Wellness

[Mom in NY]

My doctor is putting me on Repatha for high LDL pending approval for it. Has anybody taken this. It's an injection twice a month

[PamfromCT]

Both my husband and brother have been on Repatha for a while now.  Their cardiologists had to push hard to get them on the drug, as it is very expensive.  The results have been

amazing!    Best of luck to you.

[tends2dogs]

My cousin took it with good results.  It lowered her LDL quite fast, as I recall.  She went off it when her drug costs went into  the donut hole and she was going to have to pay for it herself.  

I think she may have gone back on it with the new year.  I do know that her bloodwork showed her levels rose back up rather quickly when she went off, so this is something you have to stay on, not a one and done. 

Good luck!

[wagirl]

@Mom in NY --Yes I am on it right now--in fact-- just gave myself the 2nd shot of 3 I take per month. I've been on it for 2 years now. Started with 1 auto injection 2x a month and it did pretty good,  but my drs thought I would do better on 3 shots a month. Has kicked my sky high LDL in the tookus!! Now it is actually lower than my HDL(healthy cholesterol) --which is always high for me anyway. I don't have any side effects and fortunately my rx plan covers it except for my co pay--which is still lot.  However, there is a foundation called HealthWell that give out grants for many of this type of  health issue--I got one that covers mine rx for a year. Is not hard to apply for  and I got my grant approved the next day. You should check it out. 

[Mom in NY]

Ty everyone

[Zaimee]

My husband has been taking Repatha since 2023.  2x a month 140 mllligrams. Initially took it with statins. Brought his total cholesterol to 52,LDL  was way below 50. Stopped statins. Cholesterol still very low and LDL barely exists. He had 9 stents and terrible chest pain. Since being on Repatha it completely mitigated his chest pain. Very expensive but this year there is a $2000 cap for Medicare recipients. He says it is a life saver. Good luck.

[marsha-ca]

I've been taking repatha for a year numbers have gone down.  Insurance is the problem insurance companies put up many road blocks it took a year to be approved both my cardiologist and primary had to fight to get approved I have good insurance double coverage.  The injectable is easy to use I was nervous to give myself the shot but was able to overcome 

good luck

[DJP]

My insurance would have me paying almost 500.00 for two injections for first month. I can't afford that. My cholesteral was at 220 then shot up to 377 on next blood work. My diet has stayed the same for years now. I only eat very healthy foods. My cardi told me that's not going to work. He said I should use Repatha or other similar ones that still cost the same. I don't know what to do about this except for borrowing the money. Who knows what the interest pays would be. 

Sorry I went on so long. I just needed to vent. TY

[wagirl]

@DJP --sounds like you have a family history of high cholesterol? Forgive me if I assume the wrong thing, but I do too. Am 70 now and have been on this battlefield since my dad died, in 1976 at age 46 from this issue. I have been on so many statins, changed my diet so many times, all did not do a thing. The only good thing is I also have an extremely high HDL--always in the 70-80 range. I paid $600 once last year, for 9 shots of Repatha--3 a month--and that came out to be $66 per shot. This was thru my rx plan at the time.  However--I did get a $2500 grant to pay for this med, for 1 year,  thru a foundation--HealthWell---very little paperwork involved--I filled it out one day and got approved by the next. They have many other types of aliments that they offer grants for and any particular one can be closed if the funds have been used up for it. Go to their web site --just add dot org at the end. 

[DJP]

@wagirl --   Yes, my maternal side has the history. My mom had a stroke at 74 and passed away in four days.  Her siblings  passed in their 60's. I have been on many statins too but just can't tolerate them.  

I'm 72 and am trying a low dose of Zetia for now. I will try HealthWell and see what happens. 

I hope you are feeling and doing well now. Thank you so much for your help!