Evolocumab and Fatigue: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I started Repatha 4 months ago. This medicine has made me so sick, I can’t hardly function. Nausea, bad diarrhea, muscle aches, flu-like symptoms, overall just fatigued. After the second shot, I was in bed for 5 days. I stopped for 4 weeks, took it again, and the same situation. Two days after I got sick, I’m now able to stand up and keep a few crackers down. I will not try it again."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2018

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have taken my second shot of Repatha today, Sunday, November 4, 2018. I had a lot of negative issues after my first shot, including inability to focus, vision issues, malaise, and back pain. I have contracted some type of chest cold and am now on an antibiotic. I do not know if it was Repatha-related. I will report back after another week to update you."

• TBa...
• August 29, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I am female, age 66. Took my 4th injection three days ago. The first three, I had zero side effects. After taking the 4th, I did not sleep at all! Felt extremely tired the next day and had to nap for 2 hours. That evening, I was so tired I felt sick with fatigue but was able to sleep. Now tonight, I can’t sleep again! The day after my 4th injection, I had a blood test with super results, however, when my BP was taken, it was 130/60. I always have low BP, usually 100/62 or about there. I mentioned the BP with the cardiologist, and she didn’t seem concerned! But I am, as I lay here NOT sleeping. I’m thinking my BP is high, which is causing the insomnia! I should be sleeping because I take 1200 mg of gabapentin at night for neuropathy, which always conks me out! Calling my Dr ASAP."

• LLL...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I started taking Repatha 140 mg every 2 weeks in 2016. My cholesterol was 320. I had been taking other cholesterol drugs, but they did not reduce my numbers. I’m 71, and when I started Repatha, I did not connect my headaches, neck pain, and fatigue to the drug. Around three weeks ago, I started having leg pain, knee pain, leg cramps, and leg weakness. The pain is so bad I can hardly walk. Tomorrow, I see my cardiologist, I will ask if there is something else I can take. The Repatha did bring down the cholesterol back to normal."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I have to say that the drug works, but at what cost. I can't take statins due to the joint and muscle pain it causes me. I have been on Repatha for 3 months now. I just recently went to my doctor with severe back, joint, and feet pain. I also complained about low energy. She thought maybe I had depression, which I quickly denied. So the next thing, she looked up the side effects and saw everything I have complained about. I really don't want to quit the medication, but I don't want to feel like this for the rest of my life. I will say that all my numbers were decreased by half or better. I honestly don't know if I will continue the drug. Can't stand the pain. I had to go on steroids to help with the side effects. All I can say is this may not be for me, but it does offer really good results. Keep an open mind about it."

• 3sn...
• August 7, 2018

For High Cholesterol "70-year-old male. 20 years ago, got a stent in my 'widow maker', another stent 10 years later. All statins > muscle pain. Cholesterol always very high but with high HDL (the good cholesterol). 'Chol. ratios' excellent (Paleo), but Drs. don't believe in them. Started Zetia, and months later, Repatha. No side effects for some months, and cholesterol WAY down. Then, lower body weakness with balance problems. Had many tests, including 4 MRIs of spine and brain. Nothing found. Also got PT, which definitely helps, but still harder to exercise. Then got extreme fatigue after exercising every time. Collapsed in a chair mid-day hours every time. Stopped Repatha. Looking at other comments now, I see other issues I had may be side effects. Blood pressure higher. It felt like I had gynecomastia for many months. After stopping Repatha, it went away. Last sugar test higher than ever. I also had what I called a UTI. Got an antibiotic. And memory problems got worse. I strongly recommend Vitamin C therapy."

• Enr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2017

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I have taken two 140 mg two weeks apart. I know that I am just starting. For the first four days after each injection, I felt 'tension' and did not feel like being social. Minor body aches, weakness, and fatigue."

