Anyone taken Evenity (romosozumab) for Osteoporosis?

Posted by arlene7 @arlene7, May 27, 2020

Has anyone taken Evenity? I understand it’s only been on the market for a little over a year. I’m hoping it will help with my severe osteoporosis. Any information is helpful.

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@gretch19

Paradoxically, dairy can cause calcium loss so it is not the best way to get calcium. Rather kale, spinach, and other veggies, nuts, tofu, salmon, sardines, etc. Check online for calcium rich foods. I drink almond milk which is fortified and can contain up to 450 mg calcium, depending on the brand (Silk, Almond Breeze do).

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info on oxalates in spinach and other foods that may inhibit absorption, but seem to be less of a problem if calcium intake is relatively high:

https://blog.algaecal.com/oxalic-acid/#:~:text=Oxalates%20can%20bind%20to%20minerals%20and%20prevent%20them,daily%20amount%20of%20calcium%2C%20this%20effect%20isn%E2%80%99t%20seen.
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@gretch19

Paradoxically, dairy can cause calcium loss so it is not the best way to get calcium. Rather kale, spinach, and other veggies, nuts, tofu, salmon, sardines, etc. Check online for calcium rich foods. I drink almond milk which is fortified and can contain up to 450 mg calcium, depending on the brand (Silk, Almond Breeze do).

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Dairy is a good source of calcium if one can digest it. There is no calcium loss from consuming dairy, you just might not incorporate all of it if you are allergic or lactose intolerant. It is one of the highest sources of calcium, best consumed as fermented dairy like yogurt, kefir, and better yet, kefir from goat or sheep as those are more digestable than cow dairy. Dairy that is A2 is also more digestable. Greens have calcium but as windyshores mentioned, some are high in oxylates, particularly spinach, one of the highest in oxylates, which inhibits the absorption of calcium. Tofu is high in calcium but only if it is coagulated with calcium sulfate so best to check the label as some tofu is coagulated with magnesium sulfate in which case there is no calcium content. Fortified products are fine to consume for your calcium intake but it's important to know that it is the same as taking a calcium supplement as these products do not naturally contain calcium. In addition, most of those products use calcium carbonate as it is the cheapest source of calcium but it is also the least absorbable form of calcium. Lots to consider when figuring out our calcium needs and sources. Whole foods are always the best option from sources that best fit your lifestyle and health requirements with supplementation as necessary to fill in the gaps.

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@teb

Dairy is a good source of calcium if one can digest it. There is no calcium loss from consuming dairy, you just might not incorporate all of it if you are allergic or lactose intolerant. It is one of the highest sources of calcium, best consumed as fermented dairy like yogurt, kefir, and better yet, kefir from goat or sheep as those are more digestable than cow dairy. Dairy that is A2 is also more digestable. Greens have calcium but as windyshores mentioned, some are high in oxylates, particularly spinach, one of the highest in oxylates, which inhibits the absorption of calcium. Tofu is high in calcium but only if it is coagulated with calcium sulfate so best to check the label as some tofu is coagulated with magnesium sulfate in which case there is no calcium content. Fortified products are fine to consume for your calcium intake but it's important to know that it is the same as taking a calcium supplement as these products do not naturally contain calcium. In addition, most of those products use calcium carbonate as it is the cheapest source of calcium but it is also the least absorbable form of calcium. Lots to consider when figuring out our calcium needs and sources. Whole foods are always the best option from sources that best fit your lifestyle and health requirements with supplementation as necessary to fill in the gaps.

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Interesting. I knew about the oxcylates in spinach but thought kale and chard didnt have the same issue.
I heard about dairy NOT being a good source from nutritionists and my reading.
I am not an expert by any means nor am I in the medical field.
What is the most absorbable form of calcium?

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@gretch19

Interesting. I knew about the oxcylates in spinach but thought kale and chard didnt have the same issue.
I heard about dairy NOT being a good source from nutritionists and my reading.
I am not an expert by any means nor am I in the medical field.
What is the most absorbable form of calcium?

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There is much controversy over dairy but the calcium content is not in dispute. Really just depends upon whether you have the appropriate enzymes to digest it (lactase to digest the lactose) or whether there are allergies (more likely to the casein content) or autoimmune issues which might contraindicate consuming.

