I have been on Prolia since 8/17 and am also on the Aromatase Inhibitor Letrozole/ Femara. At the outset I had already been diagnosed with osteoporosis and had had an osteoporotic fracture - Prolia is thus a lifetime treatment for me.
I was very very worried about this treatment as had read a lot on linethat was not encouraging. I spoke to a lot of friends and my longtime GP all of whom said my fears were baseless in their experience and in my case I have found it to be true.
One positive I have read is that Prolia in conjunction with an AI has been found to further reduce recurrence risk as they are synergistic.This research was delivered at the 2016 Breast Cancer Interntaional Congress in Austin Texas and can be read about online. I have read In NYC it is given to breast cancer patients who are not osteoporotic for this reason alone.
Prolia does exit the system quickly after 6 months but that allows a small window wherein I have dental treatment which is very difficult with bisphosphonate tablets.I have had bisphosphonate tablets twice some years ago for roughly 3 months each time. the first time I developed an ulcer as you must be upright for a minimum of 30 minutes after taking the tablet - sitting up in bed is inadequate . I ceased the tablets and recommenced the following year for about 3months. I needed an extraction and found it very difficult to find a dentist or dental specialist who would help me once they learned I had taken Bisphosphonates.Bisphonates can cause Osteonecrosis of the Jaw(ONJ) with major dental like root canals , extrcati9ns etc. Bisphosphonates unlike Prolia stay in the system indefinitely ie Prolia exits your system entirely after 6 months but Bisphosphonates stay in your body even after you cease taking them so the risk of ONJ is indefinite.I was lucky to meet Professor Goss of our dental school who agreed to help me but only after a crosslaps test established my bone was still turning over - I believe if I had been on Bisphosphonates for a lengthier period that would not have been the case.
I ceased Bisphosphonates after this episode .I continued on with Caltrate based on the Osteoporosis Australia clinical guidelines at the time for my circumstances. I discovered only recently they changed Nov 2017 and in particular they are now concerned about calcium and it’s impact on the heart. The document I mention is on line and lengthy but has a table of contents to enable quick selection of topics - there is a section for those who have had breast cancer too - I highly recommend a read.
Hope this helps and happy to answer questions within my experience.
