← Return to Medication for high cholesterol while taking Actemra infusions

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@dadcue

I took atorvastatin for many years. It was started shortly after being diagnosed with PMR and treated with prednisone. My cholesterol numbers "looked good" until Actemra was started and I got off prednisone.

My cholesterol numbers decreased on Actemra after Prednisone was stopped to the extent that my cholesterol levels were too low. A low cholesterol level in conjunction with an elevated CK level suggested statin induced myopathy.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8583847/
---------------------
It took a while to get sorted out but when atorvastatin was stopped my cholesterol level increased again but my CK level didn't improve. The thinking changed to prednisone induced myopathy. Since I was already off prednisone the solution was to not check my CK level anymore. My labs were being checked by my rheumatologist who couldn't explain my lab results except that they might explain some of my muscle aches and pains. I denied having any difficulty with atorvastatin when I was taking Prednisone for years.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557731/
------------------------
When I saw an endocrinologist for metabolic syndrome related to my long term Prednisone use he noted that my cholesterol level was on the "high side" again and "probably should be treated." He said coming off prednisone disrupts the equilibrium that my body was trying to maintain when I was on prednisone. He said it all because of hormone imbalances that will take time to resolve.

My endocrinologist wasn't sure what Actemra was doing but he wasn't surprised that I needed atorvastatin when I was taking prednisone. He said I was "very sensitive to statins" so I probably didn't need a statin when I was off prednisone. He said diet and exercise would help the most.

The endocrinologist suggested Zetia (ezetimibe) in lieu of restarting the statin. I have been on Zetia for about a year now. My metabolic equilibrium must have reset itself because now my cholesterol levels and CK levels are well within the normal range. The endocrinolgist is happy with my levels. He said zetia wasn't quite as strong as a statin and worked differently. He also said to keep doing what I was doing in regards to diet and exercise.
https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/zetia-statin-3554184/

Jump to this post


Replies to "I took atorvastatin for many years. It was started shortly after being diagnosed with PMR and..."

All very interesting. Glad you found the right med. I will check it out, but am not on prednisone. Thanks