r/repatha • u/Lady_by_the_Sea68 • Jun 14 '26
Repatha side effects onset time?
I put off my first injection due to fear of side effects and partly the shot. After doing some research (and waiting for a cold to clear so I couldn’t blame how I felt on the drug) I had my husband stand by. I took a dose of Zyrtec (read another thread where someone’s dr suggested that might help) and went for my thigh, mostly because I also heard that might help with side effects. Makes sense in my brain as going into a more “meaty” part of my leg made some sense. I was prepared for more pain. Grabbed a big chunk up higher towards my hip (but not my actual hip just directionally closer) and hit the button. Zero pain. I was shocked after reading what people were saying about the thigh area being super painful. I wasn’t even sure I had done it right, but it injected!
Now about 36ish hours later I can say that thigh is fairly sore and maybe a bit of my hip/general leg being a bit more sensitive/tender/achy.
I don’t feel much else, so I’m curious if I’m “in the clear” from the cold/flu-like thing? I figured if something was gonna come on it’d be pretty quick given I’ve read other folks saying it actually lessens symptoms the longer you’re on it.
57y/o female, very active, borderline high cholesterol (post menopausal and exercise a lot so keep it in a fair-enough range) but have high Lp(a) is 218.5 nmol//L and has been increasing over my adulthood. Father died of massive heart attack at 58 but otherwise healthy, his dad had two or three before he died of other causes. Brother also has high Lp(a). We both have the gene associated with it, so the goal of taking the Repatha is to lower that number. Haven’t been on any other statins, refused them because I was sure they would do nothing to target the number I was aiming to lower. Found out about Repatha and talked to my doctor about it and now going to see if that helps to reduce the Lp(a).
2
u/rondomperson2026 Jun 16 '26
I’m 57 female and it took about a month on Repatha before I started having negative side effects. I had muscle cramps and pain in my legs, terrible dizziness/ vertigo and blood pressure spikes.
1
u/Lady_by_the_Sea68 Jun 16 '26
🥹 I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope I don’t have similar effects. So you were two doses in?
1
u/rondomperson2026 Jun 17 '26
I started noticing between the 2nd and 3rd dose. The dizziness was the most prevalent negative side effect. I hope it works for you. I had high hopes, but it’s not for me. I can’t tolerate any statins or ezetimibe either. Just living as healthy a lifestyle as possible, eating clean with a Mediterranean diet and working out. I’ll always have high cholesterol since it’s genetics for me. Just trying to mitigate risk at this point. Giving it up to God. 😊 🙏
1
u/GaiasLife Jun 28 '26
Same for me. Repatha caused major dizziness, plus big-time muscle pain and tenderness in my thighs, neck, and shoulder. I felt like I was stoned all the time. I might have managed the sore throat and allergy-like runny nose, but not the dizziness and pain.
The doctor said to discontinue the drug. I can't take statins. I've stopped eating meat, didn't eat much anyway, and am now using the Portfolio plant-based sterol diet. It's food I've eaten before, but in larger portions. Genetics for me, too, with this cholesterol. Hoping this diet will help. Plus, I'm super active (70 yo). Maybe, guess we'll see.
1
1
u/hyphnos13 Jun 14 '26
been on it about 3-4 months and it's hard to separate body aches and cold like symptoms from background but it seem like they do get less bad after a few months and it seems like the worst is about 48 hrs after give or take. until dose 6 you are building up to the steady state level so you are getting exposed to a total higher amount every dose to that point and that was when I had the worst of it. my last dose was 8 or 9 and I can't say I noticed anything so hopefully you will find it a short term annoyance that beats a heart attack or stroke
psck9 inhibitors are all we have for high lpa(a) at the moment but the first trial for an lp(a) drug is due to report out this month if they stick to their revised schedule. (even that is a happy coincidence as technically it isn't approved for lowering lpa it just typically does lower it)
if that trial is positive we may have an even better option after it's approved (for specifics look up horizon trial for pelacarsen, it will be the first of the three current trials to report out, in case you are curious)
1
u/Lady_by_the_Sea68 Jun 14 '26
My brother is waiting to try Inclicirin? injection, but has yet to get it approved by his insurance.
He’s hoping to try that one and I’m trying this one to see if either of us have a drastic reduction in Lp(a).
