1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Stopped taking my cholesterol drug.

Posted , 17 users are following.

Lelee
Lelee

i have had PMR for almost 5 yrs.  I have never been able to get off of prednisone.   I had read about how cholesterol drugs can effect the muscles and cause stiffness.  Also that now the docs are not even sure if they work.  I stopped taking mine and decided I would give it 2 months time.  Almost immediately I started to feel better.  Then I decided I was not going to drink beer.  Again I started to feel the best I have felt in a long time.  I'm now down to 5 mg of prednisone  and feeling the best I have felt in 5 yrs.  Has anyone else tried stopping their statin drug?

1 like, 37 replies

37 Replies

Next
  • EileenH
    EileenH Lelee

    Posted

    I refused to take one. About 5 years ago I was in hospital for 3 weeks because of atrial fibrillation and the non-cardiology specialists decided they would put me on a statin. I was very unhappy about it but agreed to try, In just over a week I could barely walk, up a small slope just about finished me! And I was only taking a half dose!

    I stopped taking it and the cardiologist agreed it was OK (I hadn't had a cardiovascular event, it wasn't really indicated). It took me several months to get back to the state I had been in when discharged from hospital - but I felt better quite quickly.

    Never again!!!!

    Did you know: one statin actually lists PMR as a possible adverse event?

    • Lelee
      Lelee EileenH

      Posted

      Wow, this is so go to know.  I have to admit it does scare me to not take the statin.  I sure do not want any heart event.  I'm just so used to doing what the Dr. Says to do.  I have decided it was time to take charge of my own health.   Eileen H what do you mean by a statin can have a adverse PMR event?  It can help PMR?

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Lelee

      Posted

      PMR is listed as a side effect of some statins, which means the statin can give you PMR. Recent information is there are only limited situations in which statins are actually helpful. If you are female and have never had a cardio incident then taking a statin is pointless.
    • EileenH
      EileenH Lelee

      Posted

      No - it may lead to PMR developing. It isn't certain - but it happened to people who have used this statin and it probably happened soon after them being put on it. So can rule out that it wasn't the statin that caused it.

    • macas02
      macas02 EileenH

      Posted

      Eileen I have Atrial Fibrilation for which I take medication. I did not want to take statins but my GP was adamant I should take it. I had horredous nightmare type dreams and felt awful. I made the decision NOT to take them, sometimes we just know what is right for us.

       

    • lodgerUK_NE
      lodgerUK_NE macas02

      Posted

      I have had A/F for nearly three years and my Cardiac Consultant has never even suggested a statin.

      They have never been in the equation and certainly never discussed at either GP or Consultant level.

      Somebody would have to give me very good evidence for taking statins.

      When my Cousin, who is now 88 had a stroke over 8 years ago, they stroke clinic told he to have porridge every morning and eat a whole orange.  Her cholesterol level was down in six months.   Is yours high?

       

    • macas02
      macas02 lodgerUK_NE

      Posted

      My level was just over 5. My cardiac consultant has never mentioned statins but my GH was adamant I should take them so I tried but as I said I felt so bad that I have stopped and will not take them again.

      I am taking an anticoagulant which will hopefully help keep me free of a stroke.

    • EileenH
      EileenH macas02

      Posted

      I have no idea what gives GPs the idea that statins are needed because of a/f. I suppose it is "heart" and that is associated with "cholesterol". Mind you - at 5 I wouldn't be taking statins anyway!   It is only relatively recently that the UK has got the idea of using anticoagulants - which are FAR more important. 

    • pauline36422
      pauline36422 EileenH

      Posted

      hi eileen   after reading all the comments on  statins,  do you know if  comiing off statins, has to be done gradually.   like steroids,   or can they be just stopped.     i am going for  bloods checking on monday   so will ask for  cholestrole   check too.     before i stop taking   pravistatin .  could be the  statin is  causing my  pain

       i would like to give it a try  just for curiosity, seems to me a bit of a   coincidence  such a lot of our friends with pmr  are taking stats, and  when stopped the pain goes.     seems    odd to me.   thanks for your  reply, which will be very informative i am sure    hope u r  feeling ok x     i love reading your   replys 

       

    • EileenH
      EileenH pauline36422

      Posted

      As far as I know you can just stop - I did but it was only after a week or so. But I'm no expert - ask your pharmacist.

    • Michdonn
      Michdonn macas02

      Posted

      macas02, know your body, listen to it, then make a decision. Sometimes the are right and sometimes they are just wrong. Think positive and try to smile. 🙂

  • lodgerUK_NE
    lodgerUK_NE Lelee

    Posted

    No, but I do know that if you read the paper that comes with every prescription on Simvastin especially.

    There is on Cardiac Consultant that won't have it on his ward at all.

    Aches and Pains, ask for a Vitamin D Test and see if you are deficient, that can cause aches and pains and loss of energy as well.

    Now that you are down to 5mg and 5 years older, you need a Acth test - so ask for a referral to an endocrinologist for that test. - look it up on the net   Synacthen Test.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.