Evista--WEIGHT GAIN

[JUDY OAK HARBOR WA]

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN EVISTA, I AM 60 AND HAVE OSTEOPEROSIS VERY BAD ESPECIALY IN MY BACK. THE DR. SAYS I COULD BRAKE A BONE BY WATCHING TV. I AM ALSO 208 LBS. I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE.

[Marilyn]

Are you quitting Evista because of weight gain or do you have other issues from taking it?

[Sandy]

I took Actonel and had to stop taking because of a swallowing problem. This month when I went to the doctor I had to schedule a bone density test because it was time again. Last year the doctor gave me a perscription for Evista, which I filled, read the side effects, and decided my choice not to take. My doctor also asked if I took the Evista and I told him I hadn't. Then he told me that after the bone density I may want to take the Evista. I just shook my head thinking probably not. All this medicine has so many side effects and it is like trading one bad problem for another. I am doing my best to exercise, take calcium with D, and loose weight(I have gained 50 lbs)It is really hard to know what to do these days.

[Marilyn]

Sandy,

I don`t blame you one bit! I think these doctors are so pressured to push these drugs that they don`t even consider the long term affects on their patients. I was talking to a friend of mine recently, who is a registered nurse, about my experience with Boniva and Fosomax, and she said not to take them that her doctor told her to take two Extra Strength Tums everyday, and to increase dairy in her diet. I`ve decided to do that. Also, I`ve started walking again. Good luck to you!

[Elaine Australia]

Cathy wrote:

I have had side effects with other osteoporosis Rx, such as severe bone pain, has any one experienced this with Evista?

Hi Cathy, I have been on Evista for 3 weeks and have been experiencing a lot of bone pain. I thought I must be imagining it. I cannot take the Fosamax, as I had very bad reactions to it.

I have also noticed that that I am becoming bloated in the abdomen..not a nice sight!!

Anyone else had the bloating?

[Cathy]

I have taken Evista and Actonel. But now I am not taking anything because of the fear of the side effect...Osteonecrosis of the jaw...which is horrendous! Have others been reading about this?

[Carol]

My oncologist put meon Evista because it was shown to prevent reoccurence of breast cancer. I have osteopenia and GERD so he thought the evista would be a benefit. He just went to a conference and they have now said that it is not as good for women who had invasive cancer,so I will be going back on tamoxifen.
I have not gained a lot of weight but I just had an intestinal flu for three days and I gained weight!

[Krys]

I've been taking Evista for 8 years and haven't had any problems with weight gain. I'm 4 years post meno and still have hot flashes, although they're getting better, so I'm not sure if they're a side effect of Evista. Other than the hot flashes, I haven't had any side effects from Evista; I guess I'm lucky.

[Sunni]

I have been on Evista for 6 years and aside from some minor hot flashes, I haven't had any problems. I has helped me to gain some bone mass back. But they have wanted me to go on Actonel which is better. But I hesitate because of the side affects.

[Bettye]

Wow. Now I am really scared of taking a new drug.I sure do not need to gain weight. My doctor has suggested Evista as he feels I need to be on something. I am having a bone scan in the morning to see where I am. I had been on Fosamax for several years and did well with it, but stopped taking it after hearing about all the scare with dental problems and mouth bone loss. My dentist said it is quite a hot topic right now. I know I probably need something since my mother had serious problems with bone loss. Sure could use some positive feedback on Evista.

[Ann]

I have been taking Evista for two years now and have had persistent weight-gain problems. Up to that point, I was always very slender and could eat pretty much what I wanted. I stopped the Evista one month ago to see what would happen. I immediately lost 5 pounds without changes to my diet or level of activity. I had an unaggressive form of breast cancer 7 years ago, so my doctor wants me to continue to take it because it is supposed to thwart the reocurrance of breasts cancer. But, I really don't like it.

