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DiscussionI keep relapsing when I try to get off prednisone
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jul 11 12:42pm | Replies (82)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "That is awesome and I am very happy for you that you’re able to do that!..."
"I have a lot of inflammation in my body and I’m now being tested for autoimmune diseases. I know prednisone is a big part of medication prescribed For auto immune disorders."
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I have been diagnosed with multiple autoimmune disorders. I used to take prednisone intermittently usually for a month or two. I didn't have problems with prednisone until I took it everyday for 12 years to treat PMR.
I started atorvastatin about the same time as the three blood pressure medications. When Prednisone was stopped my cholesterol level was getting too low. Atorvastatin was decreased to half of the lowest available dose. My cholesterol level was still getting too low. An endocrinologist said I was very "sensitive" to atorvastatin even though I took it for 10 years at a higher dose while I was on Prednisone.
My rheumatologist wanted to stop atorvastatin altogether because my CK level was increasing. My rheumatologist was concerned about statin induced myopathy.
My cholesterol level rebounded slightly when atorvastatin was completely stopped. I'm now being tried on Zetia (ezetimibe) to see if it will decrease my cholesterol level a little bit but not too much. I didn't think I needed anything for my cholesterol level if I watched what I eat more closely. My endocrinologist thought I should try Zetia anyway. I think it was because I said that I like pizza once in a while.
Supposedly, Zetia works differently and shouldn't lower my cholesterol level too much.
"The most commonly used class of drugs for lowering cholesterol levels, statins, acts by preventing the production of cholesterol by the liver. Zetia has a different mechanism of action and lowers blood cholesterol by reducing the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine. It does not affect the absorption of triglycerides or fat-soluble vitamins."
https://www.medicinenet.com/lipitor_atorvastatin_vs_zetia_ezetimibe/drug-vs.htm#what_are_the_side_effects_of_lipitor_and_zetia