Making a decision between Tymlos & Prolia

I am 86 but I don/t have any tremor & I don't know that I can't do self injections until I try. Problem is right now that I am being evaluated for financial help from the UW Hospital. They are evaluating my info now & if I get past that, then the approval process is 45 days. I can't wait that long so I am thinking about getting a Prolia shot which I can get right away & then once I am approved for aid for Tymlos or Forteo, switch to one of those. Someone please let me know if this is a good plan!!!!

@guinivere why do you say you can’t wait 45days??? In my mind that is not that long. The other question is how is your overall health ?? I realize you’re 86 and so you could realistically be on Prolia for the remainder of your life unless you have super longevity on your side . So in my opinion it’s really what you decide. If it were me , I think I’d wait to see if I could manage giving myself the shot and decide after that which way to go. Good luck!! I’m sure Windyshores will chime in .

To clarify I wouldn’t do a single infusion of Prolia and then switch to Tymlos.

Good morning. I personally don’t think it is a good plan to do a shot of Prolia then switch to Tymlos, as it will blunt the effect of Tymlos. Having said that, I remember your first post from awhile back and understand your feeling of urgency as you don’t want to lose more bone while waiting.

Are you fairly confident you will get approved and can start Tymlos within 2 months? Can your doctor help you determine if you are presently capable of doing the daily injection yourself and for the next two years? Maybe see if you can put the needle on a diabetics pen or some other similar daily dosing device?

I understand why you prefer Tymlos, as it builds bone and shores up its architecture, but if you think it will take months to get approved and you aren’t sure you can handle the daily injections at your age (and for the next two years), you may want to consider other options like Evenity or Prolia.

What is your doctor recommending? Have you ever been on medication for osteoporosis?

@guinivere
My endocrinologist gave me samples of Tymlos to try for free. Maybe your Dr could do this for you. First, the office staff shows you how to give yourself the shot, then you could try it yourself at home. Prolia or Reclast could be your back up plan.

Thank you. Right now I am trying to find out if I can get covered for either Tymlos or Forteo. I have Medicare & BCBS & a very nice person with the UW Financial Assistance office is seeing what she can do for me. I'll worry about the injections later.

with your doctor's permission, you can switch around. I was going from the Tymlos to the Prolia. But decided I would stick it out with the Tymlos. My side effects all stopped after 3 months. I told them I wouldn't change because of my research that Tymlos was superior and there are consequences with the Prolia which made me not want to go forward with that. The injections everyday are very easy for me. They even make a EXTRA FINE needle they don't include but could be requested. Good luck!

@loriesco

We started the Forteo injections (daily) this week and were so dreading it!! However, like you, the needles are extra fine and my husband said they're less painful than his Actemra injections (weekly) for his GCA.

happy to hear! I just requested a SUPER DUPER fine needle. I don't know why they just don't do that automatically. Its a "32x 4mm " (didn't know what you are using). Good luck!

@loriesco

Good for you!! I don't know why they don't automatically give them to you!

Ours are BD Nano Ultra-Fine pen needles - 4mm x 32G. Sounds like the same size you have. They are super easy to insert and he says he doesn't even feel it. Good luck to you too!!