Xgeva users!!!

I have noticed in just about every sig line of guys with mets that xgeva or Prolia or some such bone strengthening med is part of the tx plan. It sure seemed to help Gary's bone mets. However, in case your MO didn't make it abundantly clear, after being on it, getting teeth extractions are a VERY bad idea, even in the upper jaw, as we found out the hard way. Osteonecrosis (jaw bone death) is more common than you might think once a bone is exposed through extraction. The oral surgeon explained it to us this way: The xgeva makes to bones harder and more resistant to cancer mets, but also decreases the blood flow to exposed jaw bone and the "scab" that initiates the healing process can't form.
The oral surgeon recommended keeping the area open and clean with salt water, but to continue xgeva so the bone mets won't recur.
The medonc said the same, but no more xgeva. According to the MO, if you do have to have an extraction (go for root canal or cap first), you should discontinue xgeva and the area will heal eventually, but it may take a very long time.
I've read a lot of articles. Not much to read due to lack of follow up studies. Fact of the matter, most guys with this don't have a very long life expectancy.
Beth

Beth, thank you, this is good, first-hand advice, I will remind my father about it. Thanks for mentioning it here.

Grandpaof4, that is so amazing and encouraging. Happy for you and may that first-line of defense give your grandkids even more years with their awesome grandpa in their lives!!

Thanks for the info. I've been on Xgeva for 7 years or so. No serious issues yet.

I wonder how they come up with percentages of how many will have to deal with ONJ.

Thanks for the warning, all the drugs that help us are sometimes scary.
Larry