Forum Discussion

SueF's avatar
SueF
Member
7 years ago

Prolia (Denosumab) Injections for osteoporosis

Dear Online community,

I'm after more thoughts on treatment for osteoporosis.

I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer July 2017. My type is oestrogen receptor positive. So, I was put on Letrozole straight away, had a lumpectomy, chemo & radiotherapy. Last mammogram clear, so all good. However, I now have osteoporosis. I'm taking calcium & vitamin D, but my oncologist is looking into 6 monthly injections of Prolia (Denosumab) to reduce the risk of fractures (particularly in the hip).

I've looked at the possible side effects & some look awful!!! Anyone experienced these injections & any related side effects?

Cheers,

Sue

osteoporosis
prolia
side-effects
  • Adri's avatar
    Adri
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi Everyone I have this same question as Suef did back in 2018. I was told yesterday I would need the Prolia injections or could go to hospital and get it via a drip. I didn't like the sound of the side effects especially the one Dr said could dissolve my jaw!
    Anyway reading this makes me feel much better about going ahead with the treatment.a couple of questions.
    Can you come off this after hormone therapy (Anastrozole) is finished and is the injection easy to have and where is the best place to get it.
    Hope someone can get back to me. xx
  • Beryl_C_'s avatar
    Beryl_C_
    Member
    7 years ago
    I have been on Prolia injections for three years - no side-effects.
  • Romla's avatar
    Romla
    Member
    7 years ago
    Could could have been out of date as earlier guideline did recommend calcium supplements 
  • kmakm's avatar
    kmakm
    Member
    7 years ago
    Weights and load bearing exercises. My exercise physiologist has me jumping and hopping to combat the effects of Letrozole.
  • Romla's avatar
    Romla
    Member
    7 years ago
    Latest guidelines are November 2017 and calcium supplements discouraged.
  • SueF's avatar
    SueF
    Member
    7 years ago

    Thanks Romla for all your detailed info. My oncologist did tell me I would need to tell my dentist...luckily I have good dental health, but will definitely see him. I've read about bisphosphonate & had a friend on it - she hated it & came off. Sounds like one to stay away from. I am currently taking calcium tablets & vitamin D. Had read Ostio Australia guidelines & didn't see info re cardiologists & calcium -maybe out of date guidelines? Will look for latest guidelines now. I do exercise regularly, including weight training, so all good there.

    Thanks again, Sue

  • Romla's avatar
    Romla
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi @"Sue F" I have had osteoporosis for 8 years or more .

    I started Prolia injections AUgust 2017.I too was terrified when told I needed the injections brecause of what I had read online.I asked my GP who told me hasmany patients on the injection and no problems. I asked a friends who has been on it 4 years and has had no problems.When I started talking about Prolia I was surprised how many told me they were taking it and with no issues at all. So I start3d too and no issues thus far.I also learnt that it reduces breast cancer risk further in conjunction with Letrozole and in NY they give it to women who are not osteoporotic for that reason.

    Was  put on bisphosphonate tablets 6 years ago  but after 2 fleeting attempts of approx 3 months each I gave them away.First attempt caused an ulcer as need to be upright for 30 minutes or more after ingesting .Following year tried again but needed tooth extraction and could not get a dentist to help as is risk of osteonecrosis of jaw with extrications/ root canals etc.Eventually found the chair of dentistry here agreed to do it but only after crosslaps blood test revealed bone still turning over.Bisphosphonates stay in the system for many years after you cease them I would exercise real caution before considering that option.

    Big plus of Prolia is it only stays in the system 6 months not indefinitely like bisphosphonates.I use the time between injections for dental work.Do have a full dental check and all work done before embarking on either option and make sure your dentist knows that you are using either option.Good dental care is critical.

    Just before breast cancer diagnosis in 2017 I cracked a rib getting out of a collapsing QS air bed .This turned out to be fortuitous as at 64 and osteoporotic it meant Prolia injections were at the PBS price of approx $38 not $275.To qualify for the PBS price you must be osteoporotic Plus either be over 70 OR have had an osteoporotic fracture.I have a friend 79 taking it for arthritis she pays $275 as Not osteoporotic.

    In short I recommend Prolia and have had no issues whatsoever.Be careful with Calcium tablets - is a lot of concern from cardiologists about them.Osteoporosis Australia new clinical guidelines released in November do not recommend them any more.Make sure you get plenty of vitamin d and weight bearing exercise.In fact weight training appears to be able to reverse bone loss. @Deanne has had great success thru the Bone Clinic run thu one of the Qld Universities.
  • AllyJay's avatar
    AllyJay
    Member
    7 years ago
    I am also on Letrozole and also have bad osteoporosis. I've been on Prolia injections for the last 18 months (3 injections so far). I've had none of the side effects listed in the warnings. The only thing was that my GP didn't want me to have both the flu shot as well as the Prolia at the same time...said he wanted at least a week between the two.