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Some community members are taking Evista. Would you please share why the decision was made for Evista? Is Evista taken in combination with another osteoporosis medication? How long have you been on Evista? Any side effects? Thank you.
Evista is all I have ever taken for Osteo. I was diagnosed in December 2006....My doctors wanted me on Forteo.......the side effect that worried me was bone cancer....I was not going to take the bispho. drugs because of dead jaw and I have had extensive dental work for the last 20 years.....I have crowns and a bridge. That risk I was not going to take. Even though it was only a few people........that was too many for me. I went on Evista........the only side effects I have had was some hot flushes but not night sweats, no leg cramps.....and I was also menopausal then too. Brain Injury survivors hit menopause earlier than non brain injury most of the time........I am still glad I have been on Evista except I do believe it made my uterus lining very thick........I just had a D&C in June and my gyno doctor wanted to test me again with an ultrasound next June to see if the lining is thick again.......if it is then its the Evista and I will be taken off of it........and go supplements only. I really don't like these drugs in my body but for now they are. I am not taking anything else with the Evista, except my vitamins...thanks to the wonderful ladies in BBB.
Hi: I'm on Evista too, and I wish I had a very fascinating story why I chose this, but I don't. I took Actonel--without much luck--then Forteo--which I did really well on, so I was looking for something other than bisphosphonates to take that would maintain my great increases from forteo.
My most recent NTx score isn't what I would like it to be (44) should be around 30, but my last t-score was great so I'll continue on Evista unless my NTx goes through the roof (real high). If my collagen levels in my urine increase greatly--meaning I'm loosing more bone--I'll have to come up with another solution.
I don't know if denosumab will be approved, or if it is, if it will work for me, but my reasoning for taking Evista was I would use it as an interim treatment until something else--that works :) comes along.
Southernlady, I hope you next ultra sound doesn't show an increase in thickness of your uterine lining. My obgyn wasn't aware of the uterine lining increase until I showed it to him on the package insert, but they have it buried on the last page. Have you ever had a uterine wall biopsy? It mentions something about this in the Evista literature, and that you should have one every couple of years--I've never had one. Both myself and my doc weren't aware of this either until I brought it to his attention.
The only side effects I've had are increased night sweats and hot flashes. I'm off of it right now because I have to have an ovarian cyst removed, and you have to stop taking Evista whenever you're having a medical procedure, where you'll be in bed for more than a day and as you know you have to stop it prior to any air travel.
I'm also having heart problems, and I just hope this hasn't exacerbated it. Since we need to be careful about clots, you also have to monitor any pre-existing heart problems since they *could* get worse with a SERM.
Good Luck...
Hi,
My GP researched all of the drugs and suggested Evista for me last May. He felt like it would be the least harmful to my body. I researched all summer( and read everything on this site that I could find) and eventually went to an OBGYN. He suggested Fosamax. I told him what my GP told me,and we decided to ask an endocrinologist. The two of them discussed my case and decided on the Evista. I am 54, my bone scan in May wasn't yet at the osteoporosis level, but I had just had a spinal fracture. I finally started taking Evista a month ago. So far, I have only had hot flashes, but I may have had those even without the Evista. I am also taking calcium and Vit. D, and exercising. I am just about to take the urine test, so we will see how that goes.
I was a nonresponder on Fossamax for 10 years and I need to take something else. I may have a compression fracture from exercising too hard so I have to take something. I'm 60 with osteopenia; my mother had osteoporosis back when there was nothing to take. I am worried about Forteo and the bone cancer, but only HRT or Evista are left. Why did you chose Evista over HRT was it the breast cancer? But what about a different estrogen than the one from horses.??
Hello, I decided on Evista because I am not going to take any hormones. Too many side effects and I am not taking the C risk.......to me of all the choices Evista was the only one that I felt would be the best for me. All doctors recommend Fosamax.......it is easy for them.......it has been around a long long time.......but too many side effects of those drugs are coming to our attention. I still believe for what I can choose..........Evista is for me.......as far as the biopsy........I had two in 2006 about my lining it was 8mm even before Evista and should have been lower. If I am still on Evista next year and the lining is thick again....I will stay off Evista.........my Gyno doctor wants me on Evista to prevent the other thing.........I am not afraid of getting that........so with women started the Evista and probably due to the tv commericals we may see better results or more side effects........we will just have to wait and see. I am believing No more meds like that for me after December. I will sure let you know the report results.
