Forteo first - Then Evenity ?

I live in NYC and am currently on regular Medicare with a supplement. Is Evenity covered in full by Medicare and a medigap? I have learned that Forteo is very expensive and not covered by Medicare. Has anyone located any assistance programs to lower the cost? My insurance may change to Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO City of New York and I have no idea if it will cover the Evenity. Any experience or thoughts on that? Thank you all so much!

I am reading that many on Forteo only have gains in their spine with little to no improvement in hips and femur. Kindly comment as I am debating whether to start with Forteo or go directly to Evenity. Thank you.

It seems that Teriparitide is less expensive than brand Forteo. Is it as effective? Any thoughts ?

@bellagila, I think Teriparitide is the generic form of Forteo and really the same and why it's cheaper.

"Teriparatide is commonly known by the brand name Forteo®. Forteo® is used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Forteo is a synthetic form of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is naturally found in the body, that stimulates the formation of new bone and leads to increased bone mineral density."
--- Forteo Information : Teriparatide - Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center: https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/patient-corner/drug-information/teriparatide-forteo/

Maybe see if you can do Forteo and then Evenity-? I had 9% gain in hip from Tymlos, 20% in spine, and assume it was similar with Forteo.

Hello @bellagila and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will notice that I have brought all three of your forteo discussions together here so that you can more easily manage responses from members, as well as share information back that you learn along the way as well.

I'd like to bring in members such as @leeosteo @sue6 @susanfalcon52 @mspatart and @ans who have all recently been discussing Forteo to see if they can share more with you.

Is there one your doctor is recommending over the other for you?

My understanding is that Medicare covers Evenity whereas Forteo & Tymlos are only covered by the prescription supplement that’s why they’re more expensive.

Maybe this info will be helpful though I am still on commercial insurance Highmark of Northeastern NY, which just changed name from Blue Shield of NY. Anyway, I called 800-545-5979 or Forteo.com to ask about savings and support. For commercial ins people you could pay $4.00 per month up to 9, 000 of the cost annually. Which you could start over again the second year. There was a different option to look at if you were on Medicare already. I don’t know that info….. but I’d certainly take a look!!! Good luck!!!

I hope to have gains like yours as well. I did have a doctor tell me that he has had patients loose bone in the hip and forearm area while on tymlos. So he suggested evinity for me but I have some issues with my teeth and jaw so I am going with tymlos.

The first recommendation was Forteo. It has side effects I am having issues with so I am going to be requesting Tymlos this week and will see what happens.

Very discouraging to have Forteo not work. Severe joint and leg pains, nausea, flulike symptoms, exhaustion. It was fine for 3 weeks and then all the side effects his like a building falling on me and no matter what I have tried, every other day, waiting 3 days and getting back on it etc. the side effects keep hitting.