Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

I have seen images of increased density but not quality so thanks!

Thanks @windyshores for this post. I have seen images of the quality differences. Have you? Wish I could remember where I stored them. I will look tomorrow.
Good evening.
Chris

Even if bone density doesn't improve, I have read that bone quality does, on Tymlos and Forteo.

I knew about the black box warnings, @windyshores. It is comforting that they have been removed on Forteo and probably will be on Tymlos.

I know my endocrinologist plans on two years for me so perhaps Medicare pays for two years. I do wonder if the DEXA shows a lot of improvement they might not approve it for another year though.
JK

I think insurance covers 18 months but that may change. Most of us can have a DEXA in one year if we are on these meds. (Forteo's black box warning to use only for two years has been removed and Tymlos' may follow.)

The tortoise beat the hare! I started well before you and this is my second attempt. I got past two clicks more quickly but am really staying at the same number of clicks for longer now. Glad you are taking bp! You are wise to go slowly.

@windyshores Funny I was thinking about you this afternoon, wondering how you were progressing. Boy, am I proud of you. You are going faster than I am. Sunday, I started my third week at 2 clicks so far so good. A couple of times I had pressure on my chest and I could feel my BP starting to go up. So I am going slowly as a turtle. I still have not received any Dexa scores from my PA. I am going to have to bug him about that tomorrow. Keep in touch, I want to hear about your progress. Stay healthy. KLH

Thanks, @windyshores it will be interesting to see what my bone density is after Tymlos. I hope I can get a DEXA after a year on it but I don’t know what Medicare says about that.

If I found that it wasn’t helping I would stop using it but if it made great improvement I wonder if Medicare would pay for a second year. The only side effect I am having is what I’ve heard referred to as “puffy belly”, basically fluid retention in the belly area. I don’t like that but I can live with it.
JK

@kilh I have done 5 clicks for 5 days and no side effects for three days. Going up to 6. I am amazed that ramping up this slowly really works since 4 clicks landed me in the ER when I started there.

Evenity is expensive and the company, Amgen, does not have an assist program. But since it is adminstered in the MD office it is under Medicare Part B, not pharmacy, so we pay 20%. Amgen can refer us to a foundation for financial help. I assume Evenity won't do as much if Tymlos gets our density down, but for me, I would like to have 3 years of bone builders as an option. Evenity 'supercharges" bone building so I have been told not to take Tymlos after Evenity, only the other way around. If your bone density is okay after Tymlos you would probably do Prolia or Fosamax/Reclast.