Forteo vs. Tymlos: Which did you choose?

Good evening @cireland and @kdbones, you two have mentioned the big question: What will we do after Tymlos? I am in month 7 with no side effects or reasons to stop the injections at this time. What I like best about Tymlos is that you take this medication one day at a time. I have had a batch of reactions to the once a month dosages that have side effects for which there is nothing you can do. Please share your experiences and findings so that more of our fellow members on Connect may benefit. Be safe and protected. Chris

I am 65 female, told I had osteoporosis last December after DEXA scan. Had to postpone neck surgery due to my numbers. Surgeon wants me on Forteo but insurance is fighting it. Actually I’m glad, as it’s giving me time to research and study about all the drugs, side effects, natural alternatives, etc. most all the drugs simply slow down osteoclasts and does not allow the bone to get rid of all bone. So the next scan will show improved bone density but it is only because old bone is still in there. Because old bone remains, preventing new bone from forming there, a person ends up with Brittle bones. Most people with osteoporosis who have fractures have been on some sort of osteoporosis medication. These facts have really made me scared and nervous about wanting to put that stuff in my body.

I've been on Forteo for 10 months, with a 24-month plan. No side effects that I've been able to notice. I'm 66 years old. I don't know what will happen when I'm done with the Forteo.

@delongak And that is the big question......what’s next? Please post as you find out more. I will also. Be content and at ease. Chris

@artscaping Even though my endocrinologist, who is the Director of the Bone Density Center at MGH, tells me that the risks from these drugs are far, far smaller than your risk of a severe, life-changing fracture if you don't take them, I too am still trying to decide. We have some February and March travel plans and then in April I have an MRI to be sure my cancer has not metastasized, so I will do nothing until those things are behind me. In the meantime, I hope to learn more. Her first recommendation is Reclast which seems to be the first recommendation of most doctors. I'm not sure if that's because since it's a yearly infusion it will be simpler overall, or why.
JK

Hi, I am researching Forteo vs Tymlos and saw your post. I, too, have -3.3 in my spine. My endocrinologist ordered Tymlos for me as it shows vertebrae improvement. But, it is a newer drug in this class.
Can you share your experiences being in Tymlos since you posted.
Thank you!!!

Good afternoon @salpert, I am assuming your inquiry was directed to me, @artscaping. If not please let me help you find the person you wanted to contact. In the meantime, I want to acknowledge your request by saying, Yes, I am happy to share my experiences with Tymlos. I don't know how definitive my experiences were because my choice of Tymlos was made for the following reasons:

I experienced severe bone pain (ribs, sternum, jaw, eye sockets) from biphosphonates like Boniva, taken as a capsule every 30 days. I was directed to an endocrinologist who did some real searching for fractures as well as the presence of calcium or lack thereof. Tymlos and Forteo both create bone....other medications protect the bone you have. Unfortunately, once you stop with the preserving medications that old bone is problematic. It is better to have new bone or at least that is my only choice.

Tymlos is a daily injectable. It is stable and does not have to be refrigerated like Forteo. As a daily medication, you can opt-out if you have any issues. I don't want to wait for months with pain and discomfort until the medication has left my body.

With Tymlos I had no side effects to speak of. Little nausea in the first few days. I am now on month 7.

If you dig into the reviews and research you will find that the chemical makeup and interactions are different. You may find that information helps with your decision. Tymlos is an 18 month program and Forteo a 24 month program. To save your new bone, it is probable that you will have to use another medication to preserve what you have built.

Ask questions......let me know what you think. Both of these are quite spendy $$$$ so you also need to research the costs given your coverage.

What is your major concern? Have you had fractures? Be content and at ease. Chris

Thank you for your reply. I am seeing a endocrinologist for severe osteoporosis especially in my spine. She is putting me on Tymlos next week. I know it is newer on the market so I was concerned but reports I have read seem very promising,
I know that I will be put on another bone density drug once I complete the Tymlos cycle.
I appreciate your response and having a format to discuss this issue.
Stay well...thanks a lot!

I've been told by my doctor (and read on line several places), that IF Forteo works I will have to go onto another drug after coming off it, or any gains I make will disappear. I'm SO scared of the possibility of getting bone cancer from this drug. Is it hard to give yourself shots every day? Are the shots painful? Not sure I can do that!! Have you had a DEXA scan since starting Forteo?

I'm just finishing my first year of Forteo and do expect to use something else after I'm done. The shots are given with a VERY fine needle and I usually can't feel them at all. Bone cancer has only been observed in lab rats, not humans, in connection with larger doses than humans get.