is happening. I’m wondering if the statins triggered this. The Practice Nurse who reviews medication with my GP says there should be no problem but it seems too much of a coincidence to me. I would appreciate the expert experience of members on this site. Thank you

[Fruitandnutcase]

Hi, I had a very bad reaction to statins many years ago - at least 15 years, probably a lot more - when I was first prescribed them. I knew absolutely nothing about statins or their side effects. I started taking them as we left to tour the south of France in our camper.

By about day 4 I felt really awful and discovered that I could barely from the campsite to the bus stop across the road, normally we used to go walk right into town which took about three quarters of an hour or so. No problem at all. It got steadily worse and eventually o felt really depressed, I can remember sitting huddled in a corner feeling really awful. My husband said to stop taking them, I said no, that the doctor had told me to take the and carried on.

By the time we got home three weeks later I had stopped them completely. I saw a doctor who suggested trying a ‘better’ one, think she meant more expensive but I’d had enough and she suggested those Benecol products.

After that I did some research and found that muscle pain can be a side effect, also that they can test and see who will be susceptible to muscle pain and after a lot more digging I discovered that depression could be a side effect.

Fortunately when I stopped things went back to normal very quickly. The downside of it is that every time my cholesterol is checked I come under pressure to take statins. I just say no.

I have been taking hydroxychloroquine since about 2015 with absolutely no side effects.

[Turnaround in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you Fruit and Nutcase that sounds very similar to my reaction.

[AgedCrone]

Statins are known to cause muscle aches &pains..when I was first prescribed them - years before I was diagnosed with RA….I had to try a few until one was found to suit me. So your symptoms are probably nothing to do with your RA meds.

Do ask whoever prescribed your statin to change to a different one,

There are quite a few to choose from….I now have no side effects & my cholesterol & triglycerides are well within normal limits.

Good Luck.

[Turnaround in reply to AgedCrone]

Many thanks AG. I did request that but GP Nurse assured me Atorvastatin was the 'gold standard' I will contact her again and to ask try a different brand. A change in brand certainly helped me hydroxy side effects. Thanks again for your sage advice. You have a great reserve of experience I have noticed.

[AgedCrone in reply to Turnaround]

Tell her it might be the Gold Standard for some…but it doesn’t seem to be for you.

I was very fortunate…..my GP at the time willingly tried a few statins, & my cholesterol was still too high,& so was my BP…so she referred me to a Consultant….when I saw him he said “I like Dr x…she knows how to look after her patients by asking for help”.

I’m on that same Statin nearly 20 years later! So be firm, if your GP won’t try something else ask for a referral.

[Lolabridge]

I also developed muscle weakness problems soon after taking Atorvastatin so my GP switched me to Pravastatin, which was no better. We agreed to not try another and since then I have managed to reduce my cholesterol levels. I’ve got a health review with a practice nurse in a few months so I’m expecting another push to get me on a statin then!

So do go back to your GP and ask to try a different statin or ask for a referral to a specialist.

[Turnaround in reply to Lolabridge]

Thank you Lolabridge. Everyones experiences really help with decisions on how to go forward with this.

[welsh12 in reply to Lolabridge]

I may have to take statins I eat quite healthy how did you manage to reduce your cholesterol were you very strict. Obviously have read up but easily saidcthan done.

[Lolabridge in reply to welsh12]

I eat more fresh fruit and vegetables reduced considerably my intake of the starchy carbohydrates. As I have osteoporosis I continue to eat organic dairy products (nothing with a low fat label as those products are often UHP).

[Fuzball]

hi, I was on statins before I started on hydroxycloquine and I’ve only had occasional flair ups and I’ve been on for over 10 years

[BEF12]

Hi, I was diagnose with Seropositive RA in 2006. I started on hydroxychloroquine in March last year. I have been taking Atorvastatin once daily for around three years along with other meds for a previous heart attack. Without any problems. Which was why I asked to go onto hydroxychloroquine, as it is kinder to the heart than most RA meds. I do have occasional small aches and pains but nothing like you describe.

However my brother who is two years older, he is 77 has ONLY JUST recently been diagnosed with RA. He is suffering pain like yours and been prescribed Methotrexate, which was definitely not good for me back in 2007.

Incidentally, my rheumatologist now has marked me down as seronegative RA but I am not sure what the relevance is?

I wish you the best of luck!