Statins and prednisolone

[waltztherapy]

I have been on prednisolone for nearly two years, starting on 15 mg, now down to 6mg. Previously tapering at 0.5 mg every 6 weeks, more recently tapering at 0.5 mg at 8 week intervals. Now wondering whether to extend that interval further, after having had a bad flare. Following a recent diagnosis of raised cholesterol, I was put on low dose statins, which produced a horrid reaction, coinciding with being in a good place re PMR pain. After just over a week on daily 10mg atorvastatin, I suffered excruciating bloating, stomach and back pain and cramps, and increased appetite!! The latter was a real blow, having lost the 'hamster cheeks' moon face' with the joyous steroid reduction. Consulting Google while waiting for a GP slot, I decided to stop the statins and within a day or two relief from the digestive disorder was just great.I realise I will probably need to reinstate the statins when I'll hope for a smoother passage. Would appreciate any advice, re similar experiences etc from this much valued forum. Previously my cholesterol level have always been low, so I'm guessing this raised level in another pesky side effect of steroid medication

Many thanks, and sorry if this rambles.

[Bluey-1]

Ask to try a different statin. I was on 80mg of Atvorstatin and did not feel well on them. I am now on 5mg of Rosuvastatin and all good so far. Due to test lipids end of April with a view to potentially adjusting dosage.

[winfong in reply to Bluey-1]

I had bad side effects with Atorvastatin as well, Went back to good, old-fashioned Simvastatin, which I've never had any trouble with.

And, yes, raised cholesterol is another one of the many side effects of pred.

[Bluey-1 in reply to winfong]

My cholesterol was on the high side before pred but reached 8 at the time of the TIA/Afib episode this summer making statins an inevitability. I wasn’t aware raised cholesterol was a side effect of pred.

[waltztherapy in reply to Bluey-1]

Ah sorry about your TIA episode. I didn’t know about this side effect of prednisolone either, and I am not qualified to understand the implications. However I was told that my cataract growth was accelerated by prednisolone medication. So it seems there's a price to pay for improved quality of life for PMR Sufferes. Good luck all

[Koalajane in reply to waltztherapy]

I wouldn’t worry about cataracts, the op is quick and easy and the improvement well worth it.

[waltztherapy in reply to Koalajane]

Yes had them both done three months apart, very successful. Though I wish I'd had one eye on the short/near focus, instead of matching distance vision on both eyes. Formerly short sighted, I miss being able to read without glasses at times. I have no problem wearing glasses any time. Thanks for your input.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to waltztherapy]

Not necessarily - some people develop cataracts because of pred, others don't. I've been on pred 15 years and only this year has a cataract started to impinge on my vision - and I'm nearly 72 anyway! Most people who live into their 70s will develop cataract on one or both eyes. There are specific risk factors for cataract and some steps you can take to reduce the risk, but cataract will develop in most individuals as the eye's lens ages and becomes cloudy, less flexible and hardened. The pred may speed it up - but it would probably happen sooner or later.

The same applies to most of the adverse effects - most people will get something but many people get none and no-one gets them all (there are over 80 listed...)

[waltztherapy in reply to PMRpro]

Agree, new challenges all the time, and I feel so lucky that we have the means to repair and replace to keep us going. Haha.

[waltztherapy in reply to winfong]

Thankyou Winfong.We are so lucky to have this forum and the kind caring contributors. All so supportive.

[waltztherapy in reply to winfong]

So grateful for your helpful reply, thankyou.

[waltztherapy in reply to Bluey-1]

Thankyou bluey-2So helpful to hear of yiur experience

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Try a different statin if you must - sometimes it can take as much as 4 different ones. I actually tried 2 at very different times, they made me ill and it is now on my notes: STATIN INTOLERANT. I was put on ezetimibe but my raised cholesterol is because of Actemra, not so much the pred.

[waltztherapy in reply to PMRpro]

Thankyou so much PMRpro, really appreciate your kind, helpful reply. Looking forward to having a chat with my GP.

[Orange_2022]

Maybe try plant sterols for a couple of months to see if they have an effect? My cholesterol (the bad type) went up after starting Pred so that I had a reading of 6.7 rather than my usual 5.5 average. A nutritionist friend recommended plant sterols and they've worked so I take them all the time now. Not cheap but worth it in my view! (If you can find a friendly nutritionist they may have a discount code for some online supplement stores.)

