Should a Dexa Scan be fone right after the course of Evrnity completes

@ahorty321. I see an endocrinologist. He recommended a bone density scan after I finished Evenity which I did within a few weeks. Then, based on that bone density scan he could then recommend the next step. My bone density scan showed an increase in bone density that he was looking for so then the next step was the Reclast infusion. He recommended that I scheduled Reclast within a month of completing Evenity. The reason was that while Evenity “builds” density, it does not help to maintain the density. That’s where Reclast comes in.

So, with that, it sounds to me that you might go back to your bone specialist. The recommendation from the rheumatologist is not the recommended time interval according to my endocrinologist.

The hospital facility fee sounds suspicious to me. I would call my insurance company and ask about that fee. These days there are all sorts of fees that get added that we didn’t see several yeas ago.

Shorty321, Amgen recommends dexa directly after completing 12 months of use. You might register a little higher after one month. Helen's comment recognizes the importance of knowing Evenity's effect on your bones in order to recognize which medication is the best follow-up medication.
The bone specialist is more current. Did you have bone markers from either specialist.

@gently, I did not have any bone markers done. The bone specialist recommended Evenity before, but never mentioned anything about bone markers.

My bone specialist at Georgetown Medstar Hospital in Washington DC had me do my DXA immediately following the Evenity treatment (within 2 weeks). She told me I would need to go on a bone maintaining drug immediately following my last Evenity so I wouldn't lose any of the bone mass I gained. I gained 10-12% on the Evenity injections and started Reclast 1 month after finishing the Evenity. Hope this helps.

@naturegirl5 this is exactly what my bone specialist recommended.

@jeanvarney Like you, I gained significant bone density. One year later in 2025 (12 months of Evenity in 2024, one month later Reclast infusion in 2024) when I returned for another bone density scan I gained 10% in my hip and 9% in my lower spine. I stepped up my activity level in 2025 with weightlifting that targeted my axillary spine and hips. I’ve been weightlifting for 40 years but over the time period of all that weightlifting did not produce adequate bone density as I aged until the medication.

We definitely had similar paths and I too weight lift and remain VERY active. I however spread my 4th and last Reclast treatment out over 2 years and during those 2 years lost 5% of my bone mass. I'm back on Evenity for round 2. Thereafter, I will not take a break from maintenance drugs! 🙂

@naturegirl5 Thanks for this update. So, to be clear: You did 12 Evenity and started on Reclast ONE MONTH after your 12th Evenity injection? How are you doing on Reclast? I just had my 10th Evenity and need to decide between Reclast and Prolia.

@jeanvarney Thanks! How long have you been on Reclast? Any side effects? My doc is pushing Prolia and I'm weary of it given the posts I've seen on this group. My DXA was -4.0 so...

@debhatchell - I had 4 infusions spread out over roughly 4.5 years. No long term side effects whatsoever . I did experience a very SLIGHT headache for a couple of days following each annual infusion and flu-like symptoms for 2 days after the just the first infusion. This is normal. If you go this route, take Tylenol the day before your first injection as well as the day of - stay hydrated. I'm told both really help. If you have issues with your kidneys, Prolia I think is easier on the kidneys but you will need to be very mindful of your calcium and Vitamin D intake on Prolia.

With a DXA of -4.0, did your doc suggest Evenity or Tymlos? Both build bone mass vs. Prolia and Reclast which maintain bone mass. Might be worth asking about.