Hesitant to begin drug treatment for my osteoporosis

What about Red Light Therapy? A lot of attention has been given to that. Idk, it's just a thought. Anything but pharmaceuticals. Once you put those pills in your body you can't reverse it.

What do you mean..."once you put those pills in your body you can't reverse it."

Hi, Ripley,

It was my endocrinologist who recommended I not use any of the drugs that are parathyroid hormone based, e.g., Forteo and Tymlos. "Abaloparatide (Tymlos) is a daily injectable parathyroid hormone..." (from the AAFP website). She didn't want the medication to essentially confuse my parathyroid. I think her thinking is that if the parathyroid senses parathyroid hormone in the body, it will stop doing its work (that's my interpretation of what she said - it's been about six months since we discussed it, so my memory isn't necessarily precise).

Have you discussed using Evenity with your doctor? It might be a better choice in your situation, as the Tymlos website itself says you should talk with your doctor if your calcium levels are too high. If you do go forward with it, make sure you are aware of the side effects associated with the high calcium level, so you can alert your doctor if you experience them.

I spoke with my cardiologist regarding Evenity as there are potential heart/stroke related side effects associated with it (very small risk). My coronary calcium score is very high, which is why we had the concern. It's never a bad idea to make sure that all of your doctors know that you're planning to start one of these drugs.

By the way, my doctor plans for me to start Reclast as soon as I stop Evenity. If I don't, then whatever gains I get from the medication will be lost. Like most folks here, I feel that I am between a rock and a hard place. I've never broken a bone in my life (knock on wood), and I'm still relatively young (66), so having to take such serious medications to protect my back is a tough pill to swallow.

Good luck with your journey!

Hi
My doctor never did a bone scan on me. My first fracture was at the age of 64. That's when I found out I had osteoporosis. Am I ticked yes. She never did it because she said I was not high risk. I like you am very sensitive to medication I decided to do the bisphosphanate once a year. My bone density was coming up really well in my spine. Then last year I got diagnosed with Breast cancer had to have radiation. My spine fractured this year april 18th two places t9 and t10. 3 yrs later.So the radiation affected my bone density. I now will have another I.v
June 24th. Then am starting forteo. Hopefully, I do well with it.I don't know what will happen if I don't. Good luck

How did you fracture your spine? Did you fall?

Hi!
I avoided taking Evenity. I was concerned about side effects. Although I had been taking the generic of Fosamax for many years, I suffered a bone fracture in my back. When that happened, my orthopedist (spine specialist), said that something other than Fosamax, was needed. My rheumatologist, who had encouraged me to begin Evenity over a year prior to the break, started me on my year’s association with Evenity. Fast forward: 13 months later-My bone density scan showed a 17% increase in bone in my spine. My hip returned to osteopenia from osteoporosis. My rheumatologist was almost giddy with the results. He said he has rarely seen more than 10-12% increase in bone density. If you decide to begin Evenity, I highly recommend you get the 2 monthly shots in your stomach. At first, I couldn’t imagine shots in my stomach. But, having an ample stomach, and having the area “frozen” before the nurse administered the shots, made it much less painful than having the shots in the back of my upper arms.
Now, I am debating between Reclast and Prolia. My rheumatologist first recommended Reclast, but after seeing the results of the bone density, he said either one would be fine. I am leaning towards Reclast. Wishing you the best of luck with whatever decision you make.

Hi!
I avoided taking Evenity. I was concerned about side effects. Although I had been taking the generic of Fosamax for many years, I suffered a bone fracture in my back. When that happened, my orthopedist (spine specialist), said that something other than Fosamax, was needed. My rheumatologist, who had encouraged me to begin Evenity over a year prior to the break, started me on my year’s association with Evenity. Fast forward: 13 months later-My bone density scan showed a 17% increase in bone in my spine. My hip returned to osteopenia from osteoporosis. My rheumatologist was almost giddy with the results. He said he has rarely seen more than 10-12% increase in bone density. If you decide to begin Evenity, I highly recommend you get the 2 monthly shots in your stomach. At first, I couldn’t imagine shots in my stomach. But, having an ample stomach, and having the area “frozen” before the nurse administered the shots, made it much less painful than having the shots in the back of my upper arms.
Now, I am debating between Reclast and Prolia. My rheumatologist first recommended Reclast, but after seeing the results of the bone density, he said either one would be fine. I am leaning towards Reclast. Wishing you the best of luck with whatever decision you make.

Good news! Can I ask, do you bring ice to the infusion center or do the nurses do that? I’ve had four months of shots and always get huge lumps at the inner side so f my upper arm. The nurses are wonderful and have suggested my stomach but haven’t mentioned ice. Thank you!