First Evenity shots: My positive experience

Posted by sandrac @sandrac, Mar 6 7:50am

I began my Evenity treatment yesterday following a painful fracture earlier in the year and must admit I did it with trepidation after so many reviews that mentioned days of unpleasant side effects after each treatment. I have been on other drugs previously, going back 10 years (Actonel, Prolia, Reclast) and had only had a tough few days of side effects after Reclast, then was fine.

In case others are needing some encouraging news, I wanted to post that I was pleasantly surprised that I would never have known on day 2 that I had the shots. Both were in my right arm. They were less painful than Prolia (which was only a little stinging), my arm never turned red and only if I press on it can I locate the injection sites. Since it is a monoclonal antibody I took my antihistamine and 1000 mgs of Tylenol one hour before. I took Advil 5 hours later in anticipation of the joint aches that were highlighted in side effects, which never occurred. Whether those drugs took care of the side effects I may never know, but I am so relieved that the process was without issues for me. I guess the only was to know is to try it. Best to everyone else out there fighting this same battle!

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

Maybe I've forgotten my reading up on preparing for Evenity shots but I just drink more water than usual and I've been fine. I know for Reclast folks are way into Tylenol and other anti inflammatories and slow infusions and saline infusions and so on. Makes me nervous about Reclast but I haven't noticed many people having those same kinds of issues with Evenity. Just saying maybe you don't need that stuff at all.

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@windyshores

@drsuefowler I did a half dose again a few days ago. I had zero side effects. I am wondering if my high inflammation markers after COVID were a factor in my reaction to the first shots, or if this is just another case of my body needing to get used to a med. I would not hesitate to get a full dose next time. But if it is mainly anti-resorptive at this point, I will also ask about going directly to Reclast.

I have already done 2 years of Tymlos. My original idea was to do just 4-6 months of Evenity for more of a boost. Interestingly, I read an article last week that said that in the future, people might use Evenity that way: for a short term boost in P1NP between other meds. It's so new, I think the protocol is pretty rigid but we'll see what happens in the next 10 years.

I see my endo this month and am going to ask about DEXA. I am also getting a CTX and P1NP again. CTX was very low last month. P1NP was disappointing, low too, but maybe it needs to be done two weeks after shot, not 4.

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Thanks @windyshores. I appreciate your contributions that are so helpful. It is good that your CVX was very low. It means you weren't destroying a lot of bone. Dr McCormick wants below 350. When both CVX and P1NP are low it means low turnover which might be good for us. Dr McCormick says that excessive turnover is common with osteoporosis.

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@awfultruth

Maybe I've forgotten my reading up on preparing for Evenity shots but I just drink more water than usual and I've been fine. I know for Reclast folks are way into Tylenol and other anti inflammatories and slow infusions and saline infusions and so on. Makes me nervous about Reclast but I haven't noticed many people having those same kinds of issues with Evenity. Just saying maybe you don't need that stuff at all.

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The nurse suggested acetaminophen beforehand and I sometimes take antihistamines on a normal basis, so it couldn’t have hurt. If it helped, then I am ok with that.
😊

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@drsuefowler

Thanks @windyshores. I appreciate your contributions that are so helpful. It is good that your CVX was very low. It means you weren't destroying a lot of bone. Dr McCormick wants below 350. When both CVX and P1NP are low it means low turnover which might be good for us. Dr McCormick says that excessive turnover is common with osteoporosis.

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@drsufowler the low CTX is good, but for the first months on Evenity I would expect and want a higher P1NP.

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@windyshores

@drsufowler the low CTX is good, but for the first months on Evenity I would expect and want a higher P1NP.

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Yes, of course. I hope your next P1NP results are better.

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@drsuefowler

Yes, of course. I hope your next P1NP results are better.

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Thanks @drsufowler but it tends to decrease as time goes on with Evenity!

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I posted on the Evenity side effects thread on my talk with McCormick today. He confirmed that the antiresorptive last 6 months of Evenity is more potent than Reclast for that period. My P1NP is lowish, so I am either going to do full dose or do a 1/2 dose every two weeks, depending on what my doc says. It may not be working robustly as a bone builder but is doing its job as an anti-resorptive.

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@windyshores

My third appointment ( first full dose, next two half dose) were completely without side effects. I wish I could go back for the other one!

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Insomnia at all ???

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@windyshores

@drsuefowler I did a half dose again a few days ago. I had zero side effects. I am wondering if my high inflammation markers after COVID were a factor in my reaction to the first shots, or if this is just another case of my body needing to get used to a med. I would not hesitate to get a full dose next time. But if it is mainly anti-resorptive at this point, I will also ask about going directly to Reclast.

I have already done 2 years of Tymlos. My original idea was to do just 4-6 months of Evenity for more of a boost. Interestingly, I read an article last week that said that in the future, people might use Evenity that way: for a short term boost in P1NP between other meds. It's so new, I think the protocol is pretty rigid but we'll see what happens in the next 10 years.

I see my endo this month and am going to ask about DEXA. I am also getting a CTX and P1NP again. CTX was very low last month. P1NP was disappointing, low too, but maybe it needs to be done two weeks after shot, not 4.

Jump to this post

CTX bone break down should be low correct???

P1np bone builder should be high correct ?

REPLY
@windyshores

@drsuefowler I did a half dose again a few days ago. I had zero side effects. I am wondering if my high inflammation markers after COVID were a factor in my reaction to the first shots, or if this is just another case of my body needing to get used to a med. I would not hesitate to get a full dose next time. But if it is mainly anti-resorptive at this point, I will also ask about going directly to Reclast.

I have already done 2 years of Tymlos. My original idea was to do just 4-6 months of Evenity for more of a boost. Interestingly, I read an article last week that said that in the future, people might use Evenity that way: for a short term boost in P1NP between other meds. It's so new, I think the protocol is pretty rigid but we'll see what happens in the next 10 years.

I see my endo this month and am going to ask about DEXA. I am also getting a CTX and P1NP again. CTX was very low last month. P1NP was disappointing, low too, but maybe it needs to be done two weeks after shot, not 4.

Jump to this post

I just had my DEXA after a year on Evenity and drum roll please . My lumbar spine went from -4.6 to -3.3 . My femur went from -2.1 to -1.3 . There has been a 19.3% increase in the spine and 14.0% in the femur .

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