Tymlos and Headaches: What Users Say

• Vcb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I just took my first injection and had intense lower back pain like a spasm; it took my breath. My doctor said it was not associated with the medication. The next night wasn’t so intense and lasted a shorter period. Slight headache as well. The list of side effects doesn’t mention intense back pain. My doctor strongly suggested I continue to see if the side effects go away or become tolerable. Has anyone else experienced this?"

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 15, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I had steadily, rapidly worsening osteoporosis. Could not tolerate bisphosphonates and they did not give me any improvement. Did the full 18 months on Tymlos. I had occasional headaches and low BP but no big deal. The BMD I just had after therapy was done was great-overall 11% improvement. My lumbar especially went from -3.0 to -2.1. The injections were a drag but it was definitely worth it."

• Anonymous
• February 23, 2021

For Osteoporosis "Christmas Eve 2019, I bent over and picked up a box. I fractured L4 and my spine collapsed. I did a bone density test in January and found a -3.8! It was definitely severe osteoporosis. I started Tymlos in February and have been on it for almost a year. I did another bone density test to see if it was working. I am so grateful and thankful that it's now at -2.7. I'm still on it for another year, and I know it will get even better! It works. Of course, I had side effects - headaches and a racing heart - but I'm used to it. Sometimes I still have effects, but not always. The only downside is the side effects, but it has worked!"

• Dir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2020

For Osteoporosis "My first week on Tymlos was excruciating! About five minutes after taking the injection, I had heart palpitations, a severe headache, my teeth hurt so bad, and then the lower back spasms started and I cried out in pain. It was horrible. I called my prescribing doctor after the first couple of days, and she said that she had never heard of anyone having the side effects I described. They made me feel like I was crazy for saying that it was so horrible. I have now suffered through a little over a month of this drug. Although not so intense, I still have heart palpitations and now severe thigh and feet cramps. I feel terrible and don't know how much more of this I can take. I am 59 years old and I work full time and am a very busy person, and this has made my quality of life very bad. I hope it is worth it!"

• Eka...
• April 9, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I had Tymlos and got side effects of an instant headache, racing of heart, and spinning. Headache is a pressure headache and it lasts for hours. This is day in and day out. I have been on Tymlos for 4 weeks, and it’s just the same thing every night. I can’t sleep. I tried it this morning to see if it makes a difference and it ruined my day. I am having surgery on my back in 3 months, so it’s essential... but I don’t know if I can take it much longer. It’s wrecking my quality of life."

• JPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2020

For Osteoporosis "After the 1st injection, I had back and leg pain, headache, and heart pounding. The headache lasted about 20 hours along with an ill feeling. The next 2 injections, the back and leg pain were much less, but still the headache and slightly ill feeling. Now 8 days in, just slight pain and occasional heart pounding, but only for a short period of time."

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I've been on Tymlos for only 1 month. I had a spinal fracture in the past, as well as multiple other fractures from falling from a standing position. Anyway, I have back pain from fractures, but the back pain on Tymlos was so severe that I have stopped it. I had a headache after the injection, so I just took Tylenol. Fatigue was another problem, along with nausea. I took Zofran. I will ask my doctor to try Prolia. Oh, I am 69, diagnosed at 50 with osteoporosis, but was always afraid of side effects. Good luck."

• CJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I experienced severe headaches 3-4 hours after each injection, which actually woke me up every night. I also experienced upper abdominal pain. And, after taking Tymlos for 1 month, my hair started falling out. I'm still trying to convince my doctor that I experienced all of these side effects, especially since he wants me to switch to Forteo, which has even more side effects."

• Ean...
• April 8, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I take my Tymlos shot every morning, and about 10 minutes after, I always get a slight headache that lasts about an hour. But, has anyone else had severe leg and foot cramps? They are so bad I am out of bed 4 or 5 times a night."

