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Struggling with making an osteoporosis treatment decision
I am just struggling to make a decision about my treatment. I had my first bone density test and found I have osteoporosis. I have a couple of -3.2 vertebrae. My hip bones less problematic. I'm 60, active and fit. I've seen an endocrinologist and a rheumatologist who were both highly recommended. Both said "Evenity" before I barely sat down. But there is so little known about Evenity, and nothing known about its long term effectiveness or risk. I've read heart breaking posts from women who were advised to take Prolia with the same assurance and then had multiple debilitating fractures because so little was known/admitted about rebound risk. I am tearful and anxious and sleepless. I've been so healthy my body has carried me through so much life and adventure. I just don't know what to do , whether I'm putting me/my body at risk. Both doctors are paid consultants for Amgen. I feel hopeless and distressed. One of the doctors, although I said I wanted to consider my options, went ahead and got pre authorization for Evenity from my insurance "to show me how easy it would be". I feel cornered. My general doctor also has concerns about me being put on a relatively unknown drug when I haven't tried something like Forteo with a long track record.
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@barboc6612 I was not able to get an financial help with the meds since I'm on Medicare. If a person has commercial insurance they can often get it at $0. That makes no sense to me since someone with commercial insurance has an income and many on medicare do not/are on fixed incomes, but I digress. There is also an $8000 cap so the hit comes to a halt, but still. If Biden is re-elected, the cap will be $2000 in 2025.
Find a good specialist who is willing to team up with you - not easy to come by, but they are out there, I'm told. Good luck!
Wow. Good to know. Definitely cost prohibited for me know as I'm on Medicare and self employed.
Hoping things change in the year to come! I would love to see a cap of $2000.00.! That's still high..but not $8000.00🤪
@barboc6612 Call Radius Assist for Tymlos at (866) 896-5674.
for Forteo (and its generic teriparatide) : try http://www.LillyCares.com or call 1-800-545-6962 to see about income limits.
You have to make something like less than $45,000 to be eligible. I don't know if they go by tax returns or what. I have a call into Tymlos and hope to connect on Monday.
Thanks!
@barboc6612 general doctors tend to prescribe Fosamax as the "first line" medication, partly because insurance tells them to! Your scores are low enough that you can probably qualify for a bone builder like Tymlos, Forteo or Evenity. Tymlos and Forteo are similar; Evenity works a little differently.
I really hope you can get in to see an endocrinologist. Those bone builders will help you and should come first, as @babs10 do helpfully suggested.
Thank you. I do think you are correct. My big concern would be cost as I've seen what those drugs cost.
@barboc6612 The problem is that it's even more expensive to fracture, but I sure understand the dilemma. It's maddening.
Such a dilemma! It's stressful!!
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1 Reactionbarcboc,
I am on Evenity - 12th injections coming up. No problems.
Medicare has paid every penny. I am on traditional Medicare. If your bones are bad enough, Medicare will cover it.
Wow. That's the best news yet! Thank you! yes, I'm on Medicare 😊