Hi Ladies,I love the sharing of information as I think it's valuable to everyone here. I had my Oncologist visit yesterday and received my Bone Density results. Compared to 2016 there is a marked improvement in my TScore in the Lumbar Spine it was -2.9 and now is -2.2 with a Z-score that was -2.4 and now is -1.6. The Oncologist said it is an incredible improvement and indicative of the Prolia injections. In 2016 my Bone Density post Chemo was deemed Osteoporotic. I don't do weight bearing exercises but I know the benefit of it. I do exercise and am active in my job however. I am super happy to be out of high risk, whilst I'll never be fantastic, alot has to do with genetics he said, he's really happy with where it is. So I will have 1 more year on Prolia which I can add....has zero symptoms :) As a result of this after 3yrs I am now pushed to yearly Oncology visits woohoo!!!!!! My Oncologist in 1997 undertook a 3-year breast and lung cancer clinical research Fellowship at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, working with Professor Ian Smith.He is a member of the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group, and until recently was the head of the Breast Trials Group of Cancer Trials Australia. He has authored articles appearing in journals such as the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Annals of Oncology, The Breast and British Journal of Cancer.He also said in terms of risk of recurrence, it is solely based on an individuals diagnosis, pathology/histology and genetics only that will determine this irrespective of anything else. That it has been OVERDONE in terms of the message to reduce risk together with stats. M x

I suppose the oncologist focus is only on your health whilst under treatment. As we all plan to live a full, long life looking beyond that time is important.

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Thanks @Nikkid the Oncologist was really happy over it. I thought it may have been of interest as Prolia has been a topic in various threads @Romla and @Chris. @Primek absolutely, as I said Prolia is NOT the only reason for the improvement. I worked with an Exercise Physiologist and am very active. Prolia (Denosumab)A twice-a-year injection, denosumab is a monoclonal antibody — a biologic drug. It turns off the stimulus for the type of cells that break down bone, osteoclasts, which decreases bone loss and prevents broken bones.Pros: It’s highly effective in treating osteoporosis. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), the drug helped lower new spine fractures by 68 percent and hip fractures by 40 percent. Non-spine fracture incidence fell 20 percent over three years.Cons: Denosumab could cause your calcium level to go down, so it’s important to get your level checked through a blood test. If you have a low calcium level, called hypocalcemia, you would not take this drug.There are pros and cons for all treatment, depending on an individual situation as to what suits best, I was really happy with the improvement and wanted to share..

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.

Hi @melclarity, that is fantastic news and thank you for your post. My GP has prescribed prolia injections for me after recalling my bone density results from my onc (who I haven’t yet seen since the scan). While my spine was just within the normal range my hips are both osteopenic and I experience pain (post chemo) in both but just try to exercise through it. I am on Al’s. I am having dental work up before my first injection but I am now much more encouraged after reading your post. Like others here I was concerned about side effects but as I am already osteopenic and have another 9.5 years to go on Al’s I had to give it serious consideration. Thank you yet again for sharing your experience and also to you @Romla for the extra information. You have eased my mind somewhat. Sophie

2 years on Prolia injections have significant affect on Bone Density improvement.

49 Replies

primek
Member
8 years ago
Hi Mel. I don't think it was negative. It's just allowed for discussion. I think we all need to allow people to hear alternatives to talk over with oncologists and GPs. It's fantastic you are now out of dangerous level range and hope it continues to improve as your health and fitness has too. I really wanted to go on prolia initially and for my sister who has had multiple fractures it was absolutely what she needed. We are both doing the bone strengthening program and eagerly await our next bone scans to see results. I expect hers will be much better than mine but she had much further to go. Time will tell if I'm doing enough. It may not be.
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@Joannie thanks and I wish you well in retiring very soon, for a well deserved break. All the best moving forward. This is my last thread :) xx
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@Afraser and @Joannie I think that's just the thing, I wasn't given a choice in my circumstances, there wasn't another alternative. Ideally at the time? after what I had been through?? I honestly didn't want to take anything at all period. Our paths are not always easy and we really are in our Specialists hands for the best outcome as individuals. We certainly put our faith and trust in them, I didn't have him for my 1st diagnosis, but to hear him say that radiation I had in 2011 didn't work, so something went wrong? was tough. But I'm on a good road taken many years but am working full time again with much more responsibility and super active physically. So my results for this really mattered for what I went through, I understand its not for everyone, but it really was the only answer for me and with such positive results. I really didn't think it would attract anything negative. :/
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
My oncologist hasn't proposed I take Prolia. I suggested it as a possible antidote to the effects of Femara, which are patchy but unquestionably have had an impact (my bone density at 68 was described by my oncologist as being comparable to a 35 year old, it's much closer to being comparable to a 72 year old now and I don't think that's sudden ageing!). Many thanks to everyone for their comments. As I am osteopoenic, I think I will keep up the weight bearing exercises (I wish there was a Bone Clinic in Melbourne but I can work with some of the online stuff) and monitor.
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@Deanne thank you yes im very happy with the result. I totally agree weight bearing exercises are the way to go very beneficial. I was 48 at the time and unfortunately I didnt have this option straight from chemo hence i had to have prolia. I had a very long recovery and had to work hard for over a year with my exercise physiologist. It was so great as i had to learn to walk again.

So yes for me i guess you can see why id be happy with the result. Im now in a place ive increased exercise which is going to also assist now with bone density moving forward. So i guess every situation is different in terms of what we have to do. Im looking forward to doing more weigjt bearing as i go. My oncologist has no concerns considering my path to here.

Thanks again.

Forum Discussion

2 years on Prolia injections have significant affect on Bone Density improvement.

49 Replies

Recent Discussions

Small hard lump in armpit

🎬 Conquering Breast Cancer - Film Screening in Coffs Harbour

👋 Monday Mingle Meet & Greet - Welcome New Members Sep27-Oct4👋

If you (or family members ) have permanent and severe Incontinence, Gov Assistance is available.

🌱Wednesday Wellness - Creativity, Self-Care & a Special Giveaway! - 29July26🎁