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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
Lelee, about 10-12, one of my friends told me about the side effects of stating, one of which I had back pain, like a kidney punch. Over years since different doctors have prescribed different statins, but they all seem to have the same side effect, so no statins for me. Good luck on your journey, think positive and try to smile. Smiling. 🙂
I've also just stopped taking Statins! On the 'risk scale' I am 19.5% if I were 20% my GP would strongly advise continuity because my Mother died of a heart attack aged 62 but my Brother-in-law, who is a Pharmacist, thinks Statins aren't necessary if you are 60+ so I am trusting his judgement.
Hi Lelee
Yes i stopped statins because they made my pain a million times worse...i am much better off them.....
Hi Lelee
Yes i stopped statins because they made my pain a million times worse...i am much better off them.....
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.
I've been on Simvastatin 40 mg for 7 years and haven't had any side effects as far as I could tell. No muscle or pain issues. I'd be hard pressed to blame my PMR on the statin I take. I will admit that I probably have more reason than most to stick religiously with my statin medication - in the 19th and 20th century every male in my family that died was under age 52 and died from strokes or heart attacks. Since the advent of statins, beta blockers and diuretics that losing streak has been broken! I guess it all depends on your cholesterol readings, family history and personal health. Statin dropped my readings over 40% to the almost perfect range. I can see why those who are borderline might not go the statin route as nobody knows who will win or lose the side effect lottery.
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?
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.
lelee never thought of that. but after reading all those post. i am going to give it a try. and i will get back with the results. when u said almost emmedietly how soon did u feel better cannot wait to give it a try i have been on statins around 20 years. and pmr 5 years. so we will see what happens x
I have been taking statins for probably 7 years maybe more I know it's been a long time. But about five years ago I had a stroke and then in December I had a TIA. When I had the TIA I was only taking aspirin as a blood thinner and my cholesterol was still high even though I was on cholesterol medicine. So they put me on a different cholesterol medicine but it's still a Statin. Well after a few months my leg started to hurt horribly so my GP suggestion I get off of it for a month and see what happens. Well my leg pains did not get better and I actually had some days that it was worse. So an MRI was done and I just got the report today in fact. It turns out the pain is sciatica which I didn't think it could be because it's an achy pain not a sharp Zing kind of pain. But my pain management PA says that sciatica can be like that. That it does not have to be a sharp pain. I was also blaming it on PMR but my rheumatologist insisted that it is not a normal place for PMR pain.
Try Bowen Therapy, It is non-invasive and in the Durham Hospital Trust area if you are referred to the Pain Management Clinic, that is one of the options. The Trust gave them a contract for one year as a trial and they have now extended it.
Put Bowen Therapy and read all about it.
It got me out of a wheelchair, stopped using zimmer frame and only carry a folding walking stick in case the pavements are uneven. Best money I have ever spent. I call it white witch craft and if PMRpro had not told me about it, I would never have known.
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.
Aspirin doesn't count as an anticoagulant - unfortunately too many doctors seem unaware of that fact! To put it very basically, it just makes the blood cells "slippier" so they slide past each other better. It doesn't stop clotting. As you found out.
My sciatic has always been aching rather than sharp pain. The sharp pain for me comes from myofascial pain syndrome and muscles going into spasm and pinching the nerve. Either way - it HURTS! Hope yours improves now.
There is a big difference between your familial history and the genetic form of hypercholeaterolaemia and people with a slightly raised cholesterol and no history of cardiac problems. I have no objection to statins being used there - but for those of us where there is no proven benefit it shouldn't be dished out willy-nilly. For: women with no history of a cardiovascular event there is no benefit at all and only limited benefit once they have had one.