Evista; side effect 64 year old w/f - never had abdominal fat. Within only 3 months of being on Evista I acquired (what young girls call) a "muffin top." I discontinued the medication and it has taken 18 month to significantly reduce this fat around my waist and the stomach pouch.
I was on Evista for two years; it triggered uncontrollable hunger and I gained 25 pounds before I realized what was happening. I was also on Actonel for 5+ years during the time. Neither helped my DEXA scores, now I'm on Forteo for two years. I lost the 25 pounds by going to Weight Watchers but regained 7 or so pounds in the abdomen during the first 3 months of injecting Forteo there. I switched to injecting it in my thighs, but still cannot lose the abdominal weight. Evista caused some lower leg cramps at night but they eventually went way. Now they are advertising Evista as a preventative treatment for breast cancer AND osteoporosis. I've talked to many others who gained weight while on Evista. This side effect should be listed in the patient information as far as I'm concerned.
I think Evista does say it has weight gain....ughhhhhhhh that is why my stomach looks the way it does.....I never had a stomach issue in fat.......my goodness........I want off this stuff........but I need to take it until my Bone Mineral Density Test.....and then I may get off this drug........a lot of women get off due to weight gain........I reported my weight gain to them but its only about 10 pounds but the stomach........its awful.......
I know now the Evista did thicken my lining. For now reason it grew to 15mm.........I just may get off this drug in December and only take vitamins. I will have to weigh it out........lol
Thank you so much Windblown for the kind words. I too pray there is no effects in my uterus. I will for sure never take again. I had a biopsy before the lining went to 15mm and my doctor was going to day that horrible pain test in his office and I wanted to be knocked out and then he said lets just do a D&C. He wanted to test for anything bad that might be there.....I was fine and I give Jesus all the glory. Thank you ladies for allowing me to say what I want to.......I welcome all comments and I would not be offended if you talked about anything.
When you say you were a non-responder, do you mean that it did not help you at all? Did you take tests during those 10 years and see that it was not working? I can't believe your doctor did not try something else sooner.
I am really thinking deep today........women fill their bodies with these drugs and do all they are supposed to do.....taking vitamins, calcium citrate, magnesium citrate, D3.....walk and watch what they eat in acid foods and these medicines show not working at all on some women........then why do the doctors keep you on the medicine and why would they not work at all.......would the bones have gotten better anyway on their own? If I don't see improvement this December at all I am not going back on. They still don't know much about Osteoporosis as far as I am concerned. Help me please if I have it wrong. I love to learn and I don't know everything about this disease.
marcy are you taking something in place of Evista?
Call the FDA and tell them about your weight gain. Then it will have to be reported on Evista from my understanding.
Yes, my DEXA scores were slightly worse than 10 years ago and I was on Fossamax for 10 years. I don't know why this doctor at the UCLA Osteoporosis Center did not do something but it may have been that it's been a roller coaster ride. One year I was up; the next year down. I've been trying to read as much as I can and I am not sure Evista is very good as an osteo drug and Forteo looks dangerous. I also have been reading that the risks to HRT maybe overblown as long as you do not take PREMPO which is the conjugated horse urine. There is estrodial a form of estrogen that is bioidentical to humans not horses. and Prometrium is a bioidentical form of progesterin.
Lets face it; it's the loss if estrogen that got a lot of us in the fix we are in and it seems that taking estrogen is the way out. If you don't have a uterus then you can take only estrogen and there is NO INCREASE IN BREAST CANCER WITH ESTROGEN ONLY HRT. Maybe getting a hysetrectomy and taking estrogen the rest of my life is the answer. Still working on the answer. And of course still looking for a better So Cal doctor.
Gloucester
My cholestrol went down on evista........in 2006 I was 175 and this new test shows I am 150.......I was 140 before my brain injury. Here is my new tests results....HDL the good is 72 LDL the bad is 68.8 I don't think my bad went down though........I can find it on the report two years ago???
Okay - so I went to my OB-GYN yesterday (Thurs 11/13) armed with lots of questions.
My numbers are: -2.5 neck -2.3 hip -1.5 spine. My "FRAX" (see under Google) 14% risk in 10 years, 2.5% in 15 - 20 years.
We discussed RECLAST - can't use because I have problems with bisphosphonates.
