Prolia and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Dis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I had my first Prolia injection in June 2016. I have since had 9 injections. I did not relate the severe muscle soreness, joint and bone pain to the drug. I was fit and healthy prior to taking the drug, walking regularly, swimming and lifting weights. Now my life has been ruined. I have difficulty functioning on a daily basis. Simple tasks like getting out of bed, in and out of a chair, in and out of a car, getting dressed and undressed are painful. My strength has decreased alarmingly. I researched the side effects of Prolia, the only drug I was taking. I couldn't believe my eyes. The drug that was supposed to be enhancing my life was destroying my life. The sad thing is a bone-density scan revealed that my bone density had not improved. All the technician could say was that 'it had not become any worse'. I will not be taking Prolia or any other drug again. I will increase the foods in my diet that have high calcium levels and continue to take Calcium and vitamin D and K2."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2020

For Osteoporosis "Both my grandmother and my mother took this medication and it harmed their health. Caused cracked teeth, widespread joint and bone pain, and increased fatigue. It is supposed to help remineralize your bones but it appears to leech the calcium elsewhere in the body. My mom got such horrible cramps in her calves, it was pathetic. Both of them stopped the medication and they are still having side effects years later. This is poison."

• Gem...
• April 30, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I don't know what to think about this medication. I've been using it for 1 year now. I don't sleep due to the bone pain. My shoulders, elbows, and hips are causing excruciating joint pain, especially at rest."

• Onc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I had my first shot in January 2020. The pain in my back and knee has increased unbearably within 24 hours and I now also have night sweats, hip pain, aching joints and intermittent pain in my groin. I also struggle to climb stairs and get up from seated position and to get out of bed. I am sore and fatigued and irritable all day. I am not enjoying my food. Often experience pins and needles in hands and feet and inexplicable sensations in limbs. Cramping easily. Ruined my walking regime. My next shot is scheduled for July. I won't be having it."

• LMa...
• July 29, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I am a 45-year-old female with severe osteoporosis of the spine, osteopenia of the femur and hips. I took Prolia in September of last year and it will be the one and only time that I take it! I was sick within two months of taking this drug! I have been running a fever nonstop, terrible headaches, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, weakness in legs, joint pain, and rashes! This drug is so bad! My life has been turned upside down with this sickness from Prolia, numerous ER visits, doctor appointments, and missing work. I am a single mother who couldn’t afford any of this. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!"

• nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I had my 1st Prolia shot 2 weeks ago. 24 hours after injection, I got a severe headache which I still have. I am having bone and joint pain to the point I have to take prescription pain meds to even function. Previously, I had taken a Reclast infusion, I almost died from side effects. So, my doctor put me on Fosamax. I had no reaction to Fosamax, but my bone scan showed only minimal improvement. That's when my doctor suggested Prolia. I should have refused and stayed on Fosamax, but unfortunately I didn't."

• Cyd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I had my first Prolia injection in October and will never have another one! I now live with constant jaw pain, joint pain, and chronic fatigue. I’ve had to cut out many activities because I feel horrible and can barely get through my exercise class... my oncologist recommended I start on a bone strengthener in case my breast cancer spread. However, I have no evidence of cancer in my breast or anywhere at this point and refuse to feel this bad from a medication. Ladies, do your research before you follow everything your health care provider suggests!"

• MRa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

For Osteoporosis "Since Prolia, I experience intense muscle and joint pain and stiffness in my hips, thighs, and down my legs after exercises such as walking, running, climbing stairs, cycling, or gardening. The pain starts during the exercise activity but grows in severity in the hours and days following, depending on how long the activity was and how demanding. I have changed from being a very active person to someone who worries about all events involving weight-bearing exercises because of the subsequent pain and discomfort, which affects my sleep and rest. I am waiting and hoping the side effects will wear off as time goes on. I have decided not to continue with the treatment unless I get reassurance from healthcare professionals that this is a temporary side effect and the benefits will be worth it, such as the deterioration in my bone density subsides. As it is, I have advanced osteoporosis."

• ang...
• August 25, 2015

For Osteoporosis "HORRIBLE side effects! Loose tooth, needed extraction. Dentist found a healthy root, no problem with tooth. Lumps formed in several places. Rashes, shortness of breath. Hoarseness, headaches, joint pain...many more complaints."

• BJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I am a 76-year-old female. First shot of Prolia on Nov 1, 2019. Side effects started after 3 days. I have always had very low BP. I felt so bad for 2 weeks, someone took my BP and it was very high. Other side effects include joint, shoulder, neck, and knee pain. Day and night sweats are very severe. My side effects aren't nearly as bad as some, so I shouldn't complain. Will not get a second shot."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I had my first and last injection on Dec 15, 2022. The first month was fine, didn't notice a thing. But then, my hips became very sore, my muscles hurt, and I have difficulties walking without pain management. My bedside table is full of pain relief. I have rheumatoid arthritis and take Rinvoq. It is well controlled, however, with the layer of permanent pain, I have no control over how well my other medication works. How can they sell a product which, after you stop it, makes your life even worse? It should not be allowed. I also read through the large study and can't see the benefit of it when your life turns into a pain management exercise. Just don't take it."

• Mol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2019

For Osteoporosis "1st Prolia needle ok, 2nd needle within 2 weeks I got so many side effects of joint pain. Unbelievable arms, legs, even tips of shoulders were sore to touch. I am tired and can’t do what I want to do. My appetite is not good and I have lost weight. I should have looked into Prolia side effects. I would not wish this on anyone. My thoughts and prayers go out to anybody who is on this awful drug Prolia."

• Bac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I found that after having one injection of Prolia, the side effects were worse than the possibility of maybe breaking a bone. I had muscle and joint pain, back pain, vertigo, hip pain, and just felt flu-ish for more than one month after the injection. I now have diarrhea. I will not be taking it again."

• Cat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I have had 6 Prolia injections. With the first 5 injections, I had muscle pain for a few weeks. This was relieved with ibuprofen. I had my 6th injection in February 2019. One week after the injection, I started experiencing severe hip pain. As the days went on, the pain appeared in my shoulders, hands, feet, ankles, knees, and elbows. The pain is so severe I am having trouble walking. It takes me a minimum of 30 minutes to get out of bed. I have been back to my doctor twice, and she says there is nothing she can do but prescribe pain medication. She said it will take 6 months for the medication to wear off. I have read comments from some saying even after 6 months, the pain does not go away. I have read comments from others saying they have not experienced side effects. You are not safe. Stop taking this drug now. Before this drug, I was a healthy, active woman."

• Joe...
• September 27, 2018

For Osteoporosis "My last shot was May 23, 2015. I am still suffering with muscle and joint pain. Never had vertigo before taking seven shots. I have now fallen 4 times! I cannot say 100% that these were caused by Prolia, but I am 99% sure they were caused by the injections I took. My pains and side effects, sorry to say, have not gone away. I post this hopefully to help others about Prolia. I wish I had known in 2012 before ever taking this horrible drug!"

• MTC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2017

For Osteoporosis "Received injection 02/20/2017. Upon the 3rd day, overall body hurt. On the 8th day, with no relief, I contacted the infusion center. They stated it was unusual. On the 12th day, they advised me to contact my primary care physician. I experienced severe thigh bone, muscle, and joint pain in my hips, legs, arms, and shoulders. This discomfort impeded my abilities to exercise. Prior to this injection, I would swim 3 times a week, do daily light weights, and yoga for exercise. I could not put any pressure on my knees if I attempted to kneel down because it felt like my thigh bone was going to break, as well as getting sharp pain in my groin area. To date, August 2017, still discomfort, however, not as severe. Refused 2nd injection. Do not recommend Prolia."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 11, 2019

For Osteoporosis "Had a great rheumatologist who retired. New Dr. Continued Prolia but side effects got so bad, I refused 4th shot. Dr. became very defensive and refused to admit side effects were from Prolia (eczema, sore joints, sweats, nausea, weakness which I never had before) so I now have a new Dr. A woman who I hope will be more understanding. Are some doctors afraid to admit the horrible side effects? They also charged my insurance company for the drug and administration of it, even though I never got the shot. I called the insurance company and told them they need to disallow those charges."

