PROLIA

Financialgrl · ‎03-13-2010

Every once in awhile people ask if anyone is taking Prolia and their results. After treatment for cancer 6 years ago I was put on Arimidex to prevent a recurrence which causes bone loss so told I should go on Prolia.

Prior to this scan I was dx with osteoporosis in my right hip. The left hip is osteopenia and my spine is good.

This DEXA scan 2 weeks ago showed that Prolia bi-annual shots along with Vitamin D3/calcium supplements shows an increased bone mass density 4% and the right hip now is considered osteopenia so that part is great news. I also walk as the weather permits.

My experience with the Prolia is that it causes extreme acid reflux for about 4 days after the shot. Also for the first 4 days afterward pain settles in my lower back area. I can manage both generic Prilosec for the reflux and Alleve for the back pain. If your doctor suggests it and you are considering, speak to dentist bc it is one of the drugs that may cause necrosis of the jaw. Told normal dental cleanings are fine but implants and crowns may require I space those type procedures farther from the last Prolia shot and skip the following one.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

I would not take anything like this. I wish the best for the OP.

Apple Crisp · ‎04-08-2010

Thank you for telling us about your experience. My doctor has recommended Prolia for me and I have been hesitating. I was seriously thinking about it, but your experience has made me hesitate again.

I don't like the acid reflux, as I have GERD and a hiatal hernia. I, also, don't like the back pain as I have enough problems with my back and due to my GERD can only take Tylenol for pain.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

I have had Prolia injections for a year and a half for osteoporosis. I've had no side effects at all. I'll be anxious for my next dexa scan to see if there's been any improvement.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@Financialgrl wrote:
Every once in awhile people ask if anyone is taking Prolia and their results. After treatment for cancer 6 years ago I was put on Arimidex to prevent a recurrence which causes bone loss so told I should go on Prolia.

Prior to this scan I was dx with osteoporosis in my right hip. The left hip is osteopenia and my spine is good.

This DEXA scan 2 weeks ago showed that Prolia bi-annual shots along with Vitamin D3/calcium supplements shows an increased bone mass density 4% and the right hip now is considered osteopenia so that part is great news. I also walk as the weather permits.

My experience with the Prolia is that it causes extreme acid reflux for about 4 days after the shot. Also for the first 4 days afterward pain settles in my lower back area. I can manage both generic Prilosec for the reflux and Alleve for the back pain. If your doctor suggests it and you are considering, speak to dentist bc it is one of the drugs that may cause necrosis of the jaw. Told normal dental cleanings are fine but implants and crowns may require I space those type procedures farther from the last Prolia shot and skip the following one.

@Financialgrl Thank you for posting this. I have osteoporosis, quite severe, such that I may be losing my dental implants. I had Fosamax for years and it caused me to have esophageal ulceration. I went on Reclast during the time of extensive dental work which was okay at the time I started it and my bones were doing much better and reduced to low-degree osteoporosis and osteopenia. However, I was told I could not have another infusion of Reclast since I had extensive dental work, (subsequently), and have no options remaining. I have so much dental work (and I have trigeminal neuralgia). I could have bone a foreign sports car with the money I have put into my mouth, now finding I may lose my teeth. Plus, I have been found low in IgA, IgG and IgM for which I need infusions. Just finished iron infusions, a year of the vitamin D3 50,000 unit capsules weekly and B12 shots monthly. I think my body is being kept together with bubble gum and insurance money. I think I am at the end of my rope. The cost of IgG, IgA and IgM is something that even the richest might opt out of it but for insurance.

Financialgrl · ‎03-13-2010

@Nonametoday wrote:
@Financialgrl wrote:
Every once in awhile people ask if anyone is taking Prolia and their results. After treatment for cancer 6 years ago I was put on Arimidex to prevent a recurrence which causes bone loss so told I should go on Prolia.

Prior to this scan I was dx with osteoporosis in my right hip. The left hip is osteopenia and my spine is good.

This DEXA scan 2 weeks ago showed that Prolia bi-annual shots along with Vitamin D3/calcium supplements shows an increased bone mass density 4% and the right hip now is considered osteopenia so that part is great news. I also walk as the weather permits.

My experience with the Prolia is that it causes extreme acid reflux for about 4 days after the shot. Also for the first 4 days afterward pain settles in my lower back area. I can manage both generic Prilosec for the reflux and Alleve for the back pain. If your doctor suggests it and you are considering, speak to dentist bc it is one of the drugs that may cause necrosis of the jaw. Told normal dental cleanings are fine but implants and crowns may require I space those type procedures farther from the last Prolia shot and skip the following one.
@Financialgrl Thank you for posting this. I have osteoporosis, quite severe, such that I may be losing my dental implants. I had Fosamax for years and it caused me to have esophageal ulceration. I went on Reclast during the time of extensive dental work which was okay at the time I started it and my bones were doing much better and reduced to low-degree osteoporosis and osteopenia. However, I was told I could not have another infusion of Reclast since I had extensive dental work, (subsequently), and have no options remaining. I have so much dental work (and I have trigeminal neuralgia). I could have bone a foreign sports car with the money I have put into my mouth, now finding I may lose my teeth. Plus, I have been found low in IgA, IgG and IgM for which I need infusions. Just finished iron infusions, a year of the vitamin D3 50,000 unit capsules weekly and B12 shots monthly. I think my body is being kept together with bubble gum and insurance money. I think I am at the end of my rope. The cost of IgG, IgA and IgM is something that even the richest might opt out of it but for insurance.

