Statins and general update!

[Pongo13]

Had a fasting blood test for high cholesterol (second - first test gave 7+ result) last week. Due to hand foot and mouth and terrible state of nails they added on blood tests for diet deficiencies. So. First fab report is that nail lady fixed my poorly nails and they feel amazing. I phoned for bloods result and have had to book an appointment for two weeks. Pred head as am sooo tired (stopped amitryptiline as one eye is getting intermittent blurry vision) and forgot to ask for cholesterol result. Called into surgery and am told no cholesterol test was done! But that is what the appointment was for! She took two vials of blood. We discussed it! I am thinking it is high, they don't want to tell me, and they want me in to discuss putting me on statins! (I really am not keen). I did have 7+ reading prior to ski accident and got down to 11 stone 4 and 5+ cholesterol. I am 12 stone 8 (it's crept up despite healthy eating and cutting out loads of foods as mentioned previously). I read here that pred raises cholesterol. So should I see what happens as I taper down? Cut out more carbs to help? And see how I go? Finally, my new project for Feb is to visit chiropractor and see what he can do to help! Happy days everyone! X

[Pongo13]

Gosh I really read this and it is a rambling ditty, apologies. I am off to autistic karaoke tonight.....!

[Harbel in reply to Pongo13]

High Pongo13

I will leave those more expert than I give advice. I am on 40 rusovostatin and I was 3.2 last cholesterol test. I had stents in. I think there is even greater reason for those who had events to take statins since we have a record of laying stuff on the artery walls. Someone said somewhere that statins may have an antiinflaminatory effect but I'm not sure.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have to cut carbs to a very low level to lose weight, maintaining isn't too bad - but even so it doesn't allow bread and much in the way of root veg or fruit.

I refuse to take statins - the first one I tried made me so ill, made PMR look a walk in the park. They are said to only be of benefit to women who have already had a cardiovascular event. So I said no - and the cardiologist accepts that.

[Telian]

What was wrong with your nails and what treatment did you have? I've recently been diagnosed with psoriasis in nails on hands and feet, didn't give me any treatment. Nails grow split and catch all the time, never had it before have to keep them really short.

Low carbs do help with weight loss and might be the best for now, but I'm no dietitian - I'm sure someone will be along with more detail. Best wishes.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Telian]

Is your PMR PMR? Or is it a polymyalgic presention of PsA?????

[Telian in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry you'll have to spell it out - what's PsA?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Telian]

Sorry - psoriatic arthritis

[Telian in reply to PMRpro]

I've absolutely no idea, I'll have to look it up. The toe nails have been dodgy since I had the ingrowing toe nails operated on in July 2016 - I blamed the treatment they use to stunt the root growth, forgotten the name of it. Then I had gel nails for the first time before Christmas and thought I'd damaged the finger nails when I removed the gel. The physio saw them in January and said he thought it was psoriasis and dermatologist confirmed it yesterday. He never said anymore and I didn't think to ask. I'll ask rheumy in April and my GP before then.

[Pongo13 in reply to Telian]

I had hand foot and mouth disease! X

[nickm001]

Prednisone does impact total cholesterol. Before you consider statins, check what is the ratio between LDL and HDL. Normal range for ratio is 4-5. If the ratio is less then 2.5 it is considered as NEGATIVE factor for cardiac disease, meaning your chances of heart attack are lower then average person.

[Pongo13 in reply to nickm001]

Thank you. I will screenshot your reply so I don't forget this.