Prolia side effects

[jennifer15]

Hello,

I have been diagnosed with GCA for 6months and wrote a couple of weeks ago re alternatives to alendronate as I have suffered from GERD for 15 years and received lots of very helpful replies.

I persuaded my GP to arrange a DEXA scan but will not get the result for a couple of weeks.

My GP suggested having prolia injections regardless of the result of the scan as she says that the the steroids will mean that I am more likely to have a broken bone.

My questions are do you think that I should have the prolia injection even if my DEXA scan is OK which is what my GP suggests? My calcium and Vit D blood tests are OK.

The other question is to ask if anyone has had side effects from prolia injections.

Very many thanks again for advice and suggestions. Jenny

[Soraya_PMR]

Don’t do anything til the dexa results are known!

There is no way of knowing if steroids will deplete YOUR bones. Keeping active, weight bearing, and calcium and vitaminD May be all you need (plus maybe VitK2, phosphorous and magnesium from diet) oh and don’t forget the prunes!

[jennifer15 in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Dear Soraya,

Thank you for your suggestions.

I have started taking the supplements that you suggest and will wait and see what the result of the scan is.

Thanks again for your help, Jenny

[HeronNS]

You may never be able to get off prolia and as Soraya says you mustn't take any OP drug without a DXA scan first. You may not need anything, and even if things are borderline there's a lot you can do without taking drugs.

[jennifer15]

Dear Heron,

Thank you for writing. I did not realise that it could be difficult to get off prolia.

Jenny

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My bone density had barely changed in over 7 years on pred - and it is still within what is regarded as normal range and not requiring treatment.

I certainly wouldn't accept Prolia as a "just in case" medication - as they have recently found you need to continue taking is as there is a risk of rebound loss of bone density when you stop taking it.

[jennifer15 in reply to PMRpro]

DearPMRpro,

Thank you very much for writing to me.

It is very helpful information and quite scary. I just hope that my bone density is OK. If not is there any other drug that has less scary side effects that I could ask to be prescribed if I have GERD so bisphosphonates are not a good idea?

Thank you very much for your help,

Kind regards,

Jenny

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jennifer15]

First get a dexascan done - then cross the bridge of WHAT if you need to.

[jennifer15 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. Have had a scan so fingers crossed.