Medications: How to make the best choice for me with my doctor?

Hello Everyone,

I am 32 years old and have osteoporosis due to my depo shots (15+years). I was diagnosed in October of 2024 and it took SEVERAL months to get a rheumatologist to see me. After speaking to them and having SO MANY tests done we believe Reclast is the best option. I will not lie , I am scared, I am so scared of doing this but after months of waiting I decided I want to do the drugs. I been using this super helpful group to prep. I called the infusion center and asked for a saline drip and a slow infusion because some people advised it helped (cleared with my doctor). I have my 500mg of Tylenol ready to take before and after the infusion (clear with doctor) I also picked up coconut water and I will make sure to drink tons of water before hand. I am scared because of the pain some people get but I am in pain right now, my TMJ hurts my face, my Endometriosis is back now that I'm off the Depo and the pain is as bad as I remember. My joints hurt when I move and I can't walk without pain in my lower back. My mental health is also taking a dive, i have so much fear that I'm going to break something. I can't hug my family without the fear that if they squeeze too tight I'll break. I can't go on a walk with my dog because I'm afraid I'll fall. So I hope this treatment helps because I want my old life back. I hope to report back with what helped, what dint help and hopefully some good news.
For anyone wondering here are my scores.
T score: -1.7. L1-L4.
Z score: -1.7.
FEMORAL NECK LEFT
T-score: -3.2.
Z score: -2.1.
FEMORAL NECK RIGHT
T-score: -2.4.
Z score: -2.3.
TOTAL HIP LEFT
T score: -1.8.
Z score: -1.8.
TOTAL HIP RIGHT
T score: -1.6.
Z score: -1.6

Hello Everyone,

I am 32 years old and have osteoporosis due to my depo shots (15+years). I was diagnosed in October of 2024 and it took SEVERAL months to get a rheumatologist to see me. After speaking to them and having SO MANY tests done we believe Reclast is the best option. I will not lie , I am scared, I am so scared of doing this but after months of waiting I decided I want to do the drugs. I been using this super helpful group to prep. I called the infusion center and asked for a saline drip and a slow infusion because some people advised it helped (cleared with my doctor). I have my 500mg of Tylenol ready to take before and after the infusion (clear with doctor) I also picked up coconut water and I will make sure to drink tons of water before hand. I am scared because of the pain some people get but I am in pain right now, my TMJ hurts my face, my Endometriosis is back now that I'm off the Depo and the pain is as bad as I remember. My joints hurt when I move and I can't walk without pain in my lower back. My mental health is also taking a dive, i have so much fear that I'm going to break something. I can't hug my family without the fear that if they squeeze too tight I'll break. I can't go on a walk with my dog because I'm afraid I'll fall. So I hope this treatment helps because I want my old life back. I hope to report back with what helped, what dint help and hopefully some good news.
For anyone wondering here are my scores.
T score: -1.7. L1-L4.
Z score: -1.7.
FEMORAL NECK LEFT
T-score: -3.2.
Z score: -2.1.
FEMORAL NECK RIGHT
T-score: -2.4.
Z score: -2.3.
TOTAL HIP LEFT
T score: -1.8.
Z score: -1.8.
TOTAL HIP RIGHT
T score: -1.6.
Z score: -1.6

@kay15 - STOP!!! Reclast will never be able to get your left femoral neck below -2.5. The most Reclast can move the hip / neck area is about 0.3 T-Score (for you, -3.2 down to maybe -2.9). Convince your doctor to put you on Evenity instead. It works the best in the hip. It still wont get you below -2.5, but whatever you take after that should be able to do the trick.

If you go on Reclast now, Evenity's effectiveness will be reduced. Better to use Evenity first, then Reclast or some other anti-resorptive (like Prolia) second.

I put together a presentation discussing this and you can find it here https://youtu.be/OVRiiyHXeh8 . There is a Reclast slide in the backup that you can show your doctor that shows you can only get about 4.3% BMD gain in the hip / neck area which equates to about 0.2 to 0.3 T-Score.

And don't be afraid of fracture, your numbers are not that bad at all, especially at your age. Just don't fall on your left hip and you will be fine. 🙂

Good luck!!!

