Hi,
I've been having a weekly injection of Benepali for some year now and am reasonably fit with my seronegative RA.
A recent health check has revealed my cholesterol levels are on the high side and statins have been suggested. Apparently there are no contra-indications with Benepali.
I'm in my late 60s. Just wondered if others are taking statins and how you are getting on? Generally people tend to post with problems so I'm trying to avoid reading too many of those.
Thanks
Hi I’ve also been on benepali many years - 7.5. I had a stroke at age 52, and had to start statins. I did get bad cramps in my legs initially on Atorvastatin, but they then changed to rosuvastatin and have had no issues. My cholesterol wasn’t actually too bad, at 5.2, but it’s standard practice after a stroke.
I've been offered as over 60 like everyone in the UK according to my Nephrologist who's also been offered them by his GP. I only know as was told to ask him by GP as kidney issues can be caused by statins. Weird because my husband also offered told to ask his Cardiologist as they can cause heart issues. Very odd so we both asked and got same reply ' not diabetic, no high blood pressure and if you needed them I'd prescribe them." Apparently GPs have an incentive to prescribe so Benalapi wasn't an issue but I said " no I'll leave to Nephrologist" who doesn't prescribe the most "cost effective" stuff but the best which our GP dislikes but can't change! I'm sure they save lives but I've no high cholesterol either. Might be different if I did, and in time I might, but not yet. Best wishes whatever you decide.
Thank you for your reply.
Without high cholesterol you are probably safe. Without them I probably wouldn’t be here today. ..I would be with my female cousins who refused statins even though we all inherited the bad cholesterol gene. Sadly they are no longer with us!
But it’s a free choice.
Yes my GP did cholesterol earlier in year as part of his full blood test. Nephrologist said he was still thinking about it as his cholesterol was higher than mine but it's partly genetic. Some get high even with no bad diet. My husband has low cholesterol and takes a prescribed good oil to increase it. His is under 2 and we eat the same mine is 3.4 so is just left alone. But I get it checked every year I'm not against them just not needed just yet but if my reading goes up then I will.
I won’t tell you what my bad cholesterol score was it might be a shock to your delicate little system, 😃but the numbers two and three did not come into it!
Gee that was high and a huge risk. My Nephrologist (and I did follow up with GP) did say I didn't fall into the category that was a risk just be aware and review. Except by age of course but it was a catch all email to all patients over age. It was supposed to have been done ten years ago but wasn't and I prefer to get decent stuff from Renal than cheapest or as it was put most cost effective from GP. These days the meds seem to change every month so it's written on one of mine not to change as the colourant upsets my tummy but chewed is fine.
The scary thing is I was only in my 50s & in those days. I weighed about seven stone played tennis 2/ 3 times a week and there was absolutely no reason any doctor would look at me and think oh she needs statins.
My. GP at the time tried so many combinations of BP meds and statins. I can’t even recall the reason I had blood tests taken in the first place..
She eventually sent me to a cardiologist and I’m still on the statins he prescribed back then…..almost in good health apart from the dratted RA!
I don't regard myself as ill just limited by CKD. That is the worst thing, but hey ho life goes on. lol And how many shopping days to Christmas ? as M&S have got in Christmas baubles on tenth day of Autumn. !!
On QVC they had Christmas present programmes in July! Ugh!
I prefer the last minute scramble….no interest in Chrissie Decs in Summer!
i agree, dont take
My husband is on statins following a stroke - same as Runrig01, His cholesterol level was pretty good but they like it to be really low after a stroke. He has had no side effects at all and it's worked well enough for him to be able to drop the dose to one every two days.
I am a lot older than you and have been on statins the whole time I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis….. since 1997 …my cholesterol is well under control no problem at all.
You may find you have to chop and change a bit at first …I did as some statins gave me terrible muscle pain, but once I was settled on the right one it was all systems go!
I'm taking 5mg rosuvastatin seemed to make my elbows and arm muscles ache a bit but now settled,I have benapali and 12.5 mtx .
I decided not to take statins as my reading was at 5.2. I exercise , lost weight and eat healthy so I'm going to persevere until I have a check next year. If it is still high then I might consider it.
Only you can make the choice of whether it is right for you.
Hi I've been on statins for 30 years due to hereditary high blood pressure, I take Atorvastatin reduced to 10mg. over the years and no side effects ever.
Hi Chann,
My cholesterol levels increased at the same time I started Leflunomide. I was 4.3 and now 5.7, without any dietary changes at all. I was really pleased I had got it down to the lower level but annoyed it went higher! I spoke to my rheumatologist earlier this year when I had my review and he didn’t seem that worried about it. My GP however wasn’t happy and I finally agreed to go on statins a few months ago. I was on Atorvastatin but had awful vertigo on it and raised blood sugars so came off it. I’m currently waiting to speak to him about an alternative. Hope you find a statin that works for you 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
After a lengthy phone call from our practice nurse putting the fear of god into me after my blood test, she more or less told me my heart wud explode 😱 if I didn’t decide to go on them. I’m not overweight and am fairly fit I did decide to go on 20mg Atorvastin. I’ve had no problems on it so far. My husband is on 40mg which is a bit steep I thought but he has no problems with it either.
when you say cholesterol is on high side, what score is it?
Have been on benepali and rosuvastatin for a couple of years which alongside a healthy diet, has been effective in controlling ra symptoms and cholesterol levels. Hope it works for you
I have also been advised to take them!I inject with Humira and did wonder if there is a link to the medication? Did question it with GP in a lengthy phone call.Apparently because I have CKD it should be beneficial. I have had no side effects, not sure if it’s working as I have had no follow on bloods!I did look at the other options before I took the meds, diet, exercise etc. my GP said I am doing all the right things and my BMI is within range.
Interesting thread. My GP has been trying to convince me to have Statins for a number of years but I’ve always refused & still am. My cholesterol is usually around 7 higher than most of the replies here so maybe I should look into it a bit more. I’ve been on Biologics for 21 years. Initially Enbrel then Humira followed by Rituximab & now Abatacept.
Hello. I'm on Rinvoq and increased cholesterol is a known issue - and mine definitely increased (from normal to a lot, very quickly as soon as I started). I was put on a statin and I've had no side effects at all and my cholesterol is back to normal. I view it as just one of those things that I need to take as part of managing my RA given the Rinvoq works well for me.
Hi. I was on Humira for years, recently changed to Barticinib. Test showed my cholesterol was raised. Started statins., had a few days with a bit of indigestion. Could or could not have related .However, since then no issues, just a wee pill taken at night to add to the rest of the pills! I’m 54 on high BP meds with sero negative RA, Got the feeling from GP it’s common as we age to get them especially when you throw in R A to the mix. My nurse did say they get a bad press and you don’t often hear about people with no issues, as you would expect. Anyhoo, I’m 3 months in with no ill effects. Best of luck with them x
I take atorvastatin and also on benepali and haven't had any issues
No issues with statins- I am on them as well as weekly injections of Methotrexate and biologic. Mgt.
Ra 
Surgery and RA
Statins and RA
