Making a decision between Tymlos & Prolia
am trying to FINALLY make a decision between Tymlos & Prolia as starting treatmment for fairly severe osteoporosiss. Have posted here before but lost track! -- am 86 years old & have fairly severe osteoporosis. One fracture, a year ago in a wrist. My main concern about Tymlos is the necessity for a steady hand which I do not always have.
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@guinivere have you tried practicing an injection? If you can get a hold of a syringe, you could try injecting an orange..that's what my type 1 kid's docs had her do! I can see how a real tremor- if you have that- might be a problem. At 86 I think there is an argument for Prolia, though it is anti-resorptive of course. My 83 year old friend is on Prolia forever. But it would be great if you could manage Tymlos first. Has the doctor's nurse been able to work with you at all on doing the injection?
@guinivere would it be possible for you to go to your doctor’s office and have doctor or nurse give you your injection? I had only one injection of Prolia, but I picked it up for. My pharmacy and took it to my doctor’s office, and she injected it for me.
Same could be done for Tymlos, perhaps?
I take biologic injections for my psoriasis and even that I get injected at my dermatologist’s office.
@guinivere, Which one is most appropriate medication for you? If it's Tymlos, I'd encourage you to find a way or someone to help you with the injections.
https://www.goodrx.com/compare/prolia-vs-tymlos
guinivere @guinivere Not sure why those are your two choices but if there was not a strong reason for excluding Evenity that is what I would suggest. Evenity is the anabolic that is most powerful and most effective for fracture reduction in the extremities. That's almost a quote from Lani Simpson. I don't recall how well Prolia does with non-spinal fractures?
If it is difficult for you to leave your home, you might look into eligibility for Medicare's home health care. Here is a link with info. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services.
If eligible, it appears that the Tymlos injection could be done in your home.
Another possibility for obtaining nursing personnel visits for an injection might be through your local public health agency.
If your osteoporosis is severe Prolia will not build new bone, Tymlos will. I know daily injections might be a bit concerning but if u have someone that can help you, it would be worth it. Blessings on your journey. 💕
My doctor had a nurse come in and teach me. This included giving myself a "shot" . The needles are small and short. It's almost like you can't miss. In 700+ injections I only "missed" on one and that was because I was distracted while giving it.
I was nervous about giving myself shots when I started on Tymlos almost 2 years ago but it's not as bad as it sounds. The trick is to "pinch an inch" of belly fat, then push needle in and depress the plunger part. Real quick--and the needle tip is very small, thank goodness! I went to my doctors office for the first time so she could walk me through it. Maybe you could do that? I also take mine right before bedtime because it tends to make me sleepy. Tymlos will help you build up some bone--while prolia will only hold on to what you have right now. My spine has showed a 12% improvement after 18 months on Tymlos. Good luck!
Pinch the fat part of the belly, put the needle in, but let go slowly as the medicine goes in so it doesn't leak out 🙂
Thank you!
At some point when everything else has been settled, I will go in & be instructed by a nurse in this.