Injectables instead of statins

Shots of what? It's easy enough to check with Dr Google or Dr Bing if we know what we're looking for.

I don’t know which of the injectables the neurologist will recommend. She’s running a bunch of tests over the next couple of months, but she’s generally critical of statins.

@chawk sounds like your neurologist is experimenting. I would not like to be one of her guinea pigs!

Chawk,
Alirocumab (Praluent), evolocumab (Repatha), and inclisiran (Leqvio) are the available PCSK9 injectables that are sometimes used with statins, but are used alone especially for those who can't tolerate statins.
Your neurologist wants to protect you from neuropathy that sometimes happens with those who tolerate statins long term and may be irreversible if statins are not stopped soon enough after symptoms begin.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22550-pcsk9-inhibitors
I'm looking at inclisiran, after not enjoying Repatha.

@gently
What side effects did you have from Repatha? I'm considering Leqvio because I can't take statins due to pre-existing neuropathy. I've resisted taking ezetimibe due to fear of GI issues, but its doesn't reduce LDL much on its own anyway. It's a little scary to take Leqvio that lasts 6 months when I don't know if I'll have side effects.

https://tryngolza.com/taking-tryngolza

@californiazebra, I had the GI effects. The effects are said to (and did) last into the next injection. Many weeks after the second injection, I that I understood that couldn't maintain sufficient weight on Repatha. I hope you have a healthier response. Leqvio has a different mechanism of action that Repatha or Praluent, so even though I'm planning Leqvio, I'm avoiding the cardiologist for a (dangerous) while.

@gently
Sorry about your reaction and how long it lasted. I hope Leqvio is a success for you. It’s so frustrating that most meds are just exchanging one problem for another.

Thanks, Zebra. My latest cardiologist said he was surprised I wasn't dead. When I asked why I wasn't dead, he said that my blood vessels weren't behaving correctly, as they are flexible and should be stiff with age.
All these drugs affect so many different pathways that are as yet unidentified. I'd rather be the doctor than the patient.

@gently
Well that’s scary for you to hear that. I agree with your preference. I’ve always said, “Tis better to give than to receive” is especially true in the medical world. 😊