Prescribed Tymlos after Evenity
I completed a one year course of Evenity in September 2023. I switched endocrinologists afterwards, and he prescribed Fosamax after a brief discussion. I contacted the doctor who had prescribed Evenity, and he advised that I come to the office. He prescribed Tymlos, which I have now been on for 8 months. I changed my medical insurance to Medicare, and the doctor who prescribed both Evenity and Tymlos doesn't take it. I went back to the doctor who prescribed Fosamax after Evenity and he freaked out and said Tymlos is NEVER given after Evenity. His colleague in the same office concurred. He then ordered Prolia. I contacted the manufacturers of both Evenity and Tymlos, and they were very considerate and informed me that to their knowledge, there have been no studies about using Tymlos after Evenity. I am currently on a wait list for a new endocrinologist. I have a history of vertebral fractures and I need dental work, and I don't want to be on Prolia. I can finish the remaining months of Tymlos, or switch to Fosamax and wait and see what the new endocrinologist recommends. Needless to say, the situation is not ideal as I'm winging it. That being said, I know that treatment for osteoporosis is complicated and we patients have to be our own advocates and do a lot of research. I'm not opposed to that, but I'm not finding any information for protocols that have a progression of Evenity to Tymlos and then? If anyone has any information to share, I'd really appreciate it.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.
Evenity is a potent bone builder for the first months. It is even being studied for 6 months' use with Reclast for the last months and then for 1-3 years.
I’ve been in Prolia for 4 years and currently being tested for Osseonectrosis and I have to say I’m quite nervous and upset. The Prolia has worked great until this diagnosis. I have done some research in fear that there was nothing but broken bones in my future. I have read I can go on Tymlos or Forteo which is extremely costly being on Medicare. Does anyone know if the $2,000 new law applies to this drug. Too much money to apply for help and too little money to live with these expenses. Of course, this diagnosis can be life changing and I’m deeply concerned about the pain and being disfigured. I have a wonderful dentist who suspected this after taking X-rays and is coming in next week from his vacation to look at me again after removing my implants. He is a Prosthodontist and capable of doing the surgery and maybe replacing the bone. I know I need an MRI first. Does anyone out there have this condition/disease?
Hello @hollygs , thank you for your reply. Everything is so complicated. My original doctor who prescribed Evenity left her position. I been given a different one but she didn’t have an appointment and just told me to continue on Evenity and come back in a 12 month. In the main time my back pain became so severe that it was hard to function. Pain doctor tried some procedures but neither one worked. Pain medication didn’t work either. With every Evenity injection I felt more pain. I developed some hives on my neck and arms and terrible headaches. I went to different endocrinologist who wasn’t fan of Evenity and he prescribed Tymlos. I was approved very fast. It has been just a 3 weeks after my last Evenity shot. My doctor advised me to start Tymlos right away . I told him about brake needed between those two drugs and he didn’t even reacted. I understood that I am on my own on this. Talk to specialty pharmacy pharmacist and she advised to wait at least 6 weeks after last Evenity shot. My back pain is so intense that some days it is hard to breathe. Pain doctor did all tests and can’t come up with any logic answer. I have 5 older fractures in my spine. It’s sad that there is not much research on these on Evenity i think 5 years should be enough to figure out basics. I just not sure how I inject myself because my weight is 100 lbs. I am planing to start Tymlos in a couple of weeks. I am very scared of all this situation. I’ll try my best .
Hello @windyshores , my doctor didn’t even asked when I had last Evenity shot. He just told me to start .I think that I go with what pharmacist advised to me . She also have mentioned 6 weeks waiting period.. I wish I don’t have that terrible back pain and was able to think clearly. Not sure what kind of harm Tymlos after Evenity can do. All I know that my bone density is severe and I need to improve it somehow. I remember you discussing about different thinner needles. I am not sure what I am getting with Tymlos yet, but thinner probably would be better for my small 100 lbs frame. Should I request them from specialty pharmacy? Or just find on my own? I always appreciate your advice.
@sunny65 Thank you for your reply. My heart goes out to you. Just remember, you are not alone in this and we are all rooting for you and want the best for you. I hope that gives you some comfort which you are sorely in need of. You're far more resilient than you give yourself credit for, and you've struggled for a long time and that takes a toll. Have you spoken with Amgen? I found their customer support to be excellent. Perhaps they can provide you with some helpful information regarding the timing of introducing a new medication after Evenity. Btw, I'm 105 lbs and have not experienced any issues with injecting Tymlos. The needle is very short and very fine, and the cartridge makes it very easy. Hope that allays that particular fear! Take care.
I like to buy my needles from a site called ADW Diabetes. Their prices are good and they ship really fast. The site has never asked me for prescription information.
The needle I use is a good brand: BD Ultra-Fine Short Pen Needles 8 mm 31 Gauge. They are very thin. This one is 8 mm in length; they do have one that is even shorter.
32 gage is narrower. There is a 32 gage 4mm BD Ultrafine Pro. You might ask the specialty pharmacy that delivers the medication. They have been available on Amazon. No prescription needed.
Hi @sunny65 the pen needle described by gently probably is the skinniest (narrower in diameter) and shortest available. I used BD 31G x 3/16 (=0.25mm in diameter x5mm in length), which is comfortable enough for me (im ~115lb and have some tummy fat 🙂 for your reference)- I rarely felt any hurt. You could ask your specialty pharmacy if the pen needles are included in your shipment, if so you could request the size that you'd prefer. Otherwise you could purchase on your own as other members suggested.
The injection itself actually is very easy and quick. You-tube probably has videos demonstrations. Nurses at doctor's office or staff at manufacturer site can be great resources too.
As other members pointed out, starting with a low dose may be a good idea, since you don't know how you'd react to a new drug. There are many posts describing what to do when unwanted side effects occur, or you can just ask anytime as there are so many members have experiences how to deal with them.
The cause of your pain needs to be figured out if it persists. Diagnostics often take time and call for an experienced doctor. I pray your pain and suffering subside soon so you can get much needed rests.