Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

2,179 Members
16,355 Posts
0 Online
Muscles & Bones
/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

RA drugs and cholesterol

camba
camba
Has anyone had an increase in cholesterol levels after starting on RA drugs? What about RA itself I wonder? Any thoughts on the subject? My levels up but first test for quite a few years so could be old age!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I see no difference in my levels since I have been on r.a. meds...I am on meds for the chlor.and for r.a. and I have it under control

Cass
thinksRAstinks
thinksRAstinks
Wow- this is interesting to me because my triglycerides have been high since RA drugs. I'm talking readings of 936 when normal level is 150!
Has anyone else had problems like that?
deleted_user
deleted_user
prednisone increase cholesterol. cholesterol is linked to inflammation. Lower your cholesterol and you reduce inflammation.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My cholesterol went up a bit when I was very overweight from overeating on prednisone. When I lost the weight it went back to normal, along with my fatty liver.

My blood pressure has been high for over a year. The only thing that has made it go down is prednisone. One doc told me my high blood pressure could be related to RA inflammation, since I don't have any factors for it, and it never went up when I was pregnant, or even overweight. Now I am in shape and the right weight and it is high. Plus in my family we actually have low blood pressure issues.

RA is just full of fun surprises that no one ever mentions.
bigiblue
bigiblue
I have been on Meds for RA for over a year now, but my Chol level was always normal. I watch what I eat. No red meat, and low fat diet. I went on Dr. weil's Antiinflammatory diet and lowered all my Inflammation and Chol Trygl. etc.. I just got another Bloodtest done so I am anxious to see what teh results were.
big
camba
camba
Thanks everyone so far. Good to hear from those not affected. My blood pressure ok but was up earlier in the year when I had more RA issues. Better look into that anti-inflammatory diet. Hope it helps the battle of the bulge(s)...