Taking statins while on Pred.

[Stargiver]

About a week or so ago I reported more aches and stiffness than usual and was putting it down to coming down too quickly off Pred, and a doctor's view that I could 'tough it out'

It became so bad I phoned my friendly better doctor who suggested it may be because I had finally started the statin med that he had prescribed because of higher than desired cholesterol levels.

This sort of makes sense. Steroids raise your BP and cholesterol so I was given meds for both but had put off the statin taking. However it is known I think that they can cause muscle aching and cramp which I definitely do not need. I have been extremely uncomfortable both day and night lately, so will stop taking the statins. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Koalajane]

I haven’t found that taking steroids gives me more aches.

My cholesterol was so good at my last review that I have given them a rest and not noticed a difference in my pain levels

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The first time I tried a statin (under duress) I nearly ended up in a wheelchair. That was some years ago but well after a was on pred for PMR, I was persuaded to try again this time last year - within weeks of starting a different one I had a massive flare of PMR. Now I've been given Ezemitibe and so far, no problems, Don't know if it works yet though.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Some get issues with muscles on statins (it is a well documented side effect) - some don’t.

[Kendrew]

I have been on statins for a long number of years and personally never experienced significant aches and pains as a result of taking them. They have not caused problems for the 4yrs whilst on pred and any increase in aches and pains is much more likely to have been the condition not being under control rather than the statins.

Many people can have problems with statins, but many people also tolerate them really well.

I would be certain you're not tapering too quickly as this is more frequently the cause of re-emerging aches and pains, rather than statins themselves.

[thegrayghost]

when I was first prescribed statins my reaction was to fall down several times they were stopped by my doctor indicating an allergic reaction.

[MarksPoint]

Yes definitely, I took statins for 5 weeks before GCA was diagnosed and I had terrible pain in my arms shoulder and neck. When I stopped the statins - before GCA diagnosis all the pain went away except for the head pain which was the GCA. It is fairly well known that statins can cause muscle pain.

[Bcol]

There are many posts on the forum regarding Statins with very diverse opinions. I couldn't cope with the first two I tried as they gave me bad muscle/joint pain. But the third one Rosuvastatin gives me no problems at all and I've been taking it, low dose, only 5mg for many years.

[Poshdog]

Hi, yes I get aches particularly in calf muscles. My GP tried several different ones and then said I didn't need to take them everyday, even once a week would help cholesterol level. So this is what we are trying for 3 months, then retest.

[Blossom20 in reply to Poshdog]

Once a week? Really?

[Selfbuilder]

I'm on both pred (tapered down to 2mg) and statins. No apparent problems. As Kendrew suggests, check the tapering isn't too fast; that does cause problems.

[Nominem]

I started on 40mg atorvasatin about mid November. currently on 5mg prednisolone. I find it quite difficult to know what causes what. I find I get some discomfort down my left leg after I have walked for about 15 minutes. I did however have a touch of gluteal tendonitis on that side from about last March having started on prednisolone last December 2021. I gave up on omeprazole as I felt better without it I was prescribed lansoprazole which I started at the same time as atorvastatin in November of this year but found I felt rather unwell on that. I stopped the lansoprazole after a few weeks and have felt better without it so I have come to the conclusion that I am probably ok on atorvastatin.

[Joseph14612]

Yes...statins give me flu-like symptoms..using Zedia for now...it's not as effective but it does help..

[Jackoh]

Statins are “ suggested” to me constantly but I do not want to add another drug to my medication needs. 💐

[MiniSpec in reply to Jackoh]

Jackoh: Likewise