Prolia treatment for osteoporosis: What is your experience?

Posted by Veruska @veriska, Mar 7, 2017

I received the results from my bone test and they have recommended I start Prolia. I have read the side effects and I am concerned. Has anyone use this drug and if so what side effects have you experienced. Thank you

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@butch24350

My physical therapist told me that walking needs to be a daily exercise for me since I have osteopenia. My physical Therapist is dealing with my rehab from a 2018 fractured femur, with the rod replaced a year later and a stress fracture in the other leg. Which also required a rod. I’ve been to three different physical therapist, all of whom have told me to walk. I was a walker prior to fracturing my femur in the fall.

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If you aren't walking on a treadmill and you are walking outside on a hard surface, you might want to consider a treadmill. My physical therapist I go to for resistance training told me that. He won't even let me run on the treadmill.

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Thank you. I will talk to my PT. I have access to a fitness club.... so I can do my walking there. Thanks again!

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@debbiem

Here is one of the best articles I’ve read on knowing how to read your DEXA scan results.

https://www.healthcentral.com/article/your-dxa-questions-answered-by-larry-jankowski-cbdt-part-2?fbclid=IwAR2k93nlT1M968U8gQLPf_ZWUvwCAFi1LvEBvyy3zxIjCGuQMR_2t4lT0ZM

This article explains why the bone dr I was sent to after my scan results showed osteoporosis wasn’t worried at all....even with a -3.7 score. Bone strength and bone density are different. So are density scores of small framed people vs larger boned people.

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Very useful, especially because I am thin, lost weight in between DEXAs, and have a small frame.
...will question (2nd opinion) endocrinologist about reliabilty of my scores before starting medication. Thanks!

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I have been ob a Prolia for 2 years. In the last 4 mos I have had 2 UTI that have been very difficult to clear up. I was told by my doctor that UTIs are more common in people taking Prolia. Has anyone else had this experience?

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@harper2018

I have been ob a Prolia for 2 years. In the last 4 mos I have had 2 UTI that have been very difficult to clear up. I was told by my doctor that UTIs are more common in people taking Prolia. Has anyone else had this experience?

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@harper2018 I have not had this side effect, however, bladder infections are a common Prolia side effect. Check out the website askapatient.com and there is a Facebook site called (I think) Prolia side effects. Amgen (manufacturer of this med) lists bladder infections as well.

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Hi. I was prescribed Prolia last week and I don't want to start because I'm afraid of the side effects. I think I am going to consult with my pharmacists. I was taking Fosamax oral but my Dr. told me this is contraindicated for me as I recently have been diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus.

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@candrgonzalez

Hi. I was prescribed Prolia last week and I don't want to start because I'm afraid of the side effects. I think I am going to consult with my pharmacists. I was taking Fosamax oral but my Dr. told me this is contraindicated for me as I recently have been diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus.

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@candrgonzalez a friend of mine just has acid reflux and Fosamax really inflamed her esophagus. I have acid reflux and a generally horrible g.i. tract and opted for Prolia. Prolia has caused side effects (mentioned on this site before. Recap: made my IBS-C worse, made my arthritis worse, made my high cholesterol worse). Decision re taking 4th injection or taking Reclast instead, or not treating the osteoporosis and risking rebound fractures from going off Prolia without a backup drug. Have until July to decide. Prolia has not caused acid reflux issues for me. All drugs cause side effects. You dont know until you give it a go. Its the old risk vs benefit.

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@candrgonzalez

Hi. I was prescribed Prolia last week and I don't want to start because I'm afraid of the side effects. I think I am going to consult with my pharmacists. I was taking Fosamax oral but my Dr. told me this is contraindicated for me as I recently have been diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus.

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@candrgonzalez it is important to remember that some patients can take Prolia and other bisphosphonates without adverse side effects. People who don't experience side effects tend not to post on forums like this one. My mother has taken Prolia for years, an injection every 6 months. She experiences only the benefits and no side effects. I'm not saying you should or should not take Prolia, I just wanted to provide another story and person's experience.
Please talk to your doctor, tell her/him about your concerns and ask about possible alternatives and how risky the risk may or may not be for you. Like @sue225 says, everyone is different. You need to do what is right for you.

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@sue225

@candrgonzalez a friend of mine just has acid reflux and Fosamax really inflamed her esophagus. I have acid reflux and a generally horrible g.i. tract and opted for Prolia. Prolia has caused side effects (mentioned on this site before. Recap: made my IBS-C worse, made my arthritis worse, made my high cholesterol worse). Decision re taking 4th injection or taking Reclast instead, or not treating the osteoporosis and risking rebound fractures from going off Prolia without a backup drug. Have until July to decide. Prolia has not caused acid reflux issues for me. All drugs cause side effects. You dont know until you give it a go. Its the old risk vs benefit.

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Why not try making changes to your diet, adding in bone building supplements, weight bearing exercises, doing Osteogenics (OsteoStrong),and building your bones naturally? No side effects, other than feeling great, healthier, and no drugs!!!

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@colleenyoung

@candrgonzalez it is important to remember that some patients can take Prolia and other bisphosphonates without adverse side effects. People who don't experience side effects tend not to post on forums like this one. My mother has taken Prolia for years, an injection every 6 months. She experiences only the benefits and no side effects. I'm not saying you should or should not take Prolia, I just wanted to provide another story and person's experience.
Please talk to your doctor, tell her/him about your concerns and ask about possible alternatives and how risky the risk may or may not be for you. Like @sue225 says, everyone is different. You need to do what is right for you.

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@candrgonzalez and @colleenyoung and one thing I'd also like to mention is that Prolia has increased my bone density in both the hip and the spine significantly. So, you just might as Colleen says, be one of those people who does well on Prolia. In my doctor's osteoporosis clinic there are 650 patients on Prolia.

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