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Which Osteo Meds Don't Need to Be Followed Up with More Meds
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: May 10 7:47am | Replies (27)Comment receiving replies
The bone builders require a bisphosphonate to hold the gains. Once you stop a bone builder (anabolic like Tymlos, Forteo, or Evenity) your body resumes it's unbalanced bone metabolism in which you lose more bone than you build.
Bisphosphonates also remain in your bone for a long time after you stop so this is another reason you sometimes don't need to take anything afterwards for at least a while. For example, Fosamax will remain in your bones for at least 10 years while Reclast is 1 to 3 years.
I view osteoporosis as a lifelong chronic condition, especially for those of us who are older women who are post-menopause. I suspect I will need to take some kind of medication for the rest of my life but hopefully there will be some medication pauses in between.
Replies to "The bone builders require a bisphosphonate to hold the gains. Once you stop a bone builder..."
Small correction here. It's reclast that is the longer lasting more powerful med. Fosamax is less powerful and less long-lasting. Reclast in general has stronger side effect possibilities. Though, Fosamax does have the risk of upper GI irritation that can be pretty significant.
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Thank you both. My doc didn't mention this part of the story when prescribing Evenity.
I was on Fossomax for 4 years, after 2 I showed DEXA gains, and then after 2 more, showed loss even though my labs were good. Now, I wonder if the DEXA was accurate as I have read it isn't always for very small, thin women. I wish I would have asked for a repeat DEXA, even paying out of pocket. But, I will have had 3 doses of Evenity, so at this point, a DEXA might reflect some Evenity gains and it would be hard to sort out.