Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

@annevan @windyshores I am like both of you. I was going through life doing what I wanted to do until I started to realize that I had suffered some breaks over a three year period. First a wrist, then a collarbone, then a toe, then another bone in my foot. All except the last resulted from fairly serious impacts during sports or play but - still - I'd never broken parts of my body before, so all of these within a few years seemed very unusual. I knew I was at risk for osteoporosis due to family history and early onset menopause and I'd been watching my bone density for decades. I had another test in 2022 and sure enough, I'd entered the osteoporosis range. That woke me up to the fact that my recent broken bones are probably related to a loss of bone density. I have a good doctor, who patiently went through everything with me and as a result I just started taking Tymlos about a week ago. So far, it is ok. I don't like giving myself a shot everyday, but it's not painful and it will hopefully turn into part of my nightly routine given time. If there are others who are on Tymlos, especially close to the start of their course of treatment, I'd be happy to compare notes and/or commiserate as appropriate.

Strontium throws off the DEXA because it is heavier (denser) than calcium and replaces it in the bones. I have posted on this before. It is well known. Forums like Inspire also have folks posting about the improvements on strontium and the doc there informs people why it can affect DEXA.

That said, strontium ranelate, which was by prescription in Europe/UK, was used for osteoporosis when a patient could not tolerate anything else. It is no longer available or approved because of clot and cardiovascular risk.

Strontium citrate is sold in supplements in the US and is over the counter. As I wrote before, several companies have stopped selling it (Dr.'s Best is one) and the amounts in some supplements is negligible. The dose suggested for bones was 680mg.

If strontium does work, it works slowly so may not be appropriate for some of us anyway.

Noone seems to know if the citrate has the same risks as the ranelate.

I took strontium on my own 15 years ago, before it was taken off the market. Only because I could not tolerate any of the other meds (Tymlos did not exist yet). I would not take it now.

@arielneva I am on Tymlos. Feel free to PM! I started at a low dose and moved up. It sounds like you are tolerating it well 🙂

Thanks, @windyshores. Mine was an older post and I've read what you've since posted about the strontium question and haven't added any to my regime. I'm staying with the trifrcta of calcium/D3/K2 and working on better diet. I read a study questioning whether osteoporosis is really understood as it looked at patients with multiple compression fractures but good DEXA scores and those with poor DEXA scores but yet oddly strong bones with no fracture history. Therefore suggesting, as structural engineers might, that the science needs to relook at bone attributes and inherent strength. The analogy was to the many variables that can make cement, or steel, hard or dense, but weak, versus lighter, less dense material that can absorb and transmit shock or load without damage (e.g., bamboo). For Mr, I'm staying with the trifecta of calcium/D3/K2 and hoping that organically-grown fruits and vegetables I've increased in diet will absorb the trace minerals we need.

I forgot to mention the biotin, zinc and silica that I take as well. They are supposedly good for bone support and also hair, skin and nails. I notice to difference in the latter, but when I stopped taking the stuff for awhile when I forgot to order more, I did see a subtle difference in skin and nails so added them back.

@windyshores I will do this, I will be happy to share updates and hear about yours. All of the drugs have scary possible side effects so it's nice to have someone else "out there" who is going through the same treatment. It's sort of lonely otherwise. I was happy to find this group and very happy that you replied.

I will send you a private message.

Hello,
I am new to this group. I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis and given a choice to go on either Forteo or Tymlos medication. I would be interested to hear anyone's experience with these two different medication and which one is the most natural out of the two choices that I have been given. Thank you!

Hi @jocelynes - Welcome to Connect. You are not the only one trying to make the decision. You might want to read through the following discussion to learn what others have shared -Forteo vs. Tymlos: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/forteo-vs-tymlos-1/

I found this article that may be helpful if you have questions -- What Is the Difference Between Tymlos and Forteo?: https://nwhn.org/what-is-the-difference-between-tymlos-and-forteo/

Did your doctor have any thoughts or suggestions?

Good afternoon @jocelynes, welcome to this amazing group of patients, caregivers, and mentors. We believe that knowledge is power, Sharing knowledge on Connect helps so many folks who are looking for assistance with understanding and treating medical conditions.

You asked about Forteo and Tymlos. Perhaps I can help with Tymlos. I did the daily injections for two years. I had no side effects after the first week or so when I was a little dismayed about how to manage the treatment process. I chose Tymlos over Forteo because I was traveling quite a bit at the time and I didn't want to deal with the refrigeration requirement.

At the end of two years.....my DEXA scan showed that in some areas my prior osteoporosis had declined to osteopenia. Other areas had stabilized.

Do you have any other specific inquiries? Just let me know.

May you be content and at ease.
Chris