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How do you ever choose which med?
I already have anxiety and trying to decided which med to choose is giving me even more anxiety. Ugh To summarize my previous posts I’m 61 and was diagnosed in February with OP. My spine is -2.7 and hips -2.0.
My Gyno diagnosed me and gave me the news over the phone while I was driving in my car. He gave me choice of Prolia or Evista. Gave me a very brief description and asked which one I wanted to do. I said I wanted to see an Endocrinologist.
Made appointments with 2 different Endo’s. First one suggested Reclast, Alendronate or Evista. I did tell him when I was diagnosed with Osteopenia I tried Fosomax. Had severe pain in lower back after a couple of pills. Told him I was told to stop meds and increase calcium. When he gave me choice of the 3 meds he also skated over the side effects told me to look them up on bone health website and choose. Had God complex so I moved on. Next Dr I really liked but she came at me with Evenity and I inquired about Evista. She said I could do that too. Ordered bloodwork and 24 hour urine test. Office called me after getting results and said she wanted to set up me up with Evenity shot. I started to panic. Mainly because after that is Reclast or Prolia. I asked if she ever prescribed HRT. They said no. I feel like starting out with Evenity is basically hard core. Like I said in 61, and after Evenity is then Prolia or Reclast, which I can’t handle biophosonates and I read that odds are I will have reaction to Reclast as well.
I know I have to do something I don’t want to fracture. Maybe Evenity would really increase my scores since I’m not that far over the line, but I keep hitting the wall with Prolia or Reclast. I’d like to try Evista first or HRT, but the whole blood clot thing with Evista worries me. I read that if you’re going to be sedentary for a long period of time for instance surgery or travel you should stop it at least 3 days in advance. She doesn’t prescribe HRT so I’m guessing I’d have to find another Endo who would prescribe it. Or if Endo doesn’t prescribe that what Dr does? PCP? Gynecologist?
I have a telehealth appointment tomorrow with the Dr about Evenity, to basically talk me off the ledge.
So how do you choose? I just feel like once I make the decision my life will never be the same. It just all seems like a roll of the dice.
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@magicwoo
I am 59. My spine is the only area in osteoporosis.
My TBS has shown improvement after a year. And my bone markers are showing stabilization at this point in time.
@magicwoo
Look into Osteoben with Genistein, which is a plant based, light weight type estrogen, that a functional doc is recommending. They did a study on it and it apparently worked as well as Alendronate although it may take a year or two to show.
@magicwoo
Are you on original Medicare and a supplemental insurance.
@magicwoo I sympathize with you. I am 76 and my DEXA in my spine is -4.1 and -2.7 in my hips. I am not taking any bone medications because I am also afraid of them. Tymlos and Forto are not options for me due to parathyroid issues. I haven't lost any height though or had any fractures.
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1 ReactionI was on Evista for 7 years—for bone health and to avoid breast cancer (I’m high risk). It didn’t slow my bone loss, it appears. I don’t believe it’s a very strong aid for osteoporosis. So then you are likely going to have to go onto something else. Difficult to know whether you will have the side effects or not for any medication. The one I am on., Tymlos, I have cycled through most of the side effects, some of which have dissipated, and some of which have not. My friend who was on Tymlos had zero side effects, but her bone results were excellent, so I’m hoping to add the same. Remember, you can always stop the med if it gets too much. Good luck!
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4 Reactions@gravity3
Patientrevolution.org
@wondering1
Am I correct that they do not take Medicare?
@gravity3 you are correct. Just found this on their website.
“ Midi is not covered by Medicare or any Medicare-related insurance plan. Midi can accept Medicare beneficiaries as self-pay patients, but beneficiaries cannot submit any claims related to their Midi visits, medications, or associated services.”
@laren3 I was lifting weights before having this dilemma with osteoporosis. Now that I’m at risk for fractures, with my TScores changing due to steroid treatment, I am frightened about lifting weights. How do you lift safely and not risk some weird fracture? Is that possible? That’s my fear not sure it is a program that can get your lifting heavy enough and not risk a break. Also lifting like I was doing was not targeting hips and sound per se. I was doing squats deadlifts, rows,
I’m interested to hear what you know about this piece.
Thanks.
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1 Reaction@sassysaveur
Try liftmor
And melioguide.org