I've been on it for seven years. My bone density is now in the normal range for a woman my age. My bone quality is also very good. I haven't had any problems with Prolia. My doc is going to switch me to Reclast now for a couple of years, since you can't quit Prolia cold turkey because of the risk of fracture.
I've been on it for seven years. My bone density is now in the normal range for a woman my age. My bone quality is also very good. I haven't had any problems with Prolia. My doc is going to switch me to Reclast now for a couple of years, since you can't quit Prolia cold turkey because of the risk of fracture.
jb123mayo, that is very good news for you. From a T score perspective, what was your baseline prior to Prolia? How did your doctor determine when you should end Prolia? Was it through DXA results or bone marker tests (e.g., CTX, P1NP)? Are you in your 60's?
I'm 65 and starting with -3.3 on spine (L1 -3.3, L2 -3.7, L3 -3.5, L4 -2.5) , -2.2 hip, -2.7 femoral neck, -2.4 forearm. My doctor said I could be on Prolia up to 10 years, then follow with Alendronate.
I'm 63 now. My worst score was -2.5 in my spine which qualified as osteoporosis; osteopenia elsewhere. After those DEXA results my doctor sent me to a specialist that did a bunch of tests then recommended Prolia. I also got a second opinion. (I'm in Chicago so it's easy to find specialists.) Now that my results are in the normal range my doctor said I could end Prolia and transition to Reclast and see how that works for me. I have an aunt who has been on Reclast for many years and has done well. Good luck to you!
I should also say that I was off Prolia for a year during that 7-8 year period and my DEXA scores were worse--so I went back on Prolia. That was before we even knew you couldn't quit Prolia cold turkey. So, I might have been able to get off it last year if I hadn't had that year off in between. DEXA scans improved steadily each time. My most recent scan also included a Trabecular bone score for the first time and it showed good quality bone. Very glad to hear that.
I should also say that I was off Prolia for a year during that 7-8 year period and my DEXA scores were worse--so I went back on Prolia. That was before we even knew you couldn't quit Prolia cold turkey. So, I might have been able to get off it last year if I hadn't had that year off in between. DEXA scans improved steadily each time. My most recent scan also included a Trabecular bone score for the first time and it showed good quality bone. Very glad to hear that.
I just had my second Prolia injection and I wonder how you got through all the side affects for so many years? I’m a long term steroid user for other problems and I cannot understand how people deal with side affects from Prolia.
I should also say that I was off Prolia for a year during that 7-8 year period and my DEXA scores were worse--so I went back on Prolia. That was before we even knew you couldn't quit Prolia cold turkey. So, I might have been able to get off it last year if I hadn't had that year off in between. DEXA scans improved steadily each time. My most recent scan also included a Trabecular bone score for the first time and it showed good quality bone. Very glad to hear that.
jb123mayo, do you remember the tests the specialists ran? I think Prolia either slows or stops bone resorption, correct?. Would you know if it allows your natural bone building process to continue to work (hence your good quality bone)? What type of doctor was the specialist?
Also, what did you do in conjunction with Prolia re diet and exercise?
Prolia slows resorption. The natural bone building process continues. The two together make for increased bone density.
I don't recall all the tests the doc ran other than that before I began treatment there were a lot of them to rule out any other medical issues (none) and be sure I was in good health. There were some specific bone tests, too. My osteoporosis was most likely due to family history and menopause. My density has always been on the low side of normal.
I was referred to two specialists by my internist. Both had specialties in treating osteoporosis. One was a nephrologist and the other was an endocrinologist. One was in my health system the other was not. I feel I got good advice.
Re diet and exercise: I use a nutrition app (My Fitness Pal) to be sure I get enough calcium every day. It's very hard to know if you are getting enough if you don't keep track. I also take vitamin D every day. In more recent years I've also added daily Vit K-2 and magnesium which have roles in bone building. I try to get as much as I can naturally and supplement with calcium citrate as needed. (You can buy a powdered version from NOW foods which is great if you only need a little, instead of a big 600 mg pill.) My main exercise is walking and strength training (at home). My doc always recommends Pilates as good for bones, too. There are some yoga poses that have also been shown to improve bones.
