Rosuvastatin Calcium 20mg for High Cholesterol

[Missus835]

I picked up my Rx on May 2, 2023 and just yesteday the pharmacy called to see if I needed a refill. I fessed up and told her I had not started taking it because I've been in too much pain over the last month with diverticulitis, pelvic girdle and back spasms to risk more pain (as it's known to cause leg and muscle pain). I just cannot tolerate more pain right now. (PMR is "under control" with 27 mg. of Pred and tapering). Has anyone felt this way?

Anyway, last night I took the first one. Needlesstosay, I feel like shite this morning. Stomach cramps and fatigue. Unsure if it's the Rosuvastatin. What's with the "Calcium"? I certainly don't want to pump more calcium into my body and I'm so tired of so many pills. My gawd. I could live on pills in the wilderness I'm sure. Is there not some kind of shot they can give you rather than a pill? I have great anxiety over taking new meds because of an overdose given at the hospital many years ago and the trauma of that has stuck with me. It was a "sit there looking at the pill for 1/2 hour" before I could actually take it....but I did.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The calcium bit is purely the structure of the stuff - it isn't increasing the amount of calcium you are getting significantly.

[Missus835 in reply to PMRpro]

Thought it, but wasn't sure. Thank you.

[SheffieldJane]

I drink milk most days ( I am lucky, no sensitivities) and calcium rich foods. I gave up calcium supplements due to cystitis symptoms. I am prescribed vit D and take vit K2 when I remember to help with calcium absorption. You have all my sympathy for the diverticulitis symptoms, I have just completed a course of strong antibiotics for it, and feel much brighter. These symptoms have easily taken over my relatively mild PMR type arm , leg and hand and foot aches, in terms of misery. I have had to buy new cabinets to accommodate my pills. My Rheumatologist doesn’t think I am on much. 😳

[Missus835 in reply to SheffieldJane]

I know right. They just keep adding to the list instead of suggesting something else other than a pill. They must know of such alternatives? Maybe not....

[pegpowell]

I was diagnosed with PAD a couple of years ago, pain in legs because of clogged leg arteries, and was given 10 mgs Rosuvastatin Calcium twice a day plus a blood dialator(sp?). My GP, knowing my aversion to more drugs, said I could half the dosage to see whether there were any adverse effects, which I did. Recently, my pharmacy gave me 10 mgs to be taken once a day and when I complained, they said I could cut them in half, which I did. A standard dosage is 20 mgs once a day. In spite of my smaller dosage (5 mgs 2 xs a day), it has lowered my cholesterol quite a bit and I no longer have leg pains. I was taking 4/5 mgs pred then and am now on 1/2 mgs, having started pred 2016. During all those years, I had knee and hip replacements and am now almost 85.

[Missus835 in reply to pegpowell]

Thank you for the info and looking forward to the day when I can half the dose. It's not been long. Giving a try. I'm glad you have a GP. I live in Nova Scotia and do not. I'm thinking 1/2 the dose twice per day (10 mg. 2X) might be better, but rheumy is unreachable when it comes to things like this (or anything for that matter). All the best to you pegpowell.

[pegpowell]

You might be interested in the following online article:

Statins May Be Protective Against Vascular Inflammation in Patients With PMR, GCA

Rheumatology Advisor

It is free to read.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to pegpowell]

It always useful to add a link if you are recommending an article to read - guess you mean this -

rheumatologyadvisor.com/hom...

[Missus835]

Thanks DL. I'm having a really crappy and kind of scary affect from the 20 mg. and thought I might ask pharmacy to fax rheumy to see if 10 mg. of Rosuvastatin would be ok. Rapid RHR around 121 and skipping beats like crazy. This went on for a couple of hours. I was just sitting there reading and boom! Also stomach is aching terribly. No appetite (which is really different). I did not take a dose last night as I wanted to have a talk with them. I do see in my reading that 10 mg. even intermittently would keep cholesteral under control.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Missus835]

Certainly worth discussing a smaller dose.