The Forteo Mystery: What You Should Know About This Puzzling Drug
Pharmaceutical companies are constantly trying to outdo each other and to come up with new patentable drugs for diseases that already have existing drug treatments.. A good example of this is teriparatide, or Forteo in the US (Forsteo abroad), a new class of osteoporosis drug known as anabolic agents. This daily injectable drug was approved by the FDA in 2002.
Forteo is an incomplete synthetic or man-made form of the human parathyroid hormone (PTH). You see, human PTH has 84 amino acid residues but teriparatide has only 34. Teriparatide has become the osteoporosis drug of choice mainly for patients who can’t tolerate bisphosphonates, have failed to improve with bisphosphonate therapy, or suffer from extreme bone loss.
As touted in the drug’s insert, Forteo “increases bone mineral density and bone strength.”
Many unanswered questions
But the puzzling catch with Forteo is that the way in which it works remains a mystery. This is openly acknowledged by its maker, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company. As explained in the drug’s brochure, “the role of PTH in control of bone mass is still not really understood” and that “intermittent spikes of PTH, such as given by daily injection, will cause more increase in bone formation than in bone resorption… This has been shown in rats.”
Unfortunately, what has also been shown in rats is the development of osteosarcoma, a lethal bone cancer caused by an abnormal proliferation of osteoblasts or bone-forming cells. Below, I quote again from Eli Lilly’s pamphlet (http://pi.lilly.com/us/forteo-medguide.pdf):
“During the drug testing process, the medicine in Forteo caused some rats to develop a bone cancer called osteosarcoma. In people, osteosarcoma is a serious but rare cancer. Osteosarcoma has been reported rarely in people who took Forteo. It is not known if people who take Forteo have a higher chance of getting osteosarcoma.”
Because of this serious side effect risk, Forteo is prescribed for a maximum of two years. This is as close as one can get to playing Russian roulette! Who would trade a potential fracture for the awful risk of acquiring a lethal cancer? And as if this were not enough, teriparatide has a long list of nasty side effects such as joint and chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, esophageal problems, nausea, and vomiting. Plus having to inject oneself subcutaneously each and every day is most certainly no picnic.
Exorbitant price tag leads to exorbitant profits
The unanswered questions don’t seem to hamper Forteo’s skyrocketing success. According to drug-industry analysts, an estimated 600,000 prescriptions were written in 2005, which generated more than $350 million in revenues. And in 2008, Eli Lilly reported $778 million in sales. (http://newsroom.lilly.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?releaseid=362195).
Indeed, the future looks bright for Forteo. As predicted by Pharmacor’s June 2009 osteoporosis report, by 2018 Forteo sales may reach close to the $2 billion mark.
One easy way to explain these numbers is Forteo’s exorbitant price tag. It costs nearly eight times as much as bisphosphonates, running up a tab of about $6,700 a year. That’s a pretty high cost for a drug whose mechanism is not even remotely understood!
Doctors ignore ignorance?
Another puzzling aspect of this drug is that while doctors openly admit their ignorance regarding how it works, they choose to prescribe it anyway.
Dr. Roberto Pacifici, head of the division of endocrinology at Emory University School of Medicine, comments that “…how intermittent treatment (with teriparatide) works has remained a mystery”. (http://whsc.emory.edu/home/news/releases/2009/09/bone-building-hormone.html).
This is clearly a rather unusual and perplexing situation to say the least.
And it sounds like a job for Agent 4T0…
Mission: Impossible
Remember the TV series with this name? I used to be a big fan of Mission: Impossible. Each episode began with secret recorded instructions to the brave agents describing a very complex and often dangerous mission. The agents could decide whether to accept the mission or not. Of course, the fearless members of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) never walked away and in the end, always succeeded. But here’s what happens when a reluctant osteoporosis drug is the agent chosen for the mission… Read my Mission: Impossible spoof below:
“Good morning, Mr. Paratide. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, comes from the top boss, Big P.”
“You can call me Terry… What is my mission?”
“First, from now on your new name is Agent 4T0. Your mission is to strengthen this patient’s bones and report back to us detailing exactly what you did. And you have to report back to us fast, 4T0. Time is running out.”
“Well, I may be able to strengthen the bones, but I have no idea of what I’m doing! Big P knows that we’ve been trying to find out without success. I need written instructions!”
“You’re the ACTIVE INGREDIENT, for crying out loud! Plus Big P has given you a team of helpers…”
“What… you mean the Inactive Ingredients? I don’t see how glacial acetic acid, sodium acetate, mannitol, metacresol, and hydrochloric acid can help me. They’re INACTIVE, remember?