Forteo vs. Tymlos: Which did you choose?

I never realized before how independent I was. Now I have to have someone do something so simple as change a light bulb! I used to be such an independent person....I could do it all myself! Now I have to have someone even mow my yard. The thing that hurts the most like you said is not being able to do things with my grandkids.....I used to be totally involved with them....now they look at me like they don't know what is going on. I have a little autistic Grandson who I was very close with and I know he doesn't understand as he's told he cannot run to me and put his arms up for me to hold him like I used to. I don't mean to sound like I'm feeling sorry for myself.....hopefully I can get back to somewhat normalcy once I have the hardware out but I will always have one leg shorter than the other that throws my balance off. It's been so nice chatting with you and (maybe a little venting)! Thank you

I broke my foot in January 2019 and my life has been forever changed. I continue to work and try to do what I can, but life changes in an instance and one never realizes it until it happens, I guess. I am grateful to finally be walking again but my ability to not have to think about what I’m doing or not be in pain will not exist again.....I am continuing to try to make improvements and finally can return to a therapy pool, which gives me a chance to get some exercise that is a little easier.....I wish all of you the best in your journeys.

Thank you and you are right everything can change in an instant! My Grandma always used to say if you can stay away from the doctors the better off you will be and she lived to be 104. However sometimes we have no choice in the matter!

@starkl @migizii @butch24350 I am in such a similar position. I thought I was doing great, exercising a lot and feeling good. Then I fell from a pre-syncope episode, fractured my “greater trochanter of L femur” (hip) and have been in pain ever since and worried about a fall, particularly with winter almost here, with its icy parking lots.
I can still be independent and have resumed exercise, painfully. I was told I cannot make anything worse so I can do what I can tolerate, the fracture is not a weight-bearing area.
I had been planning to start/resume doing yoga (I had done some in the past) but that’s out now, it’s too difficult to get down and back up from the floor.

This article came in my email this morning about osteoporosis medications. I have found “everydayhealth” to be a fairly reliable source for information and I think there are not too many sources for objective appraisals of medicines.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/osteoporosis-drugs-safe-dangerous/?slot=0&xid=nl_EHNLwomenshealth_2019-11-09_18569130&utm_source=Newsletters&nl_key=nl_womens_health&utm_content=2019-11-09&utm_campaign=Womens_Health&utm_term=creativeA
JK

Thank you !

Can you skip daily Tymlos injection for one or more days when travelling? What do you do with the spent needles (sharps) when away from home? Will rheumatologist schedule your Dexascan more frequently than 2-year interval to evaluate progress, if you are taking Tymlos? What are Tymlos co-pays down to in 11/2019 for Medicare part D supplements or for drug maker?

@19tufa, Good evening, thank you for joining Connect. I will try to answer your inquiries. I started Tymlos 6 months ago. One of the reasons is that it is stable without refrigeration. I found the following on tymlos.com "To get the most of your TYMLOS treatment, it’s important not to miss any doses." There is also a toll-free number you can call. 1-866-896-5674 Since the Tymlos program is for 18 mos....I would assume that the Dexascan would be sooner than 2 years. There is also the issue of what's next? How do we keep up the good work that was done?

Regarding the cost.....I just went over that issue with my insurance advisor. You have to look at it for a whole year. I chose a plan with Tymlos in the formulary. I than calculated the early costs with the plan deductible. That's a $$$ ouch. Then the cost goes up with the donut hole. I am now in the coverage gap or whatever you call the end of the year and the product is under $50. So you have to factor in all of the hurdles.

When I go away, I take a zip bag for the needles after use along with the prep pad and sealer. Then when I get home I put the needles in the special disposal container that I have. You have to find someplace that takes the needles. A pharmacy doesn't do that....neither does the clinic.

The biggest plus for me...no side effects. I had severe reactions to Boniva and other Bisphosphonates.

I hope this gets you on the right road. Are you already using Tymlos? Have you been side effect free? Did an Endrochnologist prescribe your prescription for Tymlos?

Have a restful sleep tonight. Chris

@artscaping I presume you are on Medicare D, is that correct? I know that what is paid can vary depending on the carrier, but if you don't mind, how much did you have to pay initially for Tymlos? I am familiar with how the cost of drugs can vary throughout the year from when I was in xifaxan. Initially we were paying about $700 a month, then we hit the donut hole, and then the cost went way down.

That's great that you are not having any side-effects from Tymlos. We are all different of course though and that does not mean that someone else will not have effects.
JK

I can’t answer most of these question as I’m new to this drug myself, but I do not skip my shots when traveling and bring the used needles home with me to dispose of. I’m pretty sure my doctor is planning a one year interval for the dead screen as I had a fracture this year and I presently have insurance through work so next year, I will find out how Medicare payments work.....hope you find this a little helpful.

@contentandwell, Yes I have the drug part or Medicare D which is then farmed out to another carrier. Since the Tymlos hasn' been a whole year....I can't fill in all the gaps.

Initially, I paid about $550 a month in the summer. Then it went down in the coverage gap. Then it went down further in the last two months. I picked up 3 prescriptions ...2 very pricey ones and gabapentin last Friday. The total was $90 so I am pretty sure that the Tymlos was about $50.

My advisor said I need to stay with the same carrier and that financially it will be about the same as last year. Is there something you want to know specifically? I am not good at this stuff at all. I can barely understand all the ins and outs of the plans. That is why I have an insurance advisor who keeps me "covered" pretty well. Have a restful sleep. Chris