[waltztherapy in reply to Orange_2022]

Gosh, that sounds like it's worth a try. I'll look into it. Thankyou.Waiting for a GP call to get some figures etc, on my raised cholesterol. Thanks again.

[Orange_2022 in reply to waltztherapy]

Good luck! There are a number of cholesterol lowering foods too (as I'm sure you know). Zoe podcasts on YouTube worth checking out for information.

[waltztherapy in reply to Orange_2022]

Yes, always googling stuff like that, but personal experiences from fellow PMR sufferers are so Valued, thankyou !

[pegpowell]

I also use Rosuvastatin with no ill effects which lowered my cholesterol tremendously.

[waltztherapy in reply to pegpowell]

Good to know pegpowell, thanks.

[EngineerMatthew]

I stopped taking statins as soon as I was diagnosed with PMR. Coincidently 4 weeks after they doubled my statin dosage. Been on prednisone for 3yrs doing the prednisone stock yard shuffle. Flare/reduce/flare/reduce/

stopped taking prednisone and now take CBD 25mg with 25mg delta 8 gummy a day, cut into 4 doses. Walked two miles in 40minutes today for first time in 3yrs

I just could not exercise while taking prednisone, could not find my breath and my whole health was crashing so had to walk away and retire early. I was paid great money as engineer but could not take hemp products because of regular urinalysis.

Money is meaningless if you don’t have your health.

Now my A1C is 5.7. Bowels work too, no painful stools or straining. Still have bad dry eye but my organs are working finally

Age 60, and hopeful I can ride my crotch rocket again soon! No more racing 🥲

[waltztherapy in reply to EngineerMatthew]

Good to be able to look forward now.Good luck.

[MikeVanBC]

I’m 72, have had PMR for close to 2 years, am currently down to 4mg of prednisone and have been taking 10mg of Rosuvastatin (generic Crestor) I started on 5mg and have had no noticeable effect, even though I had muscle problems long ago on a different statin, so stopped taking statins for many years. I do have some pain and discomfort walking, but I’m not sure if that relates to PMR, adrenals or statins, and the pain is tolerable enough that I can typically manage a 3-4 km walk.

[PMRnewbie2017]

As PMRpro mentioned there are other treatments for high cholesterol. She mentioned Ezetimibe. Also there's Bezafibrate which is useful if Type 2 diabetes is also a problem. The real issue is that statins are the number one go to treatment these days and the alternatives are forgotten, but as we know, they don't suit everybody.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

And bempedoic acid - it with ezetimibe is better than statins and the NHS has approved it I think

[waltztherapy in reply to PMRpro]

All new to me, so thanks PMRproI'm on the trail with my GP ....

[waltztherapy in reply to PMRpro]

I'm on a learning curve here, as with most health issues. So grateful for all the positive feedback. Thankyou everyone.

[waltztherapy in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

Thankyou. It's clearly a bit of a minefield, and your input is much appreciated, I start yet another journey to find the best fit. Am waiting for the next edition, which I believe is simvastatin. It seems there is a list that they work through, so the names that you and others are mentioning will be very useful.

Thankyou everyone.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to waltztherapy]

Simvastatin is one that used to have PMR listed in the PIL as an adverse effect, don't know if it still does.

[waltztherapy in reply to PMRpro]

Oh dear, back to the drawing board.....Thankyou x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to waltztherapy]

I think there are people on it - you just have to try them. But one cardiac department, in Seattle I think, had it on a black list of drugs that they couldn't use!

[waltztherapy in reply to PMRpro]

Another learning curve. I'm sure it's good to have these challenges ......... 😌 😄

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Not as such -but wording is “ muscle pain, tenderness or weakness which is constant that may not go away after stopping this medicine (frequency not known).

Sound familiar?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

A rose by any other name ... Not that it is much of a rose!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Methinks the lawyers have had an input…🤨

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Very likely ...

[waltztherapy in reply to DorsetLady]

It does indeed.....

[Bcol]

I was on Statins for a long while before PMR, the first three I tried gave me joint pain worse than my OA. Finally went on to Rosuvastatin (5mg) and have had no problems at all with it.