My Experience on Evenity for Treating Osteoporosis

Posted by arlene7 @arlene7, Jul 7, 2020

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

@leeosteo

Hi gretch19, I met with McCormick last May. I received a call back a few days after I left a message. I believe Dr McCormick's admin is only in the office a few days a week. I could be wrong. Plus, August is usually a high vacation month. Once we did connect, it took a month to get in to see him.

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I just spoke to Chris and have an appointment scheduled. I have read his books and done a lot of research. I will be starting Evenity in Oct. I thought I would speak to him to make sure I am on the right path and to come up with a post Evenity treatment plan; hopefully a holistic one. Do you think he can provide insights? Did you find your meeting worthwhile?

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@susanfalcon52

Day after tomorrow, I’ll have my fourth injections. I have felt okay other than fatigue a couple of days after the injections. Because two of the potential side effects are stroke and heart attack, I saw my cardiologist and my neurologist before I started Evenity. These are both serious, thoughtful physicians who seemed to know a lot about it. The neurologist sent me for an mri of the brain and a carotid artery ultrasound. Those were clear. The cardiologist had recently done some tests and he thought I was fit for Evenity treatment.
Two months ago, I had a hip replacement. I had a great surgeon who seemed supportive of the Evenity treatment. I told him that I had “mushy bones” and especially my right hip. He said not to worry- he was replacing that one with titanium. That all went well.
I am reading Keith McCormick’s book “Great Bones” He has a video on YouTube in which he discusses just drug treatment. He talks about all of the osteoporosis drugs.
He speaks pretty positively about Evenity. I think the medical world is excited about Evenity because it does what it is supposed to do and gets results.
I have a couple who I’ve been friends with for 35 years. We have coffee once a month and talk - and laugh - about our “radical drugs”. She is on a new drug for Parkinson’s and he’s getting chemo for a pretty serious cancer. They congratulated me for taking a drug that had had the black box warning removed.
So, I am hoping that I will get good results from Evenity and that I will continue to be symptom free except for the fatigue that one day. I did switch my injection to a Friday so that the fatigue would be over the weekend.
People have posted on here that they too were symptom free until their 5th or 6th injection. I am hoping that I will not experience that.
If I start to have other symptoms, but can live with them, I will finish the course of Evenity.
I’m 71 and still working full time. I work from my home office as a psychotherapist.
I pick two grandchildren up from school twice a week.
I am part of an environmental group and my focus is invasive species. I take one of my grandchildren on outings to study this and to destroy invasive species when we find them. Don’t cringe - we aren’t attacking animals - more like Chinese Tallow trees and Apple Snail eggs.
This is a long post- I apologize for that - but all that is to say that I am taking Evenity in the hopes that I can continue all these activities by avoiding a fracture.
I will report on my 4th injection which is in two days.

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I really appreciate your comments, observations, and detail. I wonder why your neurologist ordered an MRI of the brain? I had one once when I had a salivary gland tumor that had to come out. Also, what is the black box warning?
It's really encouraging to hear from you and others and the experiences you have had with this treatment. Thank you!

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Lashu,
In the case of Evenity, the black box warning was referring to the risk of stroke and heart attack. My mri was to see if I had ever had any stroke activity.
You are the only person I’ve ‘met’ who has had anything happen with their salivary gland. I used to get stones blocking my salivary gland. I would have to chew lemons to flush them out. Once, that didn’t work and an oral surgeon had to remove it. When I tell people this, no one can relate.

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@gretch19

I was hoping to get a consult with McCormick before I start my Evenity treatment. I have not had any success yet in getting someone from hhis office to return my call. Has anyone had a consult with Dr. McCormick?

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Hi, I know in his book he does talk about Evenity. I started it on the 17th and no side effects. My spine is severe with a T score of -4.6 . I am happy about starting with the medication that also builds your bones. All the medications have side effects and every body is different. I hear it’s the 6 month mark where you build the most bone. You, like everyone else will have to go on a oral med afterwards to keep what you have.
Please let us know if you are able to talk with McCormick and what he has to offer about this med.

