Forteo vs. Tymlos: Which did you choose?

Posted by suze317 @suze317, Oct 17, 2018

I have to make a decision on Forteo vs. Tymlos and am not sure what to choose. Forteo has been around a lot longer, but has to be refrigerated. Tymlos only around 1 1/2 years but is shelf stable and seems to have less side effects and less issues with calcium. Can anyone offer their perspective? Thank you!

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@babs10

@laoaca70 Even on Medicare, if you make under a certain amount annually, you can get financial assistance. I don't remember the exact amount but it's in the mid to low $40Ks.

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Thank you so much, I will call to find out about my situation. If it’s works for me I have to talk to my endocrinologist again before I start the treatment because right now I have another pain from my lower spine my hips and the pain go down to my both knees , legs and feet and sometimes feel burning for all of them , I tried Tylenol 2 of 500 mg it helped I feel better now.

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@sunny65

Hi ,@windyshores. I been having a therapy for two weeks without much improvement. The disc in my spine pressing nerve and the pain is very very bad. The worst part is that it’s radiating to my knees ( they feel locked). I am so hesitant to start Tymlos. Even I know I have to! Decided call pain doctor and get a cortisone shot . My endocrinologist doesn’t like it but I have to be able to function. Would you advise to start Tymlos before the shot or wait and start in a week or two? I value your opinion very much. I am very scared of another fracture ( I have a 4 in my spine already.

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@sunny65 I encourage you to try Tymlos! I know it's scary but you can try a full dose, then if you don't like it you can go down to 1/2 dose or eve 1/4 dose and let your body get used to it. With a -4 in your spine it will be very helpful. I had impressive gains from Tymlos.

Rather than a cortisone shot, can you try a lidocaine shot? Or massage at PT?

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@laoaca70

Thank you so much, I will call to find out about my situation. If it’s works for me I have to talk to my endocrinologist again before I start the treatment because right now I have another pain from my lower spine my hips and the pain go down to my both knees , legs and feet and sometimes feel burning for all of them , I tried Tylenol 2 of 500 mg it helped I feel better now.

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@laoaca what is your pain's cause? Do you have osteoarthritis? Stenosis? Fractures?

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@windyshores

@laoaca what is your pain's cause? Do you have osteoarthritis? Stenosis? Fractures?

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I am not sure I might have osteoarthritis besides osteoporosis, I told my primary doctor last visit on 4/17/24 she said I might have arthritis she just told me to put hot and cold bag on it ,but I didn’t do it I just use hot and cold shower over my lower back through my feet and take turns about 10 minutes for each. Today I feel a lot better I am not sure because that shower or because I tried not to eat eggs for 2 days,I eat 2 eggs a day. 😁😂😝

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@windyshores

@sunny65 I encourage you to try Tymlos! I know it's scary but you can try a full dose, then if you don't like it you can go down to 1/2 dose or eve 1/4 dose and let your body get used to it. With a -4 in your spine it will be very helpful. I had impressive gains from Tymlos.

Rather than a cortisone shot, can you try a lidocaine shot? Or massage at PT?

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My PT tried cupping, needles w/ electric stimulation, massage… exercises…etc. Not sure why my back and knees lock every day at the same time- after 4 pm. My pain doctor didn’t offer lidocaine shot. I was reading about cortisone shot and osteoporosis. Most articles say that long usage of pills would affect bone density but occasional cortisone shots not that much. I am thinking to start lowest dose on Tymlos and slowly increase. I almost always have bad reactions to any sort of medications. For example anti inflammatory affects my vision- I barely can see. So, I avoid them. I am going to ask doctor about lidocaine. I used 5% lidocaine patch- didn’t help me much. Not sure what to do.

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@laoaca70

Thank you so much for your answer and your advise, I checked online about the program that helps people for osteoporosis treatment they can’t give to people who already have Medicare part D like I do now ,but I think I am going to look for the new company for Medicare part D that pays for Forteo or Tymlos .

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I started nearly 3 years ago and finished at the end of last September. I was on part D and received full coverage for Forteo. Nothing at all out of pocket. In my case, it was the clinic (a large one) I go to that did the paperwork. I think that made the difference. They kept telling me to fill out the forms. I didn't believe I would qualify because of income level. I finally filled them out and was 100% covered.

I'm curious, is there anyone else on here that applied for assistance through their clinic?

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@lkel

I started nearly 3 years ago and finished at the end of last September. I was on part D and received full coverage for Forteo. Nothing at all out of pocket. In my case, it was the clinic (a large one) I go to that did the paperwork. I think that made the difference. They kept telling me to fill out the forms. I didn't believe I would qualify because of income level. I finally filled them out and was 100% covered.

I'm curious, is there anyone else on here that applied for assistance through their clinic?

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Thank you so much for your information. I’m going to find out soon about Forteo or Tymlos.
Did you have any side effects on Forteo ?
What kind of treatment after you finished I mean after 2 years of Forteo ?
Thank you.

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@laoaca70

Thank you so much for your information. I’m going to find out soon about Forteo or Tymlos.
Did you have any side effects on Forteo ?
What kind of treatment after you finished I mean after 2 years of Forteo ?
Thank you.

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The only thing I would call a side effect lasted about 10 days right after I first started Forteo. It was some bone pain, not specifically located at the injection site. It was noticeable, but not severe. I continued on to see if it would go away and it did.

I'm following up with alendronate. My Endocrinologist prefers it because it because it is only one of the class that you can take a break from (though he said the break is about 5 years out).

I rejoiced when I was done and now Forteo is just a blip in my memory.

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@lkel

The only thing I would call a side effect lasted about 10 days right after I first started Forteo. It was some bone pain, not specifically located at the injection site. It was noticeable, but not severe. I continued on to see if it would go away and it did.

I'm following up with alendronate. My Endocrinologist prefers it because it because it is only one of the class that you can take a break from (though he said the break is about 5 years out).

I rejoiced when I was done and now Forteo is just a blip in my memory.

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Have you had a Bone Density Test lately ?
Did you have side effects on Alendronate ?
Thank you so much.😊

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@laoaca70

Have you had a Bone Density Test lately ?
Did you have side effects on Alendronate ?
Thank you so much.😊

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My bone density increase was 11% total. 6% the first year and 5% the second My last scan was last year, either late summer or early fall.
I've had no side effects on Alendronate.

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