Prolia treatment for osteoporosis: What is your experience?

Hello to all. I was diagnosed with stage 1 grade 1 er positive breast cancer in 2105. In addition to radiation I was prescribed anastrolzole and then fosamax to offset the bone density risk from the anastrozle as I had osteoporosis in hip. After 6 months on fosamax with some digestive issues my doctor switched me to prolia injections and I agreed based on the understanding that the prolia would leave my system permanently when I ceased it. I fully intended to cease it within several years. After 3 years on prolia and and anastozole I had such Terrible joint pain . In back and hip I could hardly walk. After stopping the anastozole I saw some improvement in joint pain . But still was in pain. That is when I realized the prolia must be part of the problem. At that point I decided to cease all these drugs but discovered the research on prolia discontinuation spinal fractures and consulted an endocrinologist. I am now moving from Prolia back to fosamax for 2 years to avoid the risk of spinal fractures due to discontinuation..... assuming I can tolerate the side effects of fosamax. . I am doing this only because I am fearful of the multiple spinal fracture risk which is permanently disabling as best I can tell. Anyone considering prolia must read the research on the multiple spinal fractures upon discontinuation. . Just google prolia discontinuation and you will find many research articles and case summaries. If you take prolia there is no clear exit strategy. I am now very cautious about any of these drugs. Undoubtedly they are very useful for patients who have severe risk of bone breaks at outset. However I am 69 have never broken a bone other then high school basketball finger break and my parents lived to 91 mother and 95 father still living neither of whom had ever broken a bone. I do not believe my fracture risk justifies these kinds of drugs nor the risks of the adverse effects. Yet now I am at risk due to the drug......... please get well informed before you consider this drug and be SURE it is right for you.

Hello to all. I was diagnosed with stage 1 grade 1 er positive breast cancer in 2105. In addition to radiation I was prescribed anastrolzole and then fosamax to offset the bone density risk from the anastrozle as I had osteoporosis in hip. After 6 months on fosamax with some digestive issues my doctor switched me to prolia injections and I agreed based on the understanding that the prolia would leave my system permanently when I ceased it. I fully intended to cease it within several years. After 3 years on prolia and and anastozole I had such Terrible joint pain . In back and hip I could hardly walk. After stopping the anastozole I saw some improvement in joint pain . But still was in pain. That is when I realized the prolia must be part of the problem. At that point I decided to cease all these drugs but discovered the research on prolia discontinuation spinal fractures and consulted an endocrinologist. I am now moving from Prolia back to fosamax for 2 years to avoid the risk of spinal fractures due to discontinuation..... assuming I can tolerate the side effects of fosamax. . I am doing this only because I am fearful of the multiple spinal fracture risk which is permanently disabling as best I can tell. Anyone considering prolia must read the research on the multiple spinal fractures upon discontinuation. . Just google prolia discontinuation and you will find many research articles and case summaries. If you take prolia there is no clear exit strategy. I am now very cautious about any of these drugs. Undoubtedly they are very useful for patients who have severe risk of bone breaks at outset. However I am 69 have never broken a bone other then high school basketball finger break and my parents lived to 91 mother and 95 father still living neither of whom had ever broken a bone. I do not believe my fracture risk justifies these kinds of drugs nor the risks of the adverse effects. Yet now I am at risk due to the drug......... please get well informed before you consider this drug and be SURE it is right for you.

Hi, @mlpprolia and welcome to Connect.
Thanks for the good info, it sounds as if you have done some extensive research into these drugs. They are scary! It’s one of those things for which there does not seem as if there’s a good solution, as is true so for many pharmaceuticals.
I am recovering from a painful fracture of my upper femur, (“minimally displaced fracture of the greater trochanter of L femur”) and have a bone scan scheduled next month after which I suspect my PCP will want me on one of these drugs. :-(. Since a fracture can be permanently disabling I don’t want to risk that, but the side effects of these drugs are pretty bad. I definitely need to research the options if the scan indicates my bones need help.
JK

@mipprolia my doctor wants to start me on prolia. I read all about it. Had a dental appointment and mentioned this to my dentist. She is very much opposed to this for me. I have a tooth that might need to be eventually pulled. She says that by taking Prolia, my jaw bone where a tooth was pulled would not heal.

@mipprolia my doctor wants to start me on prolia. I read all about it. Had a dental appointment and mentioned this to my dentist. She is very much opposed to this for me. I have a tooth that might need to be eventually pulled. She says that by taking Prolia, my jaw bone where a tooth was pulled would not heal.

This is a risk with all of the osteoporosis drugs. It's called osteonecrosis of the jaw
The best thing to do would be to pull the tooth and let it heal before starting the drug. However, one of my teeth broke while I was on one of the osteoporosis drugs. It had to be pulled so that the tooth could be replaced with two crowns and a bridge. Even though it was a small tooth, my dentist sent me to an oral surgeon. I think that the oral surgeon was better informed about the risks. He gave me actual probability, which was actually very low. He then pulled the tooth, and I had no problems.

My oncologist has recommended I start prolia injections. I’ve finished all my cancer treatment but have osteoporosis. I’m 65 and my teeth need fixing. I’ve heard you should have dental work done before starting prolia. Are there other alternatives for making your bones stronger?

I believe that all of the osteoporosis drugs have a possible side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is only a concern if you are having teeth filled--not if you are having fillings, crowns, root canals, etc.

I believe that all of the osteoporosis drugs have a possible side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is only a concern if you are having teeth filled--not if you are having fillings, crowns, root canals, etc.