• Jea...
• April 1, 2021

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "My personal experience has been horrible. Allergic to statins. Well after about 4 injections, I became seriously ill, difficult to even lift my body up or do any daily activities without fatigue. I took the injection Wednesday, and by Friday, I was convinced I had the flu. Even had a low-grade fever. I am 50 years old and was quite previously active and healthy. I honestly feel like my bones became brittle, muscular weakness and pain. Can barely lift arms. Also have GI issues now. I took all the COVID flu and strep and urine tests, and all were good. I feel like walking death. This is not quality of life. Also, as read above, which I now find out that it takes a long time to get out of the system and has a cumulative effect. Which is why I didn’t connect this med with my symptoms, 'cause initially all was going fine. I will take homeopathic natural medicine given by my acupuncturist. Do NOT take this stuff. I’m so sick now, and it’s been a week since I took this stuff."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I’m 68, active female. High cholesterol of 350. I’ve taken the Repatha shot twice after trying Praluent a year ago. The injection stung more than Praluent. Small headache most days, but not terrible. Runny nose and small cough every day. Started with dizziness within three days. Vertigo soon after. Hard bumps, rash on my back. Within ten days, I had fatigue and malaise. Stopped my daily walks. Muscle soreness, not terrible. Breathing difficulty sometimes, like I was at altitude. Weird pangs in my heart started the third week. Sleep apnea during afternoon naps. I'm not taking my scheduled dose this week. It’ll take 60-90 days to be out of my system. I can’t wait. I’m sure it helps with my LDL as the Praluent did a great job too, but at what cost? I’ll go back to Crestor and deal with its side effects again. This drug is scary. Monoclonal antibodies for my liver? No thanks."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I’m 68, active female. High cholesterol of 350. I’ve taken the Repatha shot twice after trying Praluent a year ago. The injection stung more than Praluent. Small headache most days, but not terrible. Runny nose and small cough every day. Started with dizziness within three days. Vertigo soon after. Hard bumps, rash on my back. Within ten days, I had fatigue and malaise. Stopped my daily walks. Muscle soreness, not terrible. Breathing difficulty sometimes, like I was at altitude. Weird pangs in my heart started the third week. Sleep apnea during afternoon naps. I'm not taking my scheduled dose this week. It’ll take 60-90 days to be out of my system. I can’t wait. I’m sure it helps with my LDL as the Praluent did a great job too, but at what cost? I’ll go back to Crestor and deal with its side effects again. This drug is scary. Monoclonal antibodies for my liver? No thanks."

• wdc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 19, 2023

For High Cholesterol "Around March 2022, I began with 2-week injections of Repatha. Statins were no longer an option. These injections are easy to self-administer. Within three months, my total cholesterol went from 240 down to 113. Amazing! I did report loose stools, which for me was rare, but after Repatha, those loose stools became the norm. Then, in the fall of 2022, I began having episodes (every few months) of severe fatigue, soreness, and constipation. Throughout 2022, I had only noticed one reference to Repatha causing intestinal swelling and related side effects. Beginning in 2023, this side effect received far more attention... but the company still hasn't released what the long-term damage might be from long-term intestinal swelling. Since I've never had any gastro problems until Repatha, the presence of them now has defined a likely Repatha connection to those episodes of fatigue, soreness, constipation, and gastro issues."

• In ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2022

For High Cholesterol "Started Repatha in November of '21 because I could not tolerate statins. Too much muscle pain and spasms. I was prescribed one Repatha injection every two weeks. After the first month, I started having fatigue and joint pain. Needed a cane to walk, and after 4 months, can now barely walk. I need a walker now. Constant pain in almost all joints, swollen knees, muscle spasms. Had my last injection a week ago and now understand why I’m in such agony. Hopefully, the drug will be out of my system in 3 months and also hope there is no permanent damage. Will have to use diet and exercise (if I can ever walk again) for cholesterol. Repatha is poison. My cholesterol has been reduced. Quality of life dropped with the cholesterol. Very poor trade."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2022

For High Cholesterol "Active 60-year-old. No previous cardiac history. No co-morbidity issues. Previous statin-related susceptibilities. Additional medication included 40 mg pravastatin. After the first dose of Repatha (4 days), began experiencing severe night sweats. Increased mucus production. Difficulty breathing and swallowing (waking several times during sleep). By the 5th day, symptoms progressed, including significant leg muscle cramps as well as chest pain (no previous history). ER visit for chest pain indicated normal EKG, elevated blood pressure (150/100). Overall malaise and lack of energy."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2022

