PROLIA prescribed - what to expect?

[JazzMan42]

My Lupron/Zytiga/Prednisone therapy has apparently brought about osteopenia in lumbar spine and hips, and osteoporosis in my femoral neck. My MO wants to put me on Prolia to combat the bone loss. A few questions for those who have gone on Prolia: 1. What is the delivery method? 2. What side effects? 3. I have been told to get a clearance from my dentist that I have no need for invasive dental work - what if dental needs arise in the future that are not evident now? Thanks brothers for all answers.

[Spaceman210]

I had it a few week ago - painless injection in the arm and no SE's so far.

Jeff

[tallguy2 in reply to Spaceman210]

Same for me. Only issue could be cost, depending upon your insurance. It's a $3-4K injection each 6 months.

[Hidden in reply to tallguy2]

Crazy BS isn’t it?

[Scorpio99 in reply to tallguy2]

Lupron cost me $135 per each 90 day injection for my co-pay. I've heard horror stories, though, of patients getting fleeced by their clinics and insurance companies.

[ctarleton]

The active ingredient in Prolia is denosumab. Prolia is often given to post-menopausal women (as seen on TV) for osteoporosis benefits. Men with advanced prostate cancer with bone mets are often given denosumab in the form of more frequent injections of a drug called Xgeva. If you search for "Xgeva" in the Search Box at the upper right of this page you will fine lots of previous Posts about it. FYI, for men with bone mets, Oncologists also frequently administer another drug Zometa (zoledronic acid) by IV, for similar purposes. You can discuss them all with your doctor.

Charles

[Hidden]

Im right behind you ..I’m speaking to mo soon . I’ll follow your progress . Good luck ..

[JazzMan42 in reply to Hidden]

I'll let you know my progress - let me know yours. Thanks

[Hidden in reply to JazzMan42]

Thank you brother . I would appreciate that . Best of luck to you my man . Keep loving the JazzMan ...

[Magnus1964]

I have been on xgeva for over a year. No side effects. It's a shot once per month, and I have to take a calcium supplement every day.

[RyderLake2]

Hello,

I have been on Prolia (aka Xgeva) for nearly six years. The medical name is Denosumab. No side effects whatsoever although I am on a maintenance dose - once every six months. Sub-cutaneous injection in the arm. It is important to practice good mouth care during treatment. Prolia might cause severe jaw bone problems to occur. Let your dentist know. However, your chances of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) are so low (less than 2%) that I wouldn't lose any sleep worrying about it. Hope that helps!

[Hidden in reply to RyderLake2]

ONJ <. 2% , that isn’t bad ... thank you ... settles some fear..

[JazzMan42 in reply to RyderLake2]

Thanks for that advice-plenty of other things to lose sleep over. I am seeing my dentist soon who will probably give me a full mouth xray to determine if I have any dental issues so that I can tell my MO that I am cleared to get the Xgeva. Scheduled for the Xgeva May 30 and will relate my experience on this site. P.S. Is there any difference between Prolia and Xgeva?

[michael00]

Got my first prolia shot in February. It will be once every six months. Needle in the arm was painless. I was told for dental work I'd have to skip a shot and be off it for 4 weeks before work. No side effects from it.

[Gary94 in reply to michael00]

My oncologist said no dental work while on denosumab. I asked a oral surgeon/root canal specialist and he said the only dental work you can’t have is an extraction. I had some serious dental work done in January with no problems.

[leo2634]

I'm on Xgeva basically the same medication. I receive one injection every month in the stomach area painless and very tolerable. I got extensive dental work done at the start of treatments with no I'll effects. It's not bad at all I have no side effects and nothing happened to my jaw. Leo

[monte1111]

Taking Xgeva now 2 years. Was told to take Vitamin D by MO. Magnus1964 said is taking calcium every day. (And he's been doing this a long time.) So do we have an individual difference, or do doctor's just flip a coin and say, "Oh, by the way, take this." This is all so crazy.

[Hidden in reply to monte1111]

So many Doctors and so little time ... some flip coins...

[Scorpio99]

After 2 years of Lupron injections & 38 radiation treatments for my prostate cancer I'm now cancer free with a 0.1 PSA reading. My doc had me get a bone density test because treatment programs like mine can cause problems in that areas, however the results came back saying I was fine, the reason being that I had been physically active all my life and not overweight.

[Gary94]

The only dental work you can’t have is an extraction.