Evolocumab and Back Pain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Fed...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 2, 2022

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I have very high cholesterol, up into the high 300s. I'm lean and an avid exerciser. I have been on every statin with no results, so doc put me on Lipitor (40 mg) and Zetia. I was so dizzy due to the Zetia, and my cholesterol was barely lowered. So next up was Repatha - I was side effect-free for a year until I developed massive hives, constant low back pain, flu-like symptoms (all within the last year and a half), and now I can't walk without feeling like falling down. I'm going in for a brain MRI, electrocardiogram, and ultrasound of the carotid artery - bloodwork all normal. Meanwhile, my sinuses are full, and my quality of life has gone downhill from using this drug. I've gone from walking 9 miles a day to not being able to walk. My cholesterol is down to 200. If my tests come back normal, I'm getting off this drug."

• JAD...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2022

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "I have to say I'm truly surprised at all the negative reviews. I took Repatha twice a month for a year and a half and never had a single side effect. The statins, and we tried five or six of them, made me miserable. Some caused back pain, some caused muscle pain, and others caused sexual side effects. Once on the Repatha, I felt fine, and my blood test results were ones my doctor said he would pin to his refrigerator, they were that good. I would have continued taking it, but my health insurance got canceled. Repatha does such a good job of reversing plaque buildup that before you quit taking it, I would seriously investigate other reasons for the supposed side effects. Statins are much more likely to cause side effects, and everyone I've talked to that takes Repatha has not had any of the side effects people here are talking about. Personally, I think it's a lifesaver."

• Her...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2019

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "I have had high cholesterol my entire life. Four bypasses and numerous stents. I had little to lose as I could not tolerate the statins. Been on Repatha nine months. I experienced back pain and arthritic symptoms. I am now on CBD oil 1000 mg, and it helps tolerate the side effects. My LDL went from 110 to 10. Now I am afraid it is too low. I know the CBD helps because I ran out and was bedridden for two weeks. Back pain was terrible and arthritic all over. Got the CBD and was better in two days. It worked for me."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2021

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "I took Repatha Pushtronex on Feb. 15, 2021. I had to go to the ER, with leg swelling, itching face, had an X-ray of lungs, coughing, couldn't breathe or swallow, my face was bright red, headache, and high BP. In the following days, I could not urinate, had back pain, hard bladder, went to urologist, and urine was clear, put on cranberry, probiotics, prebiotics. Saw gynecologist because of pain in belly and ordered a sonogram, but it was still bladder/back pain. My face broke out, DRAINING visits to the dermatologist went through 4 tubes of hydrocortisone valerate, no relief. Went to GP, she sent me back to the dermatologist and on clindamycin face gel and pills for my face as it looks to be bad acne. Never had my face look like this. On Benadryl, itching, burning since Feb. and it's Nov. 9th! I am suffering. Cardiologist has no answer. Repatha 800# says, 'We don't know when it will get out of your system, it lingers.' 9 months? POISON."

• Tho...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2023

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "I have been on it for a year and a half, and it’s been very effective in lowering my cholesterol. However, recently I started experiencing terrible lower back pains. I got an MRI of my lumbar, which shows that I have some bulging. Perhaps the medication is exacerbating my condition?! The only way for me to know is to stop taking it. Is anyone out there with similar conditions who stopped taking it? If so, please tell me if your back pain has gone away, and if so, how long did it take? Thank you."

• Pap...
• August 22, 2021

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I am a 66-year-old male with familial high cholesterol and triglycerides. I have been unable to take statins and other meds for lowering cholesterol due to elevation of muscle enzymes, which causes muscle pain and weakness. After a stent, the doctor wanted me to take Repatha. I took it for 5 months, and due to other health issues, I did not realize I was having issues until a heart catheterization came back normal. I had chest pressure, shortness of breath with minor exertion, sweating very easily, body aches, fatigue, back pain, and muscle aches all over. My muscle enzymes test, which I had to request, was very elevated. I immediately stopped Repatha. Chest discomfort stopped immediately, breathing is better, and sweating stopped, but I am still having severe back and muscle aches in my legs, with my legs feeling very rubbery. My advice is to pay very close attention to muscle aches if you take this medication and have problems with other cholesterol medications."

• Ren...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 18, 2022

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Numbers are great, but severe side effects! Such strong hay fever-type effects with eyes and nose running, sneezes so strong they hurt, and itching all over, but especially head and eyes. If I take Claritin or similar, I have bad insomnia. Left hip and knee pain. Lower back pain when walking and weight gain. I am stopping the Repatha injections - quality of life down."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2023

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "From the first day, I experienced itching, took an antihistamine, and that helped, had lower back pain and neck pain, generally felt unwell, and fatigued daily. I am not sure if I want to do this again in a week and a half."

• Zar...
• September 13, 2021

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "I started having body aches with severe headaches, coughing, and chills, back pain. My blood pressure went high, been weak all day, and I'm going through the second day, not sure how long this will last, but I hope you don't delete my comments."

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2021

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "I have not tolerated statins well due to side effects. A doctor recommended Repatha injection, which I was not excited about as I do not like needles, but decided to give it a try and to overcome my fear in lieu of better cholesterol health. I took my first dose on 8/10 and was feeling fine. On 8/12, I noticed a slight discomfort in my hip area and thought I had slept wrong… Woke up 8/13 and had severe pain in my hip, stomach, and back and could barely get out of bed. Tylenol had no effect. I thought about going to the ER but decided to tough it out until Monday because I had a previously scheduled appointment. I also experienced higher blood pressure, tiredness, and I believe my glucose level dropped. I have already sent the doctor a message that I will not be taking the second dose. I am waiting to see what the doctor says. In the meantime, I am still unable to move or sit without pain, and while it may be effective, the side effects are not worth it."