One of the more absorbable forms of calcium from supplements is the citrate form which can be taken on an empty stomach.

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@lab54

I just had my first 2 injections with Evenity for my Osteoporosis so I don’t have much too share. I have noticed that both arms are very sore which is understandable but my concern is insomia. I haven’t slept since my injections. It most likely won’t be the same for all of you sitting on the fence on what drug would be the best. If anyone has had Evenity before with INSOMNIA please reach out too me. Would love too share stories! Is it just “me?”

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Hi,
I just had my first injections Aug 8, today is day 5 after. The first 2 nights I slept fine, the third I felt exhausted but had to take extra sleep meds to even get any sleep at all. I have chronic insomnia so thought maybe it was just a bad night, but last night never felt at all tired and struggled to get any sleep. 98% of the time normally I can fall asleep but can’t stay asleep, so this is different from my norm. My sleep problems go back years and led to one stay in a hospital psych unit when nothing got me decent sleep (tried multiple OTC and Rx meds). This is one side effect that I will quit this drug over, unless it only lasts a couple more nights. My mental health can’t take it.

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@dreamjean1958

I wonder if your insomnia isn’t caused by your stress worrying . I guess I am lucky . I haven’t had side affects

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My insomnia after the first dose isn’t from worrying, as I didn’t expect it to happen and was surprised, as people rarely mention having that side effect, plus the first two nights after the injections I slept great.

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@neesie0159

My insomnia after the first dose isn’t from worrying, as I didn’t expect it to happen and was surprised, as people rarely mention having that side effect, plus the first two nights after the injections I slept great.

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I did have insomnia for one week after my first set of shots on Evenity. I normally sleep fine except when I’m worrying about something. Thankfully whatever it was I am now sleeping just fine. During that week I was also very nauseous & couldn’t get food down. Thankfully I’m eating fine now. Next week I get my next set of shots. This will be the true test. I’m giving it one last try & hopefully I’ll do fine. Best of luck too you!

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I completed one year of Evenity in July. My bone density improved! My spine T-score went from -3.0 to -2.1 which is a 13.5% improvement (the percentages are calculated using the bone density values measured in g/cm sq). My total femoral mean improved from -1.8 to -1.5 which is a 4% gain. I had no side effects except for minor swelling at the injection site in my belly which went away after a day. I have gone on Reclast to lock in my gains. It is an annual infusion for 3 years. I didn't like the sound of Prolia because you must take it for life and Fosamax due acid reflux issues. Over the year, I took 500 mg calcium plus Vit D supplements daily, took walks and did yoga once a week. I added frequent weight training over the last 3 months. It is hard to do everything suggested, but did the best I could. I highly recommend Evenity based on my experience.

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@gretch19

Interesting. I knew about the oxcylates in spinach but thought kale and chard didnt have the same issue.
I heard about dairy NOT being a good source from nutritionists and my reading.
I am not an expert by any means nor am I in the medical field.
What is the most absorbable form of calcium?

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I can’t take calcium pills (causes extreme constipation which then affects my digestive system), so my Rheumatologist told me to take two or three Tums a day. It seems to be working for me.

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@californiakaren

I completed one year of Evenity in July. My bone density improved! My spine T-score went from -3.0 to -2.1 which is a 13.5% improvement (the percentages are calculated using the bone density values measured in g/cm sq). My total femoral mean improved from -1.8 to -1.5 which is a 4% gain. I had no side effects except for minor swelling at the injection site in my belly which went away after a day. I have gone on Reclast to lock in my gains. It is an annual infusion for 3 years. I didn't like the sound of Prolia because you must take it for life and Fosamax due acid reflux issues. Over the year, I took 500 mg calcium plus Vit D supplements daily, took walks and did yoga once a week. I added frequent weight training over the last 3 months. It is hard to do everything suggested, but did the best I could. I highly recommend Evenity based on my experience.

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That is great news. My endocrinologist has started me on Evenity for a T score in my spine of -4.6. I must admit the side effects scare me especially osteonecrosis of the Jaw. I have had lots of dental work in the past.
So glad for you that this has worked out for you.

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