Statins and PMR/GCA

[Stella3]

Has anyone heard or read about a connection between statins may be being a trigger for PMR or GCA? I have read something about this, but not sure of the outcome of the research.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The manufacturer's data sheet for simvastation lists PMR as an adverse effect - i.e. cases occurred in patients while taking it. Many statins cause muscle and joint pain but there is no real way to say is this the PMR we talk about or is it just like so many other drugs that cause similar problems. I took a low dose of a statin for just over a week - and was nearly in a wheelchair. I stopped taking it and it slowly improved. This was after I had had PMR for some years so whether it was making the PMR worse or it was something I don't know - but I refuse to take a statin now.

There is no research - all the meta analyses tell us is that statins don't have side effects. Which, frankly, I think is a load of tosh!!!!

[prunus in reply to PMRpro]

I agree with your sentiments entirely on statins. My husband was given statins when he had his first angioplasty at Harefield some years ago. He kept complaining to all the doctors he saw about his muscles but was encouraged to stay on the statins. The consequence being he is now classed as disabled and can hardly walk. Before that we were always going on walking holidays at home and abroad.

[Dontwannabesick]

My cousin has been in and out of hospital for last nine months because his immune system is attacking the muscles in his legs. He's had multiple infusions of various medication and is still barely able to walk. I mentioned this to the rheumatologist when I saw him, but he said it was a totally different condition and not connected to mine. By the way folks I see my rheumatology team on Monday for round 2. I'm going in guns blazing fueled by 65mg.

[Dontwannabesick in reply to Dontwannabesick]

But I forgot to say my cousin was told his condition was caused by the stations.

[Grants148]

I had statins for only two weeks and had dreadful cramp in my legs,plus a nasty red rash ,and was told l was allergic to statin.l developed PMR about six months later and have always wondered if it was caused by the statin. I do not believe there are no side effects as they certainly gave me some.

[Stella3 in reply to Grants148]

Thank you so much for your response to mine re: statins. I know there certainly are side effects from them, for some people. I did not seem to have any side effects but I developed PMR/GCA and have heard that statins can be a trigger for that for some people. I am going to discuss it with my doctor and see what he says......but will he know???

[piglette in reply to Stella3]

I read recently that taking statins for women over 65 is a waste of time unless they have had heart problems. I think they are starting to relook at pills in general and statins in particular. They think we are overdosing.

[Gaijin]

I took statins for a while, maybe a month, I felt exactly like I had PMR but didn't know at the time what pmr was. I stopped taking the statins and I felt better but then it sort of morphed into PMR.

All I know is that BP meds raise cholesterol and statins can cause díabetis, it is listed as a side effect. My GP recently prescribed a newer medication, can't remember the name, that isn't a statin but lowers cholesterol. I tried it and it had the same effect on me as the statins. I td my rheumi and he told me to tell my GP that Actemra raises cholesterol but both HDL and LDL so not to worry and HD off talking any cholesterol lowering agents as I was confusing the side-effects with PMR and steroid withdrawal .

Next time my GP (whom I haven't told yet that Im not taking the new drug) wants to push statins or similar I will demand a test to determine if I am really at risk for heart disease. My mind is murky right now and can't remember the name of the test, but it tells you if you really need a statin or not.

[Roy46]

I've had GCA for 4 years now. On advice of GP and pharmacist i started on statins a year ago. Since then I've had lots of muscular aches and pains, some quite severe. So a month ago I stopped the statins, hoping for relief. But no, the pains are still with me. Rheumatologist says I have atypical PMR and the rest of the aches etc are fair wear and tear. He wasn't concerned about whether or not I took statins. I need a second opinion. So this week I've restarted statins and will do so for a month, when next I see my GP. In the meantime I'm going for some private physiotherapy. I'm getting so depressed about it all.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Roy46]

It can take some months to recover from statin pain I gather.

What is your rheumy's version of atypical PMR?????

[Roy46 in reply to PMRpro]

My GP said atypical is a cop out when the doctor doesn't know the answer. Well thanks very much

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Roy46]

Yup - I'd say your GP has got it in one!!!! Because that's what I'd say too. In my experience more than 50% of patients are atypical to listen to rheumies!!!

[Roy46 in reply to PMRpro]

Perhaps I'll tell my rheumie he's atypical!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Roy46]

Nah - he is probably pretty typical

[piglette in reply to Roy46]

That sounds par for the course, my rheumie wrote to my GP saying I had atypical PMR, I was wondering what she meant. Now I know.

[Margaret1951 in reply to Roy46]

I have been on atorvastatin for a while now 20mg but take every other night but my doctor does not know as I won't tell him !! Now I am going to look into this, but one of my heart valves is calcifying even though they keep sending me for regular checks, so everything is confusing me now.

[HeronNS in reply to Margaret1951]

Do you take Vitamin K2 (not K1)?

[Margaret1951 in reply to HeronNS]

Hi, no all I take is calceos off doctor?

[HeronNS in reply to Margaret1951]

Vitamin K2, and magnesium, are necessary to send calcium into the bones so it doesn't settle in arteries and into organs.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Margaret1951 in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you I will click on link and get some !

[HeronNS in reply to Margaret1951]

There's a really good book if you can get your hands on it called Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox. And the Healthline website page on K2 is reasonably good.

[Margaret1951 in reply to HeronNS]

Hi HeronNs, I have magnesium oil spray for my restless leg, when it kicks off I spray 6 times on my hand and rub into buttocks and groin and around hips, It certainly helps me, but I am going to start tonight and rub into hip joints ! Watch this space !

[HeronNS in reply to Margaret1951]

Let us know how it goes!

[Grants148]

I know people who take statins and have no side effects at all,but there are a lot of people who do have problems with them. Atorvastatin made me feel very lethargic and l just did not feel like myself at all,like brain fog,and that was as well as the muscle cramps and then a nasty rash. The doctor gave my brother statins when he should never have had them because he has had hepatitis A,and they affected his liver,he has recently had an operation to remove part of his liver because of cancer,l cannot say that tha statin caused the cancer but it certainly did not help and probably made it worse.They should not be given if there are any liver problems.l believe they are now more careful and are advised to give them to people with heart problems,not to generally healthy people.

[GerriMc]

I had been on 5% Crestor about two years before being diagnosed with PMR. Then because my cholesterol was still very high, I went onto 10%. Within a month I had PMR. When I went to the GP and said I thought the Statins were causing problems he said that it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that. But he thought it was PMR so he said to stop the statins for a month and see if I improved. I didn’t and very soon needed Pred. Which worked like magic. But the more I read about it, the more I think Statins could be making things worse.

[GerriMc]

Just found this too! Might explain the rash also.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Grants148]

Thankyou GerriMc,the article said it all,l always thought that the statins caused my PMR .