Tymlos at 70+ - Pros & Cons with severe osteoporosis

@ggg143

Where do I begin? I, too, am female. Here are some/most of the adverse reactions:

To name a few . . .
Rapid heart rate (120 bpm+)
Nausea (24/7, uncontrolled by Ondansetron)
Severe shoulder, chest, butt, and back pains (uncontrolled by ibuprofen/acetominophin)
Feeling of walking on a broken ankle

Fortunately not everyone has the same reactions and many members here report excellent results.

Cheers!

I am not recommending or discouraging you from Tymlos, as we all respond differently to different medications. I am 72 years old and my doctor started me on Tymlos last July (2025). I immediately had heart palpitations which lasted for two hours or so after each injection. I subsequently developed bone pains, sores in my gums (which come and go), and ringing in my ears (which has not stopped). My hair also started falling. The worst effect on me was that I lost the ability to stand without holding on to someone (this stopped when I stopped taking Tymlos). That was when my doctor stopped me from taking Tymlos--four months after I started taking it. I am not sure if these were all due to Tymlos, but it was the only medication I was taking at that time.

@anewyorker Thank you for your post. I am contemplating this new drug as my osteoporosis just keeps getting worse.

@ritcheyn Thanks for your post. I am 64 and will be meeting with my PA in May. She recommended Tymlos 2 years ago but I was nervous to take it. I am struggling with daily lower back pain now and realize I will have to try it.

@meitene616 I had some of those side effects that many others have as well, after starting on Tymlos. Bone pain was notable for about 3 weeks, then gone. Fatigue levels were higher but improved since I doubled my protein intake. I am now 5 months into Tymlos (age 77 with -3.3 osteoporosis). The bone marker bloodwork shows a vast improvement in bone formation activity. I can't argue with results. The next bone scan will be informative.

I just commented in reply to someone else concerned about the meds. I am a 77 year old woman who was always active (ballet, ice skating, long distance running for 40 years, etc) but time and hormone loss works against us. I started Tymlos and initially was daunted by daily injection prospect, as I am quite needle phobic. The shots are a breeze and have your doctor's nurse show you the proper way (needle insertion straight in and not at an angle). The needle is hair thin and easy to insert. I have to watch it as I insert and it no longer "gives me the creeps". LOL. I am working out on machines with light weights (always disliked gyms but now happy to go). Don't overdo the weight as after 2 months I injured an abductor muscle despite thinking I was superwoman. Very humbling. I take all of the supplements recommended but don't overdo them. Some can be toxic (eg, too much vitamin D). But above all, I feel fortunate to have access to Tymlos, which my insurance initially declined. My physician filed a successful appeal. So don't give up on it. And if you have already had compression fractures, insurance should not be able to deny coverage.

Yes, go on Tymlos. I am 80+ with osteoperosis and I went on Tymlos in August/2024. A dexa scan alredy showed bone strenthening after 9months in both my hip and lower back. I exect when I finish in August/2026 to have significant bone strenthening. I have had 3 mild compression fractures, one each year from 2021 to 2023. They are healed at the compression loss/same as when the injury first showed. I have not had new ones. There are some side effects at the start, maybe some dizziness, heart palpitations, gasiness (these were mine), but they subside. The alternative is you may end up in a wheel chair. Be sure to do back strenthening along side the Tymlos (go to a gym, walk, do yoga or Tai Chi, and be sure to get enough calcium alongside the Tymlos. KQ

@meitene616 I was the same way. I'm male, by the way, and normally, with any medical procedure, I'm all "let's do this." The idea of injecting myself, though, was really intimidating. But then I did it, and it wasn't so bad (the needle is very short and very thin. ) Before long, it became a daily routine. Brushing my teeth takes longer.

I just finished my two-year program, and for me, at least, it made a huge difference and was well worth it. Please, give it a try and see how it goes. You potentially have a lot to gain.

@tymlos666 I am your height and weight. How are you doing now on Tymlos?

@blueskies1530
Had my DEXA scan …had good results. Now that I know I could be on it more than two years I’ll just continue using the injections at half dose…. So I’m happy I don’t have to be on any other of the other medication’s