1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

High anxiety regarding Reclast or Prolia decison for OP meds

Posted by 255anny @255anny, Aug 18 5:01pm

I am overwhelmed with making this decision. Currently on Evenity, 2 more injections left. Severe Osteporosis. Spine -4.7. I left my OP Dr's office last week with an order for Prolia starting Oct/Nov. And blood work orders. We did discuss Prolia vs Reclast but I didn't ask enough questions I guess, despite having a 1 hour appt with her. I did know and told her I feared Prolia. She relayed how much easier it was than Reclast. And the Reclast stays in your system much longer. She wrote the RX for Prolia for 1 year, then relay to Evenity again. That does not sound right to me. I can't find any studies supporting that drug sequencing. This Dr is new to me but in the practice of the most respected Endo offices in my state. She only see OP patients. I am staying up til 3am every night reading and researching. There is no right answer.

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gma14fun | @gma14fun | Aug 29 1:37pm
In reply to @deuie "I am 73 with osteoporosis and having to make this very difficult decision about medications also...." + (show)
@deuie

I am 73 with osteoporosis and having to make this very difficult decision about medications also. I’m extremely worried about all the side effects with Prolia. I have decided not to do that one but wondering what is the best alternative with the least side effects. I do not handle medications well and try to stay away from them as much as possible. After years of being healthy I have been hit with one health issue after another and since my husband passed away and I have no children I’m very worried about making this decision by myself. Thanks so much for any advice you can give me!

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I am 70 and am having to make the decision also to use Evenity or Forteo. Years ago I used Fosomax and it caused me to have jaw bone problems and so I had to stop using it. Now I’m worried about side effects from using these new drugs. I’ve also thought of using Fortibone which is a natural collagen peptides that is supposed to help bones grow. There is a study using it and it did help. Most women do better bone growth with a drug rather than natural is what I have seen.
We can support each other on this site. I wish you lots of luck.

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gently | @gently | Aug 29 6:30pm
In reply to @deuie "I am 73 with osteoporosis and having to make this very difficult decision about medications also...." + (show)
@deuie

I am 73 with osteoporosis and having to make this very difficult decision about medications also. I’m extremely worried about all the side effects with Prolia. I have decided not to do that one but wondering what is the best alternative with the least side effects. I do not handle medications well and try to stay away from them as much as possible. After years of being healthy I have been hit with one health issue after another and since my husband passed away and I have no children I’m very worried about making this decision by myself. Thanks so much for any advice you can give me!

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deuie, I completely agree with your fear of Prolia. May I suggest that you look at Forteo. It's been around awhile. If you have a reaction to it, that reaction is limited usually to four hours. It is an easy medication to quit. And it builds the very best bone.

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kristie2 | @kristie2 | Aug 29 10:57pm
In reply to @neesie0159 "This last paragraph is where I am with Prolia. It’s been suggested to me for years..." + (show)
@neesie0159

This last paragraph is where I am with Prolia. It’s been suggested to me for years and I was terrified of side effects. I went with Evenity just over a year ago, also terrified of side effects but I chose to risk those over the other. I did fine with Evenity, sore arms for a day and that was it. I’m willing to at least try Prolia since there’s some evidence it could increase my bone density even a little further than the Evenity did, rather than just maintaining it. If it doesn’t go well, I’ll try other options (Reclast, or back to Fosamax).

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I too have been on Evenity for a year and I will start Prolia next week for a year to help build more bone density and then on to reclast . I was terrified to start Evenity and now the same with Prolia . It’s another journey and hopefully it will be Ok .

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2 replies
deuie | @deuie | Aug 30 7:06am

Thank you all so much for your comments and support. I will definitely look into Forteo. I like the idea it doesn’t stay in your system for long in case you have problems with it. My PT person suggested a magnesium supplement and he doesn’t think Prolia is a good idea either. I’m going to have to go with my gut on this and turn down the Prolia. We can only hope we make the right decisions! I will be very anxious to hear how things go with all of you. Wishing you the best and thanks again.

