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about to begin Evenity and nervous about side effects
Hello!
I am a 65 yo healthy, active woman with osteoporosis. I had been on fosamax for nearly 5 years and a recent bone density showed that it is no longer effective. I have bone loss in my spine and hip. Evenity is recommended and approved by insurance.
I am very nervous about side effects and prescription meds in general, but don't want to break any bones. I trust my doctors, but am still apprehensive as this is a fairly new med and the side effects are scary! Can anyone share their experience with this med?
Thank you and good health to all
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Hi, I had to get a cardiac screening prior to starting Evenity. My doctor doesn't start anyone on this medication without a cardiac screening for the reason of the potential risks. Personally I agree with that. I passed the cardiac screening which was pretty rigorous. I have no prior history of cardiac problems either. If you already had that chest pressure with another medication, maybe it's not a good idea to try Evenity until you get a cardiac screening.
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2 Reactions@followheart87
Wow, thank you! I did not know about a cardiac screening.. that would ease my mind… thank you for mentioning this to me!!
Has anyone with very low weight, 84 pounds and being very small in size has tried Evenity? My doctor is suggesting this medication, but I am terrified about the side effects. Thank you
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2 ReactionsI received my first (I completed my one year treatment 8 months ago) infusion when I weighed 114 lbs and my height was reduced to 5 feet. Like many others, I gained weight on Evenity! Eight pounds in the third month. I haven't heard that being thin is a danger. I believe your dose will be calculated for someone of your size. Best of luck. I haven't had a fracture since I started my treatment.
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2 ReactionsI am on cycle 7 and have absolutely gained weight. I am not a good metric though I did not need the new weight.
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3 Reactions@coping
Thank you so much for the reply. I talked to my doctor about the dose of evenity, they give the same dose to everyone who needs it. I am still thinking about having this medication.
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3 Reactions@mypeace
Thank you for the reply, hearing from patients who had or are having this treatment will help me decide if I should give it a try, I know that every body is different and the experience will be different too. The possibility of having a heart attack or a stroke is frightening.
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2 ReactionsHi, @chiquitita1976, regarding the possibility of heart attack or stroke with Evenity. My rheumatologist required a cardiac screening before I started Evenity, for this very reason. I had to get a consultation with a cardiologist who asked me about family history, risk factors, etc. She ordered a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan and an echocardiogram. Insurance doesn't pay for the CAC scan (mine cost $149). My CAC score was zero. I also had an echocardiogram which was normal. My rheumatologist then proceeded with Evenity.
In my case, my osteoporosis is severe and my mother had multiple fractures starting in her 80s. She was on pain meds for the last year or so of her life due to a spine fracture. I saw her suffering and her debilitation from all of these fractures. I'm only 70 and don't want this for myself. I'm willing to accept the risks associated with Evenity. This drug might not be for everyone. My doctor told me it's a game changer.
Is your osteoporosis severe? I'm not your doctor of course, but if your osteoporosis is not severe, then perhaps you don't need this drug right off the bat. All of the osteoporosis drugs have some risks though. For me, I am focusing on my gratitude of being able to get treatment at age 70 to avoid fractures as I get older rather than suffer like my mother who sustained multiple fractures.
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5 Reactions@followheart87
Hi, thank you for the reply. I asked my endocrinologist abut doing cardiology tests before starting, he said no, because they are not required. I am also 70 years old, my osteoporosis is severe. I am going to have my first injection in a few days, hopefully I will be able to tolerate the side effects.
Hearing from patients like you is comforting. I am new to the forum, I am learning how to use it. Than you!
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1 Reaction@chiquitita1976
Hi - just wanted to send you another positive note for Evenity. I finished my 12th Evenity injections in August. I had very few minor side effects. I had a few more headaches than normal and an occasional joint ache. Tylenol helped with that. I had my first ReClast infusion in September that went well so far. While I haven’t had a Dexa scan since I started all this, thanks to insurance, I’m looking forward to May 2027 to see if my numbers went up. Best of luck to you!!
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