@Nonametoday I began this journey taking Fosamax many years ago and it' didn't help. I will admit - in the past I wasn't always faithfully taking the Vit D/calcium like I should have been and I didn't exercise enough.

I was supposed to go off Arimidex last year but recent studies showed that it works much better than they originally expected in the prevention of a cancer recurrence for those whose tumor had certain chracteristics so now told I'll probably be on it another 5-8 years as long as my bones do not deteriorate to the point that I need to be taken off. Cancer recurrence, broken hip or potential loss of teeth - not a good option among the 3!

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

Thank you, Ladies, for all your information. I am going to tell you that I have had a rough two days trying to figure out what to do. I have such bad shoulder pain from osteoarthritis (I have osteoporosis in my neck and shoulders and already beginning a Dowager's hump). My right hip has arthritis as well. I have met with an immunologist, my oral surgeon and two endocrinologists and all of differing opinions about whether I should take the Prolia or not. The endocrinologists think I should. One told me that regardless that I had two ruptured disks and spinal stenosis, I could live with that, but having the issues with both my hips and shoulders that I do, if I were to fall I would sure not live. The oral surgeon would prefer I not have it because of the dental work and perhaps one tooth that may have to be removed and one that feels it may have a cavity (already filled, will require root canal). Then the immunologist wants me to proceed with the IgA, IgG, IgM and have my teeth monitored for a year and then undergo the Prolia. I have had such mixed emotions and I fear if I fall, no one will be there to care for my husband whose health is so tenuous.

icaughtu · ‎03-10-2010

I was recently diagnosed w/osteoporosis of both hips and lumbar spine. I told my PCP I would not take Fosomax (which was prescribed) until after dental work I was having done this summer was completed. Frankly, I really do not want to take it at all but I do not want to have a hip fracture. I am a widow and do not want my son to have to worry about me if that should ever happen; have no other family. I have started taking calcium. I will admit I hate milk and have my whole life; so I probably never got much calcium. I have taken vitamin D3 for a long time. I never wanted to take calcium pills because I always thought of "calcification of the arteries) and heart disease runs in my family. I have done much research and found out that you need vitamin K when you take calcium. I never ate dark green veggies either. Doctors do not tell you about how you need vitamin K. I have been taking vit D, Calcium and also Vitamin K now. I try to eat a salad every day with veggies that have vitamin K. I also am trying to exercise with weights. I am not sure I will ever take Fosomax. As far as Prolia, I have a sister-in-law- who takes it and not problem so far; she is almost eighty. Think she has taken it for a year or so. I have read that once you start taking it you have to take it for ten years!

As I wrote, not sure I will take Fosomax after my dental work. My PCP will probably refuse to see me for not being compliant. My SIL has not had any problem with GERD as far as I know. I have had chest pains before and my PCP has in my medical records that I have GERD even though I have never had heartburn. I do not think that doctors know a lot about your problems when they get ten minutes to see you and all they do is ask you questions as they sit behind their computer screens. At least that is how it is at my doctor's office.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@icaughtu wrote:
I was recently diagnosed w/osteoporosis of both hips and lumbar spine. I told my PCP I would not take Fosomax (which was prescribed) until after dental work I was having done this summer was completed. Frankly, I really do not want to take it at all but I do not want to have a hip fracture. I am a widow and do not want my son to have to worry about me if that should ever happen; have no other family. I have started taking calcium. I will admit I hate milk and have my whole life; so I probably never got much calcium. I have taken vitamin D3 for a long time. I never wanted to take calcium pills because I always thought of "calcification of the arteries) and heart disease runs in my family. I have done much research and found out that you need vitamin K when you take calcium. I never ate dark green veggies either. Doctors do not tell you about how you need vitamin K. I have been taking vit D, Calcium and also Vitamin K now. I try to eat a salad every day with veggies that have vitamin K. I also am trying to exercise with weights. I am not sure I will ever take Fosomax. As far as Prolia, I have a sister-in-law- who takes it and not problem so far; she is almost eighty. Think she has taken it for a year or so. I have read that once you start taking it you have to take it for ten years!

As I wrote, not sure I will take Fosomax after my dental work. My PCP will probably refuse to see me for not being compliant. My SIL has not had any problem with GERD as far as I know. I have had chest pains before and my PCP has in my medical records that I have GERD even though I have never had heartburn. I do not think that doctors know a lot about your problems when they get ten minutes to see you and all they do is ask you questions as they sit behind their computer screens. At least that is how it is at my doctor's office.

