Statin and PMR - any correlation?

Posted , 8 users are following.

Lipitor (or atorvastatin) is prescribed for high cholesterol. When my GP first suggested I start taking Lipitor, I first tried modifying my diet... and did a little research on the web. People in a discussion group who were taking the statin were complaining that it seemed to cause them some muscle pain and stiffness....

Well, my attempt to change my diet didn't change my cholesterol numbers, and after taking 10 mg to start, I did notice some mild stiffness, mainly after sitting for a while.

After many years, the numbers started increasing, and my GP suggested doubling the dose of Lipitor, which I did. It may have been around this time that I was suddenly struck by PMR.

So the question is, is there any association or correlation between taking a statin and suffering from PMR?

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    Yes, I believe this has turned out to be a known effect of some statins.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3402515/

    • Posted

      So the question is, is there any association or correlation between taking a statin and suffering from PMR?

      Yes, I believe this has turned out to be a known effect of some statins. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3402515/

      I do understand the difference between correlation and causation, but in my case, the increased dosage from 10 to 20 mg of atorvastatin sure seems to have - not just "triggered" - but caused my PMR! The timing is just too suggestive.

      Of course, simply stopping taking statins in is very risky. Just ask Bill Clinton. I may just scale back to 10 mg of the statin and perhaps take some other medication or supplement, but in any case, I'll be contacting my GP about this!

      Too bad this site does not have the capability of a poll, but I'd be interested how many here have been prescribed statins for their cholesterol....

    • Posted

      I was already diagnosed with PMR when I was put on atorvastatin while in hospital some years ago - within 10 days I could hardly walk up a short slope. I stopped them and within a week or so was a lot better although it took months to get back to where I had been. I have not started them again with the blessing of the cardiologist - as a woman with no previous history of cardiovascular events there is no proof it would make any difference.

  • Posted

    can't really help as not had any experience with statins. only know no-one can tell me why I developed PMR so perhaps any extra strain on body tips the scale if other as yet unknown conditions are present. sorry can't do better!

  • Posted

    I was prescribed Lipitor 20 mg 3 years after my PMR diagnosis and it caused what felt like a full blown PMR flare. It resolved when I stopped taking it. My Rheumatologist said Lipitor is known to cause problems and had my primary care doctor switch me to Crestor (5 mg) which I have been able to take without difficulties for the last year.

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