• So...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I have been injecting Tymlos for a month now. I inject it at night, about 30 minutes before bed. During the first two weeks, I woke up with a headache, which soon dissipated after 30 minutes or so. That’s the only side effect I’ve had. No dizziness, nausea, back pain, etc. I have always exercised regularly, including stretches in the morning and evening. I also drink a lot of water, so perhaps these habits have helped deter other side effects. The injections take a little getting used to, but they are only a little uncomfortable. I hope Tymlos helps build up my bones."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2020

For Osteoporosis "On Tymlos for 1 month. Won’t make 2 years on this med. Probably only another month, then switching to Prolia, even though I know it doesn’t build bone. With Tymlos, the constant headache, palpitations, and nausea are very unsettling. However, the bone/muscle pains the last few days have been the last straw. Can’t sleep. Can’t get comfortable."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2022

For Osteoporosis "Just began using my third pen. Was recommended using Tymlos 2-1/2 years ago but was fearful of the side effects. After a recent DEXA scan, my numbers had not changed after trying it my way (bone-strengthening supplements and exercise). Numbers were still bad -4.9+. I’m a hiker and walker and very active, so decided it was time. So far, the only side effect is an occasional rise in heart rate. A slight headache during my first week and recently, occasional bone pain in different areas of my body that come and go. Have had a bit of nausea over the last week but unsure if it’s from the Tymlos or bioidentical hormones I was recently prescribed. For me, the side effects have not been so bad that I’m willing to risk discontinuing. I need to rebuild bone, and this is the choice I have. I use the full dose of 80 mg every morning, easy to inject, relax for a bit, and then proceed through my day."

• Sac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I took my first shot of Tymlos today and experienced horrible back spasms right away after the injection. They literally took my breath away. I almost made a U-turn and went straight back to the doctor but managed to drive home. Now I have a headache. I normally do not ever have back pain of any kind and rarely have headaches. I did report these side effects to the doctor, and he said to try and take the daily injections for two weeks. Guess I will see how injection #2 goes. Thank you to the person that reported these exact same symptoms."

• Pam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I have been prescribed Tymlos prior to upcoming hip replacement surgery. My first dosage was today. Slight headache, a bit of back pain, and some fatigue. My surgeon says Tymlos and Forteo are the only drugs that lay down strong bone. The others, such as Prolia, Fosamax, generate weak bones, hence the easy breaks while on them. I will continue to take Tymlos as long as I can afford it to build strong bone before and after my surgery. I have had one osteoporosis-involved fracture a year ago when I fell and broke my pelvis. Not fun. We will see if this helps."

• Anonymous
• November 22, 2020

For Osteoporosis "Six Tymlos injections so far at half dose (4 clicks). First-day side effects were just feeling odd. Trouble sleeping on night 2. With the first few injections, there were hot flashes, shocks, and pains that quickly moved around my body. Also, headaches that lasted about 20 hours and muscle pains as if I'd been in a car accident. I wondered if the benefits could outweigh the sense that my body was being poisoned. After the fourth dose, things started calming down some. The most persistent effect is a tolerable pain in my lower left back that began with the first injection and hasn't gone away yet. I was told to ramp up the dose from half (4 clicks) to 5 clicks on the 5th night. Not wanting more bad side effects, I have put that off. The PA who prescribed indicated that some people can't tolerate going up from a half dose. If that's me, I wonder, will half a dose do any good for my bones? Or will I inject myself and go through side effects for 2 years for no benefit?"

• Ace...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2019

"I've been on this Tymlos for 5 weeks to help with nonunion of bone. Sometimes headaches after injection, always racing heart for about 5 minutes. Extreme fatigue is the worst side effect, but bone is healing, so I'll continue."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 2, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I have had osteoporosis for many years due to having a complete hysterectomy at age 29. I was on pills, it had to be taken off because of it loosening my teeth. I lost many teeth. I have been on this medication since approximately November of 2019. I have read all of your side effects, it is so hard for me to give you my opinion since I have other conditions like bulging disc, scoliosis, arthritis. Can tell you that I have had a lot of itching in the palms of my hands and the bottom of my feet. I have had cramping in my toes and arch of my foot. It's hard to say about my back since I have back problems, and I have had insomnia for many years now, so I cannot say that this medication has caused those two problems. I have been getting headaches more recently, but again, I have problems with discs in my neck as well, all from a motorcycle accident. I am willing to try this medication to see if there is any improvement."

• Sop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I am 81 and have broken my wrist twice in the last eight years. Nothing else. I have been on Fosamax and Alendronate for years on and off. The last fracture occurred 5 years ago. Since my Dexa scan has gotten to be very poor: -4, I started Tymlos with hopes and in good faith. However, I found the side effects intolerable: ongoing dizziness that made me very afraid of falling; headaches lasting hours, brain fog, pain in my spine, generally feeling terrible. I stopped after 15 administrations of the drug and felt better quickly. New approach in addition to relevant nutrition: I am doing weight lifting plus physical therapy. Result: No brain fog, more energy, improved balance. I am surprised and relieved that my doctor, an endocrinologist, supports this approach."