@icaughtu Some might not have issues with Fosamax and GERD, but I had a full-blown esophageal ulcer (I have GERD, hiatal hernia, Schatzi's ring and pancreas divisum) but based on my GI history, I was probably a sitting duck for it. I did take Reclast without any untoward effects but oral surgeon, endodontist, dentist and PCP insisted I quit because of issues the company had faced as well as government findings with so much dental work. I might have had a good tooth totally decay into sand while on it because the tooth was fine when I started and within a few months, it not only decayed under a crown but within weeks before I could get a filling or a root canal, it had become total sand. I have taken vitamin D3 in the 50,000 unit weekly dosing for years, on for 3 months and off for 3 months. I have begun walking 3 miles per day to see if that helps. Oh, do I hurt but I started out with a mile per day and have worked up to 3 miles (it is hard in this heat) but I walk as much outside as I can and then I go grocery shopping and walk (pushing grocery carts is good for the spine issues) and then I go to TJ Maxx, Target, or some other sore, and walk with a cart, look at everything in the store. Occasionally I buy something so as not to appear to be just casing the joint. My husband can go and sit while I shop. That way I know where he is and how he is and if he needs me, I am nearby.

icaughtu · ‎03-10-2010

@Nonametoday wrote:
@icaughtu wrote:
I was recently diagnosed w/osteoporosis of both hips and lumbar spine. I told my PCP I would not take Fosomax (which was prescribed) until after dental work I was having done this summer was completed. Frankly, I really do not want to take it at all but I do not want to have a hip fracture. I am a widow and do not want my son to have to worry about me if that should ever happen; have no other family. I have started taking calcium. I will admit I hate milk and have my whole life; so I probably never got much calcium. I have taken vitamin D3 for a long time. I never wanted to take calcium pills because I always thought of "calcification of the arteries) and heart disease runs in my family. I have done much research and found out that you need vitamin K when you take calcium. I never ate dark green veggies either. Doctors do not tell you about how you need vitamin K. I have been taking vit D, Calcium and also Vitamin K now. I try to eat a salad every day with veggies that have vitamin K. I also am trying to exercise with weights. I am not sure I will ever take Fosomax. As far as Prolia, I have a sister-in-law- who takes it and not problem so far; she is almost eighty. Think she has taken it for a year or so. I have read that once you start taking it you have to take it for ten years!

As I wrote, not sure I will take Fosomax after my dental work. My PCP will probably refuse to see me for not being compliant. My SIL has not had any problem with GERD as far as I know. I have had chest pains before and my PCP has in my medical records that I have GERD even though I have never had heartburn. I do not think that doctors know a lot about your problems when they get ten minutes to see you and all they do is ask you questions as they sit behind their computer screens. At least that is how it is at my doctor's office.
@icaughtu Some might not have issues with Fosamax and GERD, but I had a full-blown esophageal ulcer (I have GERD, hiatal hernia, Schatzi's ring and pancreas divisum) but based on my GI history, I was probably a sitting duck for it. I did take Reclast without any untoward effects but oral surgeon, endodontist, dentist and PCP insisted I quit because of issues the company had faced as well as government findings with so much dental work. I might have had a good tooth totally decay into sand while on it because the tooth was fine when I started and within a few months, it not only decayed under a crown but within weeks before I could get a filling or a root canal, it had become total sand. I have taken vitamin D3 in the 50,000 unit weekly dosing for years, on for 3 months and off for 3 months. I have begun walking 3 miles per day to see if that helps. Oh, do I hurt but I started out with a mile per day and have worked up to 3 miles (it is hard in this heat) but I walk as much outside as I can and then I go grocery shopping and walk (pushing grocery carts is good for the spine issues) and then I go to TJ Maxx, Target, or some other sore, and walk with a cart, look at everything in the store. Occasionally I buy something so as not to appear to be just casing the joint. My husband can go and sit while I shop. That way I know where he is and how he is and if he needs me, I am nearby.

@NameAlreadyTaken: Thanks for your info. I am sorry about your issues w/GERD and all the other problems with your esophagus. My late husband had GERD and took a PPI for many years. His dad died from esophagal cancer and my husband had Barrett's Esophagus. My husband died from lung cancer that went to his brain.

Your problems with your teeth scare me. As I wrote before I am having dental work this summer. But I also have a bridge (from a long time ago) on the other side of my mouth. Do not want anything to happen to that.

Congrats on your dedicated walking. I really need to get into that. Once in a while I do a mile but know that is not enough. I am doing weight bearing exercises. You are right; it is so hot now; not easy to walk in the heat. I love the shopping cart idea!!! I get myself into trouble every time I go into T.J. Maxx (moneywise) but that does not keep me from doing it LOL!

I am still riding the fence about whether or not to take Fosomax and am leaning towards not taking it. I have been obsessed with osteoporosis since I found out I have it and am reading all I can about it; and watching youtube videos with exercises. Thanks again for the info.