Forteo vs. Tymlos: Which did you choose?

Both Tymlos and Tereparatide have manufacturers coupon. Just Google Tymlos manufacturer’s coupon. Same with Tereparatide. I have used both and paid zero dollars. With these programs you need commercial insurance (from work). Unfortunately you can’t use them with Medicare. I don’t know what is available for low cost with Medicare.

Good evening @sunny65, I thought it might be helpful to share my Tymlos experience with you. @windyshores has helped me understand the importance of sharing our experiences with Tymlos. I selected Tymlos and completed two years without any side effects or discomfort. The results were positive.

May you be safe, protected and free of inner and outer harm.

Chris

Thank you so much for your input, Chris. I am really struggling right now. A lot of pain coming from herniated disc which happened suddenly 5 weeks ago. I can’t sleep at all. I am scheduled for pain block injection in a week. I know it’s affects my already bad bone density but after speaking with specialist I decided to do it. I been fallowing this site and finding it very helpful. At least I don’t feel totally alone. I can’t believe that a couple of months ago I considered myself healthy. Walked 3-4 miles every day and did my stretches . And suddenly I barely can walk a mile. I been doing therapy for my back pain without any success so far. I am planning to start Tymlos some time this month.

@sunny65 did someone tell you that a herniated disc affects bone density? Glad you are starting Tymlos! Sorry for the pain you are in.

@sunny65 did someone tell you that a herniated disc affects bone density? Glad you are starting Tymlos! Sorry for the pain you are in.

I have never heard of a clinic for Forteo. My insurance wants $1,000 a month from me. That's insane! I took Forteo for 1 Year back in 2003 and the doctor didn't know it was for 2 years so now they want to give me the 2nd year but at that price, I can't. Can you tell me how to get in touch with the clinic? Thank you.

My error if my post sounded like there is a Forteo clinic. I get much of my healthcare at Optum of Washington. It was their support staff that encouraged me to apply for financial assistance. They kept calling until I filled it out (I didn't believe I qualified as I thought my income was too high). I filled out a form the clinic sent me. They processed that information with LillyCares Foundation and I was approved for 100% coverage.

I hope that Tymlos works for you and me. Tymlos, (and Forteo-- similar but has to be refrigerated and costs more) are the drugs that have been shown to build bone, not just slow the loss. As my doctor suggested, it is better to increase your bone bank as early as you can. Sorry to hear that you have a broken vertebrae-- the silver lining there is that a non-traumatic break is also satisfies the criteria for insurance coverage. You do not start the medication until you have training. They do have a phone option for training, but my suggestion was for in person, so that the trainer sees your body proportions.

Thank you for writing to me. Not sure how osteoporosis affects herniated disc. I’ve read that steroids in general are not good for the bone density. However, my doctor said that one or two occasional shots doesn’t affect so much. Not as much as pills. On top of everything I have a chronic tailbone pain. Life is not fun right now. A lot of sleepless nights. I appreciate any thought or your advice how to cope with pain.