Post Evenity DEXA numbers

Posted by susanfalcon52 @susanfalcon52, Jun 7 5:48am

So, I have my results after 12 months on Evenity.
Lumbar spine went from-2.5 to -1.8.
Left hip went from-2.0 to -1.8.
For the right hip and right femoral neck,
there are no scores, presumably because they are now titanium.

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

beanieone | @beanieone | Jun 30 8:41am

In reply to @laurensb "I get a bone density once a year since the osteoporosis diagnosis." + (show)

Notes from my January DEXA state: “Follow-up DEXA recommended at one-year intervals due to OP diagnosis”. I asked my rheumatologist if I could avail myself of an annual (or at least following Evenity) DEXA as recommended by the radiologist. He said my insurance only pays for one scan every two years - and they are careful to make that at least “one year and one day”. He also said that bone grows so slowly that one year would not be a good barometer of growth/decline.

I did some “scratch the surface” research to find out if an annual scan was something that I wanted to do and what the cost would be without insurance - no one could give me a good answer. I should probably follow up with this as I am curious about whether or not my scores have improved from Evenity dose #5 - #12. OP treatment - working on a mystery without any clues!

Good Health and a Happy Fourth of July, all!

vrgarden | @vrgarden | Jul 1 11:26am

In reply to @beanieone "Notes from my January DEXA state: “Follow-up DEXA recommended at one-year intervals due to OP diagnosis”...." + (show)

Are you on Medicare yet? This is from the Medicare.gov website:
"Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers this test once every 24 months (or more often if medically necessary) if you meet one or more of these conditions:
You’re a woman whose doctor determines you’re estrogen-deficient and at risk for osteoporosis, based on your medical history and other findings.
Your X-rays show possible osteoporosis, osteopenia, or vertebral fractures.
You’re taking prednisone or steroid-type drugs or are planning to begin this treatment.
You’ve been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism.
You’re being monitored to see if your osteoporosis drug therapy is working."

beanieone | @beanieone | Jul 1 11:38am

In reply to @vrgarden "Are you on Medicare yet? This is from the Medicare.gov website: "Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)..." + (show)

Thank you for your reply; that is very valuable intel. I couldn’t find any info in the Medicare bible as to who pays for what and my doc never has answers. Also interesting was when I asked my PPO about frequency, the rep wasn’t sure how often/many DEXA’s were approved for OP situations even tho’ the radiologist who read my last DEXA specified annual scans. Interesting!

Cheers!

sunny65 | @sunny65 | Jul 1 2:33pm

I sign on this site in April trying to figure out what is the best medication to build a new bone. I found out that I have a severe osteoporosis case. At the same I got this debilitating lower back pain and doctors keep trying to figure out what this pain is coming from. The pain clinic said that it is from bulging disc and told me to start therapy. After 3 weeks the therapy didn’t make any difference. Then I went to see neurosurgeon and he diagnosed me with annular tears . In the main time my condition is getting worse every day. I have 4 fractures in my spine. The pain has a pattern- it always comes around 2-3 pm and continues till midnight and at the same time my both knees get numb . I started suspecting that the pain comes from my vertebrae fracture. ( I fractured it in October 2022 and it healed with the 2 months). I think it’s becoming chronic pain. Anyone had similar issue?
My endocrinologist recommended me start Evenity injections immediately. My first injection is tomorrow. I am very concerned about my back pain because it’s affecting every aspect of my life. I am also concerned about Evenity injection. I hope maybe building new bone can help me with fracture healing. Anybody who had a similar issues please share your experience. Thank you.

vrgarden | @vrgarden | Jul 1 5:27pm

I had my 12th Evenity injections in early June. My osteoporosis dr. ordered a DEXA scan, which I had June 17. My appt. with her is July 11 to see her recommendation for next step. I checked my claims on Medicare and it was covered.

Has anyone had all 12 Evenity injections, taken a break (but on another med), then had one more year of Evenity?

I seem to remember reading that this is possible, but can't remember where I read it and what the med was for the year after the first 12 Evenity. Does anyone have info about this?

nwyatt | @nwyatt | Jul 3 7:07pm

I had 11 injections of Evenity. I opted out of the last injection because of increasing back pain. Just had my DEXA scan this morning. My lumbar spine went from -3.6 to -3.2 so not much improvement. Disappointing. My hip went from -2.6 to -1.8 which put me in osteopenia for my hip which I was happy about. Not sure which med I'll go to now. I have an appointment on Monday to decide that.

susanfalcon52 | @susanfalcon52 | Jul 4 7:05am

In reply to @nwyatt "I had 11 injections of Evenity. I opted out of the last injection because of increasing..." + (show)

nwyatt,
That is still improvement- you’re going in the right direction!
I had 12 months of Evenity and then had Reclast a few weeks ago. I also had some improvement with Evenity.