Started Repatha - Side Effects

More insults? I don’t think I know more medicine than MDs. However, some MDs choose not to take the time or make the effort or broaden their knowledge or scope. Also, I am not clueless. I know there are other options besides statins/Repatha. I know MANY people cannot take them. I know some cardiology practices have designated physicians to work with those that can’t take the meds. Even the Mayo Clinic reached out to me about that. Unfortunately, I’m in Louisiana and those services are not here. So, if the only thing my cardiologist says to me is that he has nothing for me, then he is lazy and/or incompetent. If he chooses to only offer those two drugs for treatment that is his choice, but that puts him at the bottom.

Again, sorry you are angry.

Let us know your solution.?

@llynch17056, you're right. There are several treatment options to help reduce high cholesterol. Statins are one option that work well for some people. For other people, they cause muscle aches that are unbearable. Other treatment options include bempedoic acid, bile acid sequestrants, and PCSK9 inhibitors. Read more about how each works from Mayo Clinic here:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350806
@mayoconnectuser1, it's true that specialists have a vast amount of knowledge in their area of specialty. Patients know things too, espcially about their side effects and quality of life preferences. Working together is the best option.

@llynch17056, I hope you can find an option that works for you and a doctor who will work with you. How are you doing with making lifestyle changes to help lower cholesterol?

I was angry too…
I was SOB, light headed and weak muscles.
I can’t take statins, Repatha or Nexletrol.
I’m trying psyllium. Who knows? It hasn’t been long enough to test yet. But I don’t feel sick and I have energy to spare.

Thank you. My internist knows I can’t take statins. I tried many times with him. He is following my heart health closely for now. I do yoga, I eat healthy organic food, no processed food at all, I keep my weight down, I walk a minimum of 6,000 steps a day, usually more. With my internist’s approval I tried Beta Sitosterol for about 6 months bc without a meaningful result. I am going to try Mounjaro after my cataract surgery. My internist’s approval is on board with trying some proven options.

For the last 20+ years I feel like I have been a drug experiment. The cholesterol drugs would make me so sick and it would take me a month or two to recover then on to the next drug that would make me sick. Repatha was the worse and recovery from Repatha was almost SIX months. That’s when I said “no more!” And, yes, it has made me angry that no one would listen. It was ruining my life. One doctor actually said he would put in my chart that I was a “non-compliant” patient if I refused to continue taking statins. That was the last time I went to him. And, yes, this whole thing has made me question doctors and whether they truly want to help patients that can’t these drugs.

@llynch17056, I can understand your anger when you feel unheard and unseen. Thank goodness you now have an internist who is working with you, monitoring your cardiac health closely and recognizing that your doing your part with lifestyle changes too. I hope the positive experience restores your confidence in knowing there are good providers out there. It's a relationship.

Repatha does an incredible job of lowering cholesterol. My went to 68 and my ldl dropped to 2!!! Amazing. Likely too low. My pain level in my knees and joints went proportionately. I’ve since stopped it to to detox in 3 months. 1.5 months in. Still have joint pain. A Dr on this discussion board said “ what good is low cholesterol if you can’t get out of bed in the am”. Best and honest advice I’ve seen!!

That was my internist that said that after my cardiologist said “if you can’t take statins or Repatha I have nothing for you!”