Which option to pick???

I'm staying tuned to this discussion because I'm in the same place. But my trusted rheumatologist seems to have let me down! He named medications and told ME to decide what I wanted to do!?!

I see that women consult with endocrinologists. That was not something I thought about doing. Maybe my rheumatologist is hoping I will see another specialty!

I'm staying tuned to this discussion because I'm in the same place. But my trusted rheumatologist seems to have let me down! He named medications and told ME to decide what I wanted to do!?!

I see that women consult with endocrinologists. That was not something I thought about doing. Maybe my rheumatologist is hoping I will see another specialty!

hi, seniorhope66.
I think it unwise to avoid the osteoporosis medications.
Reclast, as you mention, doesn't build new bone it does increase bone density by collecting the older bone. It does help to prevent fracture.
Forteo and Tymlos are the only drugs that rebuild (remodel) bone. These drugs increase the cells that get rid of fissured or damaged bone and replace it with new, well integrated bone.
In your situation I'd choose Tymlos if your weakest bones are in the hip or femur and Forteo if you weakest bones are in the spine.
After two years on Tymlos or Forteo you may be able to continue taking it. I'm into my third year of Forteo. Most osteoporosis patients take Reclast after Tymlos or Forteo.
Any of these medications can cause unpleasant side effects. With Tymlos or Forteo you can quit the drug as it leaves the body usually within four hours, with some people it takes longer. But almost always you only have side effects withing the 4 hour period. And then you can quit the drug without lingering effect. Of course, you may have no side effects. I haven't had any with Forteo and have been told by the prescribing endocrinologist that I can take it without any other medication for my lifetime.
Some people take Reclast without side effects. For most the side effects are joint pain. Some experience flu-like symptoms for the first day or the first week. And some really have long term side effects--mostly pain.
There isn't any way of knowing before taking the medications what your response will be. There are just odds. Like Russian roulette. We only play because we are afraid of fracturing.
You might ask for bone markers. CTX and P1NP before treatment and three months in. For each of these medications, there is a set of people for whom they are not effective. Even after they have suffered for a year or two. I'd be so mad.
I'm happy to engage in this conversation if you have more questions or questions about the other medications. It's important to gather ideas from everyone and the make your personal choice.

hi, seniorhope66.
I think it unwise to avoid the osteoporosis medications.
Reclast, as you mention, doesn't build new bone it does increase bone density by collecting the older bone. It does help to prevent fracture.
Forteo and Tymlos are the only drugs that rebuild (remodel) bone. These drugs increase the cells that get rid of fissured or damaged bone and replace it with new, well integrated bone.
In your situation I'd choose Tymlos if your weakest bones are in the hip or femur and Forteo if you weakest bones are in the spine.
After two years on Tymlos or Forteo you may be able to continue taking it. I'm into my third year of Forteo. Most osteoporosis patients take Reclast after Tymlos or Forteo.
Any of these medications can cause unpleasant side effects. With Tymlos or Forteo you can quit the drug as it leaves the body usually within four hours, with some people it takes longer. But almost always you only have side effects withing the 4 hour period. And then you can quit the drug without lingering effect. Of course, you may have no side effects. I haven't had any with Forteo and have been told by the prescribing endocrinologist that I can take it without any other medication for my lifetime.
Some people take Reclast without side effects. For most the side effects are joint pain. Some experience flu-like symptoms for the first day or the first week. And some really have long term side effects--mostly pain.
There isn't any way of knowing before taking the medications what your response will be. There are just odds. Like Russian roulette. We only play because we are afraid of fracturing.
You might ask for bone markers. CTX and P1NP before treatment and three months in. For each of these medications, there is a set of people for whom they are not effective. Even after they have suffered for a year or two. I'd be so mad.
I'm happy to engage in this conversation if you have more questions or questions about the other medications. It's important to gather ideas from everyone and the make your personal choice.

Thanks for your detailed reply. I also have ankylosing spondylitis. Pain is becoming a major factor for me, so, I need take some sort of action to try and make things better. But, recently, I've experienced a downward spiral negative domino effect in my life: loss job, multiple health issues, and spouse dealing with severe illness, etc. I know nothing is guaranteed of course, but the thought of taking a medication, which results in a new negative domino effect/new class of illnesses, makes me shudder. I did get a referral for physical therapy, which I hope will help things. All of this if course costs money, that I don't have. Life is rather bleak these days. Isn't there some drug that actually can "cause" a femur fracture? That sounds completely insane (taking a drug to prevent fractures that may actually cause fractures). Appreciate comments.