Repatha and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Per...
• February 16, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I am on my 9th injection of Repatha. I had no side effects until my 9th injection. My cholesterol levels dropped dramatically, which was great news. However, on the day after my 9th injection, I was out shopping and had a back spasm, and had to call for a ride home. The pain has increased to my hips. I am in consultation with my doctor (via email) to stop taking this medication. Reading the reviews made me realize, yes, I need to stop. I just paid $435.00 for this medication."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I took my first dose of Repatha on a Thursday and had side effects of flu symptoms, terrible back pain, neck pain, and vertigo within 24 hours. By Monday, I was in the ER with a NSTEMI (a type of heart attack). I was sent home on Tuesday. I was back in the ER on Thursday with a second NSTEMI and 2 angiograms. It's been a month now, and I still have muscle pain, weakness, blurry vision, fatigue, depression, shoulder pain, and hand swelling. And this was from just 1 dose. The doctor said there were no side effects. Yeah, okay."

• Jud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Repatha is great for lowering your cholesterol really fast, but the side effects are terrible. My back, hips, and knees are hurting me 24/7. I have been to the doctor many times, and he has given me many different pain meds. Nothing really helps. I can hardly walk across the floor. Working all day is killing me. I just want to cry because of the pain. I have been off Repatha for almost 3 months, and the pain still has not gone away. I just want to be normal again. I will never take it again."

• Jud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Repatha is great for lowering your cholesterol really fast, but the side effects are terrible. My back, hips, and knees are hurting me 24/7. I have been to the doctor many times, and he has given me many different pain meds. Nothing really helps. I can hardly walk across the floor. Working all day is killing me. I just want to cry because of the pain. I have been off Repatha for almost 3 months, and the pain still has not gone away. I just want to be normal again. I will never take it again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 25, 2024

For High Cholesterol "In 2008, my legs began aching and losing strength. Hypercholesterolemia. Through the years, they tried different brands and strengths of statin meds: Lipitor, Atorvastatin, Pravastatin, etc. The pain and weakness continued growing worse. It reached the point where I could hardly rise from a sitting position, with the constant pain becoming unbearable. The statins were correcting my cholesterol readings but were causing the weakness and pain in my legs. My doctor began reducing the dosage from 20 mg to 10 mg per day. The pain and weakness continued. On March 17, 2017, I stopped taking statins altogether. Within 10 weeks, the leg pain and weakness were gone, but my cholesterol levels rose. I went back on the weakest dosage, trying first to stagger to every other day, then three times per week, then once a week. On 6/28/2019, my cardiologist stepped in, putting me on Repatha SureClick 14 mg once every two weeks. The pain and weakness are gone. Cholesterol numbers are great! I'm back to enjoying life at the ripe old age of 82!"

• Lou...
• August 12, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I have several in my family with high cholesterol... 503 high, so hereditary. I went on Repatha in Oct. 2018. My numbers steadily went down to 235 with mild side effects; some joint pain every now and then. This all changed with my July 2019 injection. I experienced sudden severe hip pain that went all the way down one leg. I could not walk even to the next room. I have had sciatica before, and this was a lot like that, except that it lasted for a day and a half and went away. I wrote this sudden pain off as maybe it was sciatica until my next injection, and the same thing happened, but less severe. I immediately went off of Repatha. I'm still experiencing more symptoms, like muscle weakness and throbbing pain in my arm and hand joints. My feet ache often now as well. I had tried several statins as well, and those also resulted in several side effects that were not tolerable."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2017

For High Cholesterol "After one shot, it scalded my skin, made an open sore, and I started experiencing diarrhea. My lower right back started hurting. Day 17, I'm waiting on blood work before I take a second shot, and my neck at the base hurts. Weird pains I'm not used to that hurt and affect my quality of life. Can't take statins. Don't think I'll ever take another shot of Repatha. If it messes with your liver, it can kill you. I will walk at least 60 minutes a day, every day, and continue to watch my fat, trans fat, and cholesterol intake. My last shot was 27 days ago. Between the initial post and now, I'm still nauseated. I have loose bowels every time I eat, and I have to go. Can't go anywhere, and it's physically irritating. My knees and back still hurt, and I feel pain behind my eyes, have trouble swallowing, and experience body spasms. Still so tired with no energy and have trouble."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2022

For High Cholesterol "Fantastic lab results led to absolutely horrific pain! As many other reviewers have stated, everything started out well, but after the 6th dose, I ended up with pain that was worse than anything I thought possible. Recovery isn't quick like statin pain but rather has taken me a very long 3 months to be able to walk properly again. I am extremely happy to have survived this experiment with no long-term damage (I hope), but will never ever try it again. If you are new to this drug, then please be careful, and if you have been injured by it, then have hope that given time, the pain and disability will diminish."

