Connect
← Return to Started Repatha - Side Effects
Discussion
Started Repatha - Side Effects
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (396)Comment receiving replies
Not sure this all relates to this thread, but I am considering all options. I have been taking Lipitor 20 mg for almost 2 years, with the side effects of muscle pain and weakness, cramps, and tendonitis. I have discussed with doctors and they decreased me to 3times a week, which did not help; allowed me a one week break, which didn't. help either. I finally got a note in my chart from my primary care mentioning I might need a statin break. I sent my cardiologist a long note about how my quality of life has gone down since starting statin therapy and that I hurt everyday. I've been to acupuncturist, PT, OT, massage therapy and do daily exercises. Recently had my lipid panel done and total 207, HDL 88 and LDL 85. He sent a note in the portal, "good job managing your levels, hope you are tolerating the statin". --- NO, I am not tolerating. That was over a week ago, and I just stopped taking the Lipitor. I've missed 4 doses in the past 10 days and I have at least 50-75% less pain overall. I don't get out of bed stiff, I don't hurt when I turn over in bed and I require less stretching to relieve pain. He would not give me his permission to do this. He mentioned trying a different statin, but I think they all do the same thing. Would Repatha be something I ask him about? I am not really much of a cardiac risk - calcium score of 0, blood pressure under control, no diabetes... I honestly do not feel I should need to live in pain and restricted activities just to lower my cholesterol a bit.
Replies to "Not sure this all relates to this thread, but I am considering all options. I have..."
Hi, I am a newbie here. Female, 68 years old, and have been seeing a cardiologist since March after requesting a CAC and it coming back 1887! After all the tests, I have been diagnosed with CAD, PAD, small blockage in bottom of my heart, and the calcified plaque all over. Trying to avoid a stent for now. I had been on statins for over 25-30 years and had calf pain for probaby that long, when I walked to fast, or went up hills. Drs. always just checked my pulse on my ankles and said it was good. I also have Type 1 diabetes for 55 years, Hashimotos Thyroiditis. I just started Repatha last week and I praying for a miracle. I thought I would join here to try to keep up with peoples experiences.
I do feel that I have been let down by the medical community. With the diabetes, I have seen an endocrinologist every three months, plus a GP prob twice a year. I was never told that I was in a serious situation and yet I have seen that it takes decades for the calcium to continue to collect like this. Why don't they do the CAC tests to early and not wait until we are of this age? I had just gotten a letter from my GP in January that I was doing good, keep sugars down like I have, watch cholesterol, etc. then to find out I am in the 90 % for having a heart problem in within 5 years. I am just having a hard time dealing with this while at the same time trying to do whatever I can to possibly make it better or try to. Any advice from others? Thanks for listening!
Connect
I honestly can feel your pain. I was put on statins about 15 years ago. I had the same reaction. I tried to tell my doctor, but he wouldn’t hear it. Tried different statins, different doses, all the same. I was going to have to quit work and be disabled. That’s ridiculous. I took myself off of the statin. The next time I saw the doctor he said he was going to brand me a “non-compliant patient.” That was it I found another doctor. Before I committed to him I was assured that he would listen to me and manage my heart disease without statins. Fast forward. I completely changed my eating, started yoga, got a Fitbit and walk 6,000-10,000 steps a day. I was feeling great and my Chlorestrol was manageable. Then more than a decade later all of a sudden my Chlorestrol shot way up. I started talking Repatha. It brought it down, but I’m not sure whether I will continue Repatha or not. I tolerate it much better than statins, but I may quit it, too and get stricter on my life style. I want to feel good or what’s the point?