Reclast? Any positive things about it? I have cold feet with this

@jjpoodlespress
Love your cute dog!

Not sure about your diagnosis, but I’ll share what I was told in case it helps. I already had osteopenia and my last DEXA showed progression closer to osteoporosis due to cancer meds. My oncologist wants to put me on zometa which is an infusion similar to reclast and has the same scary side effects. I always have adverse side effects, some serious, and find zometa scary. He told me to ask my endocrinologist his opinion.

My endocrinologist who I really trust told me absolutely NOT. He said he would never put someone with osteopenia on such a strong drug. He also wouldn’t use it as a first line drug. He would wait until I actually have osteoporosis and then he would use Prolia first as it builds up bone and starts reversing bone loss. I was happy to hear that because I was already going to decline zometa after reading the possible side effects. I like to be conservative in my treatments. I hope this is helpful as you gather info from many people.

What is your diagnosis and have you tried other meds?

I’ve found people tend to be someone who either tolerates most meds well or doesn’t. I personally am missing some liver enzymes that make it hard to properly metabolize many meds. What is your personal history with meds and adverse reactions?

@californiazebra
Hi, curious what is your Dr. going to put you on after prolio? Fosamax or reclast?

@jjpoodlespress
Frist, my wife and I are dog lovers your picture is great. We have a cock a poo.

My wife takes Reclast injections. It was to improve her bone density. It did help her and improved her bone density based on her test. I asked her about any side effects, and she said no. Her daughter takes the pill and we asked her and said no side affects.

Can I ask why you are told you need to take it?

Last year my wife had spinal fusion surgery. Part of the recovery process to improve bone growth around surgery site on spine was to use a special back brace that sent a electrical stimulation around spine to enhance bone growth. She had to use the belt for 6 months. According to surgeon after doing pre and post surgeries CTs has seen significant improvement in her spinal bone growth density.

@jc76 Can you please tell me a bit more about the back brace with the electrical stimulation? I need to have a fusion, but have been told by one surgeon that it could not be done because of my osteoporosis. I was told by another surgeon that I could have it done because the arthritis in my spine is such that it has laid down extra bone that would hold pins/screws. That sounds kind of dicey to me. If there is a brace that will help bone growth, I would love to know what it is called so I can ask my doctor about it. Thanks for any help you can give!

@bayhorse I had spinal fusion of the L1-S5 two years ago this coming May... The Dr. at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville ordered me a back bone growth stimulator..(sorry don't remember the name of the device).. I put it on for I think 45 minutes a day for 3 months.... It helped to fuse the bones to the titanic hardware that was installed.... Medicare did not pay for it but our secondary insurance BCBS did.... After 90 days it just shuts off and you throw it away...
If you have further questions please feel free to ask

@steadysteps
Hi. I haven’t even started Prolia yet since my endocrinologist told me to wait until I actually have osteoporosis. I think my next DEXA is summer 2027. Hopefully Prolia will work so well there won’t be any other med after that. They all scare me because I’m always the 1% exception.

@californiazebra You have to go on another drug after Prolia because Prolia has a rebound effect, if you don't. If you are on Facebook, there is a Prolia Discussion Page that explains the rebound effect or Google what does Prolia rebound mean.

I was on Reclast for 5 years and did not have any side effects! If your doctor suggests it, there is certainly a reason to be on it. The good part of being on Reclast is that you can stop it if there are no improvements and try another.
I am now on Prolia and I was informed that I will be on Prolia for the rest of my life. I have had 3 shots and NO side effects.

The one thing I dislike about Mayo Clinic Connect is that one person who has a side effect cries wolf and this is not right. We are all different and while one drug works for some , others may need to take something different. This is normal!