I started treatment at age 57 so not exactly early or late. I knew I had osteopenia for four years prior but chose to address it with exercise, diet and supplements. I was already on HRT and doing resistance training.

My first drug was alendronate (Fosamax) and I tolerated it well. It helped me build bone density for the first two years but my bone density started to drop after year three.

I fractured while still on it at the end of year 5. That fracture was very debilitating and painful. I agree with tillymack that a fracture at this point in your husband's caregiving would be difficult.

I took Tymlos for about four months and had few side effects. Those included some mild joint pain and a bit of constipation. The good thing about Tymlos is that it stimulates the growth of new bone, whereas Reclast and Fosamax help you preserve current bone density and do not directly stimulate new bone growth.

Tymlos is out of your system within hours so if you were not able to tolerate it, you could stop it and be back to normal within a day or two.

It's also now recommended starting with an anabolic (bone building) medication like Tymlos first rather than a bisphosphonate because the latter can impact the effectiveness of an anabolic medication that might be needed later.

Good luck. I am sorry that you are going through what you are right now and wish you and your husband all the best.