Best treatment for osteoporosis in women over 70

Posted by billy202 @billy202, 2 days ago

Long time runner with diagnosis of osteoporosis but want updated treatments

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I wonder if you would add more information. Latest dexa scan and whether you have taken any osteoporosis
Meds before. Thanks

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billy202, offhand I'd say the best treatment would be Forteo or Tymlos. There may be reasons why Evenity would be a better start drug-- if you bone density is so low as to risk imminent fracture. But any of these medications might be the wrong medication for some osteoporosis patients.
In the main, endocrinologists know that it is better to start treatment with a drug that builds bone (anabolic) than a drug that prevents loss (antiresorptive).
If your loss is in the femoral head or the spine where there is mainly trabecular bone the two pth drugs Forteo and Tymlos are the best, especially if you intend to stay active for the next 30+ years.

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My wife gets a Prolia shot every six months as a preventative measure, It's not cheap even with insurance.

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Profile picture for gently @gently

billy202, offhand I'd say the best treatment would be Forteo or Tymlos. There may be reasons why Evenity would be a better start drug-- if you bone density is so low as to risk imminent fracture. But any of these medications might be the wrong medication for some osteoporosis patients.
In the main, endocrinologists know that it is better to start treatment with a drug that builds bone (anabolic) than a drug that prevents loss (antiresorptive).
If your loss is in the femoral head or the spine where there is mainly trabecular bone the two pth drugs Forteo and Tymlos are the best, especially if you intend to stay active for the next 30+ years.

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@gently thank you, I’ll check them out

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Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

My wife gets a Prolia shot every six months as a preventative measure, It's not cheap even with insurance.

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@heisenberg34

I'm surprised you have to pay out of pocket. Do you have original Medicare or an advantage plan? Do you have a supplemental insurance? I pay nothing. Have you talked about this with her doctor and the billing department? I am sorry that you have to tackle this.

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Not sure how long since you checked osteoporosis meds. I don’t think they have changed recently. Unless you try natural treatments which in my opinion are iffy. I guess the best one is the one you can tolerate and works for you!

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Profile picture for gravity3 @gravity3

@heisenberg34

I'm surprised you have to pay out of pocket. Do you have original Medicare or an advantage plan? Do you have a supplemental insurance? I pay nothing. Have you talked about this with her doctor and the billing department? I am sorry that you have to tackle this.

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@gravity3 She has an
advantage plan. Yes, we checked all the various options. The $300 is a copay so Prolia is a fairly expensive option. Hoping they will come out with a generic drug soon.

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Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

@gravity3 She has an
advantage plan. Yes, we checked all the various options. The $300 is a copay so Prolia is a fairly expensive option. Hoping they will come out with a generic drug soon.

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@heisenberg34 I pay nothing as well. $300 is hefty. Can you get help from the Amgen or something like Good Rx? It might be beneficial to shop advantage plans during open season.

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Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

@gravity3 She has an
advantage plan. Yes, we checked all the various options. The $300 is a copay so Prolia is a fairly expensive option. Hoping they will come out with a generic drug soon.

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@heisenberg34

There is one already. It is called Jubbonti.
https://www.google.com/url

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Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

My wife gets a Prolia shot every six months as a preventative measure, It's not cheap even with insurance.

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@heisenberg34 There is now a "biosimilar" for Prolia that should be cheaper. My Primary Care's clinic no longer offers brand Prolia and only offers the biosimilar drug. Check if your Advantage plan covers that . Ostoeporosis drugs are covered by Medicare so it is a matter of what your Advantage plan makes you pay. They are Part B drugs because they must be administered in doctor's office.

I have Traditional Medicare with a Medigap policy so I pay nothing for Prolia. Also I have lung cancer, and Prolia has anti-bone tumor properties, so I am not changing from Prolia. They may be "equal" but Prolia has many more years of data than the biosimilar and I am not experimenting since I have not had any issues with Prolia and I don't need new problems.

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