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← Return to 61 years old, very healthy and active, past competitive runner
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61 years old, very healthy and active, past competitive runner
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Dec 13 9:39am | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
lisawa, you are in the prime bone loss time for women. Your doctor wants you to consider one of the best medications to both strenghten your bones and increase bone density. Both Forteo and Tymlos leave the body quickly withing 24 hours which limits the amount of suffering from side effects. You could have reactions to either. But some patients don't. The cancer warning has been removed from Tymlos and there isn't rebound. You do have to take something after Tymlos because you lose the gain, it isn't rapid loss as with the alternative Prolia, and Evenity. Then you can cycle back to Tymlos or to Forteo.
I only have experience with Forteo. I'm almost at two years and have been offered a third. I've had decent gains, except in my fingernails where the gains have been exceptional.
Congratulations on your coming grandbabies and the world of delight.
Bless your choice with luck.
Replies to "lisawa, you are in the prime bone loss time for women. Your doctor wants you to..."
Thank you so much for your advice.
I appreciate your knowledge that you share here. I was on Forteo for 24 months, had a reaction to one shot of Prolia in follow up to that, so was on Reloxafine for 5 yrs before bone density showed decline. I have been waiting for Pharma care to approve Evenity, as I cannot afford $800 a month. Initial recommendation by new Endocrinologist was to go back on Forteo, but when I called the Forteo nurse I had through the study phase, she told me twice "you need to look at alternatives". I am so confused. I have a prescription cleared to start the Forteo. Wondering now if I should just go ahead with that. I did not realize Evenity was like Prolia and did not maintain gains. What do they advise you to use after Forteo? My spine can no longer be read, as it has 13 previous fractures. My hip score is -3.5
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Your scores aren't terrible yet @lisawa. I have kept a chart of my DEXA's since 2001 (!) and they jump around quite a bit, but since both your left hip and spine got worse and by -.5 (statistically significant with -.5 change) I get the concern.
I never know what to think about situations like yours. If I were you I would consult with Dr. Keith McCormick, the chiropractor expert on osteoporosis who wrote "Great Bones." Many of us consult with him and you have time to wait for an appointment. He also wrote "A Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis." The question is, when to start meds, what meds, and what order.
Will your insurance cover an anabolic like Forteo or Tymlos with scores like that and no fractures? I hope noone will convince you to do Prolia- very risky to get off of it and people post on here about multiple fractures when they stop (even after gains while on it). If you do Reclast or Fosamax, which are often used for early osteoporosis, they are known to reduce the effectiveness of anabolics, so just be aware.
The problem we all face is how to extend treatment over time. Each med has a time limit. We need to sequence them strategically for maximum effectiveness and also think about time limits. So Tymlos is two years, Forteo can be longer but effectiveness may not extend past 18-24 months. Reclast is limited to 3-5 years to avoid atypical femur fracture or jaw necrosis. Evenity is one year.
So hypothetically (not likely with your scores) at 61 you could do two years of Tymlos, one year Evenity, 3 years Reclast . That takes you to 67-and then what? That is what we are all dealing with. Hopefully a long drug holiday whatever you do.
Talk to your endo, maybe get a copy of "Great Bones" and hope you can consult with McCormick. Margaret Martin at melioguide. com is the best for exercise. Above all take your time with decisions! Your scores aren't bad, it's just that their density is declining!