Osteoporosis meds: How do they work?

Posted by grandmabubblestwin @grandmabubblestwin, Nov 11, 2016

I've been reading about osteoporosis and this is what I've seen so far: An individual builds bone until about age 30 then they begin to lose bone. Osteo meds do not help you build bone, they may actually prevent the natural bone building process but they do help you retain the bone you have but can make bone brittle. Correct?

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

Oops...meant to say getting vit D from the sun in the WINTER is virtually impossible in North America except in the Deep South. Sorry I forgot to include that. Hope your all mind readers.
Jake

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To Beckyc- Yes, as posted on 6/19, I am on a Tymlos-- a bone builder-- . It is is self- injected, which is not as easy as taking a pill, but not as bad as I had feared. I was quite surprised when, during the education appointment at my doctor's, I did not even feel much of a prick when I watched as I put the needle into my skin. Once you get used to it the injection was not a big deal. The first few times I had, maybe power of suggestion from reading of the bad reactions, a kind of headache for 5 minutes, but that stopped after a few injections. I also started injecting my self while sitting or lying down so I did not have dizziness that I had read about. Both Forteo and Tymlos are PTH (parathyroid hormone) analogs-- so some of the initial reaction may be the body adjusting to pth changes. if your own body has a short spike of pth, it does make your heart beat faster. Anyway, my doctor's analysis plus my reading the literature on the positive effects on done density led me to start Tymlos. I am 60, so I want to put more "bone in the bank" now ,starting from a base less-degraded by age. And my worst scores are in the spine, where Tymlos results were greatest. I do also consume calcium and exercise, but the attractive aspect of Forteo/Tymlos is that they do not just stave off loss but have increased bone density. Each person needs to make the positive/negative analysis with their doctor. I have been on Tymlos for 5 months now, and I do not feel much negative at all after injecting. Tymlos is the newer one, does not have to be refrigerated after first use. The needles, same ones apparently used for insulin, are very thin and the abdomen does not have a lot of nerves, so the injections are not for me painful, except twice when I went to far-- into muscle not fat. My instructor advised me (depends on one's fleshiness) to grab a pinch of flesh, which reduces liklihood of hitting muscle.
Good luck with whatever you decide. If you do start injecting, I would recommend sitting or lying for 5 min afterward, and giving it a trial for 2 weeks to see if your body adjusts to it. Mine did.

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@betterbones

To Beckyc- Yes, as posted on 6/19, I am on a Tymlos-- a bone builder-- . It is is self- injected, which is not as easy as taking a pill, but not as bad as I had feared. I was quite surprised when, during the education appointment at my doctor's, I did not even feel much of a prick when I watched as I put the needle into my skin. Once you get used to it the injection was not a big deal. The first few times I had, maybe power of suggestion from reading of the bad reactions, a kind of headache for 5 minutes, but that stopped after a few injections. I also started injecting my self while sitting or lying down so I did not have dizziness that I had read about. Both Forteo and Tymlos are PTH (parathyroid hormone) analogs-- so some of the initial reaction may be the body adjusting to pth changes. if your own body has a short spike of pth, it does make your heart beat faster. Anyway, my doctor's analysis plus my reading the literature on the positive effects on done density led me to start Tymlos. I am 60, so I want to put more "bone in the bank" now ,starting from a base less-degraded by age. And my worst scores are in the spine, where Tymlos results were greatest. I do also consume calcium and exercise, but the attractive aspect of Forteo/Tymlos is that they do not just stave off loss but have increased bone density. Each person needs to make the positive/negative analysis with their doctor. I have been on Tymlos for 5 months now, and I do not feel much negative at all after injecting. Tymlos is the newer one, does not have to be refrigerated after first use. The needles, same ones apparently used for insulin, are very thin and the abdomen does not have a lot of nerves, so the injections are not for me painful, except twice when I went to far-- into muscle not fat. My instructor advised me (depends on one's fleshiness) to grab a pinch of flesh, which reduces liklihood of hitting muscle.
Good luck with whatever you decide. If you do start injecting, I would recommend sitting or lying for 5 min afterward, and giving it a trial for 2 weeks to see if your body adjusts to it. Mine did.

