Statin alternatives

Posted by swilkins1974 @swilkins1974, Sep 22 7:55am

Due to a 70% blockage in my LAD I had 2 stents inserted. I had no symptoms. I was put on Rosuvastatin and after a year of 5 mg was trying to increase. My statin levels were not at the level the cardio wanted. BUT they wanted me at the level as if I had had a heart attack. When trying to increase I went to feeling a few side effects to becoming a person who thought twice to climbing stairs and working out due to hip, back and leg pain. Foggy brain a bit too. Rosuvastatin was my third try of a different statin. I had border line high cholesterol before statins. So my question is, has anyone who has not had a heart attack but has stents just gone without a statin. I am sure my cardio will treat me like I am crazy to not take them, but what is worse, sitting around because you hurt or being active and happy.

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rochelle369 | @rochelle369 | Sep 27 5:46pm

I paid out of pocket $1,500 for it. My cardiologist told me the CCTA would be covered now under insurance since i have heart disease. I'll still pay to have the disc sent to Cleerly for intrepretation.

swilkins1974 | @swilkins1974 | Sep 27 5:51pm

Is an angiogram still not the gold standard. Although riskier if get the CCTA and you need a stent an angiogram will still have to be done.

Marie | @purl18 | Sep 29 9:10am

In reply to @gerrycf "I tried all the "pill" statins....and the side effects were awful for me. I switched to..." + (show)

@gerrycf
I recently had a Lacunar stroke, and my doctor has prescribed Repatha. The cost is extremely high. Did your insurance pay for it or do you have a grant? I am allergic to statins; they cause a rise in liver enzymes.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 29 1:35pm

In reply to @purl18 "@gerrycf I recently had a Lacunar stroke, and my doctor has prescribed Repatha. The cost is..." + (show)

@purl18 Like you, I could not tolerate statins. Since I am on Medicare with a good supplement, my copay for injections is $50 for each biweekly injection, capped at $2000/year. Otherwise, my daughter (pharmacy nurse) has said they advise people to contact Repatha directly for assistance, and failing that, to use GoodRx to get the cost down.
Do any of these options work for you?

gerrycf | @gerrycf | Sep 29 5:22pm

In reply to @purl18 "@gerrycf I recently had a Lacunar stroke, and my doctor has prescribed Repatha. The cost is..." + (show)

@purl18 before Medicare, there’s was a program I signed up for — you can inquire from Repatha. Very reasonable. Once Medicare kicked in for me, it was expensive about 180/month (2 injection pens). But I think they also offer some assistance programs. Look online or call them. Praluent was a little expensive and I switched 2x and presently on Praluent.

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