osteopenia and prolia shots- what's your opinion?

After nearly 2 years on Arimidex, I also now have osteopenia of lumbar spine only. My DEXA scan was fine before. My doctor also suggested a Prolia shot every six months. I began doing some research on this because I was going to have to pay half. My insurance company will only pay half and I hesitated to pay over $800 out of pocket for each injection. I decided to try Boniva instead but must tell you that the side effects were horrible for me and I don't usually ever experience side effects from meds. In fact, I have none from Arimidex. I am switching to Fosamax which is a pill taken once per week. Anxious to see how this goes. Fosamax is available as a generic and my cost from Express Scripts is only $10.10 for a 3 mo. supply. I will also say that my sister was on Boniva for almost 8 years and after progression to Osteoporosis she is now having Prolia injections and having no side effects from the shots. Fortunately, her insurance covers the entire cost.

I had osteopenia prior to beginning anastrozole so my MO and endocrinologist suggested going straight to Prolia. I have had two shots already and will be getting my third next month. I’m already scheduled for bone density test the day I get my next shot. My endocrinologist wants to see if there’s been any improvement as it will be a year since beginning the shots. No side effects at all so far from Prolia. It’s been one of the easier treatments which I’m thankful for.

Usually it takes several Prolia injections to see improvement, LeesaD - hopeful that you see some, I definitely did at my DEXA by the 4th one.

notered - Yes, I stopped in March of 2018 per my MO - he wants to see what happens at my DEXA in January of 2019. I was an exceptional responder to Prolia in that I regained more density than any of his other patients, and it took me from the edge of osteoporosis back to a normal density. I am taking a bit of a drug holiday, but will resume Prolia if I have lost too much at that January DEXA. Side note - I did have an injury to my hip (too many stairs while moving my daughter into a third floor apartment - that resulted in hip pain about a week later. MRI showed trochanteric bursitis, multiple stress tears of the gluteus medius muscle, and fluid in the hip joint. Physical therapy over a one year period resolved the problem - slow, but effective, process and I was on Prolia that whole time.

letsgogolf - you're welcome!

smo23915 - I had 13 injections, started in Feb of 2012 and stopped this past Mar of 2018. I have read about the fracturing, particularly vertebral, upon stopping, but do not personally know of anyone that this has happened to. I am currently in a dental situation involving an old crown with bone resorption that required an extraction that was done in Nov with a bone graft, and will need an implant sometime in 2019. This is considered unrelated to either Femara or Prolia by the oral surgeon - but it means that right now I can't resume any bone density treatment.

Thank you SpecialK, I thought you were on the medication for quite some time. Good luck with your implant, I hope your DEXA looks good next year.

Stellamaris how many injections did you have? Sounds similar to mine..10 injections? Let us know how you do with the Zometa infusion, I have been told it is common to have some flu like symptoms after the injection.

Sharon