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Has anyone connected use of Statins with PMR/GCA?

Posted , 7 users are following.

barb3389
barb3389

This is something I didn’t connect until my 2nd bout when reviewing notes that I took.

In Feb 2015, I started experiencing jaw pain and headaches around where my glasses sat behind my ear. I went to my PCP, who ordered a brain scan for the headaches - no problems found. I had been on Simvastatin for 3 months, and my PCP then switched me to Atorvistatin - which I stopped in June of 2015. In the meantime, I went to dentist to rule out tooth problems, I went to TMJ specialist who wanted my jaw reworked for $4300. Then went to a chiropractor who resolved the jaw pain. I also lost my appetite, dropped 20 lbs, had balance problems although I was still active, vacationing etc. However the bi-lateral pain in hips, shoulders, knees a little bit started in the summer and I felt like I was wasting away, forcing my self to eat and feeling like my muscles were turning to mush.

Finally, after changing PCP doctors, I was diagnosed with PMR, started on 20mg in Sept 2015 with immediate relief of pain, and appetite returned. Just in summary, I tapered to 0 Pred by Dec 2016. Re-diagnosed because of weight loss in April 2017. Finished last dose of Pred in April 2018. SED rate immediately went back to 58 and now CRP is elevated. 

Bottom line is I just wonderered if anyone else has correlated Statins and PMR.

Barb

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH barb3389

    Posted

    Not with the PMR - but when I tried atorvastatin I was almost in a wheelchair, I already had PMR. PMR is listed as an adverse effect of simvastatin on the data sheet - it was seen in the clinical trials. I refuse to take them.
  • barbara69815
    barbara69815 barb3389

    Posted

    This connection sits hovering around my tentative diagnosis of PMR. I stopped Atorvistatin and had several days of relieved symptoms but needed Pred anyway. No way am I going back on them.
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