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windyshores | @windyshores | Aug 30 7:13am

I always pipe in to suggest Tymlos, which is very good for spine and has an injection pen that allows adustable dosing. It is a similar drug to Forteo. For those who are nervous about side effects, or who cannot tolerate a full dose, like me, it is possible to start low and move up as your body adjusts. I had excellent gains at 7/8 dose for two years.

The choices are simple:

anti-resorptives" bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Reclast etc.) . 3-5 years, or Prolia (longer)
anabolics: Forte and Tymlos (two years)
both anabolic and anti-resorptive: Evenity (one year)

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neesie0159 | @neesie0159 | Aug 30 8:47am
In reply to @kristie2 "I too have been on Evenity for a year and I will start Prolia next week..." + (show)
@kristie2

I too have been on Evenity for a year and I will start Prolia next week for a year to help build more bone density and then on to reclast . I was terrified to start Evenity and now the same with Prolia . It’s another journey and hopefully it will be Ok .

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I got my first Prolia injection 3 days ago, now just waiting every day to see what happens. A common side effect is back pain, I already have chronic back pain so I don’t know how I’ll know if Prolia causes any. My new endocrinologist wants me on it for 2 years, then Reclast or Fosamax. I may try to convince him to switch earlier than 2 years, but that’s a future problem at this point. Wishing you best of luck with your treatment!

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2 replies
kristie2 | @kristie2 | Aug 30 10:41am
In reply to @neesie0159 "I got my first Prolia injection 3 days ago, now just waiting every day to see..." + (show)
@neesie0159

I got my first Prolia injection 3 days ago, now just waiting every day to see what happens. A common side effect is back pain, I already have chronic back pain so I don’t know how I’ll know if Prolia causes any. My new endocrinologist wants me on it for 2 years, then Reclast or Fosamax. I may try to convince him to switch earlier than 2 years, but that’s a future problem at this point. Wishing you best of luck with your treatment!

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My Endo also said 2 years and I said to her 1 year before Reclast so we will also see . Glad to hear so far about any reaction to the Prolia that you have had .

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1 reply
njhornung | @normahorn | Aug 30 11:01am
In reply to @kristie2 "My Endo also said 2 years and I said to her 1 year before Reclast so..." + (show)
@kristie2

My Endo also said 2 years and I said to her 1 year before Reclast so we will also see . Glad to hear so far about any reaction to the Prolia that you have had .

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At least with ReClast, one can ask for a reduced dosage as a trial. The request may not be granted but it does not hurt to ask. And there is evidence that reduced dosages can be effective.

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sandrac | @sandrac | Aug 31 6:50am
In reply to @kristie2 "I too have been on Evenity for a year and I will start Prolia next week..." + (show)
@kristie2

I too have been on Evenity for a year and I will start Prolia next week for a year to help build more bone density and then on to reclast . I was terrified to start Evenity and now the same with Prolia . It’s another journey and hopefully it will be Ok .

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I had absolutely no issues on Prolia, and only about 5 days of achiness and g headache at the beginning of Prolia. Just posting because the negative effects listed can seem overwhelming, but not everyone has them. Best of luck with your decision.

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2 replies
255anny | @255anny | Aug 31 2:02pm
In reply to @neesie0159 "I got my first Prolia injection 3 days ago, now just waiting every day to see..." + (show)
@neesie0159

I got my first Prolia injection 3 days ago, now just waiting every day to see what happens. A common side effect is back pain, I already have chronic back pain so I don’t know how I’ll know if Prolia causes any. My new endocrinologist wants me on it for 2 years, then Reclast or Fosamax. I may try to convince him to switch earlier than 2 years, but that’s a future problem at this point. Wishing you best of luck with your treatment!

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Let us know if your Dr agrees with your 1 year of Prolia plan!

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