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Questions about Reclast for osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: May 31 10:56am | Replies (51)Comment receiving replies
I am trying to decide which medication to start with for my osteoporosis. My recent DEXA scan was not good showing -3.9 at lumbar spine. First endo recommended Reclast, but said I could take Fosamax to see how I respond as far as side effects. My blood calcium levels are in the high-normal range, so are a concern with Tymlos or Forteo. Plus I only have one parathyroid gland so am concerned about taking drugs that are a form of parathyroid hormone. Evenity was mentioned, but I think I should check with a cardiologist first? I read that Reclast and Fosamax have similar results with BMD. I read they build bone too?
Why are these not recommended if you want to take a bone builder later? I read the bone building drugs are usually reserved for people that have had fractures. I have not, as far as I know. Does anyone recommend some type of scan to look for silent fractures, before beginning osteo meds? I see a new endo in a couple weeks to get a 2nd opinion.
Replies to "I am trying to decide which medication to start with for my osteoporosis. My recent DEXA..."
Fosamax does not build bone, Tymlos and Forteo do. Fosamax maintains bone density and strengthens bones but does not build new bone. However as with all osteo meds, Fosamax has some side effects that I didn’t want to deal with and I needed to build new bone so I chose Tymlos. My bone density was severely compromised and Tymlos has improved my spine by 11%. I’m hoping for more improvement when I have my next scan in July. This is a crazy journey for sure. Hope it’s an easy one for u. Rose 🌹
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The “typical” bone builders lately are Tymlos and Evenity. I did Tymlos, had bad side effects and switched to Evenity. To address the cardiovascular issues associated with Evenity, I spoke with my cardiologist to get his blessing and would recommend the same to anyone wanting to use Evenity. And regular monitoring of calcium on either Tymlos or Evenity is indicated, especially if one has a high or high-normal range.
My T-scores were not “bad enough”, according to my rheumatologist, to begin treatment with Tymlos/Evevnity, however, once I’d had four compression fractures, he thought it would be best to do a bone building med; due to the number of fractures, I would be approved for Tymlos and/or Evenity, T-scores not withstanding. I’d had numerous Reclast infusions that “held” my scores but Reclast is not indicated long term. I didn’t really have any significant T-score improvement from Reclast, however, my spine moved from OP to normal after 8-1/2 months of Tymlos and 5 of Evenity.
For what it’s worth, I had already had two or three fractures over a span of several years before my doc ordered an x-ray and I was shocked to learn that this type of spontaneous fracture can occur from sneezing, coughing . . . The fourth was discovered in the ER as a consequence of a visit caused by Tymlos issues. Only the first fracture was really debilitating and took quite awhile to recover. Yikes!
Knowledge is power, knowledge is power! Cheers, All!