Discussed FORTEO - not necessary because my numbers aren't THAT bad.
Discussed FORITCAL - nasal spray - will get to that in a minute.
Discussed STRONTIUM - he said it is a “heavy metal” which not enough studies have been done on.
He encouraged me to continue with my YOGA and my work-outs - that my numbers have not changed since my last bone density test two years ago - so it is working to keep my bones strong.
BUT - he stated that I have reached the point in my life that I can not just maintain the bones (density) I have but need to give my body a chance to start rebuilding what is lost. Sooooo
EVISTA is what we settled on. The thought of a daily nasal spray bothered me too much (but may have to anyway?!?) so FORTICAL is my fall back option. EVISTA is an anti-estrogenic - which is supposed to “act” like estrogen and help build bones and prevent breast cancer (huh?). It is not HRT or birth control. The down side (there is always something!) is that I may experience HOT FLASHES and migraines! I started menopause at 38 yrs - I have had 12 years of hot flashes, why do I want more???? And I had to stop HRT because of migraines.
So I feel like a guinea pig - but believe this is my best option. I will continue my calcium intake, my exercise and yoga. I will be smart about my actives - skiing?? hang gliding?? And see where this next journey takes me…
gloucester,
You wrote: "Lets face it; it's the loss if estrogen that got a lot of us in the fix we are in and it seems that taking estrogen is the way out. If you don't have a uterus then you can take only estrogen and there is NO INCREASE IN BREAST CANCER WITH ESTROGEN ONLY HRT. Maybe getting a hysetrectomy and taking estrogen the rest of my life is the answer. Still working on the answer".
Please check with your doctor and other sources; I believe their is an increase in breast cancer even without a uterus.
Rather than start a new thread, figured I'd just continue this one.
I'd like to know just how many have gained weight from Evista? I see 2 maybe 3 mentioning it above?
Not thrilled about more hot flashes, after almost 8 years of them (went pre-menopausal at 46, full menopause almost 6 years ago) I've just recently had some nights where I've slept 5-6 hours without waking from one. Sure hate to go backward. Guess I'll go read the info and look at the % chart again. <s>
Tiredbones,
What type of strontium are you talking about, when your Dr. said Strontium is a Heavy Medal, and has not been tested enough??
There are a few different Strontiums, and Strontium Ranelate is aproved in European counties.
The only side effect I have found on Strontium Citrate is, if you have Kidney problems do not take it.
Just found this info *340mg. this is on *Strontium Citrate.
Strontium is a naturally occurring mineral present in water and food. Trace amounts of strontium are found in the human skeleton. Strontium has an affinity for bone and is taken up at the bone matrix crystal surface. The influence of strontium on bone metabolism has been researched since the 1950's. Studies indicate that strontium positively effects bone metabolism to promote bone formation and decrease bone resorption, leading to normalized bone density. Helps maintain strong, healthy bones.
Sounds to me Strontium has been tested longer then these Drugs have!
If you have Not had a Hysetrectomy, and you take Hrt, you have to take Estrogen & Progesterone.
Progesterone protects your Uterus from to much Estrogen that can cause uterian cancer.
Estrogen is stored in fat cells.
To many Drs. just take Hormon *Estrogen tests, which is a big mistake, cause they miss that most women are in need of Progesterone. The two have to be balanced.
It's possible you where getting migrains from too much Estrogen!
I started a natural menapause at 38. When I wasn't getting my period reg. I didn't go to my regular Gyno, I listened to 3 of my friends (shame on me), and went to there Dr.
First Dr. said, before you leave the office make an appointment for a Hysterectomy, but he could not give a reason why! I just walked out. The other two Drs. also said Surgery!
I went to my regular Gyno, and he said I think your going through Menapause, lets do some blood tests.
He was right.
When I was 48 I could not stand the hot flashes any longer, so I went on Hrt without any side effects for almost 10 yrs. When all the talk came out about awful side effects, I stopped taking them !
Now at 66 I have Osteoporosis!
I do not know if its cause I have not taken Hormons for a few years,but it could be.
Btw I never had sugery.
I did try Boniva acouple of months ago. All my joints hurt so bad for 2 weeks. I won't be taking anything like that again.
I'm now taking Strontium Citrate , plus Calcium, D. minerals etc. a try and see what happens!
Take Care,
April
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