If you take Prolia and have SEs

Options
edj3
edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
edited August 2019 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all, if you are on Prolia and experience side effects, how quickly did you experience them? I ask because next month I'll start both tamoxifen AND Prolia and I'm sorting out when to start the tamoxifen. I've already got the dr. appointment for the Prolia shot

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited August 2019

    I have had 7 Prolia shots - one every 6 months. I haven't had any side effects except maybe a tireder. You might feel a bit 'fluish". I haven't taken anything else alongside the shots so it's a pretty "pure" reply.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • edj3
    edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
    edited August 2019

    Thank you so much, really appreciate it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2019

    edj3 - I had been on aromatase inhibitors More than six months prior to my first Prolia injection. I had previously-existing osteopenia that was worsened by chemo and the anti-hormonal therapy, thus the need for bone building assistance. I was not a candidate for oral meds as I had also had a previous surgery to deal with severe reflux years earlier that used part of my stomach - the oral meds caused esophageal discomfort for me. I began Prolia in Feb of 2012 and continued until March of 2018 - no side effects over the course of 13 injections, and my density improved considerably, 29%, the most of any of my MO’s patients - I had a Dexa in Jan of this year, almost a year off Prolia and AI drugs, and have not lost any density. From reading here on BCO any members who have side effects seem to experience mild fatigue or “flu-like” symptoms, for only a couple of days after the injection. Many have no side effects at all. If you delayed starting anti-hormonal therapy until a week later you should be able to have enough separation, I would think. Good luck

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • godisone
    godisone Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2019

    edj3. As now you know that Prolia is once a six month injection, so i believe that you must be also knowing about the fact that only a registered medical practitioner can administer this drug to you. Also, the basic side effects include tiredness, weakness, loss of body calcium, nausea, diarrhoea etc.The side effects can start showing up from the first day , to a week or even a month that varies with person to person. You should talk to your doctors (both for prolia and your oncologist) about tamoxifen and also to check if there is possibility of any drug interaction that may show up at create trouble at a later age. for more information on side effects, drug interaction and patient's experience you and click on the following links, https://www.prolia.com/possible-side-effects, https://www.rxlist.com/prolia-side-effects-drug-center.htm#overview, https://www.voiceofcancerpatients.com/all-cancers/supportive-drug/prolia. I hope it helps.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • edj3
    edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
    edited August 2019

    godisone, thanks so much for the reply and the links. I hadn't seen the voice of cancer patients site before so that's quite useful.

    Yes, I do know my endocrinologist or his PA will inject the med. My MO is the one who recommended I see the endocrinologist. I fractured my pelvis from overtraining last year, and was subsequently dx'd with osteopenia. After reviewing my DEXA scan, my endocrinologist said that the values for my left hip indicated osteoporosis, and because the pelvic fracture was on my right side, that also qualified as osteoporosis.

    So I asked my MO what his thoughts were on the three treatment paths (fosamax, prolia and forteo). He actually winced at forteo and recommended the prolia injections instead. He'd already said no AIs for me, even though I'm post menopausal, because of my bones.

    Not excited to take the prolia but I love running and don't plan on stopping. If these injections keep my bones in good or better shape (hoping for results like SpecialK's gotten), then sign me up.

    To be honest, I'm MORE motivated to stay on the prolia than I am the tamoxifen.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited August 2019

    ed3 - I'll have my two year DEXA scan in December, but my GYN and MO are sure that the bones are better and the osteoporosis is retreating. I expect to stay on Prolia shots for another year or two and then take a one year drug holiday.

    As I said, I have no SEs except mild tiredness for a day or two. I understand what the literature says, but I have never heard of anyone who actually had the side effect that godisone cites. And to my way ot thinking, it is the easiest of any of the others that you mention.

    I was encouraged to hear that Special has not lost any bone mass after stopping Prolia

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2019

    edj3 - in addition to potential density gain from Prolia, in post-menopausal women, Tamoxifen is thought to build bone, so you may benefit from it as well. It is also important to note that Prolia works slowly, it may take 4 injections before you see gain in density, so you have to be a patient patient! Linked is an older article about the bone benefit of Tamoxifen

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15299183/


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • godisone
    godisone Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2019

    @ edj3 I am flattered with your attitude towards health and really impressed that you are so health conscious. Keep doing what makes you happy and your heart feel is right for you. As you keep fit and healthy the chances of side effects reduces considerably as healthy people are less prone to fatigue and weakness. Do take optimum levels of Calcium, magnesium and vitamin D for your bones. Good luck to you honey. keep up the good work.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories