1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

What to do!

Posted by guinivere @guinivere, Apr 18 12:04am

My endocrinologist today through her nurse has let me know that my tests are back & she wants me to go on either Fosomax or
Prolia & she wants my decision like tomorrow! I know I have to get going on something as I am 86 with bad bone density numbers - like 3.6, 3.6 & 3.4. What to do!!!!!!!!

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windyshores | @windyshores | Apr 21 6:33am

Many people do fine on Reclast. Except for the first two days or so, when some feel fluish.

My doctors worry about my afib and my lower kidney function so am getting a low 20% dose with IV hydration and slow infusion. In 2-3 months. Have done Tymlos for 2 years and some amount of Evenity for 4 months.

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ravenh | @ravenh | Apr 21 8:47am
In reply to @guinivere "Re all the bad possibilities of numbers like mine at my age (86), I am doing..." + (show)
@guinivere

Re all the bad possibilities of numbers like mine at my age (86), I am doing pretty well considering. I am single (divorced my ex eons ago) & have run a cat rescue here for almost 20 years. I have 9 in my house, some of whom sleep with me regularly. I have always wanted a magical genie to come do the litter boxes but so far none has appeared
I also have had COPD for a while, maybe 6 years. Osteoporosis is my latest gift & one I would very much like to return!
I have only fallen once, about a year ago,& fractured a bone in my wrist which hurts on occasion & then I wear that bionic looking brace for a while & things are better.
I live in Wisconsin on a little Wisconsin River village where there is a place right next to the river that serves wonderful macaroni & cheese & dark beer. I am going to head out there now!

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Your wonderful too!!

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scbarb79 | @scbarb79 | Apr 21 1:02pm
In reply to @freckle1 "With those numbers at your age I don't think you have much choice, sadly. -2.5 is..." + (show)
@freckle1

With those numbers at your age I don't think you have much choice, sadly. -2.5 is officially osteoporosis. My doctor told me that older osteoporosis patients sometimes fracture their bones merely by turning over in bed. As to Fosamax v. Prolia all I can say is that Fosamax gave my mother severe jaw problems, so I am biased. Others will be in a better position to comment.

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I got a rash when I took Fosamax

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sandrac | @sandrac | Apr 22 8:22am

I did very well on Prolia and no side effects for many years. When you go off though, after a number of years, it does need to be followed by Reclast infusion for a year or another antiresorptive drug so you don’t lose what you gained. I was fine on Reclast after feeling fluish for first few days. Good luck!

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1 reply
guinivere | @guinivere | Apr 22 2:15pm
In reply to @sandrac "I did very well on Prolia and no side effects for many years. When you go..." + (show)
@sandrac

I did very well on Prolia and no side effects for many years. When you go off though, after a number of years, it does need to be followed by Reclast infusion for a year or another antiresorptive drug so you don’t lose what you gained. I was fine on Reclast after feeling fluish for first few days. Good luck!

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I would probably stay on it as Iam 86 now.

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bluebonnet242 | @bluebonnet242 | Apr 22 8:45pm

@windyshores , @gently @mayblin i wasn’t sure where to post this. I just received a denial for prior authorization for Tymlos saying the medicine can only be approved if the patient has a diagnosis of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (my hip is -3.8) at high risk of fracture. I fractured my hip and wrist 5 months ago.

Dexa says 10 year fracture risk not reported because some t-score for spine total or hip total or femoral neck at or below -2.5. My spine is -3.1 and my femoral neck is -2.4.

Should I first talk to my doctor on how to appeal this? Any advice would be appreciated from anyone who has gone through this. Thanks so much.

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3 replies
mayblin | @mayblin | Apr 22 9:52pm
In reply to @bluebonnet242 "@windyshores , @gently @mayblin i wasn’t sure where to post this. I just received a denial..." + (show)
@bluebonnet242

@windyshores , @gently @mayblin i wasn’t sure where to post this. I just received a denial for prior authorization for Tymlos saying the medicine can only be approved if the patient has a diagnosis of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (my hip is -3.8) at high risk of fracture. I fractured my hip and wrist 5 months ago.

Dexa says 10 year fracture risk not reported because some t-score for spine total or hip total or femoral neck at or below -2.5. My spine is -3.1 and my femoral neck is -2.4.

Should I first talk to my doctor on how to appeal this? Any advice would be appreciated from anyone who has gone through this. Thanks so much.

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You could start a new discussion so more ppl can see your message and chime in. You need an endo to appeal and appeal again

There are frax calculators online, different versions, that you can use to calculate your frax risk. But your recent fractures could easily put you in osteoporosis category even you have t scores in osteopenia range. Some endos diagnose op that way. Of course, the circumstance under which you broke your bones counts.

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1 reply
gravity3 | @gravity3 | Apr 23 7:05am
In reply to @bluebonnet242 "@windyshores , @gently @mayblin i wasn’t sure where to post this. I just received a denial..." + (show)
@bluebonnet242

@windyshores , @gently @mayblin i wasn’t sure where to post this. I just received a denial for prior authorization for Tymlos saying the medicine can only be approved if the patient has a diagnosis of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (my hip is -3.8) at high risk of fracture. I fractured my hip and wrist 5 months ago.

Dexa says 10 year fracture risk not reported because some t-score for spine total or hip total or femoral neck at or below -2.5. My spine is -3.1 and my femoral neck is -2.4.

Should I first talk to my doctor on how to appeal this? Any advice would be appreciated from anyone who has gone through this. Thanks so much.

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Yes. Make it known to your doc and see if he is able to intervene in some fashion

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1 reply
bluebonnet242 | @bluebonnet242 | Apr 23 9:01am
In reply to @mayblin "You could start a new discussion so more ppl can see your message and chime in...." + (show)
@mayblin

You could start a new discussion so more ppl can see your message and chime in. You need an endo to appeal and appeal again

There are frax calculators online, different versions, that you can use to calculate your frax risk. But your recent fractures could easily put you in osteoporosis category even you have t scores in osteopenia range. Some endos diagnose op that way. Of course, the circumstance under which you broke your bones counts.

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Thanks @mayblin I currently see a rheumatologist. Do I try to switch to an endo at this point or have the rheumatologist appeal for me since they started the process. The only area I have osteopenia is the femoral neck, which I fractured 5 months ago. The spine and hip are osteoporosis. I fell by tripping over uneven sidewalk while walking in the park.

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2 replies
bluebonnet242 | @bluebonnet242 | Apr 23 9:02am
In reply to @gravity3 "Yes. Make it known to your doc and see if he is able to intervene in..." + (show)
@gravity3

Yes. Make it known to your doc and see if he is able to intervene in some fashion

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Thanks @gravity3

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