Good/bad experiences with Prolia?

I am into my third year of Prolia - it has reversed my bone loss and taken me back to normal density with no side effects. I'm a fan

I took my first Prolia shot today. I too was terrified to take it.
So much so that I cancelled the first appointment that was made for me in December 2015.
Last week when I had my 3 month visit with my oncologist she brought up the subject of rescheduling the appointment.
Well I decided the time had come to just do it. I wanted the appointment ASAP as I didn`t want to talk myself out of it again. Or at least read myself out of taking it, because I have read some horror stories about the drug.:(
Well one week later (today) I was there at appointment time to get the injection.
I must say the stick was hardly felt, even though the nurse was really slow with putting the fluid into the skin. She however told me before hand she would do it slowly so I expected it.
They had me to wait for 30/45 mins. after the injection to check that I would have no reaction. Thankfully I didn`t.
I`m glad the first shot is over and just may be I will not be as terrified to take the next one in September.
The bottom line it was not nearly as bad as I feared.
Wishing you all well that will be taking it soon.

How were those of you on Medicare able to get Prolia? I have the Part D plan with the largest formulary (Humana Enhanced) as well as the most expensive BCBS supplement, and they are both refusing to cover it at all on Part B or D (not even as a Tier 4 or specialty drug), insisting the only injectable or IV osteo drug they’ll cover is Zometa/Reclast. Prolia is supposedly $5K per shot, twice a year; and even Zometa would likely kick me into the donut hole, from which I wouldn’t emerge in time to get out of and into "catastrophic coverage.” Are you all going out-of-pocket; or since it’s excluded from Part D, getting a co-pay card or coupon (which I am told may be illegal for Part D patients)?

Ah, then it’s covered under Part B (not the supplement or Part D)--my MO’s financial office was mistaken (or she probably prefers Zometa and told me Prolia isn’t covered).

I had a prolia shot today at my MO's suggestion. She told me that b cancer likes to move to the bones and that a recent study showed that prolia reduced the risk by 20%. She likened it to adding a protection to your bones to help keep cancer out. I also have osteopenia and she was very clear that this was a good option for me. I have great trust in her so went ahead with it.

So far no side effects but I'll report back if they show up.

Best to all.

Aurora - Have you had a CT scan with contrast, or are you just talking DEXA scan?

ChiSandy - My medicare advantage plan (Healthnet) has both Prolia/Xgeva and Reclast/Zometa covered under part B, because you have to go to the drs office to get them although they show up on the formulary. I don't yet know the cost because it hasn't cleared my insurance company as of yet and I didn't have to pay the co-pay. Yes, the Center for Medicare Services has changed the rules on charitable organizations providing assistance for copays which hurts those of us requiring expensive medicines for chronic conditions. Wouldn't hurt if you wanted to complain to your House Representative and ask that s/he support HR3742.

I get Xgeva injections which are just Prolia on steroids (120mg vs 60mg 6 times/year vs 2 times a year) for bone mets. No problem with the injection which takes a few mins because they are injecting it into fat rather than muscle or vein and I've not noticed any side effects as of yet.

I would suggest that perhaps you discuss getting at least a contrast CT with your MO or PCP because you want to know that the osteopenia/osteoporosis is just that and not something else if it doesn't seem to be resolving itself by doing all the right things. And I wouldn't worry about the Prolia, my Xgeva is generally a piece of cake.

Hi, I've had two Prolia shots and due for a third, No side effects whatsoever and having been diagnosed with osteopenia as well as taking Arimidex, I am thankful this drug is available to reduce further bone loss.

I had osteopenia prior to starting AI and my MO recommended Prolia. I plan on agreeing to this. How many shots do people usually get? Is it every 6 months for life or is there a finite time limit? Thank you!

I had my first injection today. I have early osteopenia and personally feel that it will help prevent bone mets (my MO said there is no consensus on that yet, some research says yes, some says no). I am having a mercury filling replaced 3 months in which I'm a little nervous about but I'm going to be taking this for a long time and need a lot of work over the years and figured I'd just roll the dice (no extractions planned at all).

I'm getting shots every 6 months for the indefinite future. Most likely because I'm so young and am taking Arimidex and already have osteopenia.

I'm kind of a special case. Its my back molar and grind my teeth excessively, so I likely am releasing some mercury. But the more pressing issue is my tooth has darkened and if there is a problem other than staining, it can't be seen by xray due to the mercury.

I should not have googled ONJ.

ONJ is osteonecrosis of the jaw, a potential side effect of Prolia (denosumab), but is rare in the 60mg dosage given. It is more common in the higher dosage, more frequently administered, Xgeva which is given for existing bone mets, or bone cancer.

Special K do you know how long one could stay on the Prolia injections? How many injections have you had?

Sharon