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@gretch19

I just spoke to Chris and have an appointment scheduled. I have read his books and done a lot of research. I will be starting Evenity in Oct. I thought I would speak to him to make sure I am on the right path and to come up with a post Evenity treatment plan; hopefully a holistic one. Do you think he can provide insights? Did you find your meeting worthwhile?

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gretch19, my discussion with Dr McCormick was beneficial. I found him to be personable and easy to talk with. For me, I was looking for his guidance on the right medication. He's scientific in his approach and suggested a few tests to confirm what he thought was the right med. He also caught a few things that my PCP did not catch. I later met with an endocrinologist who recommended the same med as Dr McCormick.

Of all the doctors I met with, he was the most familiar with the various medications and he should be able to help you come up with a post treatment plan. Don't be surprised if he suggests another osteoporosis med as follow on to Evenity. These are strong drugs and need to be followed with the appropriate osteo med to lock in your gains. Add to your list of questions... what can you do now, in conjunction with Evenity and after, to holistically to support your bones.

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How do you get sucess from one’s insurance company to pay for a prescribed injection . How is your osteoporosis currently

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@kristie2

Hi, I know in his book he does talk about Evenity. I started it on the 17th and no side effects. My spine is severe with a T score of -4.6 . I am happy about starting with the medication that also builds your bones. All the medications have side effects and every body is different. I hear it’s the 6 month mark where you build the most bone. You, like everyone else will have to go on a oral med afterwards to keep what you have.
Please let us know if you are able to talk with McCormick and what he has to offer about this med.

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What are the oral meds that you have mentioned .

I am just beginning to educate myself on osteoporosis treatment . I am afraid . My osteoporosis is in my lower lumbar and the worse spot is -3.7

Thank you for your guidance

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@leeosteo

gretch19, my discussion with Dr McCormick was beneficial. I found him to be personable and easy to talk with. For me, I was looking for his guidance on the right medication. He's scientific in his approach and suggested a few tests to confirm what he thought was the right med. He also caught a few things that my PCP did not catch. I later met with an endocrinologist who recommended the same med as Dr McCormick.

Of all the doctors I met with, he was the most familiar with the various medications and he should be able to help you come up with a post treatment plan. Don't be surprised if he suggests another osteoporosis med as follow on to Evenity. These are strong drugs and need to be followed with the appropriate osteo med to lock in your gains. Add to your list of questions... what can you do now, in conjunction with Evenity and after, to holistically to support your bones.

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Thank you!

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@leeosteo

gretch19, my discussion with Dr McCormick was beneficial. I found him to be personable and easy to talk with. For me, I was looking for his guidance on the right medication. He's scientific in his approach and suggested a few tests to confirm what he thought was the right med. He also caught a few things that my PCP did not catch. I later met with an endocrinologist who recommended the same med as Dr McCormick.

Of all the doctors I met with, he was the most familiar with the various medications and he should be able to help you come up with a post treatment plan. Don't be surprised if he suggests another osteoporosis med as follow on to Evenity. These are strong drugs and need to be followed with the appropriate osteo med to lock in your gains. Add to your list of questions... what can you do now, in conjunction with Evenity and after, to holistically to support your bones.

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If you don't mind my asking, what medication did he recommend? What was the follow up.

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@leeosteo

gretch19, my discussion with Dr McCormick was beneficial. I found him to be personable and easy to talk with. For me, I was looking for his guidance on the right medication. He's scientific in his approach and suggested a few tests to confirm what he thought was the right med. He also caught a few things that my PCP did not catch. I later met with an endocrinologist who recommended the same med as Dr McCormick.

Of all the doctors I met with, he was the most familiar with the various medications and he should be able to help you come up with a post treatment plan. Don't be surprised if he suggests another osteoporosis med as follow on to Evenity. These are strong drugs and need to be followed with the appropriate osteo med to lock in your gains. Add to your list of questions... what can you do now, in conjunction with Evenity and after, to holistically to support your bones.

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Your welcome. There are a few of us that have been on this forum for a while.. and always willing to share our experiences for the next person.

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