Struggling with Tymlos medicine

@lisaberkowitz I was nervous about self-injecting, too - and I'm a guy who tells the doctor "sure, do whatever test you want to do." Once I tried it, I saw that there was nothing to worry about. First, the needle is really, really short and very thin. It's nothing like the ones they use to draw blood or to give you a shot. Second, because it's so small, it doesn't hurt. I know, you think that as soon as the needle touches you, it's going to hurt, but that's not the case. It goes into the fatty tissue right under your skin. It doesn't hit muscle.

Occasionally it might pinch a little, but then you just pick a different spot. A pinch is the worst thing you will feel, and that usually won't happen.

Dosage: many people find that the full dose of 80 is too much. They compensate by not clicking the pen all the way to 80. Each click equals ten, so, for example, four clicks is a half-dose. Maybe they start with three or four, and if that works well, they move up one click next time. Some people manage to work their way up to 80, but others find that five or six clicks is all they can tolerate. You can certainly start low, with three clicks, and see how it goes.

Trust me, after a few times, it will be like brushing your teeth. You can do it, I promise.

@lisaberkowitz
Sadly, windyshores has retired, but has left us with the wealth of her experience.
Start as low as you want 1 or 2 clicks and wait a day or so to see if there is negative effect, then move up a click or two and wait again. This gives your body a chance to adjust.
Some are dizzy after the injection as calcium is released into the bloodstream. It expands the blood vessels making your heart beat faster.
You can mitigate the effect by starting out hydrated, giving more volume to the blood to help fill the dilated vessels. Caffeine and salt constrict the blood vessels. Tea and an olive maybe.
As the vessels expand your blood pressure will drop, which you may not notice.
Some take the full 8mcgs and never notice anything. Some few are allergic to phenol the preservative in Tymlos.
The needle is so, so tiny. You can't injure yourself with it and you might not even feel it.
Some people pinch their skin first. If you pinch and let go before injection you are less likely to have a tiny bruise. You can inject in your stomach or your thigh with the same absorption rate. I like the thigh though I'm on the other pth drug, Forteo.
Nice sequence Evenity to Tymlos.

@margaretk You HAVE to follow up with a biphosphonate, and you need to do so quickly (i.e. you can't wait months.) There is no alternative. If you don't, you will lose the gains you made.

That is the nature of these anabolic medications. They artificially change the bone remodeling process to be in your favor, but if you don't follow up to lock in the gains, the process reverses itself and you will lose bone.

Please don't make this critical mistake.

@windyshores I'm starting Tymlos next week & would appreciate any tips on starting dosage recommendations as well as injection tips. I'm started watching videos & reading materials, which has made me more anxious not less. Just very overwhelmed. I was on Evenity for 11 months with no issues with side effects. Self injection scares me. Thanks, in advance.

@njx58
I made it clear to the Bone Clinic Director that I did not want to ever take bisphosphonates. I went on Tymlos - she never mentioned that I would have to go on a bisphosphate after I finished the Tymlos. I guess I lost any gains that I made, but I got a kidney stone from the Tymlos as a consolation prize.

@lylii I understand your position, but it's just a chemical fact: stopping drugs like Tymlos, Forteo, and Evenity without following up will cause you to lose the gains. So then what was the point of taking the med to begin with? Are you due for a DEXA soon to monitor your bone density?

@lylii I understand your position, but it's just a chemical fact: stopping drugs like Tymlos, Forteo, and Evenity without following up will cause you to lose the gains. So then what was the point of taking the med to begin with? Are you due for a DEXA soon to monitor your bone density?

@lisaberkowitz I started Tylmos 2 weeks ago and began with 4 clicks for four days and increased the dosage by one click every four days. I will be on the full dosage, 80mcg tomorrow. So far I have not had any side effects-in fact feel great. I was very frighten for many years to go on medication and tried to manage it naturally( without success) so for now, am happy and relived I am on the road to treating my severe osteoporosis. I am 63, highly active and on no other medication, and remain hopeful. Hope this helps you in taking this step!

@njx58
well, one point is that then you are two years older and haven't lost the bone you would have during those years and haven't fractured. Almost all the density (actually mineral content) gained is lost within 1 to 2 years. No rebound with Tymlos, there is time to hesitate.
If the cause of osteoporosis has been resolved. The best example is low testosterone (acutally estrodiol) because of ADT, you might better let CTX and P1NP guide you.
It is usually good advice that njx offers to follow Tymlos with another osteoporosis medication.