Tymlos cost

Posted by yogagirl57 @yogagirl57, Oct 26, 2024

Hello! I just was recommended Tymlos from my Endo. Can anyone tell me how much or if it is covered by insurance? I have Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal. TIA.

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

@oopsiedaisy

I was on Fosamax for over five years. I fractured while on it, I believe partly due to Fosamax shutting down all bone remodeling resulting in older, dryer, and more brittle bones.

My rheumatologist was not concerned in the least about the gap, which was nearly three months. Nor was she concerned about the fact that bisphosphonates reduce the efficacy of anabolics like Tymlos and Forteo due to the release of the bisphosphonate when bone remodeling restarts. The bisphosphonate is reaborbed by the bone which then inhibits bone remodeling again.

I am switching doctors in the near future to an osteoporosis clinic as I’ve realized from reading the experiences here that I need a plan for the rest of my life that includes multiple components (medication, diet, exercise, supplements, etc) and my current doctor is uninterested in any of these.

My teriparatide is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how it compares to Tymlos. I had few side effects from Tymlos but it did have one side effect I found difficult and that was extreme constipation despite my being on a very high fiber diet due to a family history of colon cancer and some precancerous polyps on recent colonoscopies.

I wouldn’t consider Fosamax a good starting option if your doctor thinks you need to build bone. Fosamax will not do that for you. You may see an increase in bone density because it shuts down bone resorption to start but that will eventually slow down or stop. I had a gain for two years but then it stopped.

If you have acid reflux then Fosamax would not be a good idea, in my opinion. I never had the side effect that others experience with acid reflux and Fosamax which appears to be awful.

Jump to this post

@oopsiedaisy

You have been through so much frustration with docs and insurance! I pray you will find a good fit doc-wise and have smooth sailing from here on out!

REPLY

@oopsiedaisy

Like you, Cigna said no to Tymlos for me (I had been on it for five months), but yes to generic Forteo. I will receive my first pen later this week. How has your experience on it been?

REPLY
@babbsjoy

@oopsiedaisy

Like you, Cigna said no to Tymlos for me (I had been on it for five months), but yes to generic Forteo. I will receive my first pen later this week. How has your experience on it been?

Jump to this post

I wish I had good news but I stopped taking the generic Forteo last week because I developed severe joint pain. It was so bad I was no longer able to exercise; even walking hurt. This is very unusual for me as I've been exercising 5-7 days a week since 2012.

I've been off now for about 5 days and the joint pain has almost gone. I still have a bit in my left knee.

I've read that this is a common side effect in approximately 10% of patients.

Will be visiting my doctor to discuss soon.

The Tymlos didn't cause this issue at all but I did have some other milder side effects. I'm getting weary of all the changes to medications and dealing with insurance companies and specialty pharmacies.

I may take a break until my next DEXA and see where I'm at. Now that I've been off the Fosamax for a year hopefully I will get back to building some bone.

I hope the Forteo works for you and thank you for asking!

REPLY
@babbsjoy

@oopsiedaisy

You have been through so much frustration with docs and insurance! I pray you will find a good fit doc-wise and have smooth sailing from here on out!

Jump to this post

I am sorry that I missed this earlier. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts.

REPLY
@oopsiedaisy

I wish I had good news but I stopped taking the generic Forteo last week because I developed severe joint pain. It was so bad I was no longer able to exercise; even walking hurt. This is very unusual for me as I've been exercising 5-7 days a week since 2012.

I've been off now for about 5 days and the joint pain has almost gone. I still have a bit in my left knee.

I've read that this is a common side effect in approximately 10% of patients.

Will be visiting my doctor to discuss soon.

The Tymlos didn't cause this issue at all but I did have some other milder side effects. I'm getting weary of all the changes to medications and dealing with insurance companies and specialty pharmacies.

I may take a break until my next DEXA and see where I'm at. Now that I've been off the Fosamax for a year hopefully I will get back to building some bone.

I hope the Forteo works for you and thank you for asking!

Jump to this post

@oopsiedaisy

Oh no! I am so sorry the Forteo didn’t work for you. I understand your frustration with insurance, changes, etc. The whole thing just blows my mind. I had no idea all this kind of stuff was taking place. It’s hard to believe that our health decisions can be so influenced by insurance companies rather than doctors!

REPLY

Looking for advice on how to pay for Tymlos. I’ve been on it for over a year. My insurance considers this a specialty drug and they will pay only 50%. The cost of the drug is $2700 a month. I had a coupon from the Tymlos website (Radius) that contributed $7500 per calendar year. That covered a good part of last year but it is now used up for this year so I’m looking to have to pay over $1300 out of pocket every month, going forward. Radius Health as an option for low income people (which I am), but it will only help those who have no insurance at all. Any suggestions or thoughts would be most welcome. I cannot cover $1300 a month and do not want to switch to another medication because honestly, I’m scared to death of all the “next step options”, and, I’m still benefiting from Tymlos. Thanks everyone🙏🏻

REPLY
@kaa1

Looking for advice on how to pay for Tymlos. I’ve been on it for over a year. My insurance considers this a specialty drug and they will pay only 50%. The cost of the drug is $2700 a month. I had a coupon from the Tymlos website (Radius) that contributed $7500 per calendar year. That covered a good part of last year but it is now used up for this year so I’m looking to have to pay over $1300 out of pocket every month, going forward. Radius Health as an option for low income people (which I am), but it will only help those who have no insurance at all. Any suggestions or thoughts would be most welcome. I cannot cover $1300 a month and do not want to switch to another medication because honestly, I’m scared to death of all the “next step options”, and, I’m still benefiting from Tymlos. Thanks everyone🙏🏻

Jump to this post

There is a savings card (not Radius Assist) on the Tymlos Web site for people not in Medicare who are under other insurance, but I have no idea if it will work for you.
https://tymlos.com/access-and-savings/

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.