Hi Michael, I actually spoke to my doctor after I saw your message. He dint really care what I said but he did agree to switch me to Evenity since I been hesitant on doing Reclast. He approved the change and I'm not waiting for approval on my insurance to start the monthly injections. I'm still wondering if I'm doing th right thing but I prefer starting with the monthly injections and if that doesn't work for me then moving to the once a year option, you message was just the push I needed to change my mind. Thanks!

Hi Michael, I actually spoke to my doctor after I saw your message. He dint really care what I said but he did agree to switch me to Evenity since I been hesitant on doing Reclast. He approved the change and I'm not waiting for approval on my insurance to start the monthly injections. I'm still wondering if I'm doing th right thing but I prefer starting with the monthly injections and if that doesn't work for me then moving to the once a year option, you message was just the push I needed to change my mind. Thanks!

Hello Everyone,

I am 32 years old and have osteoporosis due to my depo shots (15+years). I was diagnosed in October of 2024 and it took SEVERAL months to get a rheumatologist to see me. After speaking to them and having SO MANY tests done we believe Reclast is the best option. I will not lie , I am scared, I am so scared of doing this but after months of waiting I decided I want to do the drugs. I been using this super helpful group to prep. I called the infusion center and asked for a saline drip and a slow infusion because some people advised it helped (cleared with my doctor). I have my 500mg of Tylenol ready to take before and after the infusion (clear with doctor) I also picked up coconut water and I will make sure to drink tons of water before hand. I am scared because of the pain some people get but I am in pain right now, my TMJ hurts my face, my Endometriosis is back now that I'm off the Depo and the pain is as bad as I remember. My joints hurt when I move and I can't walk without pain in my lower back. My mental health is also taking a dive, i have so much fear that I'm going to break something. I can't hug my family without the fear that if they squeeze too tight I'll break. I can't go on a walk with my dog because I'm afraid I'll fall. So I hope this treatment helps because I want my old life back. I hope to report back with what helped, what dint help and hopefully some good news.
For anyone wondering here are my scores.
T score: -1.7. L1-L4.
Z score: -1.7.
FEMORAL NECK LEFT
T-score: -3.2.
Z score: -2.1.
FEMORAL NECK RIGHT
T-score: -2.4.
Z score: -2.3.
TOTAL HIP LEFT
T score: -1.8.
Z score: -1.8.
TOTAL HIP RIGHT
T score: -1.6.
Z score: -1.6

@kay15 - STOP!!! Reclast will never be able to get your left femoral neck below -2.5. The most Reclast can move the hip / neck area is about 0.3 T-Score (for you, -3.2 down to maybe -2.9). Convince your doctor to put you on Evenity instead. It works the best in the hip. It still wont get you below -2.5, but whatever you take after that should be able to do the trick.

If you go on Reclast now, Evenity's effectiveness will be reduced. Better to use Evenity first, then Reclast or some other anti-resorptive (like Prolia) second.

I put together a presentation discussing this and you can find it here https://youtu.be/OVRiiyHXeh8 . There is a Reclast slide in the backup that you can show your doctor that shows you can only get about 4.3% BMD gain in the hip / neck area which equates to about 0.2 to 0.3 T-Score.

And don't be afraid of fracture, your numbers are not that bad at all, especially at your age. Just don't fall on your left hip and you will be fine. 🙂

Good luck!!!

I had my first Reclast infusion May 12, 2025. I hydrated the day before, the day of and the day after the infusion. I've had no side effects whatsoever. My infusion nurse told me that they have only had patients report mild flu-like symptoms and no other side-effects in the three years she's been administering Reclast. I know that some people do experience side effects, but it's been in use for 18 years and has extensive data. I find that reassuring.
Aside from hydrating to protect your kidneys, I would say that a trip to the dentist is a good idea. You probably already know that you can't have invasive dental work for a minimum of one year after Reclast.
Staying positive is a choice I've embraced as living in fear is stressful and unhealthy. I've done that already and I refuse to go back! So far I've done Fosamax, Evenity, Tymlos and Reclast. Best wishes to you!