Forteo vs. Tymlos: Which did you choose?

Hi -- I started Tymlos a year ago -- had some nausea in the beginning, but that dissipated. I do the shots just as I go to bed which seems to work best for me. Had my bone scan last month and my t-scores in my spine are all in the normal range. I will be on Tymlose for most of this year -- after that the MD wants me to go on Reclast -- which I won't do. Am looking into Chinese medicine along with diet and exercise. Good luck to you.

Many of the drugs used to treat osteoporosis can affect the jawbone. Many dentists won't do any major dental work if they know you're on these drugs. A pharmacist's wife told me the other day that many dentists will actually give their patients boron supplements before doing any implant work, to help make sure bone in the jaw is built up. If jawbone is porous or weak, implants won't hold.

Mentor, I'm also in the vast middle and was rejected on my first application. There is more financial leeway than one would imagine! Based on my out-of-pocket health care costs, I appealed their decision and was accepted into the program. The forms were given to me by Wake Forest Baptist. I had no idea that this type of program even existed! Your doctor should be able to help you. It's definitely worth a try!

I'm not sure who you meant to respond to, but it isn't me. I take one injection a day and don't know what you are talking about. My injection is in the morning. There are no pills and never were any pills. I will say, the injection varies from no pain to a painful shot. If a person has a clean abdomen, no scars, stretch marks or bruising, the injection should be easy. Unfortunately, this is not my situation. Still, whenever there are few alternatives, a person has to do what is necessary.

Congrats that you were accepted into the program. All we can do is apply for some assistance. Just don't take NO as an answer. The oe forms and the letter writing take so much time. We just can't let the Pharma and Insurance Companies win.

@debbiem @lucky1038 The hygienist at my dentist's office told me that basically you have to be of osteoporosis medication for the amount of time it is effective for. For example, if you are on Reclast you would need to wait until you are due for another infusion which could be as long as a year if you have recently had an infusion. If you are on a daily medication the restrictions are much less.
This is what I was told by the hygienist but I have not checked it further.

@curlylocks Thanks. If the time comes that I need to look into this I will remember that there is some negotiability. We are on a fixed retirement income that hasn't changed since my husband retired in 2004 so each year money gets a bit tighter. So far we are OK, thankfully.
JK

That is why you can apply for a Tier exception. When some of the drugs ie Prolia is known to cause more than the others and can't take the oral drugs for other reasons.

This is true of the biophophonates, but it's not true for Tymlos or Forteo.

I was informed that my monthly out-of-pocket for Tymlos is $850 with Medicare and a supplemental insurance. Help!!! Any advice?

Hi Salpert, Your doctor should have advised you about applying directly to Tymlos for financial help. He or she should have forms on hand. You fill out part of the form and your doctor fills out the rest. Contrary to what a lot of people believe, there is flexibility on income. I was rejected the first time and wrote an appeals letter explaining my other out-of-pocket health care costs. I was then accepted into their program. Hopefully, this information helps you. Good luck and let me know what happens. Curly Locks