1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Question re: Fosamax & Evenity Injections

Posted by isabelle7 @isabelle7, May 17, 2024

My husband has been on high doses of Prednisone for PMR and GCA (giant cell arteritis) for a year. It's taken a toll on his body, including developing osteoporosis. We are very new to this disease and would like some advice.

He's been prescribed Fosamax (Alendronate) and after reading about the possible side-effects, we've chosen not to start having him take it until we can learn more and see what others have experienced as far as side-effects and whether it helped them or not. I've also read when people get off the drug, there is a chance that a person will lose bone mass quickly. Of course, you can't believe everything you read. Which is why I'm here.

I just saw there's another possible medication Evenity which are injections. We would love to know if anyone has tried this with good results.

I'll provide information below about his t-scores and his recent diagnosis of a compression fracture. Hoping someone can help me better understand what it all means. We have a good rheumatologist but when it comes to this, I'm not getting the answers I need.

In February 2024 he was diagnosed with subacute to chronic mild T11 compression fracture which was new compared to 5/2023.

These are his T-Scores:
Lumbar ( -3.30 )
Left hip ( -2.10 )
Right hip ( -2.60 )
Left neck ( -1.50 )
Right neck ( -1.80 )

Thank you to anyone who has the time to provide input.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

makeupartist | @makeupartist | May 19, 2024
In reply to @susanfalcon52 "makeup artist, I just had my 12th Evenity injections. I have been very lucky with this..." + (show)
@susanfalcon52

makeup artist,
I just had my 12th Evenity injections. I have been very lucky with this drug. The first injections, I had some fatigue. Then, smooth sailing. Tomorrow, I have a dexa, so will report results of that.
Everyone is different. Before I started Evenity, my neurologist did an MRI of my brain and an ultrasound of the carotid artery. The cardiologist also cleared me.
Next month I start Reclast.
I am more afraid of fractures than drugs at this point.

Jump to this post

I didn’t get any of the checks you had except blood tests .maybe I should have asked my osteoporosis nurse many thanks

REPLY
makeupartist | @makeupartist | May 19, 2024
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@windyshores Thank you for sharing your perspective. I was prescribed Fosamax and took it for 4.5..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@windyshores Thank you for sharing your perspective. I was prescribed Fosamax and took it for 4.5 years. During that period of time I also supplemented with calcium citrate (easier to digest), and Vitamin D. I carefully watched my calcium intake. I was active with walking, hiking, cross-country skiing and weight lifting. By the end of the 4.5 years I had preserved bone density and was in the osteopenia range. Then, I had an endometrial cancer recurrence and had external pelvic radiation therapy and internal (brachytherapy). The radiation oncologist told me that loss of bone density in the pelvic area and lower back often happens with pelvic radiation therapy. And that did happen to me. I had a sacral fracture that was reported when I went back to Mayo Clinic for one of my cancer surveillance appointments.

I saw a endocrinologist at Mayo who told me that I was doing every thing possible to preserve bone density. But then I had the sacral fracture and with that fracture he recommended take Evenity for 12 months (to build bone), and then take another medication such as Reclast to preserve bone density.

My mother had osteoporosis. By my age (72 years old) she had fractured her shoulder and her hip (both repaired). She was very frail and those fractures very definitely affected her quality of life. While my mother wasn't as active as I've been throughout my life with physical activity she was very social and her frail status resulted in being homebound and depressed.

I'm half way through the 12 months of Evenity injections with no side effects other than some soreness at the site of the injections that lasts for about 24 hours. Quite frankly not many people come here to let us know that they are doing just fine on their osteoporosis medications. I'm here to share that my sacral fracture is healing, I've had no other fractures and I'm living an active life.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your comments

REPLY
1 reply
makeupartist | @makeupartist | May 19, 2024
In reply to @makeupartist "Thank you so much for your comments" + (show)
@makeupartist

Thank you so much for your comments

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing your story

REPLY
monica1234 | @monica1234 | May 19, 2024
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@windyshores Thank you for sharing your perspective. I was prescribed Fosamax and took it for 4.5..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@windyshores Thank you for sharing your perspective. I was prescribed Fosamax and took it for 4.5 years. During that period of time I also supplemented with calcium citrate (easier to digest), and Vitamin D. I carefully watched my calcium intake. I was active with walking, hiking, cross-country skiing and weight lifting. By the end of the 4.5 years I had preserved bone density and was in the osteopenia range. Then, I had an endometrial cancer recurrence and had external pelvic radiation therapy and internal (brachytherapy). The radiation oncologist told me that loss of bone density in the pelvic area and lower back often happens with pelvic radiation therapy. And that did happen to me. I had a sacral fracture that was reported when I went back to Mayo Clinic for one of my cancer surveillance appointments.

I saw a endocrinologist at Mayo who told me that I was doing every thing possible to preserve bone density. But then I had the sacral fracture and with that fracture he recommended take Evenity for 12 months (to build bone), and then take another medication such as Reclast to preserve bone density.

