I’m currently not taking statins. My GP has just called to say we’d like to put you on them, risk of stroke at 15% apparently and anyone over 10 should be treated. I politely said I felt I had enough going on drugwise, without adding another.
anyone else any experience of how this would fit with steroids.
hi and first question is is your cholesterol high.
I take statins and they don’t cause a problem when taking steroids.
I have to say I am not too concerned if I forget to take them now and again.
In the end it is your decision as it is your body
It wasn't pred that made statins a pain (literally), it made the PMR worse, So I am on Ezetimibe, You can only find out by trying - with a low threshold for saying enough. The first time I tried a statin was horrible after about 10 days. The second time I had a flare after 3 weeks or so, Ezetimibe has been fine and the cholesterol is down a fair bit.
They are no problem with Pred, but like many others the first ones I had caused more pain than my OA. I've been on Rosuvastatin now for many years with no problems. I think it was the fourth variety. So, if the first brand doesn't work well a different one may.
I know that prednisone can cause higher cholesterol but I’m confused as to why he wants you on a statin without testing your blood. I know many people do fine on statins but I don’t tolerate them at all. I’ve been on 4 different ones. All had given me terrible calf pains. I’m now on Rapatha which is not a statin but works for me.
My cholesterol was only slightly high on prednisone so I didn’t take anything. It was Actemra which made it elevated so I had to do something.
I went on statins three months ago. I was racked with pain two months later which felt just like PMR returning. It had been presumed thar I no longer have PMR (although on hydrocortisone for life through adrenal insufficiency). No inflammation markers evident. GP says it can't be PMR because it doesn't return (yes, I know she's wrong!) Still in pain a month later. Don't know what's going on but not trying statins again.
The pharmacist at my recent meds review said the guidelines for cholesterol have just been changed. Now anything equal to and over 5.6 LDL cholesterol is considered to be too high. As a consequence he increased my atorvastatin to 20mg from 10mg as I was on exactly 5.6 LDL at the last test.
Tried statins (2 types) but calf muscles decided they couldn't walk up hill. Wasn't able to tell the difference between steroid withdrawal and/or flare, but stopped statins and pain went away. Due another blood test next week so may have to reconsider but interested in alternatives available. Feel same as you regarding adding more drugs to the cocktail!
Again a personal decision but although my cholesterol is high I have refused them. Don’t want to add another drug into the mix. 💐
My body didn’t like the introduction of Atorvastatin or Rosuvastatin and I have asked the GP for Ezetimibe without success so I am waiting to attend the Lipid Clinic to discuss alternative drugs for high cholesterol (whichI have due to a family condition).
Meanwhile I read online that whey protein can help reduce cholesterol and have started taking a whey protein smoothie for breakfast. This has helped me taper my steroid from 7mg to 5mg over three months in just two 1mg steps and has made me feel remarkably well, with more energy and less pain. I have yet to find out if it has reduced my cholesterol but it has certainly improved my relationship with PMR and steroids.
I've decided at present not to take statins. The computer flagged up because overweight and used to smoke (45 years ago). Dont have issues with cholesterol. The doctor said that I might get muscle aches and pains as side effects. With pmr I feel I have enough pain. If I ever get off the steroids I will rethink but definitely not now.
My LDL is 3.8 & I was told it needs to be less than 2. I’ve been on atorvastatin for 3 months now with no side effects. Initially I said no to it as well, intending to reduce the fat in my diet & start using an Exercycle as keep pulling tendons & can’t walk too far. My gp agreed, but then I had a mini stroke. Due to the risk of a major stroke within 3 months I decided taking it was better than the alternative. ( I’m still using the Exercycle & have reduced fat) I stopped my pred reduction when I started taking it & will resume soon ( after the 2nd Shingrix vac)
First of all, get a cholesterol reading. I could not tolerate the usual statins. My primary suggested Zetia ( Ezetimibe) which is quite different from the rest. I have done very well with this medicine and have no side effects. My cholesterol went down considerably.
My GP has asked me to have statins even though my cholesterol is only slightly raised. I told him that I did not want them and now I take plant sterols and manage my diet. He was happy with that.
“According to the charity Heart UK it can take as little as two to three weeks for your blood cholesterol to be lowered after eating plant sterols. The charity does point out, however, that you do have to eat them consistently for them to be effective.”
There is a medical/population health movement in favour of mass prescription of statins to reduce CVD/CHD. I was involved in a trial of this in a deprived area years ago. This is a numbers game that focuses on populations not the individual, but some GPs take this type of approach. I don't think it is good practice to suggest statins without knowing your cholesterol and if you don't have other risk factors. Unless someone is very high risk, lifestyle, exercise and diet are the best first response and they bring far wider benefits too.
I've been on Statins (Simvastatin then Atorvastatin) for years and now been on steroids since April 22. Haven't noticed a problem. Don't know how they work out a % risk but 15% seems fairly high so think I would consider it!
I refused statins for the last four years, I had a heart attack weeks ago and now have to take them.
I told the cardiologist about my doctors attitude to me refusing them when I had asked him at the time to give me information and help me with a diet etc, he refused to help.
The cardiologist said that was not good and not to blame myself as it could have happened in any case.
Also he said I have every right to refuse as it’s my body,and understood that one of my reasons for refusing was I am on steroids and methotrexate, this was the hospital in Darlington not Pinderfields.
I had had elevated cholesterol reading for a few years before I had a stress test and then a CT angiogram that showed some plaque buildup so I was put on 10 mg Rosuvastatin and now my levels are what my cardiologist wants. I’m on 5mg prednisone and have had no apparent issues.
There's also Bezafibrate as an option if statins and ezetimibe aren't tolerated. The advantage of Bezafibrate is it improves Type 2 diabetes (often a risk for us Pred users) and increases levels of HDL (the good cholesterol) whilst reducing triglycerides.
Statins
STATINS
Statins
Statins and prednisolone
Statins and prednisolone 
