Arthritis drugs likely are not the only type of medication in your bathroom cabinet. You also may take medicine to help you manage symptoms or conditions that sometimes accompany arthritis – antidepressants to improve mood and quality of sleep, sleep aids to help you get a good night’s rest, or statins.
Arthritis patients often take statins because because the No. 1 cause of death for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA ) is cardiovascular disease. In fact, data from a 2006 study in the Journal of Rheumatology suggested that rheumatoid arthritis should be considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and that all people with RA should be screened regularly for high cholesterol. When cholesterol builds up on artery walls, the arteries become narrow, and that can lead to heart attack or stroke.
Statins often are prescribed for people at risk of cardiovascular disease because they are effective, have few side effects and even offer a few benefits. They block a liver enzyme that helps make cholesterol, and also may help your body reabsorb cholesterol that already has built up in your arteries. The statin drugs include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor).
Besides the benefits linking statins and arthritis-related cardiovascular disease, scientists are finding statins also may reduce the risk of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancer and smoking-related lung damage. And that’s not all. The anti-inflammatory properties of statins may be beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis, too. A 2006 study by researchers in Japan found that Lescol killed synovial cells in test tubes. In RA, synovial cells lining the joint reproduce abnormally, causing inflammation. Over time, abnormal synovial cells destroy cartilage and bone. Killing synovial cells could stop or slow that process.
Another study showed that RA patients who received 40 milligrams (mg) daily of Lipitor had less swelling than those who received placebo. More studies would be needed to confirm the results, so doctors aren’t planning to prescribe statins for rheumatoid arthritis just yet.
Even though today’s statins may not prove ideal for treating RA, they provide important benefits to people with RA who also have high cholesterol.
I went back to my doctor and he said to stop the Lipitor. It's been three weeks and I have no shoulder, arm , or back pain. Now what do I do about my arteries if I can't take a statin? Am I doomed to have a stroke?
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/statins/statins-and-diabetes/#more-4789
Patients need to become informed (if not outraged) and refuse to take them. Medical personnel will not take action until we do. We've been duped by the pharmaceutical industry.
Within two weeks my mild arthritic shoulder escalated and became excruciatingly painful it woke me at nights. Within six weeks I could barely use my right arm as the shoulder was so painful. Over Christmas I mentioned this to a highly trained practice nurse friend who immediately advised me to come off the statin as they caused more harm than good and she had seen numerous patients who had deteriorated badly and rapidly on them in her surgery. She advised that I stop taking them, improve my diet and exercise. I did for 3 weeks and the pain is getting less though it has not gone back to pre simvastatin.
I went back to my doctor today and told her my suspicion that simvastatin had accelerated my mild arthritis significantly into full blown pain. She dismissed me saying that my painful shoulder was not muscular pain, which she admitted was a side effect of simvastin, but joint pain due to athritis. To me pain is pain. I am thinking not to get back on simvastatin but to be more careful with my already good diet and exercise more. What a relief to read this thread to see that it is not only I who have discovered this truth.
I wish my Mom's docs would have done their homework and been on the ball when my elderly mother complained of chronic pain in her legs after taking Simvastatin. DO NO HARM! I think the whole cholesterol focus is very narrow and I wonder how many people like my mother @90 years really needed this drug.
FYI
The FDA issued a warning about muscle pain caused by Simvastatin a couple of months ago (late 2011). My doctor urgently switched me to a different statin because of that warning.
Absolutely find a neurologist who knows about NPH
My mom was wheelchair bound in a nursing home
And after having a brain shunt put in to drain the
Fluid in her brain is home and walking!
Take a look at the symptoms of NPH for your wife. Most people don't know it exists, but IT has VERY specific symptoms. Earlier diagnosed the better!
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/normal_pressure_hydrocephalus/normal_pre ssure_hydrocephalus.htm
My doctors were bullies and used my mental confusion against me so I stuck with them for almost a year until I could barely move at all and then quit.
6 years down the line I'm still suffering with memory problems, unrelenting fatigue and muscle pain and pain in almost all skeletal joints.
My (non-medical) advice is, if you experience adverse effects don't take them. The medical profession does not want to discuss or allow any claim of permanent damage from these drugs even though it does exist.
