Repatha

[Lynn1966]

Hi everyone, is there anyone in her who is taking Repatha injections?? For about 4/5 days after the injection I feel like rubbish.. tired,cold ,agitated and brain fog.. does this happen to anyone else?? X

[valeriep]

I've been taking it for 4 months. I was told that side effects might be feeling like I was going down with a cold or slight flu, which I wasn't looking forward to! However, the only side effect I've noticed is a slightly snuffly nose for a couple of days after the first few injections; I probably wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't been told and it seems to have worn off now. My cholesterol has come down from 8.5 to 2.8 in that time, so it seems to be working!

[Lynn1966 in reply to valeriep]

That’s brilliant Valeriep, this has definitely brought your cholesterol down 😁. Do you take statins with the repatha?? I always have a runny nose 😫😫xx

[valeriep in reply to Lynn1966]

Yes, I'm on 80mg Lipitor and 10mg Ezetimibe, which is supposed to help stop the amount of cholesterol that your body absorbs. I've been told by the hospital that I must stay on all the drugs, as they work together; apparently, when people get good results from the Repatha, they think it's OK to stop taking statins, their cholesterol starts to rise and the funding for Repatha is taken away, because the powers-that-be say it's not working any more! When it was first checked, my cholesterol level was 14.5! It's never been lower than 7 on statins and had crept up again to 8.5, which is when the hospital recommended Repatha. I guess I've been lucky with its side-effects. Bisoprolol is another matter...!! 🙄😱 xx

[Lynn1966 in reply to valeriep]

Valeriep I’m on repatha but not statins. I’m wondering if I’m blaming the wrong medication. I’m on Bisoprolol, aspirin and candersartin . I have low blood pressure 89/60 I stopped taking canderstartin for two day and so far my blood pressure has come up to 114/72 ... I’m getting very confused with my medication.. maybe I should get my medication looked at x

[valeriep in reply to Lynn1966]

Obviously, I'm no expert, so I couldn't say, but do your symptoms only come on after you've had an injection? Don't you get a regular review with the Repatha? Certainly no harm in asking for one with whoever prescribed it for you. And is it actually helping to bring your cholesterol down? As I said, I've only been on it for 4 months, but I'm lucky in that I have a great designated nurse at Hammersmith Hospital, who tells me to call her if I have any problems, and I had a review after the first 3 months. I suspect this is partly because it's such an expensive drug, they won't continue it if they don't think it's working, but with the progress I've made, they are now happy to continue funding it till the end of this year, with another review in June. xx

[Lynn1966 in reply to valeriep]

To be honest the more I think about iv constantly feel like I have a cold, runny nose, feeling cold, bad brain fog. I had a 3 month review in June 2019 but was told everything is good and it was up to me if I wanted to see him in a years time.. I’m going to contact my doctor today and see what he has to say .. thank you for your replies, much appreciated xx

[valeriep in reply to Lynn1966]

You're very welcome, Lynn! I'm sorry you're having such a hard time, but hopefully, the medics can make some adjustments to ease your symptoms. xx

[Lynn1966 in reply to valeriep]

I have spoken to my doctor Valeriep . He suggested stopping my Candesartan for two weeks if no improvement stop the Bisoprolol for two weeks and go back on the the Candesartan. If that makes no difference go back to see him. Xx

[valeriep in reply to Lynn1966]

That's interesting! Bisoprolol made me feel awful for the first couple of months I took it - constantly cold hands, and I felt exhausted - but I persevered with it and the side-effects wore off. I also take it at night now rather than during the day, which might also be helping. xx

[Lynn1966 in reply to valeriep]

Iv been on Bisoprolol for 15 months and iv always have cold hands , runny nose, tired etc. I’ll let you know if it improves xx

[valeriep in reply to Lynn1966]

Yes, let me know how you get on! I saw the news about this new 6-monthly injection for people with persistently high cholesterol and wondered if that would replace Repatha. xx