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I decided: One shoe does not fit all
I will be 80 the end of November. I was a long time user of EVISTA. My PCP suggested going off it so I did x 2 years & after DEXA showing change to spine the end of 2025 -- EVISTA having a primary focus there -- I did the recommended consult to orthopedic facility person and of course the discussion became all those drugs everyone in this discussion area talks about and I listened to your stories. I asked for a year to incorporate weight lifting since I did that for some time in years past [have all the equipment], along with walking more. The discussion group exchanges led me to insist adding EVISTA back in before evaluation in January 2027 so that happened 4/2026. However, I have seen my PCP recently and said I canceled the orthopedic revisits and want to stay on EVISTA [an oldie but goodie for me-- also focus on breast CA and both daughters have had that] with DEXA in the 2 year insurance coverage period. I have had no broken bones in my life, walk comfortably 3 plus miles, including skipping and sprinting, am easily doing 10 lb dead lifts 15x a set and using dumbells, can jump rope 50 x in a row without winded, and just got a vibration plate. I made a decision for myself and my PCP said she will not argue with me. Could it be a roll of the dice...sure. Did it also with not getting a colonoscopy after I was well past recommended age -- sometimes we are just left with the information to mull around and make our own conscious, informed decision. Thank you to everyone in discussion group for all your stories, challenges, and successes.
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I was also a long term EVISTA user with no adverse effects but my DEXA scan eventually drifted into osteoporosis territory. How have your DEXA scans been? I might like to go back to that too!
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1 ReactionBeing on EVISTA as I said for many years with then 2 years not taking it or anything else is what threw my spine into osteoporosis territory -- terms you used.
I also looked at my Fracture Risk Assessment [FRX] on my report -- created by WHO and calculates a person's 10 year probability of experiencing a major osteoporotic facture [spine, forearm, hip, or shoulder] and a hip fracture specifically.
I also used the advanced FRAXplus Tool since I deal with blood sugar issues but management with diet and exercise, no meds.
As I had indicated, tillymack, you do your own assessment, analysis, and conscious, reasonable & informed decision making-- I will see what 01/2028 (2 year) DEXA shows but could still end up rolling the dice LOL. The motto will be DON'T fall! 😉
Wow. ,you got that right, about mulling it around and having to decide what one should do for thyself. No one protocol seems to stand-up.
From your post, At nearly 80, you are and doing swell. 👏🏼. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for your kind remarks yayacarol!
drritz you are amazing and a true inspiration!! You give me hope as I have declined Evinity, Reclast and Prolia and will go back on Evista after my 2nd course of 24 months of Forteo/Terparatide. I had 13 spinal compression fractures in 2016 and have not fractured since. I do Tia Chi everyday and treadmill every night. Tried weights, but my compressed spine and loss of almost 4 inches says NO. I do use 2 pound weights while walking to exercise my upper body. I am soon to be 69 and battle low hemoglobin of 104, which does not help my bones, but can't seem to find help or even get into a hematologist to sort that out. Iron levels and calcium are fine. Last check B was also fine.
So we carry on!! And try to do what is best for each of us because you are right, 'one shoe does not fit all'
broken13 [I get the label choice now], I respect your conscious decision making and support your own continued REPUTABLE source research [we must do this!] on what are gentle and safe movements you can do to not put your more fragile vertebrae at risk and avoid pain. I googled 'spine exercises if one has had numerous compression fractures' just for a start. I noticed some reputable options [e.g., DPT] to explore -- I find some of the YouTube visuals helpful for some of my focal areas. I keep connected with my PCP and if I needed it, as may be helpful for your health profile, connection with PT and PCP. I only need to see my PCP q 6 months but would go more frequently if I experienced some questionable symptoms. Again the motto for me at almost 80, is don't fall -- which includes things like not trying to climb a ladder to change a light bulb -- replace the light fixture with LED 😉