• duh...
• July 5, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I have taken 4 statins in the past five years, all leaving me with leg pain, which gets worse with walking. Stopped each pill within weeks, as I would rather have quality of life. Physician recommended Repatha. No leg pain for two months, however, I experienced constantly being tired. Blamed it on old age (80). After my last injection, I couldn't walk 50 feet without being out of breath. I decided to check side effects, and of course, the #1 is trouble breathing. A little farther down the list is tired and drowsy. I'll live with the cholesterol. I pray the effects go away, I still have them a week later."

• THB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I had a slight heart attack in September 2022. I was put on 140 mg/ml of Repatha by October. Cholesterol went down significantly. I reported muscle pain in both upper arms. The cardiologist said it wasn't Repatha. I am not able to take Lipitor or Crestor, as I have severe thigh pain with statins. I have been on Repatha for 5 months. Shoulder and arm pain have gotten worse, and now I have pain in my hand and lower arm, pins and needles in my arm as well. I am not taking the next dose."

• THB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I had a slight heart attack in September 2022. I was put on 140 mg/ml of Repatha by October. Cholesterol went down significantly. I reported muscle pain in both upper arms. The cardiologist said it wasn't Repatha. I am not able to take Lipitor or Crestor, as I have severe thigh pain with statins. I have been on Repatha for 5 months. Shoulder and arm pain have gotten worse, and now I have pain in my hand and lower arm, pins and needles in my arm as well. I am not taking the next dose."

• THB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I had a slight heart attack in September 2022. I was put on 140 mg/ml of Repatha by October. Cholesterol went down significantly. I reported muscle pain in both upper arms. The cardiologist said it wasn't Repatha. I am not able to take Lipitor or Crestor, as I have severe thigh pain with statins. I have been on Repatha for 5 months. Shoulder and arm pain have gotten worse, and now I have pain in my hand and lower arm, pins and needles in my arm as well. I am not taking the next dose."

• Hap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I had a stent in July 2019 in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) with 90% blockage. Put on statins and my whole body reacted. Pain, peripheral neuropathy, and the list really goes on. Just cannot take the statins. Put on Repatha, and a miracle happened. My life was given back to me. LDL dropped to 1.1, body pain relieved, peripheral neuropathy disappeared in months, no longer tripping and falling. I feel myself again. Cannot recommend the treatment more. I take one 140 mg injection once a month."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I am 69 years old. I have been an athlete all my life and have run over forty thousand miles. I do not tolerate statins due to severe muscle pain. I was walking 6 miles a day prior to taking Repatha. After three shots of Repatha, I developed debilitating pain and weakness in my back and right leg. 9 on the pain scale. I still, three weeks later, have difficulty walking. It seems to be improving somewhat, with better days followed by a more difficult day. This has had a terrible impact on my quality of life. DO NOT TAKE this drug!"

• RoB...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 3, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I have been plagued with high cholesterol most of my adult life. I have had three heart attacks, resulting in a total of 16 stents in my heart that all doctors attribute to high cholesterol. I had tried every statin drug available that really did little to control my cholesterol, but, other than red yeast rice, all had horrific side effects of pain and lack of muscle usage. Repatha, along with red yeast rice, has reduced my cholesterol to below normal averages. My doctor is ecstatic, which makes me happy to not be subjected to statins. At the most, I have experienced minor local pain temporarily after an injection and, on rare occasions, a bit of minor nausea for about an hour after an injection. Repatha truly has saved me from misery."

• Lin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 8, 2019

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I had another stent in March of this year. Was put on Vascepa and Repatha. I have experienced back pain and hip pain. Thought it was the Vascepa and called the heart doctor. Didn't think about Repatha. Was told to reduce dosage, but I quit completely. I still have the same pain, but my legs are getting worse, it hurts to walk. Pain in hip bones and back is still there too. Decided to read reviews on Repatha, and I am having identical pain as other reviewers. I am not using it either and see if all this pain goes away. I had bronchitis and some type of flu, also now, I am wondering if this med was what caused that. Why would a heart doctor prescribe two drugs to lower cholesterol? Mine is high from genetics. My doctor said if I didn't get my cholesterol down, I would be back needing another stent, a heart attack, or a stroke. What helps one thing causes something else that's serious. How long did it take after some of you quit taking it for side effects to go away? Hope these drugs don't do permanent damage."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2018