My cholesterol levels have dropped by reducing carbohydrate intake and if I do eat carbs, eat only the ones that lower cholesterol (like oat bran porridge)!
Iwas put on pravasatin almost a year ago.
Had aches and pains like you would not believe. My upper arms,( I could hardly use)
They pained so bad, my legs were in bad pain.
I just had pain everwhere. This pain was pain that I had never in my life had before. Finally in August of 2011 I told my Pa about my pain and he said to go off of it for about three weeks and see if i feel any different.I went off for two weeks and then tried it again for two days and the pain started all over again. I told my PA and he took me off cf the pravastatin altogether. Finally, I am practically back to normal. I do not recommend anyone to take this drug.
A friend with severe pain for 7 years recently removed his wifi and cordless landline (the base transmits radiation 24/7) and experienced a complete relief in pain. No more pain killers
It seems the doctors know nothing about this damage. The WHO have now declared (may 2011) this kind of radiation (also from cell phone towers) as a class 2b carcinogen
Try getting rid of wireless transmitters and see if the pain also goes away?
With no family member suffering from Arthritis I suddenly start with mussle pain and suffer with severe arthritis today. I stop taking the Vytorin. The mussle pain is gone but the Arthritis drive me crazy. Especially in my spine. My spine joints are creeking with every movement. Now I have to use Lipidil. I dont know if I will ever be better. My cholestrol count on 12. My blood pressure also sky high. :(
Took Zocor for over 2 years and now a pre-liminary diagnosis of osteoarthritis; very strange especially since all the symtoms began when I started taking Zocor.
I did not even think that Zocor could cause the severe multiple adverse symtoms and permanent damage.
The doctor who prescribed Zocor never told me about the side effects and I did not ask.
The doctor became very agitated when I recently asked about the medication Zocor.
I dismissed this doctor.
Too many are complaining about the same symtoms while taking Zocor and after stopping it.
Good Health and Good Luck To All.
JM
to help control pain and stiffness no statins
medicine please.
His total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides are within healthy limits, but the cardiologist says to stay on vytorin. He's been taking plant sterol capsules (4g/day) for 6 months and cardiologist noted best levels for 10 years, but said a coincidence.
In the last month, he has developed terrible pain in joints in his whole body, with swelling in his hands and feet. He sleeps about 18 hours a day. He's 64 and used to run marathons.
A rheumatologist has diagnosed him with rheumatoid arthritis, though blood tests are negative (I know this is not uncommon). He prescribed 6 weeks of prednisone and ongoing methotrexate. Big guns.
Yesterday my husband went off vytorin and will see what happens in a month. This is against his various doctors' advice, who regard him as a naughty boy who won't do as he's told. He should be able to make his own decision with support, not dismissal or derision from the medicos.
pigs. Doctors seems to be more interested in our numbers then the long term problems all these statin drugs are causing us. I spoke to a PT(Physical Therpist)who has worked with knee injury for 25 yrs and she said that doctors are starting to send people to therapy due to damage or joint pain caused from the very drug statins. The PT went on to say that they are not really sure how to treat these people or if treatment will even help reverse any damage. Taking any brand of statin is a double edged sword your damned if you do and your damned if you don't. May our father God be with all of you in pain and comfort you. The FDA needs to get thier act together and our doctors need to listen and hear what each of us say to them. THE END
New Dr. (young puppy) suggests Lipitor. So, as ususal I go researching.
Well, I do not think Lip(itor) shall ever pass my lips. I have had Arthritis problems off and on for the same 40 year period including Iritis, urethral discharges (which I finally got flattened with two grams of Tetrocycline a day for two weeks after having urology specialists keep prescribing Sulfa drugs which masked the problem but no cure) Was thought I had Ankelosing Spondelitis, lipping on vertebrea etc, but they then decided not, etc., etc.
I kept on going. However in the last couple of months my back, upper, Left and my right hip have been driving me nuts and I spent the better part of a week pretty well down. Whilst upping the Ibuprophen intake.
Years ago I was on Indocid, and other NASID drugs. but never took them longer or more often than I needed them. Nor Ibuprophen which I have used since it became non prescription.
Jeepers, now it seems to have lost its effect and to boot I discover that Arthritis predisposes one to high Cholestrol levels.
