Forteo vs. Tymlos: Which did you choose?

Posted by suze317 @suze317, Oct 17, 2018

I have to make a decision on Forteo vs. Tymlos and am not sure what to choose. Forteo has been around a lot longer, but has to be refrigerated. Tymlos only around 1 1/2 years but is shelf stable and seems to have less side effects and less issues with calcium. Can anyone offer their perspective? Thank you!

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drdebt | @drdebt | May 6, 2023

In reply to @rutz "Did you try tymlos? And if so did you have side effects" + (show)

After I had a stress fracture in my tibia, I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in 2022. Since then, I have been on Tymlos continuously for 13 months. I’ve not missed one dose. Here is my experience:
*Rapid heartbeat lasting about 1 hour after injection
*mild itching at injection site
*Bruising at most injection sites—esp. in my fatty areas of stomach
*I now have hand tremors, which I wonder if brought on by Tymlos
*I feel unsteady on my feet multiple times per day
These symptoms are tolerable to me; but, I wonder if I should be more concerned? I just considered them temporary (will go away) roadblocks on my way to improved bone health.
Should I be more concerned?

windyshores | @windyshores | May 6, 2023

In reply to @drdebt "After I had a stress fracture in my tibia, I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in..." + (show)

I think this is par for the course, or at least similar to my experience. For me, it is totally worth it (many fractures) and my results amazed me.

Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | May 7, 2023

In reply to @drdebt "After I had a stress fracture in my tibia, I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in..." + (show)

Good evening @drdebt and welcome to Connect. Thanks for explaining your issues so concisely. And I agree wholeheartedly with @windyshores. I completed two years of Tymlos with very few post-injection issues. My results were positive as far as improving the health of my bones.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

elizabethaames | @elizabethaames | May 7, 2023

In reply to @drdebt "After I had a stress fracture in my tibia, I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in..." + (show)

I'm tolerating some of the symptoms that are less than ideal too, but finally called the Tymlos helpline/RN Pharma folks as I am still having neuropathy/pain/tingling in my toes and feet and don't want the fall risk. They said there shouldn't be a connection at all w/Tymlos, side effect wise...and also helped clarify that the injections need to remain in the abdomen (not the thigh like Forteo) as their trials for efficacy were all using abdomen...So I too am hoping they'll just 'go away' but may ask a neurologist next as I don't want to have permanent neuropathy, being very athletic/active a walker, etc....seems like an increased fall risk, which kinda goes against the purpose!

lkel | @lkel | May 7, 2023

In reply to @elizabethaames "I'm tolerating some of the symptoms that are less than ideal too, but finally called the..." + (show)

I am on Forteo, 20 months now, and all the injections are in my abdomen. Did the thigh used to be a requirement?

elizabethaames | @elizabethaames | May 7, 2023

In reply to @lkel "I am on Forteo, 20 months now, and all the injections are in my abdomen. Did..." + (show)

Hmn. Interesting...no, someone on one of the threads here had mentioned the thigh as an alternate jab spot for Tymlos (like with Forteo, which my own physician said was fine either way, but I only got approved for Tymlos due to insurance costs) The Tymlos pharma line said 'nope' when I called to ask about thighs as an alt, and they said that's not how their tests/efficacy standards and methodology was conducted, so just wanted to put it out there for clarity...in 'use Tymlos as directed' mode.

windyshores | @windyshores | May 7, 2023

In reply to @elizabethaames "Hmn. Interesting...no, someone on one of the threads here had mentioned the thigh as an alternate..." + (show)

They did studies using the abdomen so they are not allowed to say yes to thighs. My doc said thighs were okay but I continue to use tummy 🙂

ssapp1 | @ssapp1 | May 8, 2023

In reply to @lkel "I am on Forteo, 20 months now, and all the injections are in my abdomen. Did..." + (show)

@elizabethaames - Forteo (teraparatide) gives a person the option of injecting in the abdomen or thigh. Tymlos is in the abdomen. I have been on both. Hope that helps 😀

birdly | @birdly | May 8, 2023

I just started Tymlos about three weeks ago. I chose it because with my Medicare Advantage plan, it was less expensive than Forteo, although my rheumatologist was okay with either one. Personally, I'm not really concerned with the fact that Tymlos is newer than Forteo as it's a similar medication. I've heard that the side effects are similar as well. I get a pounding heart sensation for about 1/2 hour after taking it. I've had a slight headache at times and a little fatigued, but nothing worse than that. My spine is -4.2 so I'm really hoping this will give me some gains.

kjoy | @kjoy | Jun 21, 2023

In reply to @windyshores "I have read in some studies that using Reclast before Tymlos makes the Tymlos less effective...." + (show)

I spoke with my "case manager" from Radius Assist program (Radius is the maker of Tymlos) today. I do not qualify for their monetary help but she is helping with the approval and prior authorization of Tymlos, which is going to be very helpful. She was also able to explain the process to me, which otherwise I would not have been able to figure out.

More information at their website about qualification for financial assistance at their website. I can't post a URL but if you are interested just Google "radius assist"