My mother had osteoporosis. By my age (72 years old) she had fractured her shoulder and her hip (both repaired). She was very frail and those fractures very definitely affected her quality of life. While my mother wasn't as active as I've been throughout my life with physical activity she was very social and her frail status resulted in being homebound and depressed.

I'm half way through the 12 months of Evenity injections with no side effects other than some soreness at the site of the injections that lasts for about 24 hours. Quite frankly not many people come here to let us know that they are doing just fine on their osteoporosis medications. I'm here to share that my sacral fracture is healing, I've had no other fractures and I'm living an active life.

Jump to this post

Oh my goodness, you have really been through the wringer!! 🙁 But, I am so thankful....so happy that you are doing well! Maybe I SHOULD take the Fosamax, I just don't know. Maybe I will wait for a yr. to go by, and to see what my next bone density test shows. I do stay active. My mother became the same as yours....homebound and very depressed. Plus, she was many miles away, across the United States. We went as often as we could and I called constantly. It's just a sad story there. But anyway, I will continue to read everyone's story....and try to make an intelligent decision. I will be getting a 2nd open-heart surgery soon....fun, fun.....then, heal up and think about what I should do. This is a very helpful forum and I appreciate it very much. Just SO happy for you!! Well...back to cleaning house, I have to keep moving around, it helps! Take care.

REPLY
susanfalcon52 | @susanfalcon52 | May 20, 2024
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@windyshores Thank you for sharing your perspective. I was prescribed Fosamax and took it for 4.5..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@windyshores Thank you for sharing your perspective. I was prescribed Fosamax and took it for 4.5 years. During that period of time I also supplemented with calcium citrate (easier to digest), and Vitamin D. I carefully watched my calcium intake. I was active with walking, hiking, cross-country skiing and weight lifting. By the end of the 4.5 years I had preserved bone density and was in the osteopenia range. Then, I had an endometrial cancer recurrence and had external pelvic radiation therapy and internal (brachytherapy). The radiation oncologist told me that loss of bone density in the pelvic area and lower back often happens with pelvic radiation therapy. And that did happen to me. I had a sacral fracture that was reported when I went back to Mayo Clinic for one of my cancer surveillance appointments.

I saw a endocrinologist at Mayo who told me that I was doing every thing possible to preserve bone density. But then I had the sacral fracture and with that fracture he recommended take Evenity for 12 months (to build bone), and then take another medication such as Reclast to preserve bone density.

My mother had osteoporosis. By my age (72 years old) she had fractured her shoulder and her hip (both repaired). She was very frail and those fractures very definitely affected her quality of life. While my mother wasn't as active as I've been throughout my life with physical activity she was very social and her frail status resulted in being homebound and depressed.

I'm half way through the 12 months of Evenity injections with no side effects other than some soreness at the site of the injections that lasts for about 24 hours. Quite frankly not many people come here to let us know that they are doing just fine on their osteoporosis medications. I'm here to share that my sacral fracture is healing, I've had no other fractures and I'm living an active life.

Jump to this post

Helen,
I am doing fine on my meds (Evenity). Just had a dexa 15 minutes ago. Will report back.

REPLY
1 reply
mollylyn | @mollylyn | May 5 5:00pm
In reply to @susanfalcon52 "makeup artist, I just had my 12th Evenity injections. I have been very lucky with this..." + (show)
@susanfalcon52

makeup artist,
I just had my 12th Evenity injections. I have been very lucky with this drug. The first injections, I had some fatigue. Then, smooth sailing. Tomorrow, I have a dexa, so will report results of that.
Everyone is different. Before I started Evenity, my neurologist did an MRI of my brain and an ultrasound of the carotid artery. The cardiologist also cleared me.
Next month I start Reclast.
I am more afraid of fractures than drugs at this point.

Jump to this post

What was your dexa after eventity? I just started eventity and am petrified of side effects. Had headaches, dizziness, pain....but I need to build bone. Did your bone grow? Thank you.

REPLY
ricksgal | @ricksgal | May 5 5:44pm

I have been on various osteoporosis drugs for many years. I have been on Prolia and suffered a serious leg fracture. I’ve also had 10 compression fractures. I have now started taking Evinity. I have had two injections so far without any side effects. The plan I believe will be to go back on Prolia after a year. I cannot even lift something of about 10 pounds without getting a compression fracture. I feel I have no choice at this point to take my chances on Evinity. At this point, I am trying to find what exercises I can do that will help and not hurt hurt me. I am walking in and out of the pool. at least I feel this is not too stressful, but I wonder if I could do more. Is there anything I could possibly do to help my posture? After multiple spine surgeries, I have a lot of curvature in my spine.

REPLY
nannygoat5 | @nannygoat5 | May 6 11:55am
In reply to @susanfalcon52 "Helen, I am doing fine on my meds (Evenity). Just had a dexa 15 minutes ago...." + (show)
@susanfalcon52

Helen,
I am doing fine on my meds (Evenity). Just had a dexa 15 minutes ago. Will report back.

Jump to this post

Did you ever report back? I’m interested!

REPLY
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