Trying to decide about Evenity

I am also considering Evenity. I've read the side effects about cardio warning and Rheumatologist does not want to prescribe due to the warning. My problem is that I need back surgery due to severe compression at L5 & S1. My thighs and feet are getting numb so need surgery soon. The neurosurgeon wants me on osteo med for at least 3 months prior to surgery to help screws and rod from becoming loose. I'm so confused but afraid of becoming paralyzed from spine but heart attack from Evenity which works faster than the other drugs. Good luck.

I too am worried about Evenity. I told my Dr I was very reluctant to take it because of the stroke & heart attack warning. She did some testing & said my body is still making bones (however she worded it) so she suggested Prolia.
Waiting to get my first shot.
In the mean time i walk 5 days a week, have been for a year now. They say it helps to build new bone & I'm also trying to eat more dairy.

My rheumatologist and I both had the same trepidations about me taking Evenity due to the cardiovascular warnings, so he pretty much insisted that I start treatment on Tymlos. Nine and a half months later, I finally had enough; the Tymlos was a "bark worse than the bite" situation and I discontinued it. At that time, my doc wanted me to begin Prolia - NO (I know some of you think this is best for you, and that's cool).

Prior to taking Evenity, I consulted with my cardiologist - he gave me the go ahead. Note that I don't have any life-threatening heart issues - a bit of mitral valve regurgitation and a murmur that I've had since scarlet fever 60+ years ago and my blood pressure is even a bit low . . . so I can't speak for everyone. However, I always err on the side of a specialist to assess the value of a med or procedure. Of course, like everyone here, I use Dr. Google (which is bad, I know). I did the full twelve month treatment of Evenity and had great gains. Unfortunately, since I used Tymlos for about 35% of the total plan, I don't know which of these drugs was more beneficial.

I opted out of Prolia, which was my rheumatologist's first maintenance med suggestion and chose to fall back on my good old friend, Reclast, fully aware of the spontaneous hip fracture component.

Wishing you all the best day possible! Spring is (hopefully) arriving here in the Mid-Atlantic and warmer temperatures are on the way. Can't wait to get outside - chores, chores, chores! Cheers!

I started Evenity last month (1 injection). I had no side effects except very mild soreness a day or two at the injection site. I have no cardiac hx (some family but not strong). My doctor said Evenity was okay and my Medicare paid for it so I swallowed my fears and started it. I am 71. I had a simple fx (no surgery required) at age 67 (right wrist when I fell and outstretched my arm to break the fall). I am not convinced I wouldn't have fractured it whether I had osteoporosis or not. I have had osteopenia progressing to Osteoporosis since menopause, have family hx, (Mother, GM, sister). I decided it was best to do some kind of treatment and I am hopeful. These decisions are difficult as there are so many variables and the doctors don't seem to feel they need to explain them. I did research on my on, here and other sources and got valuable advice here especially. I will continue to post progress.

Hi, thanks for this! So you did complète the whole
course of Evenity - what type of pain did you experience, and more importantly, did you have a bone density test since and did it show measurable improvements? My endocrinologist says that it’s the best way to build new bones.

Hey @dkny,

I completed twelve months of Evenity without any issues - pretty much like getting a flu shot, but no malaise. My adverse effects were all caused by Tymlos - and there were many.

I had a DEXA in January, 2024, which showed significant improvement, especially in my lumbar region (lumbar T-score went from -2.9 to -1.0 and femur from -2.5 to -2.1) so if you believe a DEXA to be accurate, there you have it. Unfortunately, I don't know which med did the trick for me as I was prescribed Tymlos November, '22 - July '23 and Evenity July '23 - June '24, so the DEXA fell right about the middle of the Evenity treatment. My doc, at the time, wouldn't order a scan prior to beginning Tymlos because I wasn't "due" for my two-year scan (which I think is a bunch of hooey).

Cheers!

This support group is wonderful, but for added information on Evenity there is another good support group on Facebook called "Evenity (Osteoporosis Treatment) Education & Support". I am also trying to decide about Evenity.

Hello @dkny,

When researching osteoporosis medications it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by negative or bad reactions to medications. You may find the following discussion by @monkhhi worth reading:

"Evenity worked for me: Why I chose medication for osteoporosis"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/evenity-worked-for-me/

Thank you - that is very helpful information.