Has anyone any personal experience of taking statins during pregnancy?

[rubybambini]

Hello - hope someone can offer advice, reassurance...

On Saturday, I discovered that I'm pregnant (fantastic!) for the first time, but I've been receiving treatment for a kidney problem since May 2010 - so it's a mixed bag of emotions, healthwise.

Some history: I have PCO, I'm 38 and have never knowingly been pregnant in my life, and was told / convinced that it was unlikely to happen during my kidney treatment as periods can go AWOL and my body simply wouldn't 'be up for it'. So I'm somewhat stunned by this news. I'm also unsure how pregnant I am, due to the 'period masking' of the steroids. GP and I think: less than 3 months, more than 5 weeks - probably about 7 to 8 weeks.

The treatment involves steroids (Prednisone) and statins (Lipitor).

Today, the consultant said that the prednisone is OK to continue (and indeed, is sometimes prescribed for other things during pregnancy), and will help keep my kidney disease under control during my pregnancy.

But the statins have been immediately stopped, as they're believed / known to cause birth defects. They're category Z in the FDA list.

And I'm terrified, with a million questions racing round my mind about the damage I might've unwittingly done.

I had no idea that the statins I was taking were so dangerous, and wish that I'd been told 'under no circumstances get pregnant', although, as you've read, I'm stunned it's happened.

My questions:

1. Has anyone here any personal experience of taking statins during pregnancy? I was taking 10mg a day (although 2 days out of 7 I invariably forgot to take them) between June 2010 and yesterday.
2. Is it just a waiting game until my first scan, to see that all is well?

Would be most grateful to hear, and also, if you have other avenues I could explore - I'm keen to amass as much information as I can on the subject, and just want to reach out to women who may've been in a similar situation.

Thank you.

I haven't taken statins, but - like with having taken/done anything potentially harmful when pg - yes, it's a waiting game with scans, etc to check everything is okay.

Specific info on Lipitor and pregnancy is available here (go to Warnings and Precautions):
www.rxlist.com/lipitor-drug.htm

It looks like it isn't clear that they cause defects, so hopefully you'll both be fine.

Hello Japhrimel - and thanks so much for the link.

I'm hoping of course, that all will be well, and trying not to tie myself in knots wondering what if. Guess I'll just have to stay calm, wait it out like every other woman for the time being =)

Still hopeful that I'll hear from someone who's been in a similar situation - I've scoured messageboards for personal experiences and nothing forthcoming so far, just the worrying medical stuff.

Hello
I don't have any medical expertise but thought it might help to share what i was told about statins.

I was on 40mg a day and my consultant reminded me to stop taking statins if I became pregnant. She said this was because there has been little research into the effects on a baby. However the consultant also said that it was more than likely that drug company was being over cautious and they often list every side-effect and precaution for fear of being sued.

I stopped taking statins about a month before getting pregnant so not quite in the same boat as you. However i was taking a lot higher dose than you and who's to say the statins would have left my system in time?

I'm 40 weeks pregnant now and all my scans have been OK.

I'm sure that things will be OK for you - just think of all those that drink heavily, take drug and eat the 'wrong' foods not knowing they are pregnant.

Hi mossycat - thanks for your message. Yes, the sensible part of me is saying 'it's over caution' by the drugs company, so that's now my mantra. Very glad to hear that your pregnancy is progressing well, it's reassuring to read - good luck with your last few days =)

I thought I should update this thread, should anyone else have a similar problem in the future.

I'm spectacularly lucky to have access to obstetricians who specialise in renal care at my hospital - and the news from them is that the Lipitor, as I've stopped taking it, should present no problems to our baby. Of course, they can't be 100%, but it was hugely reassuring news.

And the steroids should present no problems either.

What it all means is that I just need more monitoring during my pg than many, for which I'm immensely grateful to the NHS and the care available at my particular hospital.

And my op makes me laugh - I thought I was 7-8 weeks, in fact I was 12 weeks when I posted, and am now 15+1!

I know I'm way late to ask, but how was Ur pregnancy? Please tell us your experience, Thank you.