• Flo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 4, 2024

For Osteoporosis "I would not recommend this drug. I have had my second shot, and I regret it. I have experienced joint pain, extreme fatigue at times. Sometimes I feel like I can't breathe. I've had abdominal pain, lower leg edema. I've been miserable at times after taking this drug. It is the worst drug I've ever taken. My cholesterol has gone up, I feel like every week I'm getting sick with an upper respiratory illness. I'm a kidney transplant patient, and after I read the reviews, I told my doctor I didn't want to take this drug, but he insisted I would be fine. Well, he was wrong. I will not take another injection. I was totally fine without this drug. Again, I do not recommend!!!"

• Jud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2019

"I was diagnosed with Osteopenia and on Dec. 3, 2018, I was talked into a shot of Prolia. Within a couple of weeks, I started with a rash on my face. Red spots raised, red spots, some having white spots on them, quite severe. I also experienced knee joint pain. Sometimes when it hit both knees at once, it was difficult to walk. I also experienced back pain, muscle pain ongoing for 6 months. Most of the itchiness on neck and chest has dissipated. The rash on my face will not go away, blotchy and red. So, I am going to my dermatologist. Never again will I take this drug!! All of this has produced stress and depression. It is now June 17, 2019."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 23, 2018

For Osteoporosis "Where do I start, rash on face, loss of hair at one stage, fatigue, jumping out of bed at night with severe cramps in the legs, itchiness all over, pain in the knee, pain in the joints, pain in the side of the head, pain in the feet and big toes, sick in stomach, hearing loss, general weakness, mood change very angry, frequent urinating, weight gain, breathing difficulty, aware of heart rate changing, slight soreness in the mouth nose run-off and on like sinus problem, numbness in hands and arms, I have just had my third shot wish I never did"

• JCa...
• February 12, 2019

For Osteoporosis "+10 lb. weight loss"

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2018

For Osteoporosis "My doctor recommended Prolia, noting that it is a drug that can actually reverse osteoporosis. Unfortunately, I did not carefully review all the literature concerning Prolia before the first injection. Prior to injection, I had a lot of arm muscle and joint pain due to lupus. I also had leg pain. Within 2-3 weeks following the injection, I started having severe arm muscle pain and also leg pain. My knees started to bother me, and one knee got really swollen. It is very hard in the mornings-painful to move my arms and painful to walk. I have also had increased pain in my hands/feet and some neck/jaw pain. In general, this has been horrible. I will not take this drug again."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2018

For Osteoporosis "After my third shot of Prolia, I have had so much joint pain and muscle pain in my hips that I cannot walk without a walker. It started the day after the shot. I also have bad back pain. It has been one and a half months now, and the pain has not resolved. Does it ever go away?"

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2018

For Osteoporosis "I was talked into taking Prolia shots by my RA doctor. I have RA. I wish I had never started this med. I have had back spasms, joint pain, all over. I wasn't aware that after the 4th injection, you have to go back after 3 months and have intravenous Fosamax to keep Prolia in your system, this needs to be done every year. I have had so many side effects caused by this drug. It should be taken off the market. Do not start this drug, is my advice. Oh yes, and every shot, even with insurance, has cost me $500. I can't wait to see my Dexa scan in 3 months. There better be some improvement."

• Sus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 19, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I did not want to take this drug to begin with, and unfortunately, there is no alternative when you have advanced osteoporosis. I have been sick since I started taking it. Out of nowhere, I have suddenly started having all kinds of infections and bone and joint pain. I started Prolia 2 years ago and have been basically sick ever since. DO NOT TAKE this drug. There is now a clinical study about Prolia and death!"