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PMR & Statins
Recently, I’ve been trying to research out the possible connection of PMR and the use of statin drugs. Does anyone have any information they would like to share regarding this subject matter. Apparently there is now some concern that statins “might” cause PMR however, it is hard to sort out what is PMR pain and what is the muscular weakness/pain caused by the statins. I have been on statins, most recently Crestor, for a total of 20 years. I decided to take a statin “vacation”10 days ago. I recently had my cholesterol checked…. my results were all within range.
In November 2023 I was diagnosed with giant cell arteritis (GCA) & polymyalgia. I am told that both of these often go hand-in-hand. I was put on 60 mg of prednisone to control the inflammation in my head. (42 days of headaches). Once the GCA was under control and polymyalgia pain was diminished. I was able to start a prednisone taper per my rheumatologist. April of 2024 I was down to 3 mg. The month of May I dropped down to 2 mg when I hit the wall and the polymyalgia returned. In June. I upped my prednisone to 3 mg. With “minimal” pain relief. I have experienced many side effects while on the prednisone. Currently I have taken myself off of the statins and the prednisone to see if I can manage my pain. I have also been following an anti-inflammatory diet for several months and I am now trying to add in some physical therapy exercises geared to help with PMR. I have been off prednisone for almost a week and I do not see that much of a difference in the pain level from 3 mg to zero. We shall see what happens.
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You possibly need to consider that your high dosage of steroids did have a side effect of depressing your adrenal grands long term. This can cause systemic pain when titrating down off the prednisone that could be confused with PMR pain. Waking up your adrenal glands is a major portion of the steroid triturating process. If they do not wake properly you could have what is known as adrenal insufficiency. This can be identified/eliminated via blood tests. This test must be drawn at the proper time of day, it is a sensitive test, but properly done it will reveal if there is an adrenal problem. Talk with your PCP or Endochronogist about eliminating this as a contributing cause for the steroid titrating pain.
Here is a short Mayo Clinic article on Adrenal Insufficiency https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-understanding-adrenal-insufficiency/
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10 ReactionsThank you so very much for bringing this to my attention. I’m going to keep a close watch on this possibility of adrenal insufficiency. I have a rheumatologist, as well as an endocrinologist that I can consult with.
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3 ReactionsMy PMR started about two weeks after starting statins.
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1 ReactionI have been taking Atorvastatin for almost 30 years. My first thought when I was experiencing pain in glutes and shoulders that is was being caused by the statin. I stopped taking statin but it made no difference. My PMR started about 10 days after getting my 4th covid vaccine. No way to know if they are related but it's been a damn long year.
Good Luck!
Phil
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2 ReactionsI was taking a low dose of Lipitor and my Internist noted my CK level started to elevate so I went off the statin for about 4 months until my blood work showed my CK back in normal range.
I was switched to Crestor 5mg 3x a week and had no significant problems but looking back I did have some mild myopathy. I went to a cardiologist and She wanted to increase my Crestor to 40mg/ day and I told her that I had experienced a rapid rise in my CK level and I wasn't comfortable increasing my dose that much initially. She then said let's try 10mg daily.
I started with Crestor 10 mg/ day and after 24 days I told my internist and my cardiologist I would rather have a heart attack that have to live with the muscle pain and weakness I was starting to experience. I stopped the Crestor and after 6 months I still had so much myopathy I could not really do much of anything. My internist suggested that I may have developed PMR and said I would be easy to tell because if 15mg of prednisone daily should stop the pain within 3-4 days. I started the prednisone and in 4 days I felt "normal" again. I am now getting my blood drawn every 3-4 weeks and he is monitoring my Sed rate and my CRProtein levels as He monitors my inflammation markers and slowly weans my prednisone dose lower.
I have taken all the recommended Covid and other vaccines but never had any issues.
My acute muscle pain started almost immediately after the statin dose increase. I was surprised that my symptoms didn't subside after 2-3 weeks of no statin and really bummed when the pain persisted more than 6 months after no statins.
I am now on only Zetia until we get my cortisone levels as low as we can go with no relapse.
Statins cause the same type of pain as my PMR for me so my Dr prescribed the shot for cholesterol that I take the shot every two weeks. My insurance covers it but it still costs $10 a shot. My cholesterol is good now and I am gradually cutting back on the prednisone with good results. I don’t know if statins cause PMR but the pain is identical.
I just read about the shingles shot and I never made that connection but I have had the shingles shot. I am just grateful my PMR is under control. If it should flare up I would see my rheumatologist for her expertise.
Exactly my experience! Long time taking atorvastatin, PMR one month after my 4th vaccine.
I can't tolerate Statins. Every time they have tried to put me on them in the last 20 years, it affects every muscle in my body within a week. Interestingly, it is basically the same pain as the PMR. I never thought of that before. I gave in and agreed to 10mg Crestor once a week that I took for almost a year before my last major PMR flare, I thought it was the Crestor causing the problem!
This is a great question, thank you for bringing it up!
I was diagnosed with PMR last year and I’ve been on statins for 22 years. Although there isn’t an absolute test, drs normally use a CK or CPK to diagnose statin induced myopathy. I’ve never had it but I understand the pain to be more widespread than classic PMR. I’ve never heard of an association between statins and PMR. Seems possible, but I suppose of there aren’t time limits to onset I could associate anything with PMR. Anyway, I wish you good luck in feeling better soon.
There is some data that statins are in some cases associated with the onset of PMR.
Keep in mind there is no data that if you need to be
started on statins it will alter the course of your PMR.
Prolonged systemic inflammation is a cause of atherosclerosis. Balance the risks and follow an anti-inflammatory diet.