[Beth]

I too was put on Evista after having a dexascan, I can not take hormones due to Stage III class III Melanoma, 20 years ago. Chemo had put me in perimenopause and I had hot flashes and night sweats for more than 18 years. The Evista brought the flashes and even worse night sweats than I previously had. I was only on the Evista for 6 weeks, I stopped it about a month ago and I am still wainting for the flashes and night sweats to stop, if they ever will. I have already had a broken acetabulum (the part of the pelvis where the ball of the hip sits). I do not feel that I can tolerate taking Evista, I will stick with Calcium and Vitamin D. Good Luck to you all

[Brenda]

I have noticed weight gain in just less than a week on Evista. It was prescribed for me a year ago for osteopenia but I discontinued it then because I began working out at a gym. If my weight gain continues, after working very hard to drop over 20 pounds in the previous year, I may discontinue it even though my doctor says it is safe. I have stroke and heart attacks in my family history although I have not experienced any symptoms and my blood pressure and cholesterolcounts are all normal. Osteoporosis is a major factor in my family history but my weight maintenance is a huge issue for me.

[Liz]

I've been taking Evista for 6 mos for osteopenia and just had my blood work done for cholesterol etc. For the first time in years, my triglycerides are up dramatically. Has anyone else experienced this...my diet is the same, very little sugar, a little red wine...

[Judy]

I have been on Evista for a month primarily since I cannot take Fosamax, etc. But, now I am wondering if I should be taking them after all. My hot flashes have continued, and I too am having trouble loosing weight. I can say that the weight issue is not terrible, but the fear of stroke is! My dad had a stroke, and my Mom has had a bypass....what is a person to do. Mom also has osteoperosis...I feel like I am doomed. I took premarin for years and felt like a million dollars and I am now 63 and beginning to feel tired and run down. I wish I could go back on Permarin.

[barbara]

i've been on evista for 4 wks now, and am experiencing weight gain, despite what i eat-next to nothing! i'm ready to get off of it at age 63 and take my chances w/ breast cancer. i am at risk for it, and it runs in the family. as i write this, maybe weight gain is preferable to the possible alternative!

[Carol]

This is an old post, so hopefully the poster is still reading. Very young age for osteoporosis. I hope your doctor has run tests to rule out an underlying cause. I was also in my 40s with osteoporosis. Turned out it was parathyroid disease (hyperparathyroidism). A benign tumor on the parathyroid gland causes excessive calcium to be pulled out of bone. Please check calcium, PTH, and ionized calcium. If calcium values are high, or even high normal with inappropriate PTH, that would be the reason behind bone loss.

Dana wrote:

Hi. I;ve just been given the medication to use. I've had osrteoporosis for more than 5 years , I'm not post menopausal and I haven't had any treatment till now. I already have a weight problem and I really do not want to agrevate that problem. I've already had an appetite problem and have been working hard at reducing the amount of carbs I do eat now. After reading what you have written I am hoping that the Evista tabs don't bring me back to square one with combating my weight problem as I'm a diabetic and need to lose weight.
I know that not treating the osteoporosis however can lead to other problems and I already suffer from much backpain as a result of not taking care of it. I had a grandmother whose osteo had her using a walking stick and she was almost bent double before she reached the age of 50 (fortunately the treatment she went on 40 plus years ago helped her and her posture had improved). So for me I need to weigh up the pros and cons or look up alternatives for treatment. I am 44.

[jane]

I have been taking Evista for 2 months now and have put on 5 lbs..I have not changed my eating habits and exercise daily, play tennis 3x week, etc. I am going off Evista immediately as I know it is causing my weight gain - which is not going to help my bones anyway! I will let nature take its course by eating healthily, exercising and not taking any of these drugs!

[Lidia]

I have been taking evista since july/07.
i take it for 5 days with a brake on weekends to "flush" some of the side effects.
I have noticed constipation,some weight gain,but that can be managed with more regular excercise.
For past 2 months,though,I have been experiencing jaw pain and my gums on one side are very tender to cold,i notice i clench my teeth more ,so as of this week, i have stopped taking it,and i'm seeing my dentist next week.
I want to know if anyone else has experienced this effect by taking evista.

[Suz]

Has anyone experienced withdraw like symptoms after stopping Evista? Aching in the bones all over?