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@betterbones Great I'm glad you are getting better lab results but don't forget to add ..magnesium and Vi t D3 along with the calcium they are needed by all your organs heart especially if you don't already include them

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@betterbones

To Beckyc- Yes, as posted on 6/19, I am on a Tymlos-- a bone builder-- . It is is self- injected, which is not as easy as taking a pill, but not as bad as I had feared. I was quite surprised when, during the education appointment at my doctor's, I did not even feel much of a prick when I watched as I put the needle into my skin. Once you get used to it the injection was not a big deal. The first few times I had, maybe power of suggestion from reading of the bad reactions, a kind of headache for 5 minutes, but that stopped after a few injections. I also started injecting my self while sitting or lying down so I did not have dizziness that I had read about. Both Forteo and Tymlos are PTH (parathyroid hormone) analogs-- so some of the initial reaction may be the body adjusting to pth changes. if your own body has a short spike of pth, it does make your heart beat faster. Anyway, my doctor's analysis plus my reading the literature on the positive effects on done density led me to start Tymlos. I am 60, so I want to put more "bone in the bank" now ,starting from a base less-degraded by age. And my worst scores are in the spine, where Tymlos results were greatest. I do also consume calcium and exercise, but the attractive aspect of Forteo/Tymlos is that they do not just stave off loss but have increased bone density. Each person needs to make the positive/negative analysis with their doctor. I have been on Tymlos for 5 months now, and I do not feel much negative at all after injecting. Tymlos is the newer one, does not have to be refrigerated after first use. The needles, same ones apparently used for insulin, are very thin and the abdomen does not have a lot of nerves, so the injections are not for me painful, except twice when I went to far-- into muscle not fat. My instructor advised me (depends on one's fleshiness) to grab a pinch of flesh, which reduces liklihood of hitting muscle.
Good luck with whatever you decide. If you do start injecting, I would recommend sitting or lying for 5 min afterward, and giving it a trial for 2 weeks to see if your body adjusts to it. Mine did.

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Thank you! This help me in making my decision.

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@betterbones

To Beckyc- Yes, as posted on 6/19, I am on a Tymlos-- a bone builder-- . It is is self- injected, which is not as easy as taking a pill, but not as bad as I had feared. I was quite surprised when, during the education appointment at my doctor's, I did not even feel much of a prick when I watched as I put the needle into my skin. Once you get used to it the injection was not a big deal. The first few times I had, maybe power of suggestion from reading of the bad reactions, a kind of headache for 5 minutes, but that stopped after a few injections. I also started injecting my self while sitting or lying down so I did not have dizziness that I had read about. Both Forteo and Tymlos are PTH (parathyroid hormone) analogs-- so some of the initial reaction may be the body adjusting to pth changes. if your own body has a short spike of pth, it does make your heart beat faster. Anyway, my doctor's analysis plus my reading the literature on the positive effects on done density led me to start Tymlos. I am 60, so I want to put more "bone in the bank" now ,starting from a base less-degraded by age. And my worst scores are in the spine, where Tymlos results were greatest. I do also consume calcium and exercise, but the attractive aspect of Forteo/Tymlos is that they do not just stave off loss but have increased bone density. Each person needs to make the positive/negative analysis with their doctor. I have been on Tymlos for 5 months now, and I do not feel much negative at all after injecting. Tymlos is the newer one, does not have to be refrigerated after first use. The needles, same ones apparently used for insulin, are very thin and the abdomen does not have a lot of nerves, so the injections are not for me painful, except twice when I went to far-- into muscle not fat. My instructor advised me (depends on one's fleshiness) to grab a pinch of flesh, which reduces liklihood of hitting muscle.
Good luck with whatever you decide. If you do start injecting, I would recommend sitting or lying for 5 min afterward, and giving it a trial for 2 weeks to see if your body adjusts to it. Mine did.

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Thank you for posting, I’m glad you did! My story is similar, 60 yo, osteoporosis in the spine etc. I am waiting for prescription approval, fingers crossed, I’ll begin Tymlos soon. I’ll keep posting, one way or the other, meaning I may not get approval. Wishing you continued success!

REPLY
@betterbones

To Beckyc- Yes, as posted on 6/19, I am on a Tymlos-- a bone builder-- . It is is self- injected, which is not as easy as taking a pill, but not as bad as I had feared. I was quite surprised when, during the education appointment at my doctor's, I did not even feel much of a prick when I watched as I put the needle into my skin. Once you get used to it the injection was not a big deal. The first few times I had, maybe power of suggestion from reading of the bad reactions, a kind of headache for 5 minutes, but that stopped after a few injections. I also started injecting my self while sitting or lying down so I did not have dizziness that I had read about. Both Forteo and Tymlos are PTH (parathyroid hormone) analogs-- so some of the initial reaction may be the body adjusting to pth changes. if your own body has a short spike of pth, it does make your heart beat faster. Anyway, my doctor's analysis plus my reading the literature on the positive effects on done density led me to start Tymlos. I am 60, so I want to put more "bone in the bank" now ,starting from a base less-degraded by age. And my worst scores are in the spine, where Tymlos results were greatest. I do also consume calcium and exercise, but the attractive aspect of Forteo/Tymlos is that they do not just stave off loss but have increased bone density. Each person needs to make the positive/negative analysis with their doctor. I have been on Tymlos for 5 months now, and I do not feel much negative at all after injecting. Tymlos is the newer one, does not have to be refrigerated after first use. The needles, same ones apparently used for insulin, are very thin and the abdomen does not have a lot of nerves, so the injections are not for me painful, except twice when I went to far-- into muscle not fat. My instructor advised me (depends on one's fleshiness) to grab a pinch of flesh, which reduces liklihood of hitting muscle.
Good luck with whatever you decide. If you do start injecting, I would recommend sitting or lying for 5 min afterward, and giving it a trial for 2 weeks to see if your body adjusts to it. Mine did.