I was a little afraid of Prolia when it was first recommended. I hadn't even heard of it. I did a lot of research. Ultimately it came down to this: the chance of a serious side effect was about 1 in 10,000 while the chance of a fracture was 1 in 100. I live alone and need to be able to take care of myself. I read some posts from women who had fractures that altered their ability to live as they wanted and that was enough for me.
Prolia slows resorption. The natural bone building process continues. The two together make for increased bone density.
I don't recall all the tests the doc ran other than that before I began treatment there were a lot of them to rule out any other medical issues (none) and be sure I was in good health. There were some specific bone tests, too. My osteoporosis was most likely due to family history and menopause. My density has always been on the low side of normal.
I was referred to two specialists by my internist. Both had specialties in treating osteoporosis. One was a nephrologist and the other was an endocrinologist. One was in my health system the other was not. I feel I got good advice.
Re diet and exercise: I use a nutrition app (My Fitness Pal) to be sure I get enough calcium every day. It's very hard to know if you are getting enough if you don't keep track. I also take vitamin D every day. In more recent years I've also added daily Vit K-2 and magnesium which have roles in bone building. I try to get as much as I can naturally and supplement with calcium citrate as needed. (You can buy a powdered version from NOW foods which is great if you only need a little, instead of a big 600 mg pill.) My main exercise is walking and strength training (at home). My doc always recommends Pilates as good for bones, too. There are some yoga poses that have also been shown to improve bones.
I was a little afraid of Prolia when it was first recommended. I hadn't even heard of it. I did a lot of research. Ultimately it came down to this: the chance of a serious side effect was about 1 in 10,000 while the chance of a fracture was 1 in 100. I live alone and need to be able to take care of myself. I read some posts from women who had fractures that altered their ability to live as they wanted and that was enough for me.
jb123mayo. Your input has been very helpful. I'm also afraid of Prolia when my PCP suggested Prolia for up to 10 yrs, followed by Alendronate. He is not an osteoporosis expert and has been unable to answer my questions so he's referring me to an endocrinologist. I'm looking forward to that discussion.
Had you taken any osteoporosis meds prior to Prolia?
I've been keeping a paper log of my food intake to track protein and calcium. What bran of Vit K-2 and magnesium is your supplement? It's difficult to find K-2 near me. Maybe it's a result of the pandemic. I'm not sure.
I took Fosamax for a few years for osteopenia. Then I went off it. A few years later when I was menopausal my bone density dropped. That's when I went on Prolia.
NOW foods has a good reputation for supplements. My internist likes them and they are quality assured. I always get them via mail order--easier and cheaper.
I hope talking with an endocrinologist will clarify the whole medication situation for you. I remember also feeling unsure about the whole thing at first. Took me three months to get a second opinion and do my research. Then I felt better about moving forward--I hope you do, too.
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I've been on it for seven years. My bone density is now in the normal range for a woman my age. My bone quality is also very good. I haven't had any problems with Prolia. My doc is going to switch me to Reclast now for a couple of years, since you can't quit Prolia cold turkey because of the risk of fracture.
jb123mayo, that is very good news for you. From a T score perspective, what was your baseline prior to Prolia? How did your doctor determine when you should end Prolia? Was it through DXA results or bone marker tests (e.g., CTX, P1NP)? Are you in your 60's?
I'm 65 and starting with -3.3 on spine (L1 -3.3, L2 -3.7, L3 -3.5, L4 -2.5) , -2.2 hip, -2.7 femoral neck, -2.4 forearm. My doctor said I could be on Prolia up to 10 years, then follow with Alendronate.
I'm 63 now. My worst score was -2.5 in my spine which qualified as osteoporosis; osteopenia elsewhere. After those DEXA results my doctor sent me to a specialist that did a bunch of tests then recommended Prolia. I also got a second opinion. (I'm in Chicago so it's easy to find specialists.) Now that my results are in the normal range my doctor said I could end Prolia and transition to Reclast and see how that works for me. I have an aunt who has been on Reclast for many years and has done well. Good luck to you!