• llc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I've only been on Tymlos for about a month, and the headaches and full spine have gradually increased in pain. I've felt as though I've gotten worse since I started. My bones hurt worse and get even worse when trying to sleep, and when my bladder has the least urge to urinate, it seems to increase the pain. Still not feeling better, or well for that matter. It seems the side effects explained are lasting throughout the day and night. Should I just stop using it? As it has, in hand, made it more difficult to eat, as the pain and dizziness are over the top. Nauseous all the time."

• Wyt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I'm on my fifth injection. My numbers were 4.7 in the left hip. My calcium and vitamin D are excellent, so I can't improve with nutrition. I didn't get any instructions; the VA sent me the pen and, later, the needles. When I asked for instruction, they told me to look at the YouTube videos, which I did. Bunches of them, but they don't tell you where to inject or what to look for after. No one mentions all the stuff you all are telling me. So, I'm sorry, but glad to hear the back pain, palpitations, insomnia, brain fog, general malaise, severe headache, and pains in my legs and ankles are fairly typical. I'm not surprised at the health care professionals dismissing our concerns. After all, years of living with the pain of a condition and knowing our own bodies are not equivalent to that two-week course the health provider took. I experience burning and itching at the injection site that seems to grow bigger with each injection. It was the first time the needle actually hurt... a lot."

• ABS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2022

For Osteoporosis "Just started 3 weeks ago after breaking 6 bones in 6 months, I am 57. First week, severe dizziness, headache, and nausea. The dizziness got better after the first week. The headache is daily, the bones hurt at night when I do the injection and am very cold for a few hours, and cannot sleep. Seem very fatigued."

• Las...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2021

For Osteoporosis "Take it at night, have a slight headache and pressure behind my ears, but not horrible. I have an 'ill feeling' after injection, but I go to sleep fairly quickly after. Palpitations are there, but it calms down after a while. I am on my first pen about 2 weeks in. So far, tolerable. However, I am very interested in why the Tymlos hasn’t had more facts available to the public. Why does it cause the pain in the bones (I am guessing it’s caused from bone growth.)"

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I took my first Tymlos injection today. Ten minutes later, I began feeling pressure in my head. This side effect progressed to bilateral throbbing in the back of my neck (I'm supposing that was in my vertebral arteries because it was bilateral). Then throbbing in my back began bilaterally as well (I'm supposing in my kidneys). This pain ramped up in my head and back to an 8/10 on the pain scale. I was writhing in pain, and my respirations were rapid. My blood pressure remained normal, though slightly higher than my normal. My pulse elevated to 120, while my normal is about 75/min. These side effects tapered off after about 50 minutes. Now it is 1.5 hours after the injection, and I am feeling like myself again, except I can tell I recently had a headache. I don't think I will continue Tymlos."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I took my first Tymlos injection today. Ten minutes later, I began feeling pressure in my head. This side effect progressed to bilateral throbbing in the back of my neck (I'm supposing that was in my vertebral arteries because it was bilateral). Then throbbing in my back began bilaterally as well (I'm supposing in my kidneys). This pain ramped up in my head and back to an 8/10 on the pain scale. I was writhing in pain, and my respirations were rapid. My blood pressure remained normal, though slightly higher than my normal. My pulse elevated to 120, while my normal is about 75/min. These side effects tapered off after about 50 minutes. Now it is 1.5 hours after the injection, and I am feeling like myself again, except I can tell I recently had a headache. I don't think I will continue Tymlos."

• JSc...
• September 19, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I have been on Tymlos for 5 months. I noticed after the first few injections a pressure sensation at the top of my spine, which has continued to get worse. It starts about 3 minutes after injecting the medicine. I have severe osteoporosis and have tried very hard to deal with side effects. They now include severe headache with nausea and vomiting. Since I have had Meniere's disease for many years, I thought at first that was the problem, so I started a log of what was happening. It seems to be similar to the vertigo of Meniere's, but it is different. My quality of life has deteriorated simply because of this medication. Yesterday was the last dose I am going to take. The migraine-like headache and severe dizziness and vomiting are just too much to deal with on a daily basis."