Forteo or Evenity - which to take?

Posted by bellagila @bellagila, Apr 29, 2023

I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis last year and am still unsure about whether to take Forteo or Evenity. I fractured my pelvis from a fall several years ago. I consulted with 3 bone experts - two suggested Forteo and one suggested Evenity. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and experiences with both success and side effects from these medications. Thank you so much!

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@dreamjean1958

I used Forteo in the past . You give yourself shot everyday 1 x a day . It’s not bad. I didn’t have any side affects I used for about 14 months . Was suppose to be put on something after . Reabsorbtion med . Never was . Whatever you do . Make sure you use something after . I never was . Dr s failed me . Now I see an endocrinologist . For me his 1 st choice was Evinity . You go in 1 x a month . And get an injection . I have not had any side affects from that . I’m going on injection number 5 . I was told after a yr . I will need Prolia No exceptions . Your bone density will drop really fast . That’s what I was told .

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You can do Reclast instead of Prolia to lock gains in. Prolia can mean a sharp drop off in bone density when stopped, not true for Reclast, according to my doc.

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Just completed 12 months of once monthly Evenity injections with amazing results. My doc said Evenity works best if used before the reabsorptive drugs like fosamax. I was offered a choice of Forteo or Evenity.

At the end of treatment I had a 27 % improvement in my spinal score per the dexascan report. It was done on the same machine as my pretreatment dexa scan. My lumbar spine was -3.6 before treatment and now after treatment is -2.0, no longer in the osteoporosis range!!! My hip score was -2 to start and had a small improvement.
I have never had a fracture but I was diagnosed with asymptomatiac celiac disease which is a risk factor for osteoporosis due to the impact on calcium absorption. My doc says some of my improvement may be due to getting that under control.

I will go on once yearly reclast or twice a year Prolia soon to sustain the gain - doc appointment in two weeks -

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My dentist and oral surgeon recommended against my taking Reclast, Fosamax and Prolia.
I have had many visits to the dentist and oral surgeon and expect many more…
So this is not an option for me.
I am sticking with vitamins, heavy duty hip and back strengthening exercises, weighted vest walking 30 min five times a week, free weights and Thai chi.
I’m also looking into Bioactive Collagen Peptides. I eat prunes, almonds and green veggies several times a day.
I am afraid of taking medication that makes my joints hurt and possible necrosis of the jaw.
I would love to hear others on this. I am 73 lost 1.5 inches of height and weight 125.

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@foxy23

My dentist and oral surgeon recommended against my taking Reclast, Fosamax and Prolia.
I have had many visits to the dentist and oral surgeon and expect many more…
So this is not an option for me.
I am sticking with vitamins, heavy duty hip and back strengthening exercises, weighted vest walking 30 min five times a week, free weights and Thai chi.
I’m also looking into Bioactive Collagen Peptides. I eat prunes, almonds and green veggies several times a day.
I am afraid of taking medication that makes my joints hurt and possible necrosis of the jaw.
I would love to hear others on this. I am 73 lost 1.5 inches of height and weight 125.

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Yes, I am afraid of those bone medications too. What did your dentist state why you should not take the medicine? I'd like to know.

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@foxy23

My dentist and oral surgeon recommended against my taking Reclast, Fosamax and Prolia.
I have had many visits to the dentist and oral surgeon and expect many more…
So this is not an option for me.
I am sticking with vitamins, heavy duty hip and back strengthening exercises, weighted vest walking 30 min five times a week, free weights and Thai chi.
I’m also looking into Bioactive Collagen Peptides. I eat prunes, almonds and green veggies several times a day.
I am afraid of taking medication that makes my joints hurt and possible necrosis of the jaw.
I would love to hear others on this. I am 73 lost 1.5 inches of height and weight 125.

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@foxy23 if your bone density is low, you could take Forteo or Tymlos despite dental issues- they don't affect them. You would have to "lock in" gains with Reclast but it might be just one dose, depending on monitoring. I do tai chi too. I was doing it 5 times/week and still fractured!

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I am so sorry to hear that and dismayed. How did you fracture and how are you managing your bone loss.
I am trying to learn from others in order to make the best decisions. Thank you.

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@1956slk

Yes, I am afraid of those bone medications too. What did your dentist state why you should not take the medicine? I'd like to know.

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From what I understood, the meds have to be titrated out before procedures and monitored regularly for necrosis of the jaw ( which is devastating to treat ). It terrifies me to think about.

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@foxy23

My dentist and oral surgeon recommended against my taking Reclast, Fosamax and Prolia.
I have had many visits to the dentist and oral surgeon and expect many more…
So this is not an option for me.
I am sticking with vitamins, heavy duty hip and back strengthening exercises, weighted vest walking 30 min five times a week, free weights and Thai chi.
I’m also looking into Bioactive Collagen Peptides. I eat prunes, almonds and green veggies several times a day.
I am afraid of taking medication that makes my joints hurt and possible necrosis of the jaw.
I would love to hear others on this. I am 73 lost 1.5 inches of height and weight 125.

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I've been on Prolia for several years. I had some major dental surgery two years ago- actually had to have some of the bone above my front teeth filed off to replace old caps. I have no jaw bone problems. My spine improved to normal on Prolia but my hips have continued to decline and are now -3.2. The obvious step is to move on to something else but I'm too concerned about side effects so am doing exercise, weight vest, nutrition, etc. for the time being. I'm 72 yrs old, fit and weigh 122.

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The problem is, I have been told and read, is that the anti-resorptives like Prolia and bisphosphonates like Fosamax and Reclast, make the bone building drugs like Forteo, Tymlos and Evenity, less effective. I do not know to what extent.

I have also been told by docs that the dental issues with Prolia and bisphosponates are mostly cancer patients on high doses and/or for long periods of time. Anectodally, on this forum, there may be different experiences but glad to read the post by @gulfcoastwoman which may be more typical.

@foxy23 if your bone loss is severe, you could try Tymlos first, if your doc agrees.

I have 3 fractures from a 2006 serious fall (thoracic) and 2-3 from an unwise movement in 2021. I would have started Tymlos in 2020 but COVID interfered>

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@windyshores

The problem is, I have been told and read, is that the anti-resorptives like Prolia and bisphosphonates like Fosamax and Reclast, make the bone building drugs like Forteo, Tymlos and Evenity, less effective. I do not know to what extent.

I have also been told by docs that the dental issues with Prolia and bisphosponates are mostly cancer patients on high doses and/or for long periods of time. Anectodally, on this forum, there may be different experiences but glad to read the post by @gulfcoastwoman which may be more typical.

@foxy23 if your bone loss is severe, you could try Tymlos first, if your doc agrees.

I have 3 fractures from a 2006 serious fall (thoracic) and 2-3 from an unwise movement in 2021. I would have started Tymlos in 2020 but COVID interfered>

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I'm interested in Tymlos but Medicare doesn't cover it and my prescription co=pay would be about $850 a month. I don't qualify for a discount.

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