Prolia treatment for osteoporosis: What is your experience?

Posted by Veruska @veriska, Mar 7, 2017

I received the results from my bone test and they have recommended I start Prolia. I have read the side effects and I am concerned. Has anyone use this drug and if so what side effects have you experienced. Thank you

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I have used Prolia for five years (shot twice a year). I never had any bad reactions but had some improvement with my bone density. My endocrinologist wants me to remain with Prolia most probably for life -- also, not to add anything else while on Prolia.

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@hsum4

I have been on Prolia for 8 years and I'm in my 70s. I tried Evenity, but it was much too strong. Not sure what the future brings, but I have a hiatal hernia and the bisphosphonate pills would cause acid reflux.
hsum4

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How was Evenity too strong?

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I had 2 injections before having to quit for dental work. I had no side effects and my numbers actually improved.

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@sandrac

They work differently so the rec probably makes sense. Prolia builds bone and Evenity helps keep your gains. I have had no problems on either drug. I have had 5 months of Evenity so far, and used Prolia for years with no issues. Good luck!

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I have been on Evenity for 11 months going into my last injection . Evenity promotes bone growth it’s an Anabolic medication . Prolia is a Antiresorptive medication it affects both density and quality aspects of bone . It does create more bone density than do bisphosphonates .

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@kristie2

I have been on Evenity for 11 months going into my last injection . Evenity promotes bone growth it’s an Anabolic medication . Prolia is a Antiresorptive medication it affects both density and quality aspects of bone . It does create more bone density than do bisphosphonates .

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Sorry, I knew better and stated their properties exactly backwards. And Reclast also helps keep gains like Prolia.
You are right!

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@elizabeth44

I have used Prolia for five years (shot twice a year). I never had any bad reactions but had some improvement with my bone density. My endocrinologist wants me to remain with Prolia most probably for life -- also, not to add anything else while on Prolia.

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Elizabeth, may I ask how old you are. I am 76 a d my endocrinologist wants me to start prolia after I finish Evenity in several months
I have already had alendronate a d forteo
If I start prolia now and want to get off what can I follow it with..

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@gravity3

Elizabeth, may I ask how old you are. I am 76 a d my endocrinologist wants me to start prolia after I finish Evenity in several months
I have already had alendronate a d forteo
If I start prolia now and want to get off what can I follow it with..

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@gravity3 generally people follow Prolia with Reclast. McCormick, a chiropractor who wrote "Great Bones," says that if you just do a year and a half of Prolia, alendronate is also a possibility.

After Evenity you can also go directly to a bisphosphonate.

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@doreenr

I have been using Prolia for a little over 5 years with no ill side effects.

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Doreen, how old were you when you started prolia and will you stay on it for the rest of your life? What is your docs treatment plan for you? Have you taken other osteoporosis drugs?

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@windyshores

@gravity3 generally people follow Prolia with Reclast. McCormick, a chiropractor who wrote "Great Bones," says that if you just do a year and a half of Prolia, alendronate is also a possibility.

After Evenity you can also go directly to a bisphosphonate.

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@windyshores
I have already taken alendronate for 5 years. Can I go back on it after a while on prolia?

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@gravity3

@windyshores
I have already taken alendronate for 5 years. Can I go back on it after a while on prolia?

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If you stop Prolia, there is no choice at this point in time, other than Reclast (the strongest) or alendronate. Prolia has a rebound and you can lose bone density and have increased fracture risk very quickly, according to my doctors, Dr. Ben Leder's YouTube video "Combinations and Sequencing", McCormick's book "Great Bones" and many other sources (just citing my favorites). Reclast or alendronate are needed after every other osteoporosis medicine, actually, to "lock in" gains, but it is especially important after Prolia due to the strong rebound. Maybe you could do a bisphosphonate for one year (one Reclast for instance)-????

It may be as simple as one Reclast infusion but I don't know how long you need bisphosphonates to counter the rebound. McCormick and some doctors will use the CRX bone marker test to monitor when the bisphosphonate is needed, exactly (timing of infusion for instance) and also how you are doing with the rebound risk. For instance if you did one Reclast, the CTX could be done to make sure it is working and then the CTX could be done months later, and continue as a monitoring approach evaluating whether more bisphosphonate is needed. But there may be a standard answer to this already. It's just that you might want to do less alendronate or Reclast because of prior use.

I don't know if there is any research into other sequences after Prolia but I have not seen any. Always ask your doctor! Generally bisphosphonates are taken 3-5 years.. Prolia is also an anti-resorptive. So you have only been on anti-resorptive. I think a situation like yours is complex and needs medical advice. Do you have a good endocrinologist?

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