Worried about starting Tymlos Wednesday and question about P1NP score

Posted by hopeandhope @hopeandhope, Oct 14 11:59pm

Hi! I am supposed to start Tymlos Wednesday and I am nervous and scared and worried that it means I will be starting a lifetime of these drugs, so I want to share some background and get some assurance if I am doing the right thing.
Background:
Secondary osteoporosis due to ideopathic hypercalciuria (under control now)
61 years old
No broken bones
Good diet and supplements; active and regular walking (spotty resistance and strength training which I am seeing a PT to get a good daily regimen that I will stick to - much motivation here)
DEXAs - osteopenia hips and femoral neck; spine -3.2 in 2017 - started raloxifene and spine went to -2.4, then -2.5, and in 2024 -3.2. Raloxifene seems to have stopped working.
Current labs - D, Calcium, Protein, and all others in the metabolic panels and more that my endocrinologist ordered are normal and healthy range; no red flags here; 24-hour urine test is normal
First time having these tests - P1NP is 29 mcg/L (reference range for female to 60 years is 20-108 mcg/L; no reference above age 60) and CTX is 271 pg/ml (reference range for female to 49 years is 50-465 pg/ml; no reference above age 49)
Goal: My goal is to get back down to osteopenia level, stick with consistent diet and exercise, and go off meds as long as I can after Tymlos (and whatever I have to take immediately after to lock in the gains - I'm more worried about the drug to take after Tymlos). So I am thinking that jumpstarting bone growth with Tymlos will be a good start.
I think that's a pretty comprehensive picture of what I am looking at.

Does this plan sound reasonable? Do my P1NP and CTX scores justify starting Tymlos? My endo didn't answer other than saying she sticks with her original recommendation of Tymlos.
Thanks for any comments or advice!

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@windyshores

@jamiebones I am surprised that your docs are suggesting Tymlos or Forteo with spinal osteopenia. Maybe it has to do with helping your oral issues heal. Ask your doctor! You may be able to get insurance coverage despite your relatively mild bone situation because the fractured tooth means no Fosamax.

Interesting that your arm was scanned. I have never had an arm done in a DEXA scan. I believe arm is cortical and spine is trabecular and the meds may have different effects on the two types of bone. Again, discuss with your doctor. https://thisvsthat.io/cortical-bone-vs-trabecular-bone#:~:text=Cortical%20bone%2C%20forming%20the%20outer%20layer%20of%20bones%2C,structure%2C%20allowing%20for%20shock%20absorption%20and%20metabolic%20activities.

I did Tymlos after fracturing and it really helped me heal and I had almost 20% gain in spine. I miss it! I felt safe on it.

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Dear Windy
Yes, my doc has suggested Forteo, or Tymlos for the spine. I am slowly but surely feeling better about this, and your comment has helped me greatly. Thank You, Jamiebones

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@gently

@jamiebones,
Jamie, gently is on Forteo close to 20 months. I think you wanting to know jennirdh's progress.
I can tell you that Forteo has been excellent for me with no side effects. My one year gains were moderate spine from 3.3 to 2.8 femur 2.9 form 3.0 and basically no change in the hip.
They measured your left arm and not your hip? You can upload your scan if you like comment.
But be careful that you don't cover your personal information before uploading.
While you are unlikely to have trouble from that short course of Fosamax, you'll surely have much better gains with Tymlos than with Fosamax. That little tooth did you a great favor.
Tennis players have greater bone density in their racket arm.

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Hi there!!
Well, I am feeling more positive about all of this, soon I will take a look at my Tscores and write them down, I was overwhelmed with them!! I am leaning more towards Tymlos, thank you for your input!! Blessings on your day!
Jamie

REPLY
@windyshores

@jamiebones I am surprised that your docs are suggesting Tymlos or Forteo with spinal osteopenia. Maybe it has to do with helping your oral issues heal. Ask your doctor! You may be able to get insurance coverage despite your relatively mild bone situation because the fractured tooth means no Fosamax.

Interesting that your arm was scanned. I have never had an arm done in a DEXA scan. I believe arm is cortical and spine is trabecular and the meds may have different effects on the two types of bone. Again, discuss with your doctor. https://thisvsthat.io/cortical-bone-vs-trabecular-bone#:~:text=Cortical%20bone%2C%20forming%20the%20outer%20layer%20of%20bones%2C,structure%2C%20allowing%20for%20shock%20absorption%20and%20metabolic%20activities.

I did Tymlos after fracturing and it really helped me heal and I had almost 20% gain in spine. I miss it! I felt safe on it.

Jump to this post

Dear Windy
Yes, my doc has suggested Forteo, or Tymlos for the spine. I am slowly but surely feeling better about this, and your comment has helped me greatly. Thank You, Jamiebones

Hi,
Is Forteo and Tymlos for Osteoporosis, or is it ok for osteopenia, do you know?? I will ask my doc. Jamie

REPLY
@jamiebones

Dear Windy
Yes, my doc has suggested Forteo, or Tymlos for the spine. I am slowly but surely feeling better about this, and your comment has helped me greatly. Thank You, Jamiebones

Hi,
Is Forteo and Tymlos for Osteoporosis, or is it ok for osteopenia, do you know?? I will ask my doc. Jamie

Jump to this post

@jamiebones it can be hard to get insurance for Tymlos or Forteo if DEXA scores are not too bad, or if you don't have fractures. Definitely ask your doctor because they will know your situation.

I miss Tymlos! I felt safe on it!

REPLY
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