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "Tried Repatha and suffered a number of side effects. There was a lot of pain and swelling at the injection site. Later that evening, suffered pretty severe abdominal and back muscle pain, headache, exacerbation of asthma symptoms, and general malaise. Most of these symptoms continued for 5-7 days. The symptoms were very similar to those I suffered after taking several flu shots. Figured there might be some connection and discovered they both contain polysorbate 80, an emulsifier. Will not be taking this drug again."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 15, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Been on Repatha. Had all symptoms of side effects with flu-like symptoms with aches and pains. Got sick last month, thought it was pneumonia, had a chest X-ray, showed something on lung, now PET scan and have a mass. That’s right, cancer that spread to my lungs. Bet it’s this damn drug since it causes respiratory infections. So when is Amgen Pharma and the FDA going to come out with this? They have reports on lung cancer. No doubt it’s the Repatha that caused my lung cancer. I was fine until I started this. It’s poison. You’re only a guinea pig."

• Tau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2019

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Not tolerating statins and having to maintain LDL between 70 and 100, my cardiologist offered me Repatha of 140 every 15 days. After the first dose, I started having jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, and pain in my hands, legs, and feet. Another heavy side effect is insomnia. After 15 days from the first dose, LDL has decreased from 120 to 60, a very potent drug, but even with a single dose a month, the side effects are terrible. Unfortunately, I gave up Repatha."

• Tau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2019

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Not tolerating statins and having to maintain LDL between 70 and 100, my cardiologist offered me Repatha of 140 every 15 days. After the first dose, I started having jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, and pain in my hands, legs, and feet. Another heavy side effect is insomnia. After 15 days from the first dose, LDL has decreased from 120 to 60, a very potent drug, but even with a single dose a month, the side effects are terrible. Unfortunately, I gave up Repatha."

• Tau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2019

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Not tolerating statins and having to maintain LDL between 70 and 100, my cardiologist offered me Repatha of 140 every 15 days. After the first dose, I started having jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, and pain in my hands, legs, and feet. Another heavy side effect is insomnia. After 15 days from the first dose, LDL has decreased from 120 to 60, a very potent drug, but even with a single dose a month, the side effects are terrible. Unfortunately, I gave up Repatha."

• Tau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2019

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Not tolerating statins and having to maintain LDL between 70 and 100, my cardiologist offered me Repatha of 140 every 15 days. After the first dose, I started having jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, and pain in my hands, legs, and feet. Another heavy side effect is insomnia. After 15 days from the first dose, LDL has decreased from 120 to 60, a very potent drug, but even with a single dose a month, the side effects are terrible. Unfortunately, I gave up Repatha."

• Cjl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2018

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Repatha is great for your lipid numbers. I went from terrible numbers to a perfect cholesterol profile. I am a 59-year-old female with 4 stents. I had a heart attack in 2016. I finally got approval on the Repatha, and the first 4 months of treatment I felt great. Then, the 6th month, my neck and left arm started hurting so bad I couldn't stand the pain. I did not want to stop the Repatha because of the amazing cholesterol numbers, but I didn't have a choice. I could not live with the pain. I have been off of Repatha for 6 months now. The neck pain has gotten somewhat better. My left arm is still pretty painful. I had gotten to the point I could hardly use it. It may be a little better now. I sometimes have to pick up my left arm with my right arm to move it. I gave a 2-bar rating because Repatha does lower your cholesterol to perfect. But the side effects are not something I can live with. I don't know what the answer is to this problem, but Repatha is not it for me."

• Mis...
• October 25, 2018

For High Cholesterol "Horrible low back and leg pain and aching. I have taken two injections. I noticed some minor low back pain in the first two weeks. With the next injection, second week, I have horrible low back pain with spasms that I have not had in a very long time. I do have a low back issue, but the pain has been very different...and constant. I called my doctor's office, they said that's not a side effect of the medication??? Not what I read! So I called Yale Pharmacy, who is dispensing the medication, and they said absolutely it could be, it's not the most seen side effect but definitely could be. I'm 54 years old and I can't live like this! I will not be taking any more injections. They told me it can be 3 months to get it out of my system."

• Sai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Took injections for three months, last one Nov. 15, 2018. Leg pain, weak, walk like 90-year-old bag lady for three weeks afterwards. Then, shoulder pain for three weeks. Could not roll over in bed. Now, Jan. 25, have had four weeks of hand pain. Have a shoebox full of creams, horse liniment. Only relief, 10 mg opioid and 4 aspirin, good for 4 hours of sleep. One hand swollen, one burning nerve, both swollen, painful joints. Doctors have no suggestions, maybe a cortisone shot in the wrist, ouch! or surgery. To my body, this Repatha is poison!"