Menopause Support Group

Anybody take Evista or have taken Evista. I was just put on it, but I'm very hesitant to take it. I got the results of my bone density test, and there's weakness in the area of my spine where I have arthritis. I read the info on it, and it scares me to even take it. Mainly due to I have Edema in my legs and feet already, reason I don't want to take it, I don't care to take a risk of getting a stroke, that's in my family history, and my Grandpa died of a stroke, I'm on Meloxicam, generic for Mobic for the arthritis, and it has a lot of high risks, almost the same as Evista, as far as heart. I have high blood pressure, which is under control, due to meds I'm on. I plan on calling the doctor this morning, due to until I'm sure it's going to be safe for me, I have no desires to risk it. I have enough health problems, I sure don't plan to add more, mainly due to a new medication. Not worth it for me. I am taking calcium supplement which also has Vitamin D. I can't get in the sun, due to meds I'm on, reason I have to make sure I'm taking a Vitamin D supplement, and it's with the Calcium supplement. Just wanting to see what you all can suggest. Thank you, Donna

I have never taken Evista so I'm not able to offer an opinion.

However, here's a couple of things you can do:

1. Take a written list of every medication including ALL supplements; names, dosages, when you take it and why to your pharmacist and ask them to run a report about any indications and conflicts. I find they can be the best source of information.

2. If it's different doctor's that are prescribing the different medications, always have your medication and supplement list with you and when the doctor wants to prescribe a new drug, pull the list out, hand it to him and say: will this new drug have any conflicts or indications with these other drugs?

Every one of your doctors should have a list of every medication/supplement you take. Don't rely on memory or thinking that because you filled out their form while in the waiting room, they actually read it.

I keep mine on an Excel spreadsheet. The medications are grouped by the time of day I take them. I have the name, dosage, day,time, why, and doctor prescribing it.

If you would like a blank copy, please PM me. If using Excel is not an option, you can print out the blank one and fill it in by hand. I can also send it it PDF format as well.

This will be your best avenue of knowing if, how and why your drugs may or may not interact with one another.

Thank you for replying to my post azsunshine. All my doctors have a list of what I'm taking. I do exactly like you do for all my doctors. I keep it in my computer, and when I go to a doctor, I make sure all the medication is up to date before I print it out.

I did talk to the nurse, and told her my concerns, due to I do have edema in my legs and feet, I have high blood pressure, and reminded her of stroke being in my family history, as well as heart. She suggest I try it for a week, but it still scares me to even take it. She said I didn't have to but is concerned of some weakness showing on the bone density test which is the doctors main concern. I can't look at it like they do, due to all my other health problems, and don't want to risk getting blood clots, and the risks scare me if I start taking the medication. It's a no win situation for me. Donna

Morning Donna,

As I read what your post, it's good that the doctors have a list. However, just because it's in the file doesn't mean they read it.

Do you actually go over the list item by item with the doctor, not the nurse if they want to prescribe something new, especially if you have concerns?

Also, You have to take charge and insist they be concerned about your other health problems. It doesn't have to be a no win situation, if you take charge and insist they address your concerns. Telling the nurse what you did is a good start, but in reality she probably doesn't know how all your medications interact together. A pharmacist is the best resource for that.

I have serious medical issues too that causes me to see quite a few doctors: rheumatologist, kidney doctor, neurologist, Pulmonary doctor, ENT and more. I take some pretty dangerous drugs as well, Enbrel and Methotrexate to name two of them. A genetic blood clotting disorder called Leiden Factor V runs in my family. My father has hundreds of blood clots in his body. So I completely understand your concerns.

That's why it's so, so important to take charge and insist the doctor take the time to go over every med and condition with you.

Mentioning concerns to a nurse is like putting water on the ground next to a plant and not on it. The plant might get a little, but most is wasted.

Good afternoon, azsunshine. I tried to call my primary doctor today to talk to her, as I usually do get to talk to her, not the nurse. She wasn't in the office today, so I'll be calling her on Monday. I won't take any medication for estrogen as well. I have told the other doctor that from the get go. Shows she didn't listen to me when she prescribed the Evista. She knows my Mom had Breast Cancer, she had to get both her breasts removed, and it's due to she was on Estrogen replacement medication for too long, reason I'll never take medication like that, not even for the bones. There's other medications out there, and not as dangerous as that one is. My husband, and my family is also agreeing with me. I'd be willing to try Boniva, even though there's risk of esophical cancer, I'm at that risk anyways due to Celiac Disease as well as Acid Reflux. I see more good than harm with that medication, and it's not daily, which is another plus for me. The Evista remains in the bag untouched. I just won't risk it like that. Even my arthritis medication isn't as dangerous as that. I'll keep you all posted. What's a few more days without medication for it? I can wait till I talk to my Primary Doctor. She's been so good and helpful for me. Thank you, Donna