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My Experience on Evenity for Treating Osteoporosis
Thought I would share for those considering or on Evenity for osteoporosis:
Afer much research and discussions with my GP and Cardiologist, I have decided to start my treatment with Evenity injections. As with all drugs, there are many side effects. My biggest concerns were stroke and heart attack. However, considering that I do no have any history for either, for me personally, the benefits outweigh the risks. As my GP said to me, "if everyone only thought about the side effects of the drugs, no one would be taking them".
I had my first injections (subcutaneously in the back of each arm) on June 30th. The nurse that administered the injections discussed the drug in depth, along with all the possibilities that may occur. She also mentioned that for all the patients that she has seen, none has had any side effects.
The injections are once a month for only one year, so I'm hoping that this works well for me and I can improve my bone density, especially in my spine, where I need it the most.
My endocronologist has also prescribed Hydrochlorthiazide for my idiopathic hypocalcemia. I have an appointment with an allergist this month to confirm whether I still have an allergy to sulfa drugs, since this drug contains sulfa. Apart from this I take D3 orally and try to obtain additional calcium through foods not supplements. Trying to walk 3-4 times a week and will begin with a few weight bearing exercises.
My journey began September, 2019 when I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. After waiting to see three doctors, receiving three denials from insurance company for Evenity, which took several months, I am hopefully on my way for a favorful outcome.
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I had completed 12 doses of Evenity in 2023. I had broken bones in my back two years prior. The surgeon stated that I had Osteoporosis and he could not do surgery to fix my back until I had treated my bones. In late Oct I had infusion back surgery along with fixing everything else. He told me after the surgery that my bones had looked really good. He knew that I had been doing things to better my bones for the past year. I am just putting this out there because I have had no complications yet from using the Evenity. However, I am concerned about the Prolia of one shot after the Evenity. I will keep posting if something evolves.
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3 ReactionsI can totally relate to your story, @ccduplass. Mine is almost exactly the same, though I wouldn't qualify myself as "athletic" lol! I am active, I do exercise, and I do walk, but nobody would want to choose me for their team!
I would suggest that you get Dr. McCormick's book. I almost cried when I started reading it, wishing it had been available to me four years ago when I started this journey. I would have done A LOT of things differently. My argument is similar to yours - I haven't suffered any fractures (knock on wood), I'm very healthy, and I don't understand why I would take a medication (Evenity) that a) could give me a heart attack or stroke, and b) could cause my long bones to start fracturing. I would prefer to continue with my good health until I have a reason (i.e., a fracture) to start meds. I have to add that I started with oral alendronate about 18 months ago, but only lasted three months before I developed GERD. Now have that to deal with, too. 🙁
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4 ReactionsThank you so very much for the book suggestion and sharing thoughts
I have done 11 months of Evenity and not experienced any negative side effects. In Canada, you have to learn to do the injections yourself or get someone else to give them to you and only on your stomach as the prescribed site. My hubby learned very quickly and once I learned to get the shots in my stomach while sitting [not standing or lying down] and "pinching an inch" of fat, the pain was quite minimal and after 30 minutes, I had totally forgotten that I'd even had the shots.
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3 ReactionsI can't imagine how devastating it would be to start losing your hair, but trust me, you can always buy a good wig, or try the product given by another reply, or hopefully it will come back but you cannot buy a new hip or a new spine. Evenity is considered one of the last hope drugs, please do not cancel your injections.
I also have not seen WHY you can't go on Forteo or Tymlos after Evenity, but I have seen it repeatedly in all the research and googling that I have done from multiple health sites.
@golfcook I was told you should not do Forteo or Tymlos after Evenity because Evenity "turbocharges" growth and there is nothing left for the other drugs to do.
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2 ReactionsHave you decided what you are going to do after your finish the Evenity? I am only half way through Evenity but starting to think about what I do next.
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1 ReactionI am considering reclast rather than prolia. I am half through with evenity. I am 75 1/2
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1 ReactionI just had my 8th Evenity injections and have decided to go on Reclast next.
I saw my dentist yesterday and told her (again) how worried I am about necrosis of the jaw. She told me to stop worrying about it as it doesn’t just appear, but may be a problem if I had to have a tooth pulled. I actually have more faith in her than I do the endocrinologist.
So, I have ceased worrying about Evenity and now worry about Reclast. 😏
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