Evenity vs Forteo/Tymlos for first Osteo drug?

Posted by heleneruth @heleneruth, Nov 23, 2025

Hi everyone,
I am 61 and received my 1st dexi last June despite yers of me asking for one. My dexi was horrible, shocked my doctors. I have severe osteoporosis. I had a feeling it would be bad, but not this bad. ( I have had 2 periods of rapid significant weight loss in the last 10 years, serious ongoing stress, limited ability to exercise due to chronic back injury, and family histroy of osteo yet they wouldn't give me a DEXI till now!) I can pull up the numbers but honestly it makes me so anxious that I try to avoid looking at the report. I am deciding between Evenity or Forteo/Tymlos. The doctor wants me on an anabolic first.Evenity would actually be cheaper for me as it's covered under Medicare Part B while Forteo co-pay is $900/month for me! I am medicare due to disability with my back. I am terrified of having these meds cause more back pain. Also I have chronic muscle and general fatigue and these meds seem to have potential side effects on muscle/bone aches. Also I'm concerned with the Evenity and the potential unintended immune response, since my chronic muscle fatigue is likely of autoimmunity cause (immune mediated reaction to a virus, 40 years ago). The physiatrist doctor in my smallish town doesn't seem to know much-she says they have the same efficacy and rarely have side effects. Well that is not what I've read! I'm scared and confused. Thanks for any guidance.

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osteopatient2026 | @osteopatient2026 | Nov 23, 2025

Your numbers would be helpful…I’m 65 and also just got diagnosed with severe. Osteoporosis-4.8

suegsbfromtexas | @suegsbfromtexas | Jun 5 3:11pm

Same score here... Im going with Forteo (and then perhaps Reclast?) bc a friend had very good results and no side effects. The Cardiac event warning on Evenity scares me.

lisaberkowitz | @lisaberkowitz | Jun 6 7:05am

Believe me, I understand your anxiety. My neurosurgeon suggested I go on Evenity for a yr before another spinal fusion sugery. My Dexa results went from 2.6 in my forearm to 2.1 & my hip went from 2.7 to 2.5. My spine gained bone density by 50 %. Zero side effects. I would recomment Evenity. Hope that helps!!!

magicwoo | @magicwoo | Jun 6 8:01am

In reply to @osteopatient2026 "Your numbers would be helpful…I’m 65 and also just got diagnosed with severe. Osteoporosis-4.8" + (show)

@osteopatient2026 I have been diagnosed with severe osteoporosis, my Dexa from February T-score -4.10 Left hip, -3.30 Right hip, -3.40 Spine
Endocrinologist has suggested Forteo/Tymlos or Evenity, we will meet next week to discuss further. I've done a lot of reading and I'm still torn between drugs/NO drugs! It's all overwhelming, my mom is 93yrs old and has terrible OP, she is frail and cannot walk on her own. My grandfather on mom's side lived to 93yrs, but had the dowagers hump, so I'm sure he had OP as well. I am 69, and have severe osteoarthritis in both hips. I was reading about reasons for hip revisions, that's how I discovered I had a detour and asked for a Dexa scan! The previous Orthopedic surgeons I saw, never mentioned OP, from the X-rays, it should have been detected. I realize I have to be my own best advocate for my health going forward. I plan to interview Orthopedic surgeons about their experiences with OP & THR and long term outcomes. This Mayo Clinic has given me lots of good information! Thankyou All

lisaberkowitz | @lisaberkowitz | Jun 6 8:31am

Best way to access bones is CT scan. Even better than a dexa. I was on the lower side of osteo on my dexa, but ct scan showed it was worse. FYI everybody!!!

judycat | @judycat | Jun 6 3:37pm

Yes, I had a huge increase in my bone mass after being on a Evenity for 12 months and I have had three Prolia injections. I am almost 78 years old & very active! I was very happy with my results because I do not want to end up with any more fractures!. I had no side effects that I know of. It certainly worked for me!

frog100 | @frog100 | Jun 7 1:13pm

In reply to @judycat "Yes, I had a huge increase in my bone mass after being on a Evenity for..." + (show)

@judycat
It is encouraging to see Evenity works. I really needed to hear something positive. My Endo doctor is advising me to do Evenity. Since I am getting injections for wet macular degeneration and am on Pavblu, no general interaction between the two, I am just a little more uncomfortable. I will still check with my retinal specialist first. I did Reclast a number of years ago and it did bring my T scores down, but my percentage change was too high according to my doctor. I don’t know if anyone else has taken Evenity with wet Macular degeneration and on thyroid meds too, thus I am still concerned