Anxiety about starting Evenity

Posted by pkbs @pkbs, Mar 11 3:36pm

My recent bone scan showed a vertebral compression fracture so my dr wants me to start Evenity. (I’ve had 2 infusions of Reclast in last 2 years) no problems with the Reclast but very nervous about Evenity.

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Profile picture for cat1203 @cat1203

@souderkirk are you on Medicare? Are you talking about the $2,100 cap on prescription drugs, where the patient is responsible for the first $2,100 of drug cost before insurance picks up all the rest? If so that doesn't apply to Evenity; it is covered by Part B since it is administered in a doctor's office (or infusion center) . So Medicare would cover 80% of the cost, with the patient responsible for the other 20%, unless you have a Medigap supplement insurance plan, which would cover that 20%. With a Medicare Advantage plan, it would still pay for 80% and the patient the remainder, up to their maximum out of pocket, then the plan would pay the rest.

I thought Amgen only offered financial assistance to those with private, commercial insurance (i.e., not for those on Medicare).

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@cat1203 - Hi! Yes, I am on Medicare and my advantage plan does cover 80% of Evenity AFTER I cover my out-of-pocket for the year ($2,100). I have no drug expenses nor other expenses to pay any out-of-pocket for, so Evenity costs me about $514 per month for the 12-month treatment of which I'm required to cover approximately 4 months to cover the OOP ($2,100), then my advantage plan covers the next 8 months!
I know...that doesn't sound right to me either...

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Profile picture for SandDance @souderkirk

@cat1203 - Hi! Yes, I am on Medicare and my advantage plan does cover 80% of Evenity AFTER I cover my out-of-pocket for the year ($2,100). I have no drug expenses nor other expenses to pay any out-of-pocket for, so Evenity costs me about $514 per month for the 12-month treatment of which I'm required to cover approximately 4 months to cover the OOP ($2,100), then my advantage plan covers the next 8 months!
I know...that doesn't sound right to me either...

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@souderkirk No, that sounds right. It's just a coincidence then that your Medicare Advantage plan's MOOP is $2,100, which happens to be the same amount that out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs on the prescription/Part D side are capped, whether one has original Medicare or an Advantage Plan. You'd be better off financially waiting until next year to start Evenity if you can wait that long so you don't have to pay the $2,100 MOOP this year then again next year.

But I am still surprised to learn Amgen offers financial assistance to those on Medicare.

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Profile picture for dkgl @dkgl

I had 9 Evenity injections and after the 9th one developed brutal itching. It continued 7 months. During that period I lived on antihistamines and anti itch creams. This brutal itching included upper torso and breasts. Never experienced this before but my certified menopause practitioner insisted the Evenity wasn't the problem and I should see an allergist. There is no doubt in my mind that the Evenity was the problem. She said she never had anyone with that symptom and if it was the Evenity it would have appeared long before the 9th injection. By the way, I had no other symptoms.

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@dkgl I just experienced the itching after shot 8. Little blisters on leg and trunk, about 15 total, each extremely itchy. The blisters stopped appearing 48 hrs after the shot and the itching went away. A bit terrified now to get shot 9.

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With all my brutal itching, no hives or blisters.

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Profile picture for dkgl @dkgl

I had 9 Evenity injections and after the 9th one developed brutal itching. It continued 7 months. During that period I lived on antihistamines and anti itch creams. This brutal itching included upper torso and breasts. Never experienced this before but my certified menopause practitioner insisted the Evenity wasn't the problem and I should see an allergist. There is no doubt in my mind that the Evenity was the problem. She said she never had anyone with that symptom and if it was the Evenity it would have appeared long before the 9th injection. By the way, I had no other symptoms.

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@dkgl
So sorry you had to experience this brutal itching. It’s a shame a health care provider would not act upon a patient’s best interests and report side effects. I feel the “one size fits all” approach to Rx drugs sometimes doesn’t fit all.

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Profile picture for mimidrc @mimidrc

@dkgl
So sorry you had to experience this brutal itching. It’s a shame a health care provider would not act upon a patient’s best interests and report side effects. I feel the “one size fits all” approach to Rx drugs sometimes doesn’t fit all.

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I started Evenity injections in March and had my second shot this month. I had no side effects from the first shot. After the second I developed worsening joint pain, fatigue and headaches. I messaged the nurse practitioner about this and she said that since I didn't have any reaction to the first shot these were most likely not side effects from the second Evenity shot and to contact my GP.
I guess I'm just venting here, but I feel that administering the shots is all this particular bone clinic is required to do. They should be able to advise us as to if there are any reactions possible with future shots or at least help us find answers. I'm seriously thinking about discontinuing these shots. But 'one size fits all' seems to be their answer.

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Profile picture for snaillady @snaillady

@dkgl I just experienced the itching after shot 8. Little blisters on leg and trunk, about 15 total, each extremely itchy. The blisters stopped appearing 48 hrs after the shot and the itching went away. A bit terrified now to get shot 9.

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@snaillady con Evenity?

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Profile picture for SandDance @souderkirk

@cat1203 - Hi! Yes, I am on Medicare and my advantage plan does cover 80% of Evenity AFTER I cover my out-of-pocket for the year ($2,100). I have no drug expenses nor other expenses to pay any out-of-pocket for, so Evenity costs me about $514 per month for the 12-month treatment of which I'm required to cover approximately 4 months to cover the OOP ($2,100), then my advantage plan covers the next 8 months!
I know...that doesn't sound right to me either...

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@souderkirk That's the problem with Advantage plans. I have regular medicare and an AARP supplement, and a part D med plan, though expensive , pays all of evenity.

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Profile picture for maryelle @maryelle

I started Evenity injections in March and had my second shot this month. I had no side effects from the first shot. After the second I developed worsening joint pain, fatigue and headaches. I messaged the nurse practitioner about this and she said that since I didn't have any reaction to the first shot these were most likely not side effects from the second Evenity shot and to contact my GP.
I guess I'm just venting here, but I feel that administering the shots is all this particular bone clinic is required to do. They should be able to advise us as to if there are any reactions possible with future shots or at least help us find answers. I'm seriously thinking about discontinuing these shots. But 'one size fits all' seems to be their answer.

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@maryelle Sure, but they don' t always. Google it and see what you learn. Question is there a cumulative effect of Evenity. Evenity is an anabolic which helps to "grow" bone, etc. Did you not have a discussion and ask what else might I take. Or why are you suggesting Evenity. We have to advocate for ourselves.

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Profile picture for maryelle @maryelle

I started Evenity injections in March and had my second shot this month. I had no side effects from the first shot. After the second I developed worsening joint pain, fatigue and headaches. I messaged the nurse practitioner about this and she said that since I didn't have any reaction to the first shot these were most likely not side effects from the second Evenity shot and to contact my GP.
I guess I'm just venting here, but I feel that administering the shots is all this particular bone clinic is required to do. They should be able to advise us as to if there are any reactions possible with future shots or at least help us find answers. I'm seriously thinking about discontinuing these shots. But 'one size fits all' seems to be their answer.

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@maryelle
Yes, some side effects of Evenity (romosozumab-aqqg) can be cumulative, meaning they may intensify or worsen with subsequent monthly injections. While common side effects like joint pain or injection site reactions can occur, cases of worsening rash, increased fatigue, and increased joint/neck pain have been reported over the 12-month treatment course.
Mayo Clinic Connect
Mayo Clinic Connect
+3
Googled info from Myo clinic.

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