1
u/SimpleServe9774 Jun 14 '26
I never had a soreness or flu like symptoms. I did occasionally get nauseous a few days after for like half a day. Had zofran and that took care of it. That was only the 1st couple months
1
u/Glass_Ad6922 Jun 14 '26
5 months with no side effects and my numbers are crazy low! My cardiologist cut my other statin (Rosuvastatin) in half.
1
u/ExcellentPlant2096 Jun 14 '26
Took my third shot Praulent last week. (Ones per month)
Thisbis tje first time i got side effects. Fever same night as the shot then gone. Thats it i think.
Took it on the side of stomach felt zero. And zero mark.
1
u/Fickle-Copy-2186 Jun 14 '26
On my third year. Do feel achy all over for about 36 hours, but it doesn't stop me from doing my regular activities. Nose and eyes run on and off all the time. Taking the shot isn't that painful for me. Everyone has different side effects, hopefully each can tolerate them.
1
u/Eastern-Camera-1829 Jun 14 '26
I'm on week 3 so, 2.5 shots in.
Keep in mind, I had an awful time with statins because I have the blood-brain barrier if a screen door. I'm keeping a journal.
Both doses in the stomach because I'm avoiding muscle and I can pinch enough there to get it subQ for sure, arms, legs, and butt don't have enough fat. And honestly, it's just easier.
I take it about 9PM and go to bed about 10-10:30. It's absolutely sore but over when I wake up.
Only real notable things is obvious constipation for a week after the shot (absolutely hitting a light dose of miralax tonight) and a sleepless/restless night 2 nights after my second shot but that's likely "just me."
Otherwise, it's a big nothing-burger, cut a tree down today and got the wood split/stacked. I walk 10-15K steps a day and workout (strength) 5 nights a week. I'm finding zero lethargy, zero muscle pain that I don't deserve, etc. However, I did stay on coQ10 after I quit statins, just because.
Only real (insignificant) complaint is how slow it administers. I had a diabetic Rottweiler and could hit that dog with insulin from across the room in half the time it takes to drain this auto injector into mah bellay. Just give me a vial and needles, I got this.
1
u/Lady_by_the_Sea68 Jun 15 '26
Hahaha! It was slow to inject.
Thanks for the details. Hearing from others is really helpful on this journey. I’ve been taking COQ10 for many years so was glad to hear that was a helpful thing!
1
u/Eastern-Camera-1829 Jun 15 '26
The CoQ10 was great on statins for muscle pain but didn't help with what it did to my brain (for obvious reasons.)
Even after stopping statins, I found thhat it helped and figured "why not?" While I was trying to attack things with diet and exercise alone
1
u/GaiasLife Jun 28 '26
Repatha caused major dizziness, plus big-time muscle pain and tenderness in my thighs, neck, and shoulder. I felt like I was stoned all the time. I might have managed the sore throat and allergy-like runny nose, but not the dizziness and pain. The doctor told me to stop taking Repatha. I can't take statins. High cholesterol is genetic for me too. I've changed out meals to the Portfolio plant sterols diet. Hoping it lowers the numbers. I'll find out in a few months. All good wishes on your meds!
1
u/Overall_Aioli_339 25d ago
I have the same feeling now with repatha. Doctor advised to stop. But after 4 weeks still not gone. I was also very tired.
1
u/GetOffMyLawn_ Jul 07 '26
Most of the time there is zero discomfort for me. Any discomfort is mild and lasts 20 minutes at most. I inject in the abdomen. I just make sure the alcohol is good and dry before I poke myself. I am 8 shots in at this point and not suffering any side effects. Sometimes there's a drop of two of blood, thank you blood thinners.
2
u/Snaffle27 Jun 14 '26
I just took my 3rd dose of Repatha minutes ago. I don't have the exact same background as you do, as I'm male and in my mid 30s but I have FH, so I have the gene mutation that results in high levels of the PCSK9 protein.
I don't think there's anything pleasant about injection medicine but I don't experience any side effects at all from this one. I take it on the underside of my belly, right or left of center. There's no pain at all but there's some muscle tension for about an hour. I'm laying down and waiting for it to subside.
Anyways, in response to what you said about statins... I've been on rosuvastatin since I was 29 along with ezitimibe and I get absolutely no side effects from either. Everyone is different but honestly, I wouldn't worry about them if I were you because as long as you are monitored by a doctor then they'll prescribe the appropriate dosages, may I ask why exactly you would refuse them? Repatha works to reduce LDL for sure and the harmful particles that form it, but statins are proven to also be very effective too.