• Bib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2021

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "Been on Repatha for 5 months. My cholesterol has come down quite a bit. But, I’ve gone from playing PB, low-impact aerobics, yoga, and walking several times a week to gaining 10 lbs, joints hurting more than ever, back pain, and sciatic nerve pain the worst I’ve ever had, and I’m very lethargic now. Not happy with what’s happening to my body, even though I had some health issues. I shouldn’t have gone from all of this activity in such a short time to using a cane some days, being put on prednisone for a week, taking pregabalin and Tylenol every day, and now steroid injections again. I was doing pretty well with my pain management until I started Repatha. Now I’m getting ready to return to the pain management clinic after 3 years. I’m very sad about this. I will be discussing this with my cardiologist as soon as I can get an appointment. Is Repatha the culprit that’s causing my return to severe pain and weight gain? I don’t know."

• BEa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2018

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Have been taking Repatha for two months, with an injection every two weeks. Almost immediately began to feel the malaise, sinus pressure, dry eyes, and leg weakness. After the last two injections, began to have severe low back pain, pain in both hips, and increasing numbness in both feet. Blood pressure has also increased slightly. Doctor states that it is not caused by Repatha, however, when treated by the general practitioner for the symptoms above, they have been unable to identify the proximal cause."

• Pal...
• July 27, 2024

For High Cholesterol "After a profound ADR to statins with confirmed motor neuron disease, resolving after discontinuation, I managed chronically elevated cholesterol with diet, exercise, niacin, and Zetia; however, I was never able to reach the desired target levels for LDL and was started on Repatha 7 months ago. After two doses, I noted multiple low-grade but rather obvious constellation of symptoms, all listed on the Repatha drug information. None were debilitating at that time as they are presently. After a dramatic lowering of my LDL (160 to 50), I elected to stay on and see if the symptoms abated; however, they never did. A common thread in the patient reports herein, as well as in my experience, is the insidious nature of these symptoms, including easy muscle soreness/fatigue with activity, reduced athletic endurance, back pain, stiffness, general fatigue, and a general feeling of rapid aging and unwellness. I am due for my 8th injection next week and will not be taking any more, only hoping that I can recover to my baseline."

• cbe...
• June 7, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I have been on statins for 15 years, Crestor for the last 10 years. My cardiologist, not happy with numbers in 10/2020, recommended a bi-monthly injection of Repatha. After the fourth injection, I noticed burning pain up my back. After my injection in 12/2020, lying in bed, I felt burning pain flowing from my tailbone up my whole spine. I talked to an orthopedic therapist, and he could find no cause. I refused to use it again. The back pain was severe. I did not go to the ER because of COVID. I used ibuprofen and Tylenol to deal with the pain. My PA also prescribed Tramadol for pain. The pain continued for over 90 days. I did seem to feel the burning leave in 4/2021 but continued to have back pain. I have recently had an MRI that shows compression fractures from T11 to S1. I still cannot walk any distance or stand long. Repatha needs to be taken off the market. PS: Cholesterol was reduced."

• Tob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2020

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "My wife took Repatha, lowered her cholesterol by half. But now, after 6 months, has lower backache for the last 2 months, and she gets occasional blurry vision."

• Ray...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2017

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "After taking the 2nd shot, I started having back pain, pain in my knees and hands. I can't take statins for the same reasons. I was hoping this was the drug without the pain."

• ray...
• April 9, 2023

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "Tried a 140 mg injection the first time. I felt very sick that night, with foul gas and nausea, and now left with back and leg pain and a constant headache."

• Tex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2025

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "First dose today, and I feel absolutely horrible! Like the flu, my joints, back, neck, shoulders, everything hurts! I couldn’t tolerate statins for this reason here! Hope it goes away!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2024

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "Having lots of the side effects: dry mouth, runny nose, sore throat like a cold, ears, dizzy, leg pain, fainting. Diarrhea, headache, backache."

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2018

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Only took 12 doses and couldn’t move. Extreme fatigue and lethargy, back pain, and horrible leg cramps. Doctor has stopped for now."

• Okt...
• August 27, 2017

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Took my 3rd fortnightly shot, and I will not take any more. The side effects are getting worse: back ache, muscle ache, runny nose, feel like I'm run down with a cold."

• DJW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2025

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "While this drug does what it is supposed to do, lower cholesterol, the side effects were unbearable. Back pain, shortness of breath, headache, muscle pain, severe fatigue."

• ray...
• April 22, 2023

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "Repatha lowered my cholesterol by 100 points within a week. However, I have back pain, UTI, high A1C, blurred vision, insomnia, sore throat, and weakness (can barely walk 3 blocks). Not worth it."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2023

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "Having a consistent runny nose and blisters on the lining of my nose. A lot of joint and back pain since starting the medication."

• bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2023

Evolocumab for High Cholesterol "I have been taking Repatha once every 3 weeks for 6 months. At first, I had severe back pain, but now the side effects are the same as a cold for a few days. It has definitely reduced my numbers."