Connect
← Return to What are the long-term positive/negatives of taking osteoporosis meds?
Discussion
What are the long-term positive/negatives of taking osteoporosis meds?
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Mar 7 12:42pm | Replies (38)Comment receiving replies
I have completed two months of Evenity injections. The first time I experienced severe joint aches including my jaw for five days,. The second time I had aches in my cervical area and jaw that lasted two days. I would like to continue the treatment plan, but my concern is that side effect of jaw pain is a precursor to osteonecrosis of the jaw. I've asked my doctors about it, and they said they've never had a patient contract cancer of the jaw as the result of the Evenity treatment. I'm diagnosed with severe osteo (-3.7) in the lumbar area I but have never fractured. I've been stable for years. I am actively looking for a physician that has an in-depth knowledge of Evenity side effects that can address my concerns.
Replies to "I have completed two months of Evenity injections. The first time I experienced severe joint aches..."
@klpco Osteonecrosis is not cancer. This is what AI Assist says: Yes, Evenity (romosozumab) can rarely cause osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), a serious condition where the jawbone loses its blood supply, leading to bone cell death. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene and inform your doctor of any dental issues before starting treatment."
Also, after taking Evenity, you will have to take a bisphosphonate of some kind to keep any gains you made in your BMD.
Regarding side effects from Evenity, I would do my own research. Many have commented on these sites that doctors dismiss or claim ignorance of any side effects that are plainly listed on the pharmacological literature.
Another resource for information is a Facebook support group called "Evenity (Osteoporosis Treatment) Education & Support".
Connect
@klpco Evenity works by a different action than a bisphosphonate or Prolia, both which can contribute to the formation of osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Both bisphosphonates and Prolia inhibit bone breakdown, causing an accumulation of old bone in the jaw. Because the bone is not being replaced, it can be prone to infection especially if one needs a dental procedure that involves working with that old bone.
This is one of the reasons that it's recommended that one take a break from medications like Fosamax or Reclast to give the bone an opportunity to refresh.
Evenity works by inhibiting a protein excreted by bone cells that inhibits bone building. Evenity encourages your body to grow new bone which would also include your jaw, avoiding the issue with old bone becoming necrotic like it does with bisphosphonates and Prolia.
I wonder if your jaw pain might be related to an inflammatory response from your shots? If you received your shots in your upper arm, it's conceivable that the response might spill over into your jaw area. I usually have very sore upper arms after my shots and take a couple of Tylenol just after I receive them to help with this.
Also, osteonecrosis of the jaw would take a long time to develop and would involve bone that now lacks a good blood supply due to it being old plus an invasive procedure or abscessed tooth that potentially introduces bacteria into the area.