Praise for Osteoporosis Medication

Sure. I took Tymlos for nearly two years. I had no side effects, and I gained 18% bone density. My spine went from -3.4 to -1.7. So, yes, for me personally, it worked very well.

Algae Cal is the way to go if you are willing to pay for supplements twice a year. It is clinically tested and has no side effects. I had statistically significant increases in all the DEXA measurements from one year to the next.

@mannism What is "significant", may I ask? How did your T-score change?

@mannism

Question has to do with positive experiences with Osteoporosis meds.
Please let's all stay on this topic. It is hard enough for folks to ferret out the positives on meds.

I've taken alendronate for 5 years, forteo for 2, evenity 1 and 1+ and currently on Prolia. No noticeable side effects with any. Best gains with Evenity. All worked well for me

My OBGYN said she has excessive questions about osteoporosis meds and fear of them is irrational. I took Fosamax years ago, with no problems.

Boy, I didn't. Bisphosphonates have become the only treatment for my collagen disorder so every kid now doesn't just have an orthopedic for the fractures, but an endocrinologist for the IV infusions. I was on Fosamax for about five years 2000-2005 and went off it because of the reflux it caused. That stopped and never came back. Later I was on Zoledronate for a few infusions. My son was on Pamidronate 2005 until my husband retired and insurance stopped paying for it. I'd tried to get on it too at the time, but insurance wouldn't cover it. Two appeals. Later, I did the other, thinking my neck pain was bone, but it was nerve related to fluoroquinolone damage... long story. That stuff is nasty! FQAD is awful. Anyway, fast forward to 2023 and I had the root of my top front tooth break lengthwise. Endodontist said issues are common for people who've taken bisphosphonates so keep that in mind and if you go on those drugs, start a dental savings account. That one incident, there was another last year, required exploratory surgery, extraction, and a bridge. I would have another bridge, but thank God I knew from the front tooth, to start swishing with peroxide right away and I keep the new one under control. (Obviously not medical advice.) For all those drugs do, their affect on teeth is a thing. My son is still glad he had the treatments. It kept him from having as many breaks as me and kept him strong enough to keep walking and that's wonderful.

@allimcd3 Most people don't have the experience you had. Most Fosamax users do not have dental problems. Some do, yes! That is why drug holidays are recommended where you go off the drug for a couple of years.

@njx58 thanks for sharing that. After a 5 year battle with CRPS which onset after I crushed my heel bone in a fall accident in 2020. Of those years I spent 4 in a wheelchair. I went from living a very active life to becoming bed ridden at age 50..and that wreaked havoc on my bone density. I went in for a bone scan a couple of year back. I wad completely shocked when my spine T score for my spine was as low as -3.0, left femur neck - 2,8, hip - 2.9. I met with an osteoporosis specialist which prescribed me Tymlos. Next a year long battle to get this medication covered by my insurance began. I had two separate attempts at getting it covered and finally 3 months ago it was approved. It is annoying to know that I missed an entire year of treatment due to red tape. I too am expected and to take tymlos for the maximum 2 year period. I am only on my second pen so ca 6 weeks into my treatment and so far so good. It took some time to find a good rhythm for for how to inject it; I do it around 8 am together with all the other meds I’m on. It was so good to read how your t-scores improved that much and even without side effects. I don’t feel any side effects either so I am hopeful my trajectory will be similar to yours. Thanks again for sharing your success story!

@alexandercrps Oh, I know how you feel. It took me a couple of months to get the authorization form, make sure the doctor sent it to the right specialty pharmacy, get it approved, and FINALLY get the medication. And then try changing insurance halfway through and starting the process again. Your experience was far worse!