Evenity denied-options!
Endocrinologist recommended Evenity, but my insurance (Medicare Advantage United Healthcare) wants me to “step” to Prolia first. I am considering self-pay of 3 months of Evenity instead. Has anyone tried this?
68F, diagnosed with post-menopausal osteoporosis 7 years ago. Hip T-scores -2.5, spine -3.5. No fractures. Secondary cause from IBS is treated.
I went 5 years with no medical treatment except calcium and D supplements. T scores held steady.
I tried 2 years of alendronate, no side effect. T scores held steady. I stopped alendronate 6 months ago.
I started seeing an orthopedic clinic for osteoporosis and also osteoarthritis. I have severe cervical osteoarthritis, 3 bulging discs and minor stenosis. I have had this condition for 50 years but when I was younger I just got dismissed by the doctors. I am now old enough they were willing to believe me and take the x-ray and MRI. Fusion surgery is on the table but hoping to avoid it. But they said they would prefer my bones to be stronger before surgery anyway. The cervical osteoporosis is visible on x-ray, they tell me.
They referred me to an endocrinologist because of the complexity of the osteoporosis. She recommended Evenity but the insurance denied it and will cover Prolia instead.
This doesn’t make medical sense to me. I need to build bone and fast. I’ve got alendronate lingering in my system that’s going to blunt bone turnover (turnover markers confirm) so I need the best bone builder from the beginning, not X years from now.
I heard on this sub about the study where Evenity is given for 3 months followed by 9 months of Prolia and is just as effective as 12 months of Evenity. I am curious if anyone has tried this yet?