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Positive Evenity results
I had my DEXA scan a week ago after finishing Evenity just over a month ago. With my luck I was expecting little results. Luckily it was good! Lumbar spine went from -4.6 to -3.0 Right femoral neck from -2.9 to -2.2. All the ridiculous copays were worth it to have my spine improve that much. My new PCP (I moved 3 months ago) hadn’t gotten the report as of today, so I downloaded it from my patient portal and emailed it to her. I still have a crappy spine, but not nearly as crappy as it was. Just a tip, be persistent when you need something medical. The place I was originally referred to for the DEXA said they couldn’t get me in until mid August. Multiple calls later, I got an appointment elsewhere within a few days. When I hadn’t heard from my PCP a week after the scan I called them. I don’t know what’s next yet, rheumatologist was pushing Prolia partly because it’s once every 6 months instead of a daily pill, but I had no unmanageable side effects with alendronate and Prolia is an unknown. Thanks for reading!
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Hi, why are you having to give it up?
I have exactly the same question.
After finishing 12 Evenity injections, I had a DEXA to see what had changed--same machine, no changes in its calibration or software, same technician. DEXA showed all areas returned to osteopenia range, and the prescribing endo complimented the treatment, saying I was no longer in osteoporosis.
I then went to a REMS provider, and had a scan there. Results show that I am still in the "red zone" for fracture in both femoral necks, hips in general.
I asked the test technician, a PhD in pharmacology, the same question you just asked.
He replied that he could never understand the logic behind Eventiy-->Reclast, for the very reason you bring up.
I am not sure if this addresses your question exactly but it is my understanding that : Postmenopausal women experience a shift in bone remodeling, with bone removal (resorption) outpacing bone building (formation) due to the significant drop in estrogen levels following menopause. So after you stop the Evenity your bones are not forming bone as usual before menopause (the bones are experiencing removal of bone) so I think that is why you need another drug to lock in the gains (or prevent his breaking down).
I have read different things on the internet about protection against vertebral fractures. It appears it does protect somewhat but has to be followed up with other drugs.
I would say that whether the drug is worth the risk of side effects would depend on your particular situation. For me it was as I felt it was the best treatment for me right now. I have taken 2 injections without any side effects, age 71, T score was -3.7. I am still considering what I will use after I finish the 12 month course of Evenity.
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1 ReactionEvenity builds bone. I do not understand that it also somehow stops the osteoclasts from breaking bone down. And this is also the 1st time I have heard anything about the terms 'modeled' v. 'remodeled.'
My understanding is that it is the bisphosphonates that stop the osteroclasts from clearing away old bone so that when the osteoblasts----the bone builders---do their job, it is on top of old bone. Get an increase in density but perhaps not a good quality.
Do you have any links for the information that Evenity stops/inhibits osteoclastic action of breaking down old bone?
I think I remember reading somewhere that Evenity is a bone builder in its first 6 months and perhaps a bisphosphonate in its second 6 months. Wish Windyshores was still here....think she understood this very well.
I understand about the changes in bone remodeling but I still wonder why all the gains from Evenity can disappear so rapidly (in one year) w/o different drugs to prevent this. I am going to ask this question when I visit with my Endo next week. I appreciate your response and information on your experience with Evenity.
This is from Amgen's literature: “Bone mineral density (BMD) results do not imply fracture risk reduction. Women receiving Evenity had fewer new spinal fractures (0.5%) than women receiving placebo (1.8%) at 12 months. Reductions in fractures other than the spine were not significant at 12 months.” So Evenity offers a 1.3% vertebral fracture prevention benefit.
Since Evenity is so new, there aren't longer term studies on its fracture reduction percentages. I don't know if Amgen is doing any studies on this since Evenity was made available to patients. Thanks for your insight.
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Yes, please post what your endo says about this.
I would guess that the gains from Evenity disappear so rapidly because bone is constantly being rebuilt (a daily process) so that would be why the new bone formed from Evenity would start to break down quickly. I think they advise a f/u drug within a month.
I will be interested in your endo's answer to this.