I have to make a decision on Forteo vs. Tymlos and am not sure what to choose. Forteo has been around a lot longer, but has to be refrigerated. Tymlos only around 1 1/2 years but is shelf stable and seems to have less side effects and less issues with calcium. Can anyone offer their perspective? Thank you!
Liked by Justin McClanahan, peggy1944, jmanj, lucky1038
Please excuse my delay on answering, jmanj, I just had cataract surgery. Forteo really improved my bone density almost 20 percent. Was going to use it another year but lost my good drug insurance. I started taking and eating lots of calcium, multivitamins for women, fresh fruit, etc. And miles of walking. Osteoporosis runs in my family, nobody but me bothered to get treated. Reclast did very little for my bones only 3–5 percent. Unfortunately I now developed congestive heart failure/long QT syndrome and my cardiologist said no to anymore bone density drugs for now. I just try to keep the faith, keep up the supplements and take my mind off myself with pleasant activities. Good luck and best wishes, jumanj! Your bones will really be OK. Peggy
Liked by jmanj
I think the benefits of stronger bones outweighs the risks of a temporary racing heart. Good luck to you all with this side effect! Peggy
Liked by Laurapearl, jmanj
Yes, I'm with you — as long as it's medically insignificant, I can definitely accept the racing heart! I have written to my doctor about this to see what she thinks — because I wonder, does a nightly drug-induced spell of palpitations have any negative effect on our hearts (for those of us who have this side effect)? Or is it just a passing thing that really does no harm? Have any of you asked this question to your doctors? I will let you know what mine says — she is consulting some of her colleagues.
It is absolutely crazy, I know. I was steeled to pay quite a bit per month for the Forteo. I was shocked to discover my insurance has it on their list, and the co-pay is affordable. It breaks my heart when people don't have insurance, or their co-pay is so high the medications are still too expensive. I know drug companies have to make enough to cover their research … but often these prices just are not justified.
Wow … a 20% increase. That is amazing. I'm so sorry to hear about the insurance issue. It is unacceptable when the co-pays get too high, much less when people have no insurance at all for their needed drugs. We really need to get everyone on Medicare-for-All. There is no excuse for people not having the ability to get their meds. And I hope that your heart issue resolves in a positive way! Best wishes to you!!
Liked by peggy1944
Thanks so much for your nice reply! Actually I privately doubted the 20% increase was correct, but there really was a big increase over the Reclast. My insurance issue is nerve–wracking and indeed there should be Medicare-For-All with a guaranteed drug plan. What makes me so mad is all those billions and billions of dollars spent on that Outer Space Program. And for what reason, send Senior Citizens to Mars? Use the money for Earth People who desperately need their medicine. Thank you so much for your kind concern about my heart, tomorrow I go for a cardiac CAT scan. Happy Bones to you, jmanj, and have s nice holiday weekend! Best Wishes, Peggy
Liked by jmanj
I would like to get my drugs by mail, too (doesn't that sound ominous?) But am leery of boiling hot in summer/freezing cold in winter temperatures affecting the potency of my pills. My sister does and seems to be satisfied. Does anyone else worry about what climate does to pills and in hot weather, what about drugs that have to be refrigerated, like Forteo? Thank you all for such great help! Peggy
I was on Forteo for two years and saw a big jump in bone density. My doctor then put me on reclast infusion. It maintained the increase, but did not show any additional improvement. I am now on Prolia. If you get approved for Tymlos or Forteo, I recommend that you do it for the full two years. You might not get approved for it again or your insurance might change.–you never know.
Liked by jmanj
@user_chf56161a
I’ve been on Tymolos for 4 months. Nothing to report yet other than it’s easy. No side effects for me. I pay 4$ copay for 1 month. It comes to my house.
Liked by peggy1944, jmanj