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Reclast pro and con

Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (43)

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@sue417

Hi
Thank you for explaining that well . I wonder why my Endocrinologist started me on the bis phosphinate first. I guess.
Maybe because They only found out I had osteopenia when my first fracture happened. I was 63. My GP never did bone density on me because she said I wasn't high risk.Well that's crap. If they would have done it when I was 55.Maybe they could have seen I was having issues and I could Have went on a bone Builder. I can't go backwards but I am so annoyed. I have been trying to get An mri for a year now. I just felt that I needed them to check my spine
no one listens they always say no. I will not take prolia. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say on friday. I am scheduled for june to have my infusion. The medication is at my pharmacy. You have explained more to me than my physician. Thank you

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Replies to "Hi Thank you for explaining that well . I wonder why my Endocrinologist started me on..."

I don't believe the anabolic bone building drugs are usually considered unless you're already well into osteoporosis (and insurance will usually only cover them if you're at high risk of fracture or have already fractured due to osteoporosis). The bisphosphonates are the most "common" defense to stop/slow bone loss. My sisters was caught just pre-osteoporosis (-2.4 t-score) so she went directly onto bisphosphonates and has maintained the same density. Mine was already well into osteoporosis at my first DEXA (spine -3.5 with the lower lumbar -.4), so didn't want to "maintain" that hence the bone building drug first and now that it's a bit better will go onto the bisphosphonates to maintain where I'm at. You can still take the bone building drugs after, they just aren't quite as effective but can still build bone! Note that Evenity, for example, is only indicated for those that have been on other drugs for two years without improvement (so essentially to have insurance cover it you have to have used a bisphosphonate for two years with poor results or have a doctor convince them why it's necessary). Why, well, I understand part of it was how their FDA approval reads but mainly I imagine due to the fact that it's around $10k per infusion so insurance doesn't want to approve it unless they absolutely have to. My insurance refused both Tymlos and Forteo initially, but my bone doctor appealed and they eventually agreed (it took several months). I would also note Evenity has only been around a few years and Tymlos not much longer so Forteo would likely have been the only anabolic option when you first fractured. It's ridiculous how they won't do DEXA scans (insurance standard notes they won't cover them until 65 except in specific circumstances). I started requesting them when I was 40, I got one doc to agree and then insurance refused and my appointment was cancelled. My next doc simply refused to order one regardless of my high risk family history - even when I went through menopause early. Was super frustrating. I hope your appointment goes well on Friday and you get your questions answered! My Reclast infusion is on the 14th (fingers crossed it goes well!).