pmr and pravasatin

[43086]

I have been on pred for 18 months , started on 15 and now down to 1mg. I have been reducing slowly and have not had any flares. I have been put on pravasatin 20 mg to try to cut cholesterol, which is slightly high. Has anyone been on satins along with pmr ,and had any problems with this drug. Thank You

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What do you mean by "slightly high"?

My cholesterol was pretty high due to pred (probably about 7.8 in UK figures) and I was put onto atorvastatin. I took the tablets on alternate days (to reduce the dose a bit) for less than 10 days - by which time I was considering whether I'd have to use a wheelchair since I couldn't walk 50m without being totally out of breath and I felt awful. I stopped taking them - with the later blessing of my cardiologist because I have atrial fibrillation which doesn't count as a "cardiaovascular event". That is important - because the evidence is that in women who have not already had a cardiovascular event statins do NOT have any effect on the future risk. The situation is different for men whether they have had an event or not and for women who have had a stroke or heart attack - statins do seem to reduce the incidence of second events in women and at all in men.

However - I cut carbohydrates drastically and have not only lost a lot of the weight gained due to taking steroids but have also brought my cholesterol down to normal range - at the top end, but that is because I have a very high HDL level. If my HDL were the same as most people's I'd be well in range for total cholesterol. I still eat dairy and meat/fish products and use butter occasionally and (mainly) olive oil.

It took me well over a year to get back to the same level of fitness I had been pre-statin - after 1 week of taking a low dose. If you notice anything strange happening consider if it is the statin - it could be impaired memory or physical effects - or a lot of other things. Many people take them and have no apparent adverse effects - but I won't take them again.

[Chihuahua1 in reply to PMRpro]

I was on Symvastatin for 3 or 4 years with no apparent side effects, but all of a sudden I started getting various different reactions of muscle cramps, stomach cramps and different generalised aches and pains all over my body, which culminated in me having a big flare up of PMR and possible GCA symptoms. I wasn't sure whether or not to believe the doctor when he said that the statins were responsible after so long, but all the generalised symptoms stopped once I stopped taking them; so I guess that proved it. Unfortunately the flare up has meant that I have ad to increase my pred back up to 15mg from 10 mg, but at least it is coming back under control, so I shall stay on that dose for the next 4 weeks before even considering reducing again.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Chihuahua1]

Yes - it does actually say in various places that the adverse effects can sometimes happen after months or even years. You were very lucky your doctor was aware of that because many say it can't be because you have been on them for so long. Simvastatin is the one with the worst record - but that may simply be that it is the one that has been used longest and is used most (as it is the cheapest). One hospital in the USA refuses to have it stocked in their pharmacy and their doctors are not allowed to prescribe it!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

I was on statins long before I started on Pred. Although it took me three different statins to find one that suited me (muscle cramps caused by others), I have to report no adverse effects with taking the two together. Pred taken in morning, statin at 18.00. My latest cholesterol (overall) figure was 3.7, GP happy with this, but still wants me to stay on them.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

I hope he is happy with that! It is VERY low and there is increasing evidence that too low a level is as bad as too high a one. Maybe a little bit lower dose?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

I did suggest I came off, but he wants me to stay on until I'm off Pred. Now down to 3mg, so I'm thinking he's thinking I'll soon be off it! Might be naughty and take every other day!

[Sallyaches]

Hi, I was on statins before I developed PMR. Simvastatin did seem to give me cramps but rosurvastin which I now take seems to cause me no problems, I take it last thing at night. I think statins were perhaps being over prescribed but I have a poor family history and I think they are of benefit to me.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Sallyaches]

Hi Sally,

Quite agree, we all know we have to take Pred despite the bad side effects, because there is no other option. However with other medication, we have to consider our own family history, and weigh up if it necessary for us as individuals. There is no doubt that some tablets seem to be dished out at will, and although some get a bad press, many are giving us a better life, and a lot are saving lives.