Newly Diagnosed

• By windblown
• Posted August 1, 2008 at 8:32 pm
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Hi Trafficjam: I've only been on Evista for 2 months, so I may not be the best person to answer this question. I haven't had any symptoms or side effects while taking this, but I understand you wife's concern. Below is a listing on Evista of several studies done on it that you can read to see if it helps any to determine her risk/benefit ration on this.

I just finished 2 years on Forteo and my t-scores went from the -3.6 (spine score only) to normal, so I did very well on that. I'm trying to maintain the gains I made on Forteo, by using Evista, because I can't take the BP's (bisphosphonates).

Read the study within the link below on the cardiovascular effects of Evista and see what you think. I know that blood clots and strokes are scary things, but in my case I worry more about frax's because I've already had 6.

All meds come with their own particular risk and you just have to decide if the risk is greater than the possible benefit. I've never had a history of blood clots or a stroke, but I don't want to loose the gains I made on Forteo or fracture again. You didn't mention her t-scores, do you mind telling us what they are. The reason I ask, is some people with mild osteopenia could possibly get by with supplements and exercise alone, but if you have severe osteoporosis you have to consider some type of tx whether it's natural or chemical.

Do as much reading as you can, and try to decide what's best for both of you. I can't say that the idea of having a blood clot or stroke hasn't crossed my mind, but I don't think about it that often either. Everyones health history is unique, and I don't think you can decide on any of these meds without factoring in this history. Read the Ruth 10 trial on Evista and see if that helps any, along with the other trials listed below.

Good luck on your decision...

http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/dru964.html

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• By jogger56
• Posted August 2, 2008 at 2:22 pm
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I was first diagnosed 2 yrs ago. Tried Fosamax, Boniva which I couldn't tolerated because of gastro issues. Dr. put me on Evista for 8 months. My last Dexa my T scores actually were worse. Two weeks ago I had Reclast infusion. So far I haven't had any side effects. I'm 56 and have been a runner for going on 30 years. My scores in legs and hips are fine but my spine is -3.3. I will keep posting to this site as the year progresses. Hopefully, my next Dexascan will show big improvement.

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• By windblown
• Posted August 2, 2008 at 4:12 pm
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Hi Jogger: I wondered if you could tell us if the fosamax or boniva improved your scores any before you lost bmd on Evista? If you aren't comfortable with this request that's fine. I'm wondering because I'm on Evista as you've probably figured out, and I had great increases on 2 years of Forteo. I haven't had my NTx test yet so I won't know if Evista is working until next mo. I have the 24 or 2 hour urine NTx (n-telopeptide) about 3 times a year, because I want to know how I'm doing on the meds between dxa's. Have you had this test? It's a simple urine test that measure biochemical markers of bone. The test will tell your Dr if you are losing or gaining on *whatever* med you're on. It makes it nice to have a secondary test to give info on this between dxa's. It isn't a substitute for a dxa, because it won't give you a t-score but it will let the Dr know if the med is helping.

I'm glad you haven't had any side effects from Reclast and I hope your next dxa is great!!

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• By jogger56
• Posted August 3, 2008 at 12:18 pm
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Hi Windblown, I wasn't on either fosamax or boniva long enough because of the gastric upsets they caused me. I hadn't heard of the urine test you mention but will call this coming week and see if it is available in my area. Montana is a pretty rural state and sometimes it takes a while for new things to reach us. I'll keep you posted.

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• By windblown
• Posted August 3, 2008 at 3:15 pm
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Hi Jogger: I live in a rural area too, and when it was first ordered by my Dr the local labs *said* they didn't know how to run it. All they had to do was call my Dr and then suddenly they knew what she was talking about. The test isn't new, it's been around for a long time because it's used for other things besides osteo.

I'm having it done in 2 weeks and here's what the lab order say's:

"24 hour urine n-telopeptide test. (send out)"

Check out the link below and print it if you want to have the test. My insurance pays for it, and it's a lot cheaper than a dxa, even though it's not a substitute for a dxa. If you look up bone marker tests there's a ton of articles on it, also look under "biochemical markers of bone." There are many different kinds that can be ordered: i.e. one for bone formation and one for bone resorption or both. I have the one for resorption markers. The one I have seems to be the most popular, but it certainly isn't the only one. Below is a list of the different tests and what they look for.

Sorry the BP's caused the GI probs; that seems to be a common problem. I stopped taking Actonel, because my t-score didn't go up much, and it caused some intermittent pain I didn't want to deal with, and the Dr was planning to switch me to Forteo anyway, which was fine with me.

When you are dealing with Dr.'s that don't know about all the available test's Educate Them they'll thank you for it, if they are good Dr.'s.

http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/opmark.html

Good luck

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• By windblown
• Posted August 3, 2008 at 3:33 pm
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Hi again Jogger: Also read the link below so you'll know what to expect on the test. To read the article, you have to register, but it's free and easy, plus they have a lot of good articles. You don't have to be a Dr./nurse/med student to register.

http://doctor.medscape.com/viewarticle/463099

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• By jogger56
• Posted August 4, 2008 at 2:18 pm
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Thanks Windblown, I'll read up on this and then get in touch with my Dr. She is very open to any suggestions I might have so that's great. Having just had the Reclast a couple of weeks ago, how long should I wait before having the test?

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• By windblown
• Posted August 4, 2008 at 4:07 pm
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Hi Jogger: Usually they do a baseline before you start the infusion, and then another one in a month or two. I started Evista in June, and am having the urine NTx (n-telopeptide) in 2 weeks, so that's not that long. When I was on Forteo, the Dr ordered it every 4 mos. When you read the Medscape article, notice that with antiresorptives; reclast, fosamax, boniva, evista, hrt, etc., you want your score to go down from baseline. If you don't have a baseline test, that's okay, the lab still puts the reference range (normal score) on the results, like they do with all lab tests and it's based on your age and meno status, etc. It's sort of hard to explain, so just read the article which will explain how this works.

Good luck...

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• By Southernlady
• Posted October 9, 2008 at 2:18 pm
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I am so sorry I am just now answering these questions. I just figured out after one year the way to respond.....I did not know there were pages of questions. I have been on Evista since December 2006 and I have not had any side effects. My uterus lining went from 8mm to 15 mm in 18 months and I do believe the Evista caused that.......so I am going to be monitored and I had a D&C this past June. I would have rather gotten off the Evista for a year to see if the lining would return thick...and for my age of 51 15mm was way too thick........other wise I am doing great. I pray before I take my medicines for only the good to happen in my body. I feel that is the reason I don't suffer with side effects. Best to you.

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