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Support For Those Quitting Prolia

Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (86)

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@michaellavacot

I am currently taking Prolia and did a huge amount of research on Prolia and the other osteoporosis medications. I actually gathered enough information to put together a training on Prolia. The information included is based on a September 2023 presentation by Dr. Serge Ferrari and Dr. Michael McClung at the 9th Central European Congress of Osteoporosis, as well as Dr. John Bilezikian. These are the top doctors in osteoporosis.

I don't get paid for this, I'm just a guy trying to give back to the community that helped me.

Good luck on your journey!

Mike

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Replies to "I am currently taking Prolia and did a huge amount of research on Prolia and the..."

Hi Michael,
I must commend you on a very well-done presentation and a professional looking video! I really thought you were a doctor until i read your post above!

I found the section on stopping Prolia very helpful and encouraging. I was less thrilled on the part promoting the use of Prolia under different circumstances.

I didn't want to discuss the pros and cons of Prolia in this discussion thread which, as i stated earlier in my first post, was to cater for those who already decided to quit Prolia but feel i should at least say something to act as a balance to the "positives" mentioned in the presentation.

To me Prolia is like a never-ending tunnel. Once you start on it, it becomes progressively harder to get off it.

See below video by Cleveland Clinic:

Once on Prolia for 4+ years, there's no guarantee that any drug (including Reclast) will safely allow you to stop without the rebound effect and risk of multiple fractures.

In that case, someone will ask - why stop at all then if the drug works and the side-effects are manageable? To that, i can point out 3 things:

Firstly, there is safety data available for Prolia for only 10 years and most doctors would not advice staying on Prolia for longer than 10 years. So for someone in the 80s or 90s, it could be an option but consider too the next 2 points

Secondly, once on Prolia for around 5 years, there are significant risks of multiple vertebral fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw and this risk increases the longer one is on Prolia. Prolia reduces bone absorption immensely and this slows down any bone healing after say, any invasive dental work. So staying on Prolia indefinitely brings on increasing risks

Thirdly, circumstances could lead to an unplanned cessation of Prolia, even if temporary, for example, stoppage of insurance coverage upon reaching a target or satisfactory TScore (in fact this was what happened in the past leading to multiple fractures) or as we all experienced, a Covid lockdown. If this sudden unplanned cessation happens after one has more than 1 injection, there will be the risk of rebound effect

As pointed out by some practitioners, there may be cases where Prolia is the best option - the one i have read is where there is a very high risk of impending fracture and a need to very quickly bring down this risk - but i believe these are limited

I have deliberately not bring up the topic of the efficacy of Prolia (and anti-resorptives in general) in improving bones as i did not want to stir up a hornet's nest but there are many who question if anti-resorptives merely add a layer over existing weak bones, hence improving bone density numbers without actually improving their quality

Above are just my views. Like you, i am not a doctor and i am only putting out the above as things that can be brought up and discussed with a PCP/specialist if necessary

How did you determine that the doctors you reference are the 'top doctors in osteroporosis.' There are a lot of players in this particular game including many who call themselves 'doctors' but are not licensed medical practitioners.