Undecided choice of drugs for Osteoporosis

Posted by peace44 @peace44, Oct 10, 2023

I am 80 years old women and have borderline osteoporosis which affects my entire body. My doctor wants me to take Prolia and the Rheumatologist wants me to take Reclast. I’m unhappy with both choices as the side effects are great and I do not tolerate new drugs well. I am very undecided and am considering doing not taking annty drugs for this condition. I have never had a fracture and I’m very active Any opinions or advice.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

@06111945cc

Relentless improvement
K2 Menatetrenone 15,000 mcg

Bronson
M2 as MK7 100 mcg

Vitamin D3-5,000 IU (any brand)

Bronson
Vitamin A

Sometimes: Life Extension B6 250mg

Jump to this post

Thank you!

REPLY
@lesnkc

What brand of vitamins did/do you take? I don’t want to take the prescriptions. Ibandronate made my IBS-d worse.
Thank you!

Jump to this post

THERE WAS AN ERROR

Relentless improvement
K2 Menatetrenone 15,000 mcg

Bronson
K2 as MK7 100 mcg (NOT M2)

Vitamin D3-5,000 IU (any brand)

Bronson
Vitamin A

Sometimes: Life Extension B6 250mg

REPLY
@06111945cc

Relentless improvement
K2 Menatetrenone 15,000 mcg

Bronson
M2 as MK7 100 mcg

Vitamin D3-5,000 IU (any brand)

Bronson
Vitamin A

Sometimes: Life Extension B6 250mg

Jump to this post

I gather you don’t want to take any of the osteoporosis drugs.

I chose that path for three years. In the end I had seven fractured vertebrae.

I’m taking Forteo . I have lots of different side effects.

My bones have quit hurting.

Bone pain was worse than muscle pains I get from the medication.

So, I think I’m better off than I was before.

Been on Forteo for six months.

REPLY
@babs10

It's interesting how one insurance plan will cover some drugs but not others. Mine includes Forteo (a fortune) and Prolia, but that's it. I wonder if a doctor could make an appeal for something different if, for example, what you are taking doesn't agree with your system. Has anyone in this group ever tried that?

Thanks.

Jump to this post

My local doctor has done that before for me, but not for any drugs used here. But it certainly is done.

How did you go about getting insurance for Forteo? I am sure my osteoporosis doctor has no clue.

REPLY
@windyshores

@karensm feeling strong does not necessarily correlate with bone strength. I am very cautious about lifting anything but I have fractures. I had excellent gains on Tymlos, going from severe to borderline osteoporosis in spine. The injections are easy, tiny needles, just like brushing my teeth. You can adjust the dose and ramp up if you have troublesome side effects.

Jump to this post

windyshores, how do I go about checking insurance for Forteo or Tymlos?

REPLY
@guinivere

windyshores, how do I go about checking insurance for Forteo or Tymlos?

Jump to this post

You can call insurance. Some plans want prior authorization/medical necessity from MD. You can also call the companies about financial assistance. I got Tymlos for free for 18 months through Radius Assist, and the info is on their website.

REPLY

Thank you! I will check into that asap. I will probably go onto Prolia initially as I am set up for that & it has been a long time since my bone density test & I am testing fate by continuing to dither.

REPLY

I’m surprised they recommended Prolia as I thought they were for people who are at high risk and have broken or fractured bones previously.
And you are active! Why not Fosamax or another in that category of Medications.

I too do not want to take anything. I’m 74 very active (swim, weight bearing exercises, Pilates, yoga, walking.

Just curious.
Meridith

REPLY
@gently

guinivere, good answer, "no." Reclast isn't the worst osteoporosis drug, but why not take the best, Forteo. I think that is what McCormick recommends and what he has taken. Though it's probably time to visit your brother, I think you can gather as much from the McCormick videos.
I like Forteo and have been taking it without struggle for almost a year. Some have adverse reactions so you have to be ready to switch to Tymlos. I hope you get a good endocrinologist and the best medication. Oh, Forteo helps heal the broken bone. Reclast does not.

Jump to this post

I would like to take Forteo. Or Tymlos, but I for two reasons I can't rught now . First my financial aid app hasn't been acted on yet & I will need that with Tymlos. Not sure about Forteo. Either way the application process can take a long time & I am only about two weeks into it & I am scheduled to start Prolia next week. And meanwhile I have been set up with an appt for Prolia! Not happy.
Need to point out that my bone density test that revealed my osteoporosis was last October & I am still not on anythin except calcum & vitamin D! But I haven"t fallen at all since I did a year ago May & fractured a wrist. So part of me thinks, my god, get ON something & the other part says, you've made it this far. Stick it out until the insurance kicks in & then get on the med I want. Probably Forteo as it's cheaper than Tymlos, I think.

I REALLY coiuld use some advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

REPLY
@guinivere

I would like to take Forteo. Or Tymlos, but I for two reasons I can't rught now . First my financial aid app hasn't been acted on yet & I will need that with Tymlos. Not sure about Forteo. Either way the application process can take a long time & I am only about two weeks into it & I am scheduled to start Prolia next week. And meanwhile I have been set up with an appt for Prolia! Not happy.
Need to point out that my bone density test that revealed my osteoporosis was last October & I am still not on anythin except calcum & vitamin D! But I haven"t fallen at all since I did a year ago May & fractured a wrist. So part of me thinks, my god, get ON something & the other part says, you've made it this far. Stick it out until the insurance kicks in & then get on the med I want. Probably Forteo as it's cheaper than Tymlos, I think.

I REALLY coiuld use some advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jump to this post

@guinevere did you do the application for Radius Assist for Tymlos? Mine did not take long at all. The doctor has to sign separately.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.