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Evenity….stopped after the first set of injections…
Evenity was recommended by my family practice physician. I am now 71, relatively active, 5’9” BMI:19. My Ortho issues began about ten years ago when I had an horrific ATV accident. I had a T12 burst fracture and two pelvic fractures. I recovered well and then about five years ago, I had a femur fracture and forearm fracture from side-stepping. My physician wanted to place me on Fosamax. I declined based on all of my research which was incredibly negative. I decided to improve my bone issues through exercise and nutrition plus supplements. I seem to always be remiss in garnering enough protein. I significantly improved my T-scores for my Spine: -1.6 to-1.1 and the hip from -2.6 to -1.9. These were all that were measured. Then, I became remiss in adhering to my improved osteo plan for exercise and nutrition. Big mistake! My recent T-scores were spine: -1.2, hip -2.8, neck -2.2 and forearm -4.3. By the way, always use the same machine for your scans. After reviewing the new numbers, my physician recommended Evenity. Based on everything I have read, Evenity has the most success with spine and not the hip, etc. I decided to give Evenity a try. Big mistake! The hospital nurse could not have been more kind and gave me two injections into the abdomen. Lots of pain at the injection sites and minor swelling across my entire abdomen. Ugh! Barely slept. Horrible! I took Tylenol, iced the injection sites and massaged the areas which offered me some relief. I never have headaches and had a throbbing headache for three days. My shoulders ached on both sides and still do four days afterwards. Needless to say, I can assure you that I will never take another Evenity shot again! The risks significantly outweigh the benefits at least for me. I have read about positive results for several mostly with the spine improvement for which I know that they are grateful! I am beginning my previous regimen for exercise and nutrition and will keep you posted as I receive my next scan. Best to all!
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What is your exercise and nutrition regimen? Thank u very much if you are able to post back.
I had absolutely no site issues with Evenity in my arms—same arm 2 inches apart, alternating arms. My arms are also thin. . I did take my regular antihistamine and Tylenol beforehand. Antihistamine is perhaps what quells the sore inflammation. Good luck!
Can you offer more info on what supplements you. take, besides calcium? Thanks.
Did you do the full 12 month course of Evenity? I don't remember if you've already discussed whether or not you had side effects?
Are you saying that you didn't get very good DEXA results from Evenity?
What was the opinion from your rheumatologist about Evenity? Did you decide to go ahead with those injections and, if so, what was your experience?
After a very informative meeting with the rheumatologist, and after he did a little more research, he suggested that I might not be a good candidate for Evenity after all. I have a high coronary calcium score, and the only two studies that addressed this issue indicated that this could cause further coronary artery problems. He was not impressed by the rigidity of the studies, but didn't want to dismiss them altogether. I have to admit that I was suddenly disappointed that Evenity might not be an option for me; I didn't want to take it, but I DID want to get the benefit of it. I met with my cardiologist, who was noncommittal on the subject, so I suggested that maybe I should game it and take it for just six months. I have now been on it for NINE months already. When I was at the six-month point, my endo discouraged me from stopping it, as she believes that the benefit comes from taking the full 12-month course. I gave up fighting her. The rheumatologist pointed out to me that the average life expectancy after a broken hip is just two years. Yikes! I also tell myself that breaking my back would likely be even more devastating to my longevity. All of this to say that, yes, I did drink the Kool-Aid. I experienced pain at the injection site (belly) for several hours after the injection for the first few months, but now I have no reaction to the medication at all. I should be able to have a DEXA scan in April. Hopefully, it will all have been worth it.
Good luck to you!
If you haven't looked at Keith McCormick's book Great Bones yet, I would suggest that you do. He gives a wealth of information about what is needed to build strong bones, including minerals other than calcium. Vitamin K2 is very important (I get mine from Nordic Naturals, which was recommended by a Ph.D. herbalist at the university integrated medicine clinic - she's done 3rd party reviews of their products herself and says that what they say is in it really is). Of course, you also need Vitamin D and, surprisingly, Vitamin C. I also take magnesium and zinc, and two kinds of calcium (carbonate (TUMS) and citronate). Calcium needs a little fat to carry it (not sure "carry" is the correct scientific term - lol), so make sure you have a tiny bit of fat in the meal that you take your supplements with.
Also, don't forget to focus on foods that are high in calcium and minerals. Calcium from food is much more readily absorbed over supplements.