My journey on Osteoporosis meds and now back issues ...

2555anny: I have osteoporosis as well. (And diagnosed with celiac disease in 2009 which explains why I was diagnosed with osteopenia way back in my late 30s-told at that time to just load up on calcium tablets and vit.d)
All these drug options weren't available at that time. I also struggle with on-going back pain and sciatica. I see a physiatrist, a doctor who treats pain involving the joints, muscles, nerves, bones, etc. A physiatrist offers non-surgical interventions. I had severe sciatic pain down my right leg caused by a compressed nerve and the physiatrist, under ultrasound guided imagery, injected steroids in the lumbar locations he suspected my pain was initiated from based on my symptoms and an MRI report. Whether a doctor recommends surgery or not I would try a non-surgical route first to see if you can get any relief that way.

Hi I have sciatic and back / disc / nerve pain issues. I would see a back pain Orthopedic who will likely order an MRI.
Epidural cortisone shots which I have had and don't always work may take the inflammation off the nerve but I am limiting them as they can compromise bones. There are some back exercises that a trainer or a PT prescribes that strengthen the muscle around the area to support the back and lessen pain. I use a topical CBD when it flares up and also a red light therapy belt every day for 20 minutes. There are also meds for pain and inflammation that I needed to opt out of.Part of my life. Water aerobics are good if you've access to a pool. I had a lowered TBS and poor dexa and have been on half dose of Tymlos 6 mths going to try and up it again tomorrow. A GOOD PT or trainer is priceless. Feel better and good work for persevering with your treatments.

After looking at everyone's comments and suggestions, I don't know if it's helpful to assume you have a compressed nerve until you have more testing and discussion with a dr. you trust. Hopefully someone who knows your personal health history.

Wishing you well! I'm in the process of deciding what med to go with for osteoporosis. My dr (who I trusted) said, Here's three meds. Make a decision. And that has led me to read comments here for many months! Still undecided...

Exactly the same for me. No surgical repair of fractures in the spine because our bones are too soft. The surgery will fail. I have had 4 vertebral fractures in the last year.
I move the wrong way and I get a fracture. I’m sticking with Tymlos bc Evenity has a 30% heart failure risk. I’m in my 5 th month. I dread the injection every night. It makes my heart pound, dizzy, headache . But I feel stronger, so will continue. Warm wishes

Vertebral fractures, when sudden and severe, can be repaired using kyphoplasty, which has some inherent risks. I, too, have had four VF's, but after seeing a spine specialist, I came to understand that these fractures have healed all by themselves. Kyphoplasty must be done a short time post-fracture and before the bones have begun to heal.

Evenity has a 30% higher risk of heart failure, but not a 30% risk of heart failure. I have a few minor issues with my heart (valves) so my rheumatologist prescribed Tymlos first (which I didn't tolerate at all . . . the problems you mentioned, and more). Evenity is not recommended when the patient has had a cardiac event within the year following the administration of the drugs. That said, when Tymlos was no longer a feasible weapon for me, with my cardiologist's blessing, my doc prescribed Evenity. Of course, it is still a personal choice and a doc's recommendation to determine which med is best for your situation.

I'm sorry to hear about your issues, eileenvan, it takes a conscious effort to prevent vertebral fractures and sometimes they just happen without warning or cause.

As an aside, my new rheumatologist told me I have "severe OP" even though my DEXA numbers look pretty good. When he saw my sad face and booboo lip, he clarified the severe classification: Come to find out that anyone who has had a VF is automatically pushed into the severe category. Made me feel better I guess.

Tread safely, friends and sisters, until the weather warms a bit. I think the groundhog was wrong. Cheers!

Great comments and help, thank you all. I have a top Endo Dr who only sees OP patients. I do trust her but her office staff makes getting to her almost impossible. I hate exercise, always have. My collection of exercise bands is insane, never used much. I have a treadmill that I try to use but I can't walk far, maybe 7 minutes at a normal walking pace. I do have a full body length Red Light Therapy panel which I do use about 5 days a week. I also have a Red Light Therapy belt that I use as well. I've seen a great PT for back strengthening. I felt ignored and pushed to the side even though I was a past hip replacement patient of his. But despite having all the time in the world to exercise and move, I don't. So I do recognize that is a major issue here. The Sciatica pain has leveled out this week, it's not quite as bad as it was last week. My MRI's and scans differ in findings which is very confusing. One says nothing serious, another points to issues with degenerative discs. It's easy to give up when you feel the medical community can't agree. Regarding the Evenity injection, I'm shocked I had the reaction I had. My previous 12 mos of injection were free of any reactions. Reclast was another story though, awful. I need to make an appt with the best spine Neuro I can locate and start over with a Dr's opinion.

@jw9 Wishing you well as you make your decision. It’s a tough one, we can all attest to that.

In the meanwhile, be proactive with your bone health. Get your calcium through food, do weight bearing exercises, etc.

Wishing you all the best. 🌺

@eileenvan I’m so glad to read you’re feeling stronger. That’s very encouraging.

@beachesanddreams
Thanks for your encouragement! It helps. I don't feel like I'm alone making decisions, but gathering ideas to add to what I learn on pharmaceutical sites. And yes to your suggestions, also! Maybe I'm not the only one who needs to get more serious about the weight-bearing exercise...

@eileenvan SOrry for your pain and struggles. Tymlos and Evenity do not work the same; although both are anabolic bone builders. I was on tymlos 2 years with similar side effects to yours. Overall I am healhty and have good diet. I had to restart at one click and gradualy increase to 8 over 3 months time. In that time, I managed the heart pounding with coconut water - 3-4 cups each day - and I continued this until about month 10 when those side effects lessened. At that time I got digestive stomach issues - but this is rare - and I managed these with digestive enzymes as my issue was a pancrease problem aggravated by PTH. Try not to dread the injections and just do what needs to be done.- this will help you feel in control and not get the tissues caught up in resistance.
I am now on evenity - and have no obesity diabetes or history of heart issues. I did dicsuss this side effect with DR. FOr me I needed support for coritcal bone ( tymlos and forteo work primarily on trabecular bone and can decrease cortcal strenght). It will be a year on Evenity in APril and i will then determine next steps. May you recieve the best supprot for your healht to recover fully.