1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Anyone else starting drugs after long break?

Posted by vansks @vansks, Oct 12, 2023

About 30 years ago I fractured my pelvis in a fall and was diagnosed with osteopenia. I took Fosamax followed by 2 years of Forteo, then 2 years of Reclast. After all that I still had osteopenia. I became terrified of possible side effects, particularly jaw wasting disease, and discontinued treatments. Over the years I slowly progressed to osteoporosis. I foolishly thought I'd be fine as long as I stayed above -3, but my latest Dexi showed a jump to -3.1. Now I'm being referred to a bone fragility clinic and I'm again terrified. I'm 73. Any advice on what might be most useful for me?

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

pedsnurse61 | @pedsnurse61 | Oct 25, 2023
In reply to @vansks "Thank you! I was leaning towards Tymlos because I heard there were less side effects, but..." + (show)
@vansks

Thank you! I was leaning towards Tymlos because I heard there were less side effects, but I think I tolerated Forteo well the first time, and I like no preservatives. I think my mediocre bone building results may have been due to my frequent ibuprophen use. My daughter sent me an article stating ibuprophen could even increase bone loss if taken with Fosamax. I took it for muscle and tendon issues I attributed to my job. (I'm retired now and never take it anymore.)

Jump to this post

Do you think you can share the article stating that Ibuprofen could increase bone loss if taken with Fosamax please. I would appreciate it. I started taking Alendronate ( Fosimax) recently and take Ibuprofen for any ache/pain I have. I also wanted to know if there were any supplements that was recommended by the Fragility clinic you went to. I had to push my former MD to order appropriate bone marker tests for me so they would be covered. This is a life long condition as you know and the more knowledge you gain the better you will be able to deal with it.

REPLY
06111945cc | @06111945cc | Oct 25, 2023
In reply to @vansks "I had a consult with a bone fragility clinic yesterday. I've opted to try Tymlos. Dr..." + (show)
@vansks

I had a consult with a bone fragility clinic yesterday. I've opted to try Tymlos. Dr didn't feel it was necessary to do a bone marker test. I've found a local lab that will do a NTx test for under $100 out of pocket. I'm going to get it before starting Tymlos for my own information. I can do an out of pocket Dexa scan for $169. In a year I'll do that to see how the Tymlos is working.
My Dr said she's had patients get good results from taking collagen peptides . She also recommended eating 2 prunes a day. She said it's a super food for bones.

Jump to this post

What is the NTx test?
I know it’s a bone marker test. What does a test? What does it tell you?

REPLY
tetris | @tetris | Oct 25, 2023
In reply to @vansks "I had a consult with a bone fragility clinic yesterday. I've opted to try Tymlos. Dr..." + (show)
@vansks

I had a consult with a bone fragility clinic yesterday. I've opted to try Tymlos. Dr didn't feel it was necessary to do a bone marker test. I've found a local lab that will do a NTx test for under $100 out of pocket. I'm going to get it before starting Tymlos for my own information. I can do an out of pocket Dexa scan for $169. In a year I'll do that to see how the Tymlos is working.
My Dr said she's had patients get good results from taking collagen peptides . She also recommended eating 2 prunes a day. She said it's a super food for bones.

Jump to this post

Per Keith McCormick's "Great Bones" book, the CTX preferred over the NTX for bone-resorption marker. Also, consider lab test for P1NP before starting Tymlos. P1NP is the most import bone-formation marker and useful info before starting anabolic therapy, i.e., Forteo, Tymlos, Evenity (per "Great Bones", p. 156). Fast before the labs and do them as early in the day as you can.

REPLY
kristie2 | @kristie2 | Oct 26, 2023
In reply to @vansks "I had a consult with a bone fragility clinic yesterday. I've opted to try Tymlos. Dr..." + (show)
@vansks

I had a consult with a bone fragility clinic yesterday. I've opted to try Tymlos. Dr didn't feel it was necessary to do a bone marker test. I've found a local lab that will do a NTx test for under $100 out of pocket. I'm going to get it before starting Tymlos for my own information. I can do an out of pocket Dexa scan for $169. In a year I'll do that to see how the Tymlos is working.
My Dr said she's had patients get good results from taking collagen peptides . She also recommended eating 2 prunes a day. She said it's a super food for bones.

Jump to this post

There are 3 very important bone markers test . One is CTX which measures if you are losing bone. The other is NTX which measures resorption and then P1NP measures formation marker of the bone . I would get all 3.

REPLY
1 reply
vansks | @vansks | Oct 26, 2023
In reply to @kristie2 "There are 3 very important bone markers test . One is CTX which measures if you..." + (show)
@kristie2

There are 3 very important bone markers test . One is CTX which measures if you are losing bone. The other is NTX which measures resorption and then P1NP measures formation marker of the bone . I would get all 3.

Jump to this post

I am getting NTX through Ultra Lab Tests, they had a lab they partner with near me. I will also get the CTX , but they don't have the PINP on their website.

REPLY
1 reply
leeosteo | @leeosteo | Oct 27, 2023
In reply to @vansks "I am getting NTX through Ultra Lab Tests, they had a lab they partner with near..." + (show)
@vansks

I am getting NTX through Ultra Lab Tests, they had a lab they partner with near me. I will also get the CTX , but they don't have the PINP on their website.

Jump to this post

vansks, I just looked at U,tra Lab Tests and the P1NP is on their list of bone and joint tests. It is spelled out.... Procollagen Type 1 Intact N Terminal Propetide.

I agree with kristie2 that bone biomarkers are very important. My PCP would not order them for me at first. It took a lot of arm twisting, and my visit to McCormick, that prompted my PCP to order these tests. Long story short, my PCP would have put me on the wrong osteo med. The P1NP test solidified the need for a anabolic med. I'm now seeing an endocrinologist. Both the endo and McCormick have recommended Forteo.

REPLY
1 reply
vansks | @vansks | Oct 27, 2023
In reply to @leeosteo "vansks, I just looked at U,tra Lab Tests and the P1NP is on their list of..." + (show)
@leeosteo

vansks, I just looked at U,tra Lab Tests and the P1NP is on their list of bone and joint tests. It is spelled out.... Procollagen Type 1 Intact N Terminal Propetide.

I agree with kristie2 that bone biomarkers are very important. My PCP would not order them for me at first. It took a lot of arm twisting, and my visit to McCormick, that prompted my PCP to order these tests. Long story short, my PCP would have put me on the wrong osteo med. The P1NP test solidified the need for a anabolic med. I'm now seeing an endocrinologist. Both the endo and McCormick have recommended Forteo.

Jump to this post

Thanks!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.