Just Ducky!
Yours for more pain killers.
For almost a year now I have been off Simvastatin, and the results continue to be very good in terms of OA. At this point my hip pain and discomfort have decreased by about 95%! Please recall that I had a lot of hip pain and discomfort while on Simvastatin. In fact, I had a lot of difficultly sleeping. Now it is almost completely gone. I can normally sleep well -- even on a my left side (which was previously impossible while on Simvastatin).
Please understand, however, that my OA was not as far along as others here. My Ortho recently gave me an estimate that I have 10-30 years before I need some sort of hip "work". Further, I am a very active weightlifter and mountain biker, so I do get a lot of hip exercise.
I am very confident, however, that Simvastatin was the direct cause of my extreme hip pain. Sure I have OA, but the difference is night and day without Simvastatin. There is NOTHING else that I changed other than to get off Simvastatin.
Now I hope to figure out how to control my triglycerides without an "extreme" diet. I still MUST address the triglyceride issue.
The bottom line my friends is that for me Simvastatin was a life-destroying poison -- but we are all different. I certainly don't want any of you to give up a drug that may be keeping you alive. Conversely, I think it is critical to get the word out that Simvastatin (at least in some) has a tremendous downside.
Forewarned is forearmed.
I am on a very low dose of Simvastatin.Can this cause pain.I have developed pain in my knees,ankles,back.Very painful when I get up from a chair,get out of the car or climb stairs.
Charm
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_5_40/ai_n13472456/
http://www.naturalnews.com/029373_kidney_damage_Zocor.html
Please read the article about new drugs that
help arthritis. Statins. Where is that coming from?
It seems we are damned if we do and damned
if we don't.
Judy
Keep posting this has helped me so much to know I am not crazy, or alone there is something wrong with the statins!
The pain in my knees and legs is unbelievable considering I was told I have "mild to moderate" arthritis. sometimes the pain feels all throughout the tendons too. I'm only 46. Cortisone shots have helped when nothing else has, including vicodin, Syn-Visc injections, and a host of other anti-inflammatories which cause me to bleed. My doctor only checks my liver function 1X per year. Is that OK? Should I have it checked more often? What's normal? Does liver damage always occur?
I have had 3 surguries,both knee replacements,and a joint replacementon my fingers. I am currently on so many meds that I'm crazy.Lisonpril 40mg,protonix 40mg. 40mg.norvasc,oxybutynin10 mg,diclofenac-75mg 2X's day,wellbutrin-300mg-1X a day,Effexor-150mg-1X-dayzocar-40mg-1X day,alenfronate-70mg-1X a week-dc because it gave me acid reflux for the week that I took it,tradone-100mg.1X a day, and zocar-40 mg-1 x a dayI am currently taking a calcium tablet every day.and I wonder why I'm cracy. Arthritis pain-no sleeping-depression because I'm not sleeping, I know do water aerobics classes which I truelly like, and I'll get a coritisone shot for pain in my shoulder. From you,I learned that I'm not cracy and I will continue to read your articles for things to help me
I can only speak from personal experience to notice the sudden and unexpected deterioration in my joints, specifically my hands. When other joints started to hurt,and I read this blog, that's when I decided to stop taking it. The improvement to the strength regained in my hands is amazing although I cannot repair the actual damage done. I am lucky however that I do not have to take the drug as I have strong heart and no deterioration in kidneys for 10 years. Nor do I have rheumatoid arthritis which I think brings along a different set of problems as far as not taking statins is concerned.
Perhaps the doctors should read this blog!
I am lucky as my G.P. has told me that although my kidneys are at stage 3, this is on the "cusp" of a kidney problem and I have had no deterioration in kidney function since they started taking records in 2001. So I actually didn't need simvastatin in the first place. Also my family are tough and long living with no heart problems.
I had an appointment with a consultant orthopaedic who told me he couldn't help me as I was old (63) and that's what I should expect so I helped myself. However, I think perhaps these experts should start looking at preventative measures and the degenerative links that seem to be emerging rather than just considering operations to repair and replace.
My latest blood work shows an increase in the liver from 20 to 52. In addition, I seem to be loosing the strength in my hands and my legs get crampy at night.
