Do statins help with PAD pain?

[Pr0jection]

I seem to be posting a lot lately, so thanks if you've taken the time to read and respond. Much appreciated.

I've been experiencing what my GP calls intermittent claudication of the calf muscles, otherwise known as PAD. I have had high cholesterol since I was a young adult but have remained fit and active until I was diagnosed with PMR. I've been on 7.5mg of prednisolone since October 2020 and so far so good apart from a few niggles, this being the latest.

My GP would like me to take statins. Can I ask if anyone who has PAD and has taken stains as a result, has noticed any reduction of the pain in the calf muscles? I can do most things, bending, stretching, crouching but sustained walking for 20 minutes plus, causes quite a lot of pain. Some people have said that they just ignore the pain and keep walking and it gets better but I haven't experienced this.

Any advice on how to handle PAD would be appreciated. Thank you......

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Don't know if they improve the pain but this

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/175....

"Statins not only lower the risk of vascular events, but they also improve the symptoms associated with PAD. "

And this relatively recent article says they can improve pain but there are mixed opinions

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

under Effects of Statins on Intermittent Claudication and Ambulation Ability

[Pr0jection in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks PMRpro, will read up on it and have a chat once again with my GP.

[SnazzyD]

PMRPro has answered your question, but may I ask how they decided that the claudication was due to arteriosclerosis from the high cholesterol and not large vessel vasculitis?

[Pr0jection in reply to SnazzyD]

I'd had a series of tests from a cardiologist but I do need to go back for more.

[pegpowell]

Over two years ago I was diagnosed with PAD after bringing it to the attention first to my GP who poopooed it as I had a single hair on my ankle. PAD causes hair loss. Previously, when my leg veins felt like cement when walking, I thought it was PMR. But when pain starting shooting down to the sole of my foot after walking half a block and sores began to appear on the bottom of my foot, I reached out to my surgeon who was about to replace my hip. He referred me to a vascular surgeon who ordered ultrasounds of my legs, aorta, and an optomitrist who ordered one for carotid arteries. I noticed in one of your previous entries you mentioned a sore near your ankle. That may have been a PAD lesion.

The surgeon gave me, in his words the "best" statin, generic Rosuvastatin 5 mgs 2x a day along with Cilostazol 100 mgs 2x a day. The statin prevents my body from making too much cholesterol and brought it down from 251 mg/dl to 182 within 6 months. I have experienced no muscle pain from this statin that others claim to have experienced. The Cilostazol dialates the blood so that it goes much faster, widens the veins, and takes away the pain. With this drug It is important to walk twice a day for half an hour which I do with my dog. Some people go to the gym. It does elevate my heart rate but not enough to be of concern. In addition, I take Lisinopril 5 mgs 2x a day to assist in maintaining normal blood pressure.

I find that socks that used to fit are now too tight. You want to avoid tight fitting socks and shoes as they interfere with blood flow. I got my hip replaced about a year after diagnosis and have been able to reduce pred from 4 to 1 mgs during this almost three year period. I will be 85 this year and hope to have many more years of walking. I would be interested in hearing how you progress.

[Pr0jection in reply to pegpowell]

Many thanks pegpowell for taking the time to reply. Interesting that you mention the hair on your ankle. Up until last year, when I first began to experience pain in the calf muscles, I had hairs on my toes. Not a pretty sight so I used to shave them off when I wore open sandals in the summer. I noticed a couple of days ago that they have all gone. Similarly the hairs on my legs aren't growing as quickly although I still have a good few on my arms. I shall have to revisit my GP and have a discussion with her. Thanks again

[pegpowell]

PAD also causes toenails to thicken. I use a moisturizing cream on the toes and foot to soften the nails for easier cutting or clipping.

[Chrissiej]

Wow, very interesting comments here....I was afraid to take Crestor (10mg) as I was worried it would make the calf pains worse. (I also have the genetic high cholesterol numbers) But, I almost think that the drug makes it a bit better. (only been a couple of weeks). Not sure. Also, interesting is the toenail thickening because I've got that too, on a couple of nails. I've been told teatree oil helps that issue.

[pegpowell in reply to Chrissiej]

From my experience, any moisturizing lotion will do. I have heard t hat tea tree oil diluted with another substance eliminates fungus.

I have only taken my statin with the blood dialator and my doctor says the dialator Cilostazol is the one that takes away the pain.