1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

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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lindysue | @lindysue | Sep 10, 2023

I have been taking Prolia for almost 5yrs and my doctor says it is still the best out there

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windyshores | @windyshores | Sep 10, 2023
In reply to @lindysue "I have been taking Prolia for almost 5yrs and my doctor says it is still the..." + (show)
@lindysue

I have been taking Prolia for almost 5yrs and my doctor says it is still the best out there

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My doc will not use Prolia due to problems getting off. All of our doctors are so different!

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Sep 11, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "My doc will not use Prolia due to problems getting off. All of our doctors are..." + (show)
@windyshores

My doc will not use Prolia due to problems getting off. All of our doctors are so different!

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It is maddening when trying to make tough decisions. I am also using the you tube presentations from OsteoBoston

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artisan3 | @artisan3 | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "@gb76 Forteo and Tymlos are very similar. I believe Tymlos is slightly better for spine. I..." + (show)
@windyshores

@gb76 Forteo and Tymlos are very similar. I believe Tymlos is slightly better for spine. I chose it because the dose pen is adjustable.

I am surprised that your mother did so well without following up with a bisphosphonate to "lock in" gains. I have been told that without that, bone loss recurs and I would lose any progress I have had, and some posters here have had that experience.

Reclast isn't really a step down drug so much as a drug to seal the new bone, from what I have been told. And I may only need one or two doses with monitoring.

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I have been researching all of these options before my follow up visit with Endocrinologist in 10 days. She wants me to start Evenity for 1 year and then to Prolia. I do not want to do Prolia, because once you start, you can't stop.
The osteoporosis in my spine is -3.1 and I have never had any fractures in my life. Just turned 70 last week and I am very active, also joined a gym (2 months ago) which I go to 2-3 times per week.
All of your posts have been very informative and I am hoping to come up with an option that I can live with and that my insurance will cover. Fingers crossed!

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2 replies
artisan3 | @artisan3 | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @gravity3 "It is maddening when trying to make tough decisions. I am also using the you tube..." + (show)
@gravity3

It is maddening when trying to make tough decisions. I am also using the you tube presentations from OsteoBoston

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Yes, it is maddening and then throw insurance into the mix...UGH

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artisan3 | @artisan3 | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @chickyb "Thank you for the information, I was aware of the strontium falsely showing increased bone density..." + (show)
@chickyb

Thank you for the information, I was aware of the strontium falsely showing increased bone density however some believe it’s not enough to skew the result. Anyway, I wanted to try a more holistic approach first. That being said, depending on cost I will probably begin Forteo- just worried about having to inject daily. Thank you again

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It's in a pen, so not a big deal. However, it does need to be refrigerated.

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lauratys | @lauratys | Sep 20, 2023
In reply to @ann707 "I did 9 months of Evenity then stopped for increasing joint pain with each dose from..." + (show)
@ann707

I did 9 months of Evenity then stopped for increasing joint pain with each dose from #5 onward. I followed up with Reclast which had never bothered me before but unfortunately was not the case now. The joint pain/stiffness has been doing a slow walk through my hands, both now. Maybe my toes. It's not debilitating but definitely annoying. It's better as the day goes on. But I figure I've got a year maybe more of this according to what I have read.
I won't get a dexa until January.
I took Forteo about 14 years ago and went from a -4.8 to 4 in my spine. I have been seeing a different doc and their machine has me at a -3.6. So different machine can give different results. Regardless, I did have a density increase and no adverse reactions.

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I appreciate your comment as I felt like I was dismissed when I shared this with medical professional but the ache/pain is real and you describe it well! Hope you’re doing better!

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Sep 20, 2023

I took forteo for two years. No noticeable side effects. Shots easy to self administer ister and I had some bone gain. Followed by alendronate for the max time.... again no noticeable side effects. Now on first injections of evenity.....a little soreness for two days.

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leeosteo | @leeosteo | Sep 21, 2023

gravity3, did you use generic form of Forteo (teriparatide)? Also how did you handle travel and keeping Forteo refrigerated?

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lildahlia | @lildahlia | Sep 21, 2023

I take Tymlos. No side effects for me. They have a Grant program and will pay for your full cost. I received the form from my doctor but I think you can use their website. Your doc and you need to fill out paperwork.

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