Only 53 with severe osteoporosis and about to fearfully take Evenity

Posted by songbird18 @songbird18, Feb 24 11:24am

I am 53 and just got an awful bone density result. (Spine T score 4.1, hip 3.5). The rheumatologist is going to put me on Evenity for a year but I am so afraid after reading about the dangers of heart attack and stroke. The doctor also told me you can’t get any dental work done, but you never know when you are going to have a tooth emergency. I don’t feel I have a choice but to take it because my bones are so bad and my back is in constant pain. I’m wondering if anyone has been using Evenity and how it has affected them. Thank you!

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

I'm also 53 with severe osteoporosis (spine -3.7, hip -3.2), and also fear drug side effects.
Because my bone loss, like yours is so significant with so much more life to live, I decided to accept the risks and started Evenity treatment last month. It wasn't an easy decision, because I've always used natural remedies for ailments. In this case, that's not going to cut it. I just plan to use as little medication as I can.
My goal is to increase my BMD as fast as I can, and do all that I can to keep those gains using as many natural means as I can. The benefits of Evenity over other OP drugs are how fast it works and the potential amount of BMD increase especially in the hip. Most OP drugs don't do much for the hip.
There are several people in this support group with the same concerns about dental work, many share personal experiences.
Here are some links to threads that you might find helpful:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/evenity-and-dental-work/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/evenity-7/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/evenity-and-side-effects/

All the best on your bone health journey.
hopefullibrarian

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Most people do fine on Evenity.

I have afib and had cancer and was not at all concerned about heart or other cardiovascular issues like stroke. If you read the studies, there was no difference between Evenity and placebo with these issues. There was a small difference between Evenity and alendronate but I read that could be because alendronate is protective, not because Evenity is harmful.

As for dental issues, Evenity is more anti-resorptive in the last 6 months so first 6 months might be fine. Dental issues are pretty rare. If you need a tooth extracted or an implant, do those before. I believe other dental work is fine.

You will need to do Reclast, Fosamax or Actonel afterward to "lock in" gains. Good luck!

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@hopefullibrarian

I'm also 53 with severe osteoporosis (spine -3.7, hip -3.2), and also fear drug side effects.
Because my bone loss, like yours is so significant with so much more life to live, I decided to accept the risks and started Evenity treatment last month. It wasn't an easy decision, because I've always used natural remedies for ailments. In this case, that's not going to cut it. I just plan to use as little medication as I can.
My goal is to increase my BMD as fast as I can, and do all that I can to keep those gains using as many natural means as I can. The benefits of Evenity over other OP drugs are how fast it works and the potential amount of BMD increase especially in the hip. Most OP drugs don't do much for the hip.
There are several people in this support group with the same concerns about dental work, many share personal experiences.
Here are some links to threads that you might find helpful:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/evenity-and-dental-work/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/evenity-7/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/evenity-and-side-effects/

All the best on your bone health journey.
hopefullibrarian

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Thank you so much for your response. I am sorry to hear that you are having severe osteoporosis at 53 also. It was so shocking! I was supposed to get my first bone density test last year but something came up with my son so I skipped it, thinking “I don’t have to worry about that yet.” Boy to I regret that. I also have always chosen natural means and hate to take any kind of medicine but, I feel the same way, I don’t feel that there is a choice here bit to take it with this level of bone loss. . I haven’t started yet bc I only saw the MD yesterday. I hope your experience with Evenity will go very well. The MD told me my bones are in the 80s now but hopefully the meds can bring me down to the 60s. Here’s hoping! Thank you so much for the addition links too. I will be sure to check them out. I wish you all the best too. Thanks again!!

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@windyshores

Most people do fine on Evenity.

I have afib and had cancer and was not at all concerned about heart or other cardiovascular issues like stroke. If you read the studies, there was no difference between Evenity and placebo with these issues. There was a small difference between Evenity and alendronate but I read that could be because alendronate is protective, not because Evenity is harmful.

As for dental issues, Evenity is more anti-resorptive in the last 6 months so first 6 months might be fine. Dental issues are pretty rare. If you need a tooth extracted or an implant, do those before. I believe other dental work is fine.

You will need to do Reclast, Fosamax or Actonel afterward to "lock in" gains. Good luck!

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Thank you so much for responding and for that comforting information! I’m sorry to hear of the health challenges that you have had to deal with and I hope you are well now on all fronts. I wish you all the best! Thanks again!

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No noticable side effects after 6 months. If you have concerns about dental work during evenity talk to your dentist and develop a plan good luck. I am 76.

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@gravity3

No noticable side effects after 6 months. If you have concerns about dental work during evenity talk to your dentist and develop a plan good luck. I am 76.

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Thank you so much for your response. I am glad to hear that you’ve had no noticeable side effects. I’m in a bit of a panic about my bones being so bad for my age and the thought of being on medication for the rest of my life so this helps. I wish you the best!

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I receive my 10th Evenity injections this week. I haven’t had any side effects other than some fatigue after the first injections.
I was terrified at first, but it’s been uneventful.
As I’ve said on here before, I am now occupied with being terrified of Reclast which I start in May.

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@susanfalcon52

I receive my 10th Evenity injections this week. I haven’t had any side effects other than some fatigue after the first injections.
I was terrified at first, but it’s been uneventful.
As I’ve said on here before, I am now occupied with being terrified of Reclast which I start in May.

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And I am terrified about prolia after evenity. Do I sense a theme ? I have found that a sense of humor helps as well as meditation

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@songbird18

Thank you so much for your response. I am glad to hear that you’ve had no noticeable side effects. I’m in a bit of a panic about my bones being so bad for my age and the thought of being on medication for the rest of my life so this helps. I wish you the best!

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I am grateful that we have these drugs in my lifetime! When I first got diagnosed with osteopenia I asked my doc (UC Davis) what can I do and he said...
Don't fall.
We've come a long way in some sense.

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Please check the side effects
I'm on Prolia and trying to change to something by mouth. I'm having some bad reactions
I believe with a pill ,if you can't tolerate it , you just stop.
With an injectable , not so easy.

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