I understand your concerns about side effects of Tymlos or Forteo..But studies have shown that not treating your osteoporosis is much worse..The benefits outweigh the risks..For instance the biggest problem I had was the one side effect of osteiocarcinoma, in short, bone cancer..I believe that only one human got that, but she had cancer & radiation at a time in her life..they pretty much linked it to that..Another thing, is don't smoke..your ruining your chances of building bone at all! I have been injecting Tymlos for 2 months now, the side effects are mild..the only one I experienced is a headache for the first 3 or 4 days (not a migraine) and a slightly rapid heartbeat…you just feel a little hyper but it didn't slow me down…The injections are a piece of cake..takes me 5 minutes and done. My osteoporosis is in my lower lumbar….a second opinion is good, but probably will be the same recommendation…mine is not genetic, it's probably due to dieting etc during my 30's 40's, trying to have that perfect body…I wish you luck with everything!

I am 59 was a runner and trained with weights most of my life. I found out I have severe osteoporosis 2.8 in hips 3.6 in spine and 4 in forearm. The radiologist misread my scan 2 years ago and said I had osteopenia. In the past year I had spinal fusion surgery and am still recovering. I’m sure the steroid meds I was given for my back made the scans even worse. My doctor wants me to use Tymlos. The side effects sound horrible and I already live with weekly migraines and nausea from that. The doctor told me osteoporosis is 85% genetic and both my mother and grandmother had it. I am trying to find an alternative to Tymlos and am looking into Algacal, they guarantee your bone scans to increase. Has anyone heard of this working avoiding the drugs.

@electii: There are Facebook groups that deal with this subject. I am skeptical since their money back guarantee is only if you do the dexa right before starting algaecal which many people don't.

For those of your taking Calcium, Magnesium and DS-3, please add Vitamin K2 (MK7form) to your list of supplements. "For Healthy Bones. Research has shown that Vitamin K2 is one of the most important nutrients for long-term bone health and that it is even more important than calcium. K2 is needed to help calcium and other minerals bind into the bone matrix to strengthen bones (and not to stay in soft tissue where it can cause calcification in the wrong places). In fact, studies have shown that Vitamin K is effective at not just stopping bone loss in people with osteoporosis but potentially reversing it as well."

@electii I have completed over 12 months on Tymlos, and like you, have had migraine all my adult life. Drug reactions and multiple allergies have been ongoing issues for me. Perhaps my experience might be helpful. I suffered a compression fracture of the L4 two years ago, and it became shockingly clear that I, an active high altitude hiker, had severe osteoporosis. ( spine 4, hip 3.5 ). If I hoped to regain an active life, something had to be done. My endocrinologist prescribed Forteo. Two weeks later I had to stop Forteo due to an allergic reaction. Providentially, at that time, Tymlos had just come on the market. It felt reckless to try such a new drug, but I did. Nearly 13 months later, I am successfully tolerating Tymlos. I had a mild headache (not migraine) for a few days after starting Tymlos. Now, I have a bit of fatigue, and for a short time after the injection I am aware of my pulse. The best side effect was evident when I had a DEXA after 5 months. I had a profound increase in bone density. I am so thankful, and glad I did not give in to my fears. I totally understand the devastation and fear that drug reactions bring. I hope to complete two years with Tymlos. I send my best to you and hope you will soon be running again.

Hello, I'm brand new to this group. I was diagnosed yesterday with severe osteoporosis in my lower back AND R.A. I'm a dental hygienist and went to my MD when my right hand started to hurt. I was referred to a rheumatologist for a blood marker for RA and she discovered my osteoporosis on my last several dexa scans that were not read correctly and the diagnosis was missed!! So she suggested Tymlos. She said that my insurance does not cover it. My question is, how do I get Tymols? I have read online that the manufacturer sometimes gives a discount… how does one qualify? She said that Reclast would be my second choice. My R.A, is slight, and right now, is the least of my worries

@lisainfl I am 60 yrs old and have similar spine score and also slight osteoporosis in my hips. My endocrinologist pretty much gave me the option of reclast, prolia or tymlos. I felt maybe the tymlos would work a little faster and then I could follow with reclast to lock in the new bone. The doctor knows the protocol for the approval process. I believe each insurance company is different on what they approve and how easily. I cannot take oral bisphosonates because I already have esophagus irritation. My endo said the approval will take about a month, which surprised me but maybe that's the longest time. I think they know that questions come back and sometimes the insurance suggests cheaper options to try first and then your doctor needs to justify the use. I would ask your doctor about the approval. I am curious if your doctor said why she chose Tymlos as first line of defense – I always like to compare what different doctors choose and why. Thank you, and good luck!

My doctor chose Tymlos because it works in 18 months and doesn’t require refrigeration like Forteo

@lisainfl So she thought it worked better than Reclast? Mine had said as for as fracture prevention they were about equal after 1 year – despite any comparative BMD. It was a tough decision for me. I will likely do 1 year then follow with a year or two with Reclast. Save the second year since we only get 2 years lifetime use. Thanks for sharing!

If there are financial concerns about Tymlos, I would suggest checking the Tymlos website for assistance. Tymnlos.com. Also I would hope your doctor and pharmacy would assist in dealing with finding financial help. There are protocols that some (all?) insurance companies require. For me, a spinal fracture was the key to eligibility.

Thank you for mentioning the k2. I have been reading about osteoporosis and have had consults with Dx, and hadn’t heard about it.

It makes me wonder if there is an optimal combination and timing (daily) to maximize benefits of the supplements. Calcium, magnesium, now k2 … do they work best staggered, etc.? There is slow release calcium, citrate calcium. Now I see magnesium and calcium can negatively interact?

I’m about to start Tymlos and want to get the best benefit I can. Any help would be appreciated. @kanaazpereira

I have been using Tymlos for about 3 months. Totally agree with the people who say a training in person is worth it. I had started with only remote instruction and was having a hard time doing the shots. A wonderful nurse came, sponsored by Tymlos, and it made all the difference. Now it is truly almost nothing. I don't think I have had any side effects. I am exercising and taking vitamin and mineral supplements and a small amount of additional calcium (I am a vegetarian, almost vegan). Hope it is working. I will probably explore soon a provider of multivitamins who has figured out how to time their morning and evening doses to avoid interactions. A friend referred me to the product, I think it is called nutreince, but I don't know yet how good it is. Still investigating. Reading all this thread makes me want to check with the Tymlos support line to see whether there might be new results suggesting a particular time of day is best. Like most others, I prefer nighttime, rather than adding to the morning rush. Up until now, I have not seen anything about it specifically for this product, which is different enough from Forteo to make me not want to generalize. Will let you know what they tell me.