Anyone done Fosamax and then tried Boniva?

[Raleigh59]

My B/C B/S insurance is making me try those in that order.

So happy - just took my last 5 mg fosamax left in my bottle, it gives me a stomachs ache every time.

Boniva only comes in a 30 day in one pill supply. I am scared of taking that kind of dose.

I can try actonel but I would have to pay for that myself. $14 a week.

[Kingsdaughter1]

I never used Fosamax and Boniva gave me chest pains but I did use actonel/Atelvia with no problems.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Kingsdaughter1]

how long did you use it for

[Kingsdaughter1 in reply to Raleigh59]

I used it many years ago for a period of 2-3 years. Several years later, I had deterioration and went back on it for two more years. Two of my scores stayed in osteopenia but my spine has dropped down to a -3.3. So we are looking at Forteo but it is too costly for me so asking the doctor to look into the generic form as it is about half the price at $130 monthly, with insurance coverage!

[Jemi7266 in reply to Kingsdaughter1]

I used Forteo for 2 yrs and my BMD improved significantly. Lilly Cares Foundation has a patience assistance program that will pay for the full cost of Forteo. Here is the link.

lillycares.com/

Best wishes

[Kingsdaughter1 in reply to Jemi7266]

Thank you for the info Jemi7266. Unfortunately I had looked into them but I am not eligible because my income is considered too high . What they don’t realize is that I have two other meds that I take for Parkinson’s Disease that are also thousands of dollars monthly. It is frustrating.

[Jemi7266 in reply to Kingsdaughter1]

I am so sorry.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Jemi7266]

yes I applied for it and I got the numbers / info to use it . But my doctor would have to write a prescription for it. Is this the daily self administered shots? Did you take bisphosphonates before that ? My insurance says I have to do the step process of starting with fosamax but I don’t know if there is an exceptions / prior authorization form to do for forteo ?

Did you try the oral bisphosphonates first?

[Jemi7266 in reply to Raleigh59]

yes, it’s for the daily self administered Forteo injections. I’m not sure that it comes an any other form.

I tired Fosamax for a couple of weeks and I had horrible leg & back pain.

I don’t recall the my insurance required that I use other osteoporosis meds.

I was qualified for the Patient Assistance program and the program did require to get a prior authorization from my insurance. The insurance denied my request, so the Patient Assistance Program covered Forteo, plus supplies at 100% for 2 yrs.

They would ship me the injections and supplies to my home.

I used Forteo, from 2016 to 2018. I went from osteoporosis to osteopenia in my lumbar, but remained osteoporosis in my femur, but I did gain significant BMD in both lumbar & femur.

I’ve been using Prolia injection every 6 months since 2019 and was maintaining most of my BMD gain from the use of Forteo. However in the last 2 yrs, my labs show that the effectiveness of Prolia seems to wear off about 3-4 months after receiving the injection.

My endocrinologist suggested that I take Reclast, but I refused. Instead I intend to go back to using Forteo injections for 1 yr, which is now approved by the FDA.

[Smittybear7 in reply to Jemi7266]

Did you have any side effects from Forteo? Did you have to start with Foxamax?

[christy81256]

I have been taking Boniva for several years now. It used to give me a little tummy issue about 2 weeks after. Just an upset tummy. Nothing serious. Then that was it after several months it quit. I still take it at my Dr insistence. My osteo has gotten a tiny bit better in my hip only. Everything else is stable. I am now on Medicare Advantage plan. It’s covered at 100%.

[Raleigh59 in reply to christy81256]

do you take the monthly pill

[christy81256 in reply to Raleigh59]

yes that’s how it comes. Monthly.

[Raleigh59]

For those following my saga. I tried Boniva and got extreme abdominal pain and extreme gas. I will not be doing it again. Compared to Fosamax, Boniva is worse for me. I just picked up risendronate . I am trying it tomorrow.