Prolia Shots for Increasing Osteopenia

jessie123 then that's good news for me! Fosamax wasn't a good choice for me, given that I've had that one break already. Also I'm a snowflake when it comes to gut upset from oral meds so that made the Foxamax less attractive to me.

Here's hoping you don't need any of them.

Jazzy - I chose to start the shots with my OB/Gyn instead of my MO. That's who originally ordered DEXA scans for me & had been tracking my bones before cancer. I get one at my yearly physical after I see the doc. The second is 6 months later from the nurse & I don't even have to see the doc. Maybe that will work for you.

jazzygirl - can your PCP give the injection since you already have a history of getting them and a documented need? I was fortunate that my oncologist's office has a separate “injection" room where Prolia, Neulasta, Neupogen, and other similar drugs are given. I didn't need to see my MO for Prolia, and the office handled all of the insurance billing. Prior to designating the dedicated injection room, I received my Prolia injections in the chemo infusion room, but still had no need to see the MO - just reported for the injection at the appointed time.

Jazzy - I left my PCP because of his choice to convert to Concierge medicine. Hope you can finagle someone other than the MO. It always takes so long to get in to see them & they do push us out since we're not in active treatment. (hmmm - in no danger?? maybe a little cynical??)

BTW - love the balloons. Hope you're having fun.

I hear ya about post cancer and protocol. I'm am coming up on year 2 and I believe suppose to see BS and MO every 6 months still. Problem is when my whole thing started I had a DEXA, lung scan, mammo all done at the same time as ordered from GP on a regular check up. Now, the BS orders the breast imaging, and the MO does mostly everything else. I saw the BS in June and I have 2 orders, one for mammo and another MRI (I got a BIrads 3 last time). Saw the MO this week and she orders the DEXA and lung scan and orders me back right after the results. If my DEXA score is worse I might be getting my 1st Prolia shot in Dec. when I return. This is our 3rd try. First they said, oh wait, go to dentist first, then my insurance company denied the claim, so maybe 3rd time is the charm? Meanwhile, with GP lab order we've eliminated having parathyroid disease causing my osteoporosis.

So, I made my own executive decision and scheduled the DEXA and the lung. It was either bone health or breast health and the bones won. They are my priority right now. If my BS gets pissed off I'm screwing up the schedule and overdue, oh well. When I'm done with this bone thing, THEN I'll schedule the mammo and MRI of breasts and a return BS visit. All depends too on what MO says in Dec.. Besides the fact of having too many insurance claims at one time. It just seems ridiculous and off.

I almost wrote back in the survey they send out after a visit that they really could start having virtual appointments with their patients. I do like my MO, but she spent at least 1/2 of our appt. on the computer, doing what I just don't know. This goes on at my GP's office as well. Their saving grace is that they do manage to make eye contact and say, "sorry" Good grief.

Best wishes to Jazzy and everyone!

Has anyone had dental work while on Prolia? I broke A crown tonight and left with a jagged edge. In a panic because of risks with dental surgery. Help!

I just had a bone density scan my last one was in 2014. I probably have Osteopenia or Osteoporosis after taking AI drugs, my doctor's office left a message to call them they have the results. Probably not normal, normal results usually come in the mail.

Researching possible treatment options. I have to wait till Monday to hear, ugh.

I must say my joint pain is almost totally gone.

I had crowns and a root canal done while on Prolia without any issues.

My bone density turned out to normal, not sure why they called instead sent the results in the mail but I am happy. I don't think it is acceptable to trade one problem for another, better BC treatment is needed.

My dentist recommended waiting 6 months after getting my regular Prolia shot and not starting back with the next shot for another 3-6 month after invasive dental work (like extractions). Actually it was my periodontist that checked all the latest, current research and discussed the situation knowledgeably.

Butterfly, I had a dental emergency last winter that required an urgent root canal. Everything was fine. It is my understanding extractions and surgeries involving bone should be avoided while on Prolia, everything else should not pose any problems.

I am having my last Prolia in February (will be full four years on it.) My MO recently let me know they now do an injection of a 'regular' bisphosphonate (don't recall which one exactly) about six months after the last Prolia to avoid accelerated bone loss after one stops Prolia cold turkey.

SpecialK, you are probably right as usual

She did mention it would be just one injection and then we will see what my bone density is like two years later and if significant decline is noted in the absence of Prolia, she will likely switch me from arimidex to tamoxifen. Ideally, she wants me on arimidex for at least ten years, maybe more. That is her plan as of today, of course it can change as more information from long term studies becomes available. Obviously, it assumes no progression in the meantime.

I just had my 3rd prolia injection today. At this point my dr is saying to stay on it for at least 5 years and she's hoping that by that time there might be more information and data coming in about long term use but at this point she's thinking it's possible I'd stay on it for the rest of my life.

But who knows, maybe there are going to be some new treatments coming down the line

My oncologist told me only 2 - 3 years on Prolia. DEXA scan after 2 years, Interesting how there is no uniformity in treatment recommendations from oncologist to oncologist!