I should also say that I was off Prolia for a year during that 7-8 year period and my DEXA scores were worse--so I went back on Prolia. That was before we even knew you couldn't quit Prolia cold turkey. So, I might have been able to get off it last year if I hadn't had that year off in between. DEXA scans improved steadily each time. My most recent scan also included a Trabecular bone score for the first time and it showed good quality bone. Very glad to hear that.
I just had my second Prolia injection and I wonder how you got through all the side affects for so many years? I’m a long term steroid user for other problems and I cannot understand how people deal with side affects from Prolia.
I never had any side effects from Prolia.
jb123mayo, do you remember the tests the specialists ran? I think Prolia either slows or stops bone resorption, correct?. Would you know if it allows your natural bone building process to continue to work (hence your good quality bone)? What type of doctor was the specialist?
Also, what did you do in conjunction with Prolia re diet and exercise?
I really appreciate input.
Prolia slows resorption. The natural bone building process continues. The two together make for increased bone density.
I don't recall all the tests the doc ran other than that before I began treatment there were a lot of them to rule out any other medical issues (none) and be sure I was in good health. There were some specific bone tests, too. My osteoporosis was most likely due to family history and menopause. My density has always been on the low side of normal.
I was referred to two specialists by my internist. Both had specialties in treating osteoporosis. One was a nephrologist and the other was an endocrinologist. One was in my health system the other was not. I feel I got good advice.
Re diet and exercise: I use a nutrition app (My Fitness Pal) to be sure I get enough calcium every day. It's very hard to know if you are getting enough if you don't keep track. I also take vitamin D every day. In more recent years I've also added daily Vit K-2 and magnesium which have roles in bone building. I try to get as much as I can naturally and supplement with calcium citrate as needed. (You can buy a powdered version from NOW foods which is great if you only need a little, instead of a big 600 mg pill.) My main exercise is walking and strength training (at home). My doc always recommends Pilates as good for bones, too. There are some yoga poses that have also been shown to improve bones.
I was a little afraid of Prolia when it was first recommended. I hadn't even heard of it. I did a lot of research. Ultimately it came down to this: the chance of a serious side effect was about 1 in 10,000 while the chance of a fracture was 1 in 100. I live alone and need to be able to take care of myself. I read some posts from women who had fractures that altered their ability to live as they wanted and that was enough for me.
Hope this helps!
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4 Reactionsjb123mayo. Your input has been very helpful. I'm also afraid of Prolia when my PCP suggested Prolia for up to 10 yrs, followed by Alendronate. He is not an osteoporosis expert and has been unable to answer my questions so he's referring me to an endocrinologist. I'm looking forward to that discussion.
Had you taken any osteoporosis meds prior to Prolia?
I've been keeping a paper log of my food intake to track protein and calcium. What bran of Vit K-2 and magnesium is your supplement? It's difficult to find K-2 near me. Maybe it's a result of the pandemic. I'm not sure.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI took Fosamax for a few years for osteopenia. Then I went off it. A few years later when I was menopausal my bone density dropped. That's when I went on Prolia.
This is the kind of K-2 I use. My understanding is that the MK-7 form is better absorbed. I buy it either at Iherb or Amazon depending on who has the better deal.
https://www.iherb.com/pr/now-foods-mk-7-vitamin-k-2-100-mcg-120-veg-capsules/78992
I use this type of magnesium citrate, as that form is supposedly better absorbed:
https://www.iherb.com/pr/now-foods-magnesium-citrate-200-mg-250-tablets/691
Huge tablets but best value.
NOW foods has a good reputation for supplements. My internist likes them and they are quality assured. I always get them via mail order--easier and cheaper.
I hope talking with an endocrinologist will clarify the whole medication situation for you. I remember also feeling unsure about the whole thing at first. Took me three months to get a second opinion and do my research. Then I felt better about moving forward--I hope you do, too.
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Helpful -
Hug
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