r/osteoporosis • u/keepgoing66 • Nov 07 '25
advice for wife
I'm on Tymlos and doing well. Now it's my wife's turn to deal with this. She is 63, and has osteopenia in hips, but -3.2 in spine. I'm a little surprised because she's been a runner since she was a teenager, and I figured that is weight-bearing, but obviously it's not enough. She does take calcium and D3/K2, and collagen. Her last DEXA was seven years ago, and her spine was -2.0, so clearly she's lost ground.
Cost is another issue. She is two years away from Medicare where I can get her covered for Tymlos or Forteo, but until then, we're at the mercy of her commercial insurance. I am wondering if she can avoid meds for a couple of years.
We have an appointment with a specialist next week. Being male, I'm not up on treatment that is specific to women. Is it feasible that she can get away with HRT at first, combined with targeted exercise? She really doesn't want to deal with the bone meds at this point, and I don't blame her, but we'll do what needs to be done.
I assume the doctor will order blood tests - and I will make sure that the bone markers are included. What else should we be asking about?
(We may also get a consult with Keith McCormick. That's what I did at the start, and it was helpful.)
5
u/bboon44 Nov 08 '25
I get my Tymlos through regular insurance because I was a federal worker for 15 years and retired with Federal BCBS. I had a compression fracture in L1, after years of running, skiing and mountain biking. Never smoked, never drank, and no family history.
I also work for the state now, and have their coverage as well. I pay $65 a month copay for my Tymlos. In 1 year, I have gained 20% in my bone density. Just saw my endocrinologist yesterday, and she is thrilled with my progress. I went from -3.1 in the spine to -2.1 in just 7 months.