HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Fosomax v. Prolia

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/25/2014 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Haven't been around for awhile. Has been a busy summer. I am wondering if anyone has had good or bad experiences with Prolia and/or Fosamax?

Seems the oncologist has found some bone loss, and left it up to me as to the choice between the two.

I have not really read much good on the internet about either. Of course there are few people who will post on the net when they have a good experience.

Any thoughts on either?
Posted 11/25/2014 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
mr bill (oh no!),

I just had this conversation with my MO. She said Prolia is the better bet for my situation, hormone-sensitive under ADT with bone loss. Fosamax and others like it are preferred for PCa metastasized to the bones (also Xgeva, a higher dose regimen of denosumab, same stuff as Prolia).

One of the smart guys will probably be along shortly to set that straight, but that's what I was told.

I don't know, I went ahead with Prolia just yesterday. I'm still not fully convinced the small increase in bone density is worth the side effects, but I did go with it. I'll be on it until I get off of the hormone therapy.

Jerry
Posted 11/25/2014 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Jerry,
Ooooh Noooo Mr. Bill is more than right in my case. Just a walking med dictionary. PCa, COPD, Osteoporosis, arthritis, tinnitus, etc., etc., etc.

I am not sure how often these side effects manifest themselves. However, when they say one in ten will suffer side effects, I can guarantee you I will be that one.

Are you expecting side effects? I have read that they may sometimes be minimal. What scares me is the fact you have the Prolia in your system for six months. The Fosomax only a week or two.

Not on HT yet. Surgical onc. says it may be years. However, PSA is rising. Now at .99 after surgery in September 2010. Gleason 9.
The COPD is not too bad yet. Just using a daily inhaler.
Posted 11/26/2014 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Well, Mr Bill I've missed you on the 'illustrious" G9 roster. I'll add you now, you lucky guy you.

So, you have bone loss but without hormone therapy? I'm not sure where that goes.

My understanding of Prolia is that it metabolizes out of your system in the 6 months. I don't know about other treatments. The knock on Prolia is that it messes with your immune system in a very basic way, interfering with generation of things like T-cells. So, you may have more chance of infections and so on. You can do some searches and probably find stats on the frequency of such things. I have, but don't have the links stored.

The problem with the internet is you get extremes. Most on this forum that have commented said they had no issues from their Prolia. Around the great interwebs you'll find people yelling not to take it, that it's a poison straight from the pit and should be taken off the market. It did receive approval for use, but who knows about side effects that surface in mass distribution and long term usage.

I'm only planning to be on it for another 18 months or so with any luck.

Good luck, my friend!
Posted 11/26/2014 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
Jerry,
Thank you for the information. I did check side effects, etc. Still undecided. However, based on what I read, I lean toward Fosamex. The Dr. and assistant kind of ride the fence. When you ask "which would you take?" they will not give a definitive answer.

Will let you know if I find anything of interest.

Bill
Posted 11/26/2014 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Ron does not use Fosomax; he takes extra calcium. I have used Fosomax for 15 years and it seems to work. Some years my bone density was better than what it would be for my age. I just can't imagine not taking it. Is there an age limit for men or for women?
Posted 11/26/2014 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Aimzee,
Does Ron have osteoporosis? How much Calcium does he take a day? I was told 1,200. And to take no more than 500 mg at one time, as that is all the body will absorb in a single dose. My wife did take Fosamax for awhile, coupled with exercise she did improve her T-score.
The meds I take for moderate COPD will decrease bone mass.

It is encouraging to hear you have had no issues after 15 years.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply