Struggling with making an osteoporosis treatment decision

Hi. Has anyone taken the drug Evenity for osteoporosis? Have you experienced side effects? Thank you.

I found that article about Strontium as well. It's a key ingredient in Bone Grow, which I was thinking of starting. I just started alendronate three weeks ago, with no side effects so far, but of course, would like to get off it before the "drug holiday" after five years of use, which the rheumatologist mentioned to me. Although I walk 6 times a week for an hour, it wasn't enough to keep osteoporosis at pay, plus now I take prednisone for an autoimmune disorder. So started specific strength training program for osteoporosis (Carol Michaels is on YouTube if you want to check her out) and purchased a vibration exerciser, which hasn't come yet, but I'm looking forward to using. Best of luck, tsc.

Thank you for your response tsc. I’m too chicken to take strontrium as well as the alendronate at the same time...would you consider this? I would have to build up my courage. Started taking strontium and will continue for 6 months as they suggest but if it doesn’t work, or if the osteoporosis gets worse, I will have to start the alendrondate. I won’t be able to get tested at 6 months because my province does not allow it plus I’m not permitted to pay for the test on my own and I’m quite sure the other provinces in Canada won’t allow me take the test in 6 months either. I have to wait a full year ugh!

I just saw your comment! I had gone out of town to my mothers 98th birthday, so didn’t do so well following Connect. I will definitely look up Sara Meeks! Thanks for suggesting i watch her. I’ll let you know how i do!

Hi. Yes, I had my 6th injection last week. I’ve had no problems except for redness and some soreness at the injection site. I wish you a good experience should you decide to give it a try!
Elisabeth V.
Long Island

No problem, @becsbusddy. I also found Carol Michaels on YouTube. She specializes in safe exercises for osteoporosis. I do better with DVDs - so I purchased three of hers from Amazon. I'm happy with them. After getting back to strength training after a terrible year with an autoimmune disorder, they're the right pace for me now, challenging enough. They can be made more challenging with more repetitions and heavier weights as strength returns.

Ditto Carol Michaels, but you don’t need DVDs/DVD player to follow along; you can purchase for viewing/listening with tablet and/or PC

I think you are right to be concerned and shouldn't let yourself be backed into a corner. I am 70, just diagnosed with osteoporosis, with a T-score of -3.1. It was kind of shocking because I've walked at least 5 hours a week for the last 25 years, done strength training on a regular basis, until the last year when I got really sick (but managed to keep walking through it). I also was just diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that requires me to be on prednisone, a bone thinning drug. It will be long term. I have a rheumatologist I trust and a close friend who is an excellent doctor. The rheumatologist prescribed Alendronate and my friend supported that. It has been around for years. My mom took it (as Fosamax). She had bad osteoporosis - with the dowager's hump. She did not get additional fractures. My aunt, who took no drugs, died from spinal fractures. The Alendronate is a once a week dose. I'm going to try to build my bones back better so keep walking and do targeted exercises for the osteoporosis and try to get off the drug. They know enough about it now, that after 5 years on it, a drug holiday is taken. Carol Michaels is a PT and an expert on Osteoporosis. She has videos on You Tube - safe strength and stretching exercises for osteoporosis - with no forward flexion of the spine. By the way, I am not a paid consultant for Alendronate! Wishing you the best.

I know. I watched her on YouTube first, but prefer to use DVDs when I exercise. Just easier for me. Cheers!

To everyone who is apprehensive about taking drugs for osteoporosis I want to say try Evenity especially if your osteoporosis is severe. Somehow I managed to ignore several years of Dexascan results telling me that I had osteoporosis so when I finally paid attention it was already severe. My endocrinologist recommended Evemity, one of several new drugs that can rebuild bone. I was pleasantly surprised when I got a new Dexa after only a few months that showed considerable improvement in my spine. However I lost more bone in my hip joint which I attribute to the fact that I was not exercising. I think that it really is important to exercise along with taking supplemental calcium and Vitamin D3, getting enough protein and eating a healthy diet overall. I have other health problems and pain meds I take for those makes it difficult to keep exercising, but I am trying harder now.

I want to urge those who are hesitant to take the new osteoporosis drugs to take it from me they are safe and nothing else will help you rebuild your bones like Evenity. I was cautious at first and instead of taking a drug I thought I could eat a lot of yogurt and drink more milk and eat veggies that have calcium in them. Using those foods to fight this disease is fine if you have osteopenia or earlier osteoporosis but if your condition is severe like mine you should be looking for something to give you a quick start. I usually have a negative reaction to drugs but I did not have any real problems with Evenity and it is only a once a month injection in the doctor's office. After 12 months you have to switch to something else. My doctor recommended Prolia. I finished Evenity in June and I've had 1 Prolia injection which was fine. Prolia is injected only twice a year and is said to help maintain the gains you make with Evenity and even build more bone.

You don't want to mess around with osteoporosis. This is not COVID and these new drugs have been around long enough to know what to expect. No one will give out rewards if you try to muscle through this without the benefit of drugs that are proven winners. You only get one life and for most of us by the time we get osteoporosis we are half way through our alloted years. Don't waste time. Be smart. The only consideration is cost if you don't have insurance. You may qualify for assistance from the manufacturer if you don't have insurance. Evenity is effective and my Dexa shows that. I believe it is safe or I would have found out by now ( I was a medical librarian before I retired and I researched medical literature and still do). I would trust a doctor who recommends Evenity before I would trust a doctor or anyone that promotes some supplement which has not undergone the testing and scrutiny of medicines in the U.S.