I hope that Tymlos works for you and me. Tymlos, (and Forteo-- similar but has to be refrigerated and costs more) are the drugs that have been shown to build bone, not just slow the loss. As my doctor suggested, it is better to increase your bone bank as early as you can. Sorry to hear that you have a broken vertebrae-- the silver lining there is that a non-traumatic break is also satisfies the criteria for insurance coverage. You do not start the medication until you have training. They do have a phone option for training, but my suggestion was for in person, so that the trainer sees your body proportions.

Hi! Thank you so very much for sharing. It feels good to hear from a real live person, what your experience is so far. Good tips. I had also thought evening, lying down, for the same reasons may be best. There’s more to know! I’m hoping insurance will be helpful. I have a chest X-ray that shows 1 broken vertebrae, (which I was unaware of), and another that’s crumbling, along with multiple bone density scans, fingers crossed that information helps convince my insurance that TYMLOS is the right med. I had read this med is particularly helpful building bone in the spine, where I need it!
I’m just about good to go, I’m only waiting on my PCP, her call may come today. If she clears me,and I suspect she will, I’ll make the call to UCONN, tell them I’m ready to begin, the process to begin Tymlos. My Doc said, a nurse would come to my home, to teach me about injectioning myself, an Office situation would be fine, I can go either way. I’m wishing you success on this med!

Hello, I have been using Tymlos for 4 months. I had never used an injectable, but after the first week, I became much more comfortable with it. I got training from a nurse at my clinic's office; she deals with diabetics and other people who do injections, so she gave me tips. It is good to see the trainer in person, because your body type may affect suggestions on the best ways to inject. I had read, as is often the case online, of people who had experienced dizziness, etc. Accordingly, I give my injection at night, and lying down, I remain lying down for a few minutes to avoid any dizziness. I also do not take calcium before the injection, because a few times I had a bit of headache found I did not if I had not used calcium before the shot. I don't know that there was any relation, but just decided to not use calcium before the shot. Also, I saw in one report that the drug is more effective when given in the morning, and plan to ask my endocrinologist at my next appointment. Anyway, I have not found the shots or the possible effects to be what I feared.
I found the hardest thing is to keep the location of the injections well-separated. You are supposed to stay at least an inch away from the vertical middle of you stomach, and away from the most recent injection sites.
I had taken Fosamax for a few years; it had some beneficial effect on bone density, but recent scans showed I have continuing loss of bone density in my spine. I have a well-informed physician, and from what I read Tymlos has a beneficial effect on the spine. For my insurance coverage, prior trial of a Fosamax or other such treatment was one of the criteria for prior authorization.
Hope it works for you.

Hello @leacy,

You're correct in that Tymlos (Abaloparatide) is the newest osteoporosis medication. According to Mayo Clinic, "Like teriparatide (Forteo), it has the potential to rebuild bone. In a research trial comparing these two treatments, abaloparatide appeared to be as effective as teriparatide but was less likely to cause an excess of calcium." https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/in-depth/osteoporosis-treatment/art-20046869
More details about Tymlos can also be found here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/abaloparatide-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20406221

I'm tagging @gdaniels138 @lynnes @dolan @kevinking @rannie @jojojo @rnwholovedtowork, as they might have more insights to share with you.
I would also encourage you to go through this incredibly informative discussion on Connect:
– Treating osteoperosis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-im-new-to-the-site-and-am-interested-in-treating-osteoperosis/

@leacy, may I ask what treatments you've tried so far?

Hello, I'm brand new to this group. I was diagnosed yesterday with severe osteoporosis in my lower back AND R.A. I'm a dental hygienist and went to my MD when my right hand started to hurt. I was referred to a rheumatologist for a blood marker for RA and she discovered my osteoporosis on my last several dexa scans that were not read correctly and the diagnosis was missed!! So she suggested Tymlos. She said that my insurance does not cover it. My question is, how do I get Tymols? I have read online that the manufacturer sometimes gives a discount... how does one qualify? She said that Reclast would be my second choice. My R.A, is slight, and right now, is the least of my worries

I’ve been on Tymolos for 4 months. Nothing to report yet other than it’s easy. No side effects for me. I pay 4$ copay for 1 month. It comes to my house.

I am 3 wks. injecting Tymlos and I am so tired, I can hardly function. It seems to be getting worse as time goes on, instead of better. Anyone else experiencing
this or know how long it may last?

i've been taking Tymlos for one year and after seven months my bones are not healing from having broken lumbar bones. I go back in January a bone density test since I continued the Tymlos for a year to find out if it's working, my doctor probably will switch me to Forteo. every time i inject tymlos my heart pounds for about 20 minutes and the doctor said that's a side effect and not a problem, but it still scares me