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Evenity….stopped after the first set of injections…
Evenity was recommended by my family practice physician. I am now 71, relatively active, 5’9” BMI:19. My Ortho issues began about ten years ago when I had an horrific ATV accident. I had a T12 burst fracture and two pelvic fractures. I recovered well and then about five years ago, I had a femur fracture and forearm fracture from side-stepping. My physician wanted to place me on Fosamax. I declined based on all of my research which was incredibly negative. I decided to improve my bone issues through exercise and nutrition plus supplements. I seem to always be remiss in garnering enough protein. I significantly improved my T-scores for my Spine: -1.6 to-1.1 and the hip from -2.6 to -1.9. These were all that were measured. Then, I became remiss in adhering to my improved osteo plan for exercise and nutrition. Big mistake! My recent T-scores were spine: -1.2, hip -2.8, neck -2.2 and forearm -4.3. By the way, always use the same machine for your scans. After reviewing the new numbers, my physician recommended Evenity. Based on everything I have read, Evenity has the most success with spine and not the hip, etc. I decided to give Evenity a try. Big mistake! The hospital nurse could not have been more kind and gave me two injections into the abdomen. Lots of pain at the injection sites and minor swelling across my entire abdomen. Ugh! Barely slept. Horrible! I took Tylenol, iced the injection sites and massaged the areas which offered me some relief. I never have headaches and had a throbbing headache for three days. My shoulders ached on both sides and still do four days afterwards. Needless to say, I can assure you that I will never take another Evenity shot again! The risks significantly outweigh the benefits at least for me. I have read about positive results for several mostly with the spine improvement for which I know that they are grateful! I am beginning my previous regimen for exercise and nutrition and will keep you posted as I receive my next scan. Best to all!
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My endo has called twice and I missed his call. I am trying to decide between Reclast (20% dose) and Evenity to follow Tymlos. My spine went up to -2.5 but femur neck is still -3.6 (up from -4.1). I am very tired of being on meds but want to "treat to target" of -2.0 at least in spine and would like to be above -3.0 for femur neck. I am considering hip pads!
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1 ReactionHello again windyshores: you have me wondering what hip pads are and is this applicable to the spine?
It was my pleasure to share my journey so far with you. The pharmaceutical interventions can have many negative side effects and are only temporarily able to overpower the body's natural bone remodeling system without remaining on pharmaceuticals for the rest of my life, At best, the result is a short period of more dense but less healthy bones. My Ortho in 2017 told me that my bones were “thin” after I fractured my femur. At this time, I added only calcium. I have added significantly more supplements now after research. Walking and weight-bearing exercises are key. Back to walking again! I wish you the best as you make your decision how to restore your bone health.
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3 ReactionsHow very encouraging you are for me in my present state of self doubt. Thank you. At PT today my therapist taught me some bone strengthening exercises that are very helpful. A good day, two good news teachers.
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1 Reaction@sedrake51 your statement "At best, the result is a short period of more dense but less healthy bones." might be misleading. According to my docs and books and studies, Tymlos, Forteo and I believe Evenity (at least for the first 6 months) build quality bone as well as bone density. But if not followed up with a bisphosphonate or Prolia you are right, they are stronger for a relatively short time. With a fracture already in your femur, I hope you can consider a bone builder but understand the resistance too.
@lashu hip pads are literally pads for the hip. You can get them online. I have a flexible brace for my lower spine, which I wear when lifting. I feel it prevents the muscle spasms that plague me around my fractures.
Folks, I am trying to get authorization for Evenity. I decided. It is not my doc's protocol to follow Tymlos with Evenity because it is so new and there is no data. But he agreed, I got scared, and we talked- and I decided. Whew!
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6 ReactionsThere was no intent to mislead. I am thrilled if someone can leverage one of the pharmaceuticals to improve bone health. However, I stand by my statement that I don’t want to take another pharmaceutical for the rest of my life. I should have indicated more clearly that yes, you can hopefully maintain the new bone growth by staying on pharmaceuticals for the rest of your life and if you don’t, you will lose your improvements after building bone growth. I understand the need for bone growth and maintenance especially since I have endured so many fractures. Since my body rebelled against Evenity, I have chosen to go another route. I just don’t believe that my body tolerates anything foreign very well.
I appreciate your comments and wish you well on your continuing bone health journey!
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4 Reactions@windyshores. So happy you've decided to go ahead with evenity, praying this will continue to get you even better numbers. You are truly a mensch! Will be very inspiring to all of us!
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3 ReactionsMay I ask if u r on Medicare and if so, what Rx plan u had.
My Medicare Part D wanted a $1500 co payment per month.
I contacted the drug Co but our income was over the limit for assistance.
@sedrake51 I have not been told that I will be on meds for the rest of my life. Instead I have been told that using blood tests to monitor, I can take med breaks once Reclast "locks in" my gains.
On Reclast my spine went from severe osteoporosis to borderline, a 20% gain. Femur gained 9% but femur neck is still a problem.
I had osteoporosis for years and tried to get on medications most of that time. My body reacts to meds and lots of other things. As I have written, I finally got on Tymlos because the dose is adjustable and I felt safe, starting at a low dose and ramping up. My gains were achieved without being on a full dose most of the two years.
I respect the desire to use natural approaches but my difficulties in getting on meds (and cancer meds) left me with several spinal fractures, a lot of pain and disability, so I naturally post to encourage others so they avoid what I have suffered. It looks like you have suffered a lot too.
ps did you take strontium at all?
I have diligently read and respected all of your comments on this site since I joined. Each of us have different circumstances and bodies. Most of the bone builders, if your body can tolerate them, provide good results for the spine…not so much for hip and wrist. I have not tried strontium…am still gathering data for that alternative. It is on my radar!