I've had problems with Fosamax and can't take Boniva due to kidney failure. But the Prolia is a 6 month injection or infusion, so I'm concerned about side effects.
Thanks for any input.
Anyone tried Prolia for osteoporosis? If so, did you have any side effects from it?
Question posted by sara12345 on 18 July 2012
Last updated on 25 March 2025
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
100 Answers Page 3
Wezebeze
16 Feb 2023
Had first injection of Prolia in August. Now I am due for second this month. Since September I have been having back pain that caused me to go to orthopedic surgeon. No surgery needed just PT. So here I am doing PT and still having problems. Thinking seriously about not having it. T scores are all above 3.2. Walk 4 miles everyday. However this back pain has me wondering about this injection again.
sara12345
16 Feb 2023
Sorry about your pain. You should look at the many responses from those who have had bad side effects from Prolia. I had bad side effects for 10 years after just 1 shot of Prolia. I am 71 years old and have gained over 9% more bone since the last bone density test. My endocrinologist said that was from my estrogen patches. I have not been able to exercise at all since my stroke 14 years ago. So the estrogen was the only way that this happened. The many great effects from estrogen far outweigh the slight risks from estrogen--with the patch.
Wezebeze
17 Feb 2023
Thanks for your response. I have had a total hysterectomy at age 23. And have taken estrogen your 40 plus years. Off of it now. Cause my Dr said it is time to. Hmm will talk to Dr. About next injection.
sara12345
17 Feb 2023
How wonderful to get a response. Usually people don't bother. You should go to the manufacturer's website for Prolia and click on possible side effects. It has a lot of truly horrible ones. See for yourself. I wonder why your doctor thought it was time to stop estrogen. Around here it depends on the gynecologist. Some are leery and others are fine with it. I also wonder what changes you felt after you had stopped estrogen. It made a huge difference with my quality of life, but it doesn't seem to have had an ill effect for you. That's good, except the lack of estrogen will cause bones to deteriorate more. If you decide to get another injection, I do hope that your second injection of Prolia won't cause worse pain as you sometimes see in the responses. I would be interested to know what you decide and how it goes. In any case, I do wish you the very best.
Wanda1997
16 Feb 2023
I took 3 of the shots and on last one my hip socket and knees starting hurting none stop and I mean horrible pain . I would never take another as long as I live !!! Then I tried Actonel and one drug it almost burned my stomach up
sara12345
18 Feb 2023
Very sorry to hear that. I think that you've made the right decision to not get any more shots of it.
Pamdora
16 Feb 2023
On my second dose of prolia. The first one I had no side effects. Second one three weeks in feeling pins and needles and tingling through my body. Anyone else experience this ?
arla7247
19 July 2023
I had and have horrible foot & leg pain , maybe its all connected
Inactive
1 Dec 2022
I am 77 and I took alendronate for 9 months then stopped because of side effects and reduced kidney function. Now my Rheumatology Doctor prescribed me denosumab (Prolia) for my osteoporosis. (my DEXA scan results are around -2.5). I read most of the comments here. I see People complained about denosumab and got pains and no benefits. I am really confused about this situation. I think I am not going to get denosumab. I am now on calcium carbonate and vitamin D only. What can you guys recommend to me for my situation?
sara12345
18 Feb 2023
Many, probably most do not have the bad side effects from Prolia, but as you can see from this question as well as others on this website, there are a lot of us who have suffered from it. In my case, about 10 years. And look at the manufacturer's website where they list MANY terrible side effects.
Other ways for your bones listed online are:
Eat Lots of Vegetables. Vegetables are great for your bones. ...
Perform Strength Training and Weight-Bearing Exercises. Engaging in specific types of exercise can help you build and maintain strong bones. ...
Consume Enough Protein. ...
Eat High-Calcium Foods Throughout the Day. ...
Get Plenty of Vitamin D and Vitamin K. ...
Avoid Very Low-Calorie Diets. ..
BTW, based on my blood work, my doctor told me NOT to take any calcium. She said I was getting enough in my diet, and having too much with calcium pills would be detrimental.
