Prolia treatment for osteoporosis: What is your experience?

@smtamy That’s the million dollar question.

@smtamt sorry I don’t know the numbers/details

I stopped taking Fosamax a few years ago after being on it and off it for about five years. The bone aches/cramps, and stomach distress were on-going throughout the time I took it. When media started reporting what research was finding out about Fosamax and other drugs to treat osteoporosis, I stopped taking it. My doctor recommends I try another drug in this class, but until the safety and long-term effectiveness of a drug can be better assured - I will not be taking any of them. I feel 100% better since stopping Fosamax.

@cherriann: my thoughts exactly. I don't feel I can trust the medical profession in general. My GP diagnosed me with COPD, put me on steroids, and I got Candida. I then went to a Dr. of Oriental Medicine, and he cleared my lungs in 2 weeks. NO MORE INHALERS for 3 years. Doctors can be paid, directly or indirectly, by the pharma companies, and I question whose interests they have in mind? BUT, I was really scared by the Rheumatologist telling me I could get ankylosing spondylitis. But will Prolia help any? I take Collagen and hyaluronic acid, do a lot of heavy weights and cardio......what to do???

@smtamt: GREAT QUESTION. I want to know from a user, not a doctor who may have different reasons for wanting me on a medication I have resisted for so long!

Here is an excerpt is taken from Prolia's insert: "5.6 multiple vertebral fractures (mvf) following discontinuation of prolia treatment
Following discontinuation of Prolia treatment, fracture risk increases, including the risk of multiple vertebral fractures. Cessation of Prolia treatment results in markers of bone resorption increasing above pretreatment values then returning to pretreatment values 24 months after the last dose of Prolia. In addition, bone mineral density returns to pretreatment values within 18 months after the last injection. [see Pharmacodynamics (12.2) and Clinical Studies (14.1)]. New vertebral fractures occurred as early as 7 months (on average 19 months) after the last dose of Prolia. Prior vertebral fracture was a predictor of multiple vertebral fractures after Prolia discontinuation. Evaluate an individual’s benefit/risk before initiating treatment with Prolia.If Prolia treatment is discontinued, consider transitioning to an alternative antiresorptive therapy [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]." If I'm going back to pretreatment values and I've risked my body for this, all I've done is POSSIBLY extended the period of time where my bones are not breaking down. You can read everything here: https://www.iodine.com/drug/prolia/fda-package-insert

My mother Sobha Ghoshal ( aged 77 years) has taken Bonmax Pth (teriparatide) injection for 2 years for Osteoporosis. But it failed to increase the bone density in the hips and so the risk of hip fracture is still there after completion of 2 years course. The T score in the femur neck right as well as left in the hips did not improve at all from the first BMD Test done on 19.09.2018 although there is drastic improvement of bone density in AP Spine. Please see the chart below.

BMD TEST done on 19.09.2015

BMD Test Done on 18.09.2017

Region

T-Score

Region

T-Score

Femur Neck Left

-2.2

Femur Neck Left

-2.2

Femur Neck Right

-2.1

Femur Left Right

-1.8

AP Spine L1-L4 is 1.007 g/cm2

-2.2

AP Spine L1-L4 is 0.920 g/cm2

-1.4

Doctor has recommended her Prolia injection for at least 5 years for the next course of action. Can Prolia increase the bone density in the hips and reduce the risk of hip fracture? OR should she go for Reclast/Aclasta (Zolendronic Acid) OR ESTROGEN treatment to increase the bone density in hips to reduce hip fracture. Kindly advise what should be the first line medication for her?

My rheumatologist is very knowledgeable about drugs as she was a pharmacist before becoming a doctor. I was on teriparatide for two years and saw a large increase in bone density--i believe it usually increases the BMD in the spine more than the hip. I was on reclast for 3-4 years. My doctor then recommended prolia. She said that what she liked was that BMD continued to increase after stopping prolia.

I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis at the age of 40--most likely due to use of steroid inhalers for my asthma. After 18 years of treatment with fosomax, teriparatide, reclast, and now prolia, I have finally progressed from severe osteoporosis to osteopenia. I am now 58. I am going to continue treatment as I do not want to have a broken hip at the age of 87 as my mother did. This is not a 2-3 year treatment that will fix everything. It's a long journey, and one that I'm willing to take to prevent spine compression fractures.

Your mother is a victim of rebound fracture of Prolia. By googling I found that Prolia is less effective than bisphosphonates for reducing fractures and increases infection risk. Now Aclasta contains zolendronic acid (sometimes called zolendronate) and it belongs to bisphosphonates group. I think it is more effective than Prolia. Remember to check urea, creatinine before Aclasta injection and also take 1-2 glasses of plain water 1(one) hour before injection.

My mother Sobha Ghoshal has taken Bonmax Pth (teriparatide) injection for 2 years for Osteoporosis. But it failed to increase the bone density in the hips and so the risk of hip fracture is still there after completion of 2 years course. The T-score in the femur neck right as well as left in the hips did not improve at all from the first BMD Test done on 19.09.2018 although there is drastic improvement of bone density in AP Spine. Please see the chart below.

BMD TEST done on 19.09.2015
BMD Test Done on 18.09.2017
  Region
T-Score
Region
T-Score
Femur Neck Left
-2.2
Femur Neck Left
-2.2
Femur Neck Right
-2.1
Femur Left Right
-1.8
AP Spine L1-L4 is 1.007  g/cm2
-2.2
AP Spine L1-L4 is 0.920  g/cm2
-1.4

Prolia can cause rebound fracture if you stop prolia altogether. You will have to get addicted to Prolia forever if you do not want to break your bones like pack of cards. By googling I found that Prolia is less effective than bisphosphonates for reducing fractures and increases infection risk. Now Aclasta contains zolendronic acid (sometimes called zolendronate) and it belongs to bisphosphonates group. I think it is more effective than Prolia.

My mother Sobha Ghoshal has taken Bonmax Pth (teriparatide) injection for 2 years for Osteoporosis. But it failed to increase the bone density in the hips and so the risk of hip fracture is still there after completion of 2 years course. The T-score in the femur neck right as well as left in the hips did not improve at all from the first BMD Test done on 19.09.2018 although there is drastic improvement of bone density in AP Spine. Please see the chart below.

BMD TEST done on 19.09.2015
BMD Test Done on 18.09.2017
Region
T-Score
Region
T-Score
Femur Neck Left
-2.2
Femur Neck Left
-2.2
Femur Neck Right
-2.1
Femur Left Right
-1.8
AP Spine L1-L4 is 1.007 g/cm2
-2.2
AP Spine L1-L4 is 0.920 g/cm2
-1.4