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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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Sep 21, 2023

Took forteo for the full two years with no discernable side effects. Easy to give myself the injections. Had some modest gains in one. Followed by alendronate. One month on evenity just a bit of soreness at injection sites.

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2 replies
ann707 | @ann707 | Sep 23, 2023
In reply to @leeosteo "gravity3, did you use generic form of Forteo (teriparatide)? Also how did you handle travel and..." + (show)
@leeosteo

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

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I traveled with a insulated lunch bag with blue ice or any kind of ice pack. I put a cloth between the blue ice pack and the forteo to be sure it didn't freeze. Carry your prescription with you and tell the TSA folks you have the cooler. I never had any problems but that was more than 10 years ago.
It goes without saying where you go the cooler goes with you.

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leeosteo | @leeosteo | Sep 23, 2023
In reply to @gravity3 "Took forteo for the full two years with no discernable side effects. Easy to give myself..." + (show)
@gravity3

Took forteo for the full two years with no discernable side effects. Easy to give myself the injections. Had some modest gains in one. Followed by alendronate. One month on evenity just a bit of soreness at injection sites.

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gravity3. Were you on Forteo (brand name) or Teriparatide (generic form of Forteo)? Did you take a bisphosphonate before taking Forteo? Just wondering why you only had modest gains?

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leeosteo | @leeosteo | Sep 23, 2023
In reply to @gravity3 "Took forteo for the full two years with no discernable side effects. Easy to give myself..." + (show)
@gravity3

Took forteo for the full two years with no discernable side effects. Easy to give myself the injections. Had some modest gains in one. Followed by alendronate. One month on evenity just a bit of soreness at injection sites.

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gravity3. Sorry forgot to ask. Did you start Evenity right after Forteo? or was there several years between the two meds?

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Sep 23, 2023

I had forteo followed by alendronate and just had my first injections of evenity the first part of this month

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irr4et | @irr4et | Sep 24, 2023
In reply to @lildahlia "I take Tymlos. No side effects for me. They have a Grant program and will pay..." + (show)
@lildahlia

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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My dr favors Prolia - he says Evenity and tymlos have major side effects. I have bad nerve pain. How is Prolia tolerated by ppl like me?

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1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Sep 24, 2023
In reply to @irr4et "My dr favors Prolia - he says Evenity and tymlos have major side effects. I have..." + (show)
@irr4et

My dr favors Prolia - he says Evenity and tymlos have major side effects. I have bad nerve pain. How is Prolia tolerated by ppl like me?

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I managed Tymlos by starting at a low dose and letting my body adjust. My doc said he didn't know about that suggestion until I told him about it. I have not been able to tolerate anything else.

My two endos only use Prolia as a last resort due to difficulties getting off w/out a steep drop in bone density. Is your doc a PCP or endo?

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Sep 25, 2023
In reply to @artisan3 "I have been researching all of these options before my follow up visit with Endocrinologist in..." + (show)
@artisan3

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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Good evening @artisan3 ......I couldn't help but pop in with another suggestion. After two years of Tymlos injections, my endocrinologist recommended Alendronate....aka Fosamax. I simply take one pill every Monday morning. Give it 30 minutes before you start moving about and having breakfast.

This all took place after a year of Prolia which had unacceptable side effects and a door that appeared to close forever.

May you be safe, protected, and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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2 replies
artisan3 | @artisan3 | Sep 25, 2023
In reply to @artscaping "Good evening @artisan3 ......I couldn't help but pop in with another suggestion. After two years of..." + (show)
@artscaping

Good evening @artisan3 ......I couldn't help but pop in with another suggestion. After two years of Tymlos injections, my endocrinologist recommended Alendronate....aka Fosamax. I simply take one pill every Monday morning. Give it 30 minutes before you start moving about and having breakfast.

This all took place after a year of Prolia which had unacceptable side effects and a door that appeared to close forever.

May you be safe, protected, and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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Thank you! I do appreciate all of you sharing your experiences. I do have Alendronate written down, to discuss with my doctor.
I did have a bad experience with Fosamax and Boniva several years ago, hence my concerns for jumping into this pharmaceutical pond. Guess I will jump off that bridge when I get to it !

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1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Sep 25, 2023
In reply to @artisan3 "Thank you! I do appreciate all of you sharing your experiences. I do have Alendronate written..." + (show)
@artisan3

Thank you! I do appreciate all of you sharing your experiences. I do have Alendronate written down, to discuss with my doctor.
I did have a bad experience with Fosamax and Boniva several years ago, hence my concerns for jumping into this pharmaceutical pond. Guess I will jump off that bridge when I get to it !

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@artisan2 alendronate is the generic name for Fosamax.

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