Undecided choice of drugs for Osteoporosis

Posted by peace44 @peace44, Oct 10, 2023

I am 80 years old women and have borderline osteoporosis which affects my entire body. My doctor wants me to take Prolia and the Rheumatologist wants me to take Reclast. I’m unhappy with both choices as the side effects are great and I do not tolerate new drugs well. I am very undecided and am considering doing not taking annty drugs for this condition. I have never had a fracture and I’m very active Any opinions or advice.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

@peace44 Evenity is covered by Medicare Part B, I believe. Tymlos has patient assistance. I chose Tymlos after years of no meds, because the dose is adjustable. I started low and ramped up, and never did a full dose, and still had great gains.

ps doesn't osteoporosis always affect the whole body? truly asking....

REPLY

@genlty you wrote : " I've read that more fractures occur in osteopenic women than in osteoporotic women." I also read this. But the article I read said the RATE of fracture is much higher in women with osteoporosis. In other words, because the number of women with osteopenia outnumbers those with osteoporosis, there are more fractures for those with osteopenia overall, but the percentage fracturing with osteoporosis is much higher. Statistics can be misleading! Main message, I guess, is that you are not 100% safe if you have osteopenia but you are more safe than those with osteoporosis!

REPLY
@peace44

That’s for great information. Forteo sounds good but I have no insurance that covers Forteo and it’s thousands per month. I need a drug which is covered under Part B of Medicare and that’s Prolia and Reclast. I don’t care for either. I currently looking for a drug that’s natural. I only have one prescription for High Blood Pressure so I’m unaccustomed to an ongoing drugs.

Jump to this post

Peace44,
There’s also Evenity. I’m currently on Evenity. So far, so good.
I don’t know if there is a natural drug?

REPLY
@windyshores

I just read a study on the difference between taking a bone builder before Prolia and bisphosphonates or after. The difference was shocking: in some cases the latter had half the effectiveness. It is much much better to take Eventity, Tymlos or Forteo before a bisphosphonate or Prolia!

Jump to this post

Can you provide the title of the study paper?

REPLY
@gently

The endocrinologist I see would advise against medication for borderline osteoporosis. I, on the other hand (with no particular knowlege of anything) would be alarmed at the suggestion of Prolia. And would advise against reclast. But would suggest you look at Forteo.
It is just that if you fracture your life will change in ways you can't imagine. I've read that more fractures occur in osteopenic women than in osteoporotic women.
Trabecular bone structure is poorly depicted on dxa. Have you had a TBS. That is where we lose bone the fastest because there is more surface area to this type of bone.
Some people never fracture. I'm not taking the risk and have been on Forteo since April without negative effect.
70% of women 80 or older have osteoporosis. Congratualtions.

Jump to this post

After two years on forteo I had no discernable side effects and had some gain in bone. Then followed with alendronate also with no noticeable side effects.

REPLY

I just posted on another chat about this but am looking for more info. I’m 56. I had a RTHR in 2020 and am fixen to do the left. Surgeon in 2020 said my hip or thigh bone was brittle amd he had to wrap wire around it to help hold it together with prosthetic. I have OA and OP. I have a good pcp but he’s seems to be lacking a bit when it comes to completely informing me as to my situation. As I don’t know numbers or medication choices or even supplements. I have had a bone density test
Done. I suppose to be
Key word there taking fosamax but have a problem with being regular and consistent with my meds. Assistant told me she thought I should be taking a vitamin D supplement with the fosamax which that's the first I’ve heard of it.

I read where Fosamax is hard on the thigh bones, and you can have breakage without injury that’s concerning to me. I also read where there’s a Lotta joint pain with it. That’s also concerning to me.

What should I do? Ask dr I suppose more specific questions and take notes cause I tend to not retain information to well. What med is right
For me what supplements etc?

Thank you in advance for any advice and god bless and keep
You
All healthy.

REPLY
@janflute

I am also trying to decide between Reclast or Fosomax. I think that I read that Reclast is better at keeping bone growth after Forteo.

Jump to this post

I just finished Forteo in September. My Endocrinologist put me on Fosamax.

REPLY
@gravity3

After two years on forteo I had no discernable side effects and had some gain in bone. Then followed with alendronate also with no noticeable side effects.

Jump to this post

Same, 2 years as well. 4% gain the first year. 5% gain the second year for a total of 9% density gain. Now on Fosamax (Alendronate).

REPLY
@lkel

I just finished Forteo in September. My Endocrinologist put me on Fosamax.

Jump to this post

I have been told that Fosomax is not as good at holding the bone gain after Forteo as Reclast. I am terrified of Reclast, but since I took Fosomax for five years from 2003-2008 with no side effects I feel much safer with it. ?????

REPLY
@janflute

I have been told that Fosomax is not as good at holding the bone gain after Forteo as Reclast. I am terrified of Reclast, but since I took Fosomax for five years from 2003-2008 with no side effects I feel much safer with it. ?????

Jump to this post

Thanks for your information. My close friend became color blind using Fosomax and she advised against it. It took a year for her to see colors again. She is now on Prolia without any side effects. I’m skeptical of all Osteo drugs as I’m 80 years old. I’m still very undecided.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.