For High Cholesterol "Active 60-year-old. No previous cardiac history. No co-morbidity issues. Previous statin-related susceptibilities. Additional medication included 40 mg pravastatin. After the first dose of Repatha (4 days), began experiencing severe night sweats. Increased mucus production. Difficulty breathing and swallowing (waking several times during sleep). By the 5th day, symptoms progressed, including significant leg muscle cramps as well as chest pain (no previous history). ER visit for chest pain indicated normal EKG, elevated blood pressure (150/100). Overall malaise and lack of energy."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I started taking Repatha in September. After the first dose, I was having cold-like symptoms, runny nose, tired, etc. The third dose was horrible, my ear was totally filled with fluid. I went to my GP, he said it was because of the post-nasal drip. He gave me antibiotics and prednisone, stating it was a sinus infection. My ear would not get better. I still was taking the Repatha. I ended up at an ENT, who said my tube was closed, more prednisone. In the meantime, I couldn't get out of bed, I was so sick from the Repatha. It was like I had the flu all the time. Things didn't get better! My ear was still a mess! My ear ended up draining into my lungs, which put me in the ER. I still was not any better. I contribute everything that is going on with me to the Repatha. My cholesterol went way down. But the price I'm paying is not worth it. My legs are still weak, my body is fatigued, my eyes are blurry, my mental status diminished. This drug went right in the garbage! Do not take this drug."

• Pap...
• August 22, 2021

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."

• kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2023

For High Cholesterol "After 6 months with manageable side effects of muscle and nerve pain (it was manageable with three weekly visits for acupuncture), I experienced a bad surge of increasing pain all over and fatigue. That led to increasing pain, sleep loss, and poor mood due to the constant intractable pain. I called the cardiologist and stopped Repatha. I am not going back on it."

• Pos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2024

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "After the 2nd shot, I had diarrhea for 4 days, weight loss of 8 lbs (I was previously at normal weight and body mass: BMI 22.4) which I have not regained, and fatigue. I had been unable to take the statins, due to generalized body aches and Crestor produced acute pseudo gout, which took 3 weeks to go away. The shots were the 140mg size in the self-administered SureClick, given every 2 weeks, which was easy to do. My PCP advised to stop it."

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

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."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I was put on Repatha as I could not take any statins, highly allergic to statins, yet needed something for my high triglycerides and cholesterol levels. I took a total of 16 injections before I took myself off it as it caused me shoulder muscle pain, extreme fatigue, weight gain (more than 10 lbs), and a constant cough. It did lower my triglycerides and cholesterol, but not worth the above side effects."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I was put on Repatha in January 2021 for a 50 percent blockage of the main coronary artery. My health went downhill from there. Chronic fatigue, body aches and pains all over, migraines, extreme depression worse than ever, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, blurred vision. It does bring lipids way down, but the side effects are just unbearable, and I told the doctor, but he still pushed me to take it. Finally, I said enough! I stopped and started to feel some life back that it took from me."

• Cha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 10, 2022

For High Cholesterol "Repatha has worked great for me. In my two years of taking its injections, it has dropped my cholesterol down from 200 plus to 80, and my LDL from over 150 to 26. I had two blood tests. One of the major benefits for me was I didn't have all the side effects of statins, muscle aches, and fatigue that all the statins had caused. Lipitor, Crestor, Baycol, Zetia, Lescol, I tried them all. Repatha is great, and my cardiologist is a big fan."

• And...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 26, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I can’t take statins. Have been using Repatha for 3+ years. My cholesterol levels are all super low. My cardiologist is very happy. No known side effects, however, reviews do mention tiredness/fatigue, which I do experience but can’t say for sure it’s the Repatha causing it."

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

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."

• Doc...
• July 30, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I’ve been taking Repatha for seven months, every two weeks, 140 mg. For the first three months, I had mild myalgia and fatigue; not severe enough to discontinue dosing. After that time period, I’ve experienced shortness of breath, severe myalgia, and joint pain. Additionally, my vision is periodically blurry, and I developed a UTI. Recently, I was simply walking, and my right knee popped, causing pain so severe weight-bearing was difficult to impossible. An MRI revealed a torn medial meniscus, sprains of the ACL and MCL, as well as bruising of the medial tibial area. I am scheduled for surgery in two weeks. Unfortunately, my left knee is painful in the same area. I have decided to discontinue this drug and will inform my cardiologist of my decision."