I don't know if you saw my response above. I am 71 and got over 9% more bone density just from estrogen patches. I was not able to exercise after a stroke. Some doctors are deadset against it, while others look at the research more closely and do prescribe it. But you would need to ask your doctor about having it based on your medical history. Go to the Cleveland Clinic (a very reputable medical clinic) to see the benefits, including protecting your heart and brain, improving muscle mass, boosting your mood and improving your sex life. HOWEVER, they do say that if you wait 10 years after menopause to start hormone replacement therapy, there are risks of a number of diseases. My mother had bad osteoporosis, but was very careful. She died at 88 years and never broke a bone. I know that it is a difficult decision to make. I would be interested to know what you decide and wish you good luck.
arla7247
19 July 2023
Don't just stop.
sues06
19 Nov 2022
Do not take it.A bad drug
sues06
19 Nov 2022
I had been on Actonel for 18yrs ( on 4 years and off 4yrs). Never a problem. My doctor offered Prolia 9/21 and then 3/22. Never told effects
Horrible reactions starting June 2022. It has destroyed my immune system, which always was very high. Covid with strep throat, 3 UTI’s Severe, rashes, itching, huge red blotches under skin top of hands and lower arms, severe thinning of blood and now jaw, gum infection. Do NOT take this drug/ it will ruin your body.
awessel27
5 July 2022
July28, 2021 Prolia injection
Aug 12 appointment with APRN horrible rash (now I realize it was the Prolia) and wrist pain. X rays = nothing, headache, rash, prescribed steroid pack and Benadryl
Aug 19 swelling down removed support, the steroids did a great job on my wrist!
Aug 21 swelling back and pain returned
Au 27 told to ice, over the counter pain relief and reapply support
Sept 25 pain now up to my shoulder, much worse at night, dropping stuff constantly still with support
Sept 27 lost a resin filling in tooth 10, simply fell out, went to dentist. Was explained to me on Prolia I cannot have some procedures preformed. Dentist diagnosed my teeth were getting loose, recommended to brush several times a day and floss often too. The pain continues but weirdly. My left wrist and knee cap, both previous broken, hurt all the tine and are very sensitive. My arms and shoulders ache horribly and my neck sounds like crunchy granola when I move it. My carpal tunnel continues with the same symptoms too. I am totally exhausted and do not sleep well again. Taking bio identical hormones the insomnia have had dissipated but returns now. Dizzy attacks have started.
Oct 5 asked for referral to Dr Skinner Riverwalk Orthopedic
Oct 6 too tired about 2-3pm to even fall asleep for a nap. Pain in my teeth when chewing, found another lose tooth.
Oct 7 maybe 2-3 hours of sleep and now visual disturbances black dot center field of vision, went away and then from upper left quadrant to lower right quadrant broken lines ———
Oct 8 6 ibuprofen—good partial day, 4 at bedtime woke up at 5 am with enormous pain took 6 ibuprofen.
Oct 11 no sleep neck began to hurt
Oct 12 Yesterday by far has been the worst day ever. My back (above waist) started to hurt, my neck is stiff, my arms, shoulders, wrists, knees and feet hurt. It hurts to lift a glass of water, to pet a dog, to lay on a float in the pool, to sleep, walk around and I am sad, close to tears often. I am not looking for anything just trying to document what is happening to me for my record. My carpal tunnel is still bad and that did start about one month prior to the injection. My elbows and left knee joints/bones catch and then hurt terrible (for a couple seconds) when they pop. I really would like to see Dr for my wrist, I was hoping it would go away and have iced and worn the support. I feel it has been over worked due to the Colles fracture on the left one. Do I have to just adjust to this for the rest of my life? Is there any chance a Ortho may be able to help? If I take 6 ibuprofen in the morning it will dull the pain so I can function for a several hours. I know that product is hard on the stomach I only do it in the morning and it lasts until about 2 or 3 pm. I do have an appointment with you on the 27th Oct and a blood draw prior to that on 12th Oct. You warned me but like most women I never believed it would happen to me. I have been healthy, active, slender and happy all my life.
Oct 13 same but now with the edition of left calf pain.
Oct 14 ibuprofen does control the constant pain for awhile
Oct 19 upper left quadrant of teeth so sore I could only eat soup
Oct 20 teeth pain gone
Oct 21 pain continues in every major injury point in my body. Both wrists, left knee, booth feet, both arms & shoulders (only previous injury right shoulder - 2021 dislocated) and neck. All sounds like crunchy granola when popping occurs and the pops hurts but only as occurring. I have had multiple fractures of feet and toes, very bad whiplash ‘89, Colles fracture in 2019 left wrist, carpal tunnel right wrist diagnosed 2014 with a flare up in July 2021, broken left knee cap 2020. Not to sure Prolia is the right drug for me and I will never take an injection of any new medicine again. Only the old proven drugs for me.
Oct 23 pain is less but still flares up, not much sleep lately.