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thanks for sharing. Is this better than Prolia. I have been considering Prolia injection since I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis 3 months ago after a bad fall and a spinal fracture.

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My understanding is this...prolia will maintain your bone density, Tymlos will help grow additional bone.

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@leacy

My understanding is this...prolia will maintain your bone density, Tymlos will help grow additional bone.

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I googled it and don't think it would be something I would want.

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evysar26- If I were you, I would ask your doctor why she/he selected Prolia. I know that it is a monoclonal antibody, and think it is often prescribed for patients who cannot sit up for 30 minutes or do not tolerate bisphonsphonates. Prolia may be more effective for osteoporosis caused by certain body conditions. Certain drugs have been more effective for the spine, certain for other areas. Prolia I think is given twice a year, whereas Tymlos and Forteo require daily injections. Certain conditions that I do not have would preclude use of Tymlos/Forteo. For me, the opportunity to build not just save bone is made these the PTH analog durgs worth the risks. Seems like most osteo drugs have a long list of side effects. For me, the possible risks of the effects of osteoporosis were worse than the listed possible side effects of Tymlos. In particular, I understand that if ones spine is weakened by osteoporosis, one can get painful compression fractures just by coughing. Friends whose moms (decades older than I am) have osteoporosis in the spine told me that their moms were in great pain. What risks to bear is a personal decision. Luckily, with Tymlos, I have not had the leg pain or other bad side effects mentioned here. I understand that vitamins and exercise have worked for some people; they have not for me staved off bone loss.

REPLY
@betterbones

To Beckyc- Yes, as posted on 6/19, I am on a Tymlos-- a bone builder-- . It is is self- injected, which is not as easy as taking a pill, but not as bad as I had feared. I was quite surprised when, during the education appointment at my doctor's, I did not even feel much of a prick when I watched as I put the needle into my skin. Once you get used to it the injection was not a big deal. The first few times I had, maybe power of suggestion from reading of the bad reactions, a kind of headache for 5 minutes, but that stopped after a few injections. I also started injecting my self while sitting or lying down so I did not have dizziness that I had read about. Both Forteo and Tymlos are PTH (parathyroid hormone) analogs-- so some of the initial reaction may be the body adjusting to pth changes. if your own body has a short spike of pth, it does make your heart beat faster. Anyway, my doctor's analysis plus my reading the literature on the positive effects on done density led me to start Tymlos. I am 60, so I want to put more "bone in the bank" now ,starting from a base less-degraded by age. And my worst scores are in the spine, where Tymlos results were greatest. I do also consume calcium and exercise, but the attractive aspect of Forteo/Tymlos is that they do not just stave off loss but have increased bone density. Each person needs to make the positive/negative analysis with their doctor. I have been on Tymlos for 5 months now, and I do not feel much negative at all after injecting. Tymlos is the newer one, does not have to be refrigerated after first use. The needles, same ones apparently used for insulin, are very thin and the abdomen does not have a lot of nerves, so the injections are not for me painful, except twice when I went to far-- into muscle not fat. My instructor advised me (depends on one's fleshiness) to grab a pinch of flesh, which reduces liklihood of hitting muscle.
Good luck with whatever you decide. If you do start injecting, I would recommend sitting or lying for 5 min afterward, and giving it a trial for 2 weeks to see if your body adjusts to it. Mine did.

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Thank you. I am taking Vit D-- I drink milk which is fortifed with D, and I use the Costco multivites which have D. My Dr. regularly tests my D level, and while it is normal, it is on the lower end, so I have started taking more. I have not tried magnesium, but I do eat a lot of spinach, which has magnesium. I read on a couple sites, however, that the calcium in spinach is less available to the body because of the oxalic acid spinach contains. I don't know if that is accurate, but I have kept eating it as spinach is an easy to keep around vegetable, and has many other nutrients. Thanks again for your concern.

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