Evista/Raloxifene

I had a severe reaction to Bisophomates and one injection of Prolia caused dental problems. My recipe for bone health since a series of compression fractures in 2016 has been 24 months of Forteo, 5 years of Evista (Raloxifene ) and now 18 months of Teraparatide, which I hope to follow with another 5 years of Evista. I am 67. Evista help my gains with only insignificant decline that added up over the 5 years to indicate another anabolic bone builder needed. It sounds like this is the case for most of the follow up medications, and for me, the Evista is the least harmful follow up. Provided I am able to keep boosting it every 5 years with Forteo now that the blackbox warning has been removed. It is a shame there is not more research done on extending use of Forteo or Tymlos as they seem to be the most effective bone builder. If anyone knows of a research link being done, please let me know. Having said all that, my sister has done extremely well on Prolia for the past 10 years. However, she does not have the autipoimune disorder I do and has tolerated her treatment well.

I've been taking Raloxifene/Evista for about nine months and the hot flashes have been awful and aren't dissipating. I thought I was finished with all that (I'm 70 and went through menopause 15 years ago); I'm seeing my doc in a couple of days and will ask her if there's a better alternative because I can't take it anymore -- it's worse than it was during menopause. Before the Raloxifine, I was on an annual infusion of Reclast for three consecutive years. Immediately following the first Reclast infusion, I had an expected reaction of very sore muscles and joints throughout my body for the first couple of days but then it ended, and it was worth it given the ultimate result: Within the year, my bone density improved and my osteoporosis was downgraded to osteopenia. I experienced no side effects at all with the two subsequent Reclast infusions. I wish I could go back on it and get off the Raloxifene!

@susanew I received Reclast one-time IV infusion 10 years ago (2016) at age 60 when my Dexa showed a spinal T score of -1.6 and the hip T score of -0.6, which put me in osteopenia even though the hip T score was very good. That same year, I had two dental implants for missing molars. I was very scared, but No sideeffects happened. I am a very active and healthy eater . I tried to get my calcium 12000 mg/day from diet, and was taking a vitamin D 1000 IU supplement, MK7 K2 supplement. My last 2 Dexa in pat 10 years were borderline osteopenia. No treatment was recommended. Recently (3 months ago), I sustained a spinal T11 vertebra compression fracture; the DEXA score at the time of the fracture was in osteopenia level, and all my labs, including bone markers, are in normal range. I believe I sustained a fracture due to a combination of a stressful job, short sleep, and my wrong movement on the new trampoline. Nonetheless, my diagnosis turned to a fragility fracture osteoporosis because of the fracture. Getting an endocrinology appointment is a pain in the ... very long waiting time. Currently, I am going through clearance from the dentist after the non-fused implant removal, cardiologist for CT cardiac calcium score 47, which means some plaques in my arteries, and GI doctor for peptic ulcer ablation 7 years ago and post-ablation GERD. All new drug as Evenity, Tymlos, and Forteo, have high results in bone building (osteoblast formation), but these drugs work for a short duration after which someone needs to be on other drugs to keep that built bone, and they come with their own scary side effects. This means all these drugs work as "a short-term bandage," without providing a long-term solution. I discussed with a gynecologist experienced in menopous&osteoporosis if HRT is a choice for women 10+ years after menopause in combination with calcium, collagen, vitamin D, K2 diet and supplements, progressive strength training seems a natural way to protect our bones without fracture. I am waiting for an endocrinologist consultation and have not started my bone treatment yet, but sharing my thoughts.