Prolia treatment for osteoporosis: What is your experience?

This area of health services for women continues to be a subject of much debate. My maternal grandmother and my mother both had osteoporosis and I have it as well. It seems to run in the family, regardless of how many children we all have had. I have a severe case of it and need to be given medication to assure that my bones remain stable. My grandmother received no treatment because they had nothing then to treat it. My mother fell and broke her hip and thigh bone despite receiving IV infusions of Reclast that were being studied at the time about 10 years ago. I have been studied for the last 10 years for progressive bone loss and have been on Reclast as well but developed an allergic reaction to it 4 yrs ago. I am now on Prolia injections with good results despite still being classified as having severe osteoporsis. I also have a high risk of falling because of constant Vertigo. The physicians are monitoring all of this since there is more to the story than bone mass. I just turned 67 yesterday. Everyone's medical history will dictate which medication is suitable for you to take AND which medication is allowed with the medications you are taking for your other health reasons. I can not take any oral medications for osteoporosis because of my GERD. I also have many allergies to medications that eliminate some of the drugs that are available. Your pharmacist and physicians work to make sure the type of osteo drug is right for you. There may be side effects but consult with the pharmacist - they are your best resource for how the medication will work for you.

I am finding it so encouraging and helpful to read the posts from everyone in this forum. Like so many of you, I avoided taking medications when I was diagnosed with Osteopenia in my early 40’s. I changed my diet (dropping sodas, sugar, processed foods, red meat, etc.), added supplements (calcium, Vit D, etc.) and increased my exercise. All that slowed my progression. But after full menopause, and knee replacements at age 60 (which I think was the final catalyst) my scores were finally low enough (Spine -3.0, Total Hip -1.8 and Femoral Neck -2.8) I had to acknowledge it was time to do “more”. I’m in the 4th month with Forteo, and will finish out the two year regime. Then I’ll move onto something else (watching the posts on Prolia and Reclast) to maintain whatever gains I get. This Osteoporosis stuff is hard. Nothing that can be prescribed is perfect, and (as so many keep affirming) our bodies and how they react to meds is very personal. Thank you all for continuing to share. It helps a lot.

I am finding it so encouraging and helpful to read the posts from everyone in this forum. Like so many of you, I avoided taking medications when I was diagnosed with Osteopenia in my early 40’s. I changed my diet (dropping sodas, sugar, processed foods, red meat, etc.), added supplements (calcium, Vit D, etc.) and increased my exercise. All that slowed my progression. But after full menopause, and knee replacements at age 60 (which I think was the final catalyst) my scores were finally low enough (Spine -3.0, Total Hip -1.8 and Femoral Neck -2.8) I had to acknowledge it was time to do “more”. I’m in the 4th month with Forteo, and will finish out the two year regime. Then I’ll move onto something else (watching the posts on Prolia and Reclast) to maintain whatever gains I get. This Osteoporosis stuff is hard. Nothing that can be prescribed is perfect, and (as so many keep affirming) our bodies and how they react to meds is very personal. Thank you all for continuing to share. It helps a lot.

If you stop taking Prolia you will lose the bone density you have gained. As long as you replace Prolia with another med, Forteo or for example, a bisphosphonate you will continue to build or maintain bone. All medications have side effects. (Even overthecounter Tylenol can cause liver damage). For some people with osteoporosis, and particularly once you are post-menopausal with little estrogen floating around, diet and exercise will not solve the problem. There is no perfect solution and no perfect drug .The side effects from a hip fracture are bad and often result in an earlier than necessary demise.

I don't think you've taken the time to really think about this. A pill like Tylenol stays in your system maybe 24 hours and you can quit taking it if you have an adverse reaction. A shot like Prolia stays in your system at least 6 months and there is nothing you an do but wait it out for 6 months if you have an adverse reaction. There is no antidote; there should be for those whose lives have been hijacked by this drug. A hip fracture takes 6 weeks to heal. Maybe I was lucky but I was also careful to do the necessary things to get it to heal properly and I had no lasting side effects from the hip fracture. If I had it to do over again I would just try the bisphosphonate pills, maybe the one a week version. Have also tried the Forteo and Reclast infusion and had very bad reactions to both If the Prolia (and Forteo) don't last, which they don't, what's the point in going through the ordeal????

I don't think you've taken the time to really think about this. A pill like Tylenol stays in your system maybe 24 hours and you can quit taking it if you have an adverse reaction. A shot like Prolia stays in your system at least 6 months and there is nothing you an do but wait it out for 6 months if you have an adverse reaction. There is no antidote; there should be for those whose lives have been hijacked by this drug. A hip fracture takes 6 weeks to heal. Maybe I was lucky but I was also careful to do the necessary things to get it to heal properly and I had no lasting side effects from the hip fracture. If I had it to do over again I would just try the bisphosphonate pills, maybe the one a week version. Have also tried the Forteo and Reclast infusion and had very bad reactions to both If the Prolia (and Forteo) don't last, which they don't, what's the point in going through the ordeal????

For myself, I’m doing the two-year Forteo regimen to build back lost bone density. Then I will follow up with something else to retain whatever improvement has accrued. (Did you do Forteo for two full years? And did your bone density improve?) So for me, the “ordeal” of taking Forteo (actually, the shots are not bad) is to be healthier later. I hope you have continued good health as well, and find the combination of lifestyle changes and/or meds that work for you. It always boils down to each individual and making the personal decision that is best for you. And that can be difficult.