Oct 25 maybe 4 hours of sleep, left wrist hurt very badly this evening and then went away. Left wrist bone popped for the first time since surgery, pain and then just sore.
Squeezing clip hangers hurts, putting arms behind back hurts, twisting a cap off hurts, pushing a button hurts, dropping things all the time. Using 2 hands to carry drinks, food, cook etc.
July 2022 diagnosed with high RF, ANA all high, platelets and monocytes H or L now. Calcium H too. Still lots of pain in previous injury spots and wrists, fingers and hands. Prolia is not a good drug! So one year later after ONE 6 month injection it still sucks. Do not do this stuff.
sara12345
7 July 2022
Very sorry to hear about your problems with Prolia. With all the horrible reports, it wouldn't seem to be a good option to risk these problems. In my case, my side effects from just one Prolia injection lasted 10 years. A dental surgeon told me that with Prolia there is a risk with dental surgery for 10 years. So they DO KNOW that these effects from Prolia do not just last 6 months. You did a remarkable job of noting all your problems with dates. Anyone with problems should report it to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report by telephone. Or there is an easy form that you can fill in online. It is FDA Form 3500.
awessel27
17 Sep 2023
update: diagnosed with RA, had a bout with repeated pain and was prescribed all kinds of cancer drugs. Nope, stopped that after 3 tries. Now blood tests show no RA. Prolia can really change your body badly. Dealing with bone loss and dental problems, dentist wants to pull all of my upper teeth. Diagnosed with a really rare dental disease. None of these bizarre diagnosis are in any of my family history. I truly feel like a I made a major mistake by taking this drug. I understand it works for some but it sure has FU my life.
SunnyDi
1 July 2022
I've been taking Prolia for almost 10 years. Love that I don't have to remember to take a pill each week. I've had no side effects. I am at high risk for a broken hip or leg and with Prolia I feel I'm much better protected than with a pill. Really like the convenience of getting a six month injection while at my checkup with physician.
hornswoggle
6 Jan 2024
That's a very long time to be taking Prolia. Have they discussed relaying off Prolia with you? It's not a drug you can take forever and the longer you're on it, the more likely you are to have serious side effects.
Jo1952
30 June 2022
I had breathing problems and headaches and it lowered my sodium blood and I had to be in the hospital for sodium I Virus
hailey09
30 June 2022
I have been using Prolia for approximately 8 years. I have never had any side effects from it and my progress has been exceptional. Before using Prolia I had 2 years of Forteo. Prolia is so much easier.
Emily64
30 June 2022
I took the injection a year ago. The first injection I had a lower back ache for 6 months. The 2nd injection, I had the absolute worst pain in my shoulder joints. It was excruciating. I could barely move my arms. No pain med, prescription or over the counter even touched it, so I suffered for 6 months. I would never recommend Prolia. The side effects aren't worth it. Of course this was my experience with it. My neighbor takes it and has no side effects.
jdingler
29 June 2022
I have been taking the Prolia shots for 2 years, I have severe leg pains for two weeks, The pain seems to be worse than ever. very tired all the time.
My sister was also put on these shots. Same situation. I just wonder if we are used as gunny pigs
I was never told you need to take calcium and vitamin D I had to research this on my own. Going today for a bone density test to see if the shots are doing any good. I almost cry every time I take these shots. I feel my legs will stop working before I break a bone. good luck if you ever have these shots.
hailey09
30 June 2022
Prolia doesn't work unless you take 600 mg of Calcium twice per day and at least 2000 mg of D3 per day. You shouldn't take too much more than that. You also need to have blood tests every 6 months to check your D3 and blood Calcium levels BEFORE receiving your Prolia injections. You also should have an endocrinologist monitoring your progress, not your primary care doctor. I have been on Prolia for 8 years and it works very well.
Jo1952
8 April 2022
Yes breathing problems low blood pressure, muscle spasms,pain in feet and hands. Headache’s.
Will not take it again
Jo1952
18 March 2022
Yes I have a breathing problem I think I might be allergic to the medication injection and I still have 5 more months. I have muscle spasms, body very sore and sensitive. I am going to see a pulmonary specialist next week for a nebularor spray to help me. Get through this. Be very careful reading the side effects and decide if it’s right for you. I am very sensitive to medications. I will not stay on this after the 6 months
Susiq blue
4 Sep 2021
I have been on this for 5 yrs. sometimes I don’t notice any side effects. Sometimes I have bone or muscle pain for a week or so. Nothing serious. Good luck!
Related topics
boniva, fosamax, osteoporosis, renal failure, side effect, injection, prolia
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