1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

What is minimum period of Alendronate to minimise Prolia rebound?

Posted by surefire @surefire, Jan 14, 2024

I started on Prolia in July 2022 on advice from my doctor that the treatment would be for only 4-5 years and thereafter I could stop. I have taken 3 Prolia injections, the last one in July 2023.

Before my 4th injection in Jan 2024, I started doing a lot of reading and decided that I do not want to be on any osteoporosis drug at all. So, instead of taking my 4th Prolia injection and to minimise the rebound effect from stopping Prolia, I started on a weekly dose of Alendronate.

However, I am really not comfortable taking Alendronate as well and would like to seek any advice/opinion on whether I am stuck with taking Alendronate for the next 6, 12 or even 24 months.

What is the shortest period I can be on Alendronate? Or should I just risk the rebound effect and stop my Alendronate now (I have taken 3 weekly doses so far)?

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bocabird | @bocabird | Mar 16 3:45pm
In reply to @victor5211 "I can't believe the cost you paid for one injection. It is quite disgusting that the..." + (show)
@victor5211

I can't believe the cost you paid for one injection. It is quite disgusting that the pharmaceutical industry makes billion dollars of profits when we need these medications. A fair price we could cope with. You had better look at Dr Aseem Malhotra movie 'First Do No Pharm' that shows the true picture of the Pharmaceutical companies. Dr Aseem may soon be working in America with Kennedy to reduce Obesity. I think Kennedy will need our Dr Aseem. Good luck to all of us who have been affected by these giant money making Pharmaceutical companies.

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I did not pay that but that is the charge if you go online for the price of Prolia. I have medicare and supplement so that was covered. I am so glad I got off of it after one shot. But now I am dealing with actonel gagging on food and swallowing issues. Just had bone density. And the average reading is about -2.0

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awesomemomx2 | @awesomemomx2 | Mar 16 7:03pm
In reply to @hmbrglr "I am fairly new here and I am at the same exact spot where you were..." + (show)
@hmbrglr

I am fairly new here and I am at the same exact spot where you were when you asked this question. I am curious as to what your decision was and where you are at in this stage. I am in good physical shape and exercise daily for 1 hour or more. I would like to stop as well . I would like to know how you are doing.

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Check out the thread about Quitting Prolia. Once you stop Prolia you need to be checking your CTX. It is important to check it before you start any treatment really. I quit taking Prolia after my 5th injection. I wanted to do it sooner , but was unable to find someone qualified to assist me. I started Alendronate under the direction of my physician 15 days after my scheduled Prolia shot. I did a CTX test. The next day I started the Alendronate. I will be monitoring my CTX every 3 months to monitor where that marker is. I am hoping it will stay under 212.Iif it does not I will need to have a Reclast infusion and continue to watch. The research is not clear about how long the rebound can continue. Monitoring needs to continue for a minimum of a year. Hopefully, this is helpful.

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2 replies
victor5211 | @victor5211 | Mar 16 9:52pm

Do you have any side effects

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victor5211 | @victor5211 | Mar 16 11:15pm
In reply to @awesomemomx2 "Check out the thread about Quitting Prolia. Once you stop Prolia you need to be checking..." + (show)
@awesomemomx2

Check out the thread about Quitting Prolia. Once you stop Prolia you need to be checking your CTX. It is important to check it before you start any treatment really. I quit taking Prolia after my 5th injection. I wanted to do it sooner , but was unable to find someone qualified to assist me. I started Alendronate under the direction of my physician 15 days after my scheduled Prolia shot. I did a CTX test. The next day I started the Alendronate. I will be monitoring my CTX every 3 months to monitor where that marker is. I am hoping it will stay under 212.Iif it does not I will need to have a Reclast infusion and continue to watch. The research is not clear about how long the rebound can continue. Monitoring needs to continue for a minimum of a year. Hopefully, this is helpful.

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What were your side effects from Alendronate?
I am about to start it.

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2 replies
awesomemomx2 | @awesomemomx2 | Mar 17 8:29am
In reply to @victor5211 "What were your side effects from Alendronate? I am about to start it." + (show)
@victor5211

What were your side effects from Alendronate?
I am about to start it.

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Fortunately, after 2 months I haven't experienced any that I am aware. I am hoping it is keeping my CTX in check.

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missey | @missey | Mar 27 9:20am

Please do not take advice in this subject matter. If you need a second opinion do so! This is very serious. You cannot just stop taking prolia without another medication to lock it into your bones.

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dcwit | @dcwit | 6 days ago
In reply to @victor5211 "What were your side effects from Alendronate? I am about to start it." + (show)
@victor5211

What were your side effects from Alendronate?
I am about to start it.

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I started Fosamax (Alendronate) 5 months ago. So far the only problem I have is that I am more fatigued on the one day I take it, than the rest of the week. I have my next epidemiologist appointment in May so I will discuss my day of fatigue with her.

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1 reply
awesomemomx2 | @awesomemomx2 | 5 days ago
In reply to @awesomemomx2 "Check out the thread about Quitting Prolia. Once you stop Prolia you need to be checking..." + (show)
@awesomemomx2

Check out the thread about Quitting Prolia. Once you stop Prolia you need to be checking your CTX. It is important to check it before you start any treatment really. I quit taking Prolia after my 5th injection. I wanted to do it sooner , but was unable to find someone qualified to assist me. I started Alendronate under the direction of my physician 15 days after my scheduled Prolia shot. I did a CTX test. The next day I started the Alendronate. I will be monitoring my CTX every 3 months to monitor where that marker is. I am hoping it will stay under 212.Iif it does not I will need to have a Reclast infusion and continue to watch. The research is not clear about how long the rebound can continue. Monitoring needs to continue for a minimum of a year. Hopefully, this is helpful.

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So far after 2 1/2 months doing well. April 10 th is a CTX so will know where osteoclasts are.

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patwerthman | @patwerthman | 5 days ago
In reply to @dcwit "I started Fosamax (Alendronate) 5 months ago. So far the only problem I have is that..." + (show)
@dcwit

I started Fosamax (Alendronate) 5 months ago. So far the only problem I have is that I am more fatigued on the one day I take it, than the rest of the week. I have my next epidemiologist appointment in May so I will discuss my day of fatigue with her.

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I have had that also. I’m hoping to get a different doctor and a new prescription, as 3 years and my T score hasn’t changed

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2 replies
dcwit | @dcwit | 5 days ago
In reply to @patwerthman "I have had that also. I’m hoping to get a different doctor and a new prescription,..." + (show)
@patwerthman

I have had that also. I’m hoping to get a different doctor and a new prescription, as 3 years and my T score hasn’t changed

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That’s very disappointing, I will see my doc in May and have another scan… hoping I see improvement. I’m a bit nervous of trying a different prescription after reading some of the entries. Let me know what you go on and how you’re doing. Do you exercise?

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