I decided to come off the drugs and this is only day 2 and I already feel better...I am sure it is all in my head.
My cholesterol was very low at last check. I also take aspirin. Once my high blood pressure was under control with medication, I asked if I could stop taking the simvastatin and aspirin and was told that they were essential to protect my vital organs (kidneys operate at 60% due to previous high blood pressure damage).
My OA is getting worse and I have always been a very active person with a gene history of life into the 90's. I can't face another 30 years with this increase in pain and lack of mobility.
I'm hoping I can get some relief with these new knees. I do have OA in my family, but at 70, not 45. Now the question is, do I get off them before my hips go? My wish: someone comes up with a statin that doesn't hurt the joints, but I guess first they have to realize that they do. Thinking of you all!
Merrie
Upon reading this thread I decided to stop the Simvastatin and see if my OA got better. As of today (about a month later), I can say that my OA pain and discomfort has decreased by about 75%. Although I am not ready to claim 100% that Simvastatin causes or increases OA, I can say that something has changed. Perhaps it is psychosomatic, or I am just going through a “lull” in the arthritis pain cycle, but there is a fairly significant change to the good side. I sleep much better, can still lift heavy, and ride the stationary bike every night. I guess only time will tell.
With regards to the Simvastatin, I have made the decision to quit it altogether. I have been able to lower my triglycerides in the past by eliminating my intake of high-glycemic foods like bread. It sucks to give up the foods I love, but the only other choices are crippling OA or a heart-attack. Hopefully I can keep the triglycerides in check through diet and exercise, as I know others are not so fortunate.
I will also continue on a disciplined regime of specific strength-building exercises for my hips, stretching, and natural supplementation (primarily Omega-3, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, and Green Tea – all in liquid form). My hope is to hold on to my hips as long as possible!
i
create problems for certain people.I used Mevacor and Zocor unsuccessfully because of
muscle pain and weakness. Then we tried Lipitor. It did wonders for my cholesterol.
Because I had used it for a year without any
trouble, I didn't associate my serious muscle
weakness and pain, and joint pain with the
Lipitor. I thought it was my arthritis. It
was my primary doctor who did blood tests
and took me off the medication immediatley.
She also referred me to my rheumatologist.
The statin and done damage to my muscles that
she felt would take at least a year to recover. But my muscles never quite went
back to normal.Recently, a little more than
a year and a half later, because my muscles
were weak and injure easily, and because there were certain markers in my blood tests,
the rheumatologist concluded that the damage
was permanent. There is the possibility that
over the next five years, they may come
back to normal...maybe. My medical chart
now reads that I am not to have statins of
any kind.We are trying other things for my
cholesterol. But I would like to urge anyone,
but especially those who have arthritis,
who are taking statins to immediately see their doctor if they develop any muscle pain,
weakness or joint pain while taking the
medication.Better to be on the safe side.
I'm going off the drug to see what happens.
The pain and weakness has since gone and I can walk again, but since then my cardiogist is watching my cholesterol much more closely. It was 137 in June and 142 in late August. I have RA and it is no picnic, but I am also doing my best to deal with the cardio-vascular issues that the statins are supposed to help.
I wouldn't mind, but i'm a nurse, and they wont give me my pension, as they say I can get a new hip and do some work!!!!!!
Any thoughts from readers gratefully received
and am now registered as allergic to statins having tried 3 different one's with no good results still having high cholestrol. keeping my finger's crossed for these ones
this is after trying 2 other drugs with statin in and still having high colestrol i find these 10 mg tablets to be ok with no side.effect :) pity i still go to bed and wake up in pain and havent had a night of unbroken sleep in yrs due to pain
I have realized and I am convinced that it is Lipitor which pushed me to a life where my hands are at 24 hrs in pain!
I have developed an opinion that these statins may be they are having some benefits in reducing chlostrol in blood but the misery they are bringing as direly bad side effects, sometimes make me feel to die with heart choke better than to be in a punishment of being 24 hrs hands in pain! God help the researchers to find the facts.Once the pill is marketed and start bringing revenues in billions, perhaps who will bother to review its medicinal behaviour on the suffering patients!!
Any suggestions or information???
Thank you for your consideration.
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