Can't decide which drug to take.

@victoria93
Victoria
There is plenty of room. The needle is so very small you can hardly see it. About the size of a single eyelash…
Beta quilt or blanket with your favorite pillow stay seated for about 15 minutes lay down if you feel like it. Have some toast with jam or something not too rich (no calcium) about half hour after. Find an old movie or something funny to watch…before you know it the initial effects pass.
I got a lot of encouragement on this forum from some wonderful people who have been through so much. It really helped me. I’m in a very rural area as well. Do you have any one who can join you for the first few times to help? That can be very good just having someone there.
I’m no expert I’m new at this too…I’m lucky to have a husband who has some knowledge…

Thank you so much for your kind encouragement, you make it sound doable.
Yes, I have someone to help first few times, a CNA who is experienced and a friend but she has growing kids so not all that much time, I’ll have to learn myself. No way I can eat that late w my bad Reflux but I can use some instant breakfast in place of toast. My diet is Very limited by Reflux. I need to learn about how much calcium and Vitamin D3. I wonder if the company can advise about that? Thank you for the boost. 🙂

@victoria93 I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through. It’s a lot, and I’m glad you found this forum. I only joined myself about a month ago, and it’s helped me tremendously.

There is so much good advice here, isn’t there? I, too, have to take an OP drug, and am on the cusp of starting something. I’m just waiting for my doc’s recommendation.

Tymlos comes in a pen form, and it allows you to adjust the dose down (with your doctor’s advice) should you experience side effects that may be present. Lots of women here have indicated that they’ve done this, and were able to stay at a slightly lower dose, with success. They saw their bone density improve.

The tip about toast with jam about 1/2 hour after injection is a really good one. I’ll have to keep that in mind myself. I also learned tonight that Tymlos is good about being in contact with us should we need them. That’s really good to know.

I do know with Tymlos, hydration is very important, as is being in a safe, comfortable place when you administer the injection.

I’m wishing you all the best in the weeks ahead, as I warmly welcome you here! We’re glad you joined. 😊

@osteopatient2026 Your husband truly sounds so lovely. I’m happy you have that support.

@beachesanddreams Thank you for the warm welcome. Yes, I've heard about dialing the different clicks for dose adjustment, and I'll keep that in mind. My FNP is not that experienced with Tymlos, I don't think, but I see her this week to find out. I'm so glad there is this forum, great help, thanks to all.

@victoria93
I understand…my husband has that as well. Just make sure there isn’t calcium in the instant breakfast. Not well published but the increased calcium near time of injection overwhelms the kidneys a bit for some causing nausea…the D isn’t as big a problem…lots to learn …even the Tymlos company.

@victoria93
The Tymlos clinician said “off the record” we could try reducing the first dose but to try the 80 full dose first and see how you do. The drug mechanism isn’t exactly like an antibiotic but generally you know starting on an antibiotic at a low dose and building isn’t always the right thing to do.
In this case we are not fighting germs but acting on your nervous system hyper parathyroid. Without getting too much more into it (I don’t know …my husband has the medical science background) but so far I’ve done fine other than the initial expected effects. Talk to your doctor…see what they say…I found in my case they really either don’t know or don’t want to go “off script”. 🙏🏻❤️

Hi Victoria 93, and welcome.

I'm so sorry about all the difficulties you've faced in the past years. You've come to a good place to get news of others' experiences and advice concerning osteoporosis, which you can consider with your doctor. We are all in this together, and unfortunately there are no easy answers, so we all need to learn as much as we can and make the best decision we can.

In many ways your story is like mine. I'm a bit younger than you (79 in January) and had for many years, through a combination of my stupidity and my doctor's passivity and inattention, allowed my osteoporosis to worsen. I won't repeat my whole story but if you want to read it you can search for my earlier posts.

I had a compression fracture in my lumbar spine in October 2023 after a truly horrible trip and fall. Since then I've been taking Tymlos, and I'd urge you to give it a serious look. I had mild side effects at first and none after that, and I have found the shot extremely easy to take (the needle is less than a half inch long and very thin; sometimes I feel a slight prick and much of the time I don't feel it at all). The medication comes with extremely clear instructions and I believe that overall the need to do the shot should not deter anyone from taking this medication.

You may have no side effects or maybe mild ones. I had some mild nausea many nights at first, but I changed the time I took the shot and that resolved it. Obviously, not everyone is that lucky, but you may be! Worth a try, no?The vast majority of people do just fine.

And I have had notable improvement in my spine, where my biggest problem was. I'm so grateful for that.

Keep us posted as you go along with this process. We've all been there.

Thank you so much for your encouragement, you've underscored what I've heard from another. I think my compression fracture (if that's what it is) came from some massages where I think I was just an accident waiting to happen, my FNP having warned me, wanting me on Evenity despite my two TIA's, so I refused and delayed, hemming and hawing! So, my stupidity played a role. I understand the nausea can come from not enough hydration? I've also heard to start by titrating the dose, working up to more "clicks" to higher ones. Deciding what to use is so scary because docs differ, but I've also heard the Tymlos company is very supportive. Glad you're doing better, good luck and thanks again.

@osteopatient2026 I may be too chicken to go w the full dose at first, since I'm so side-effect prone and since others have done the few clicks first then worked up, I think I'm partial to that regimen. Interesting that you cd speak w Tymlos "clinician." How'd you find him? I don't think my FNP is widely acquainted with anything other than Evenity plus Prolia and she probably wdn't want to go "off script" but if the Tymlos people say it's ok, I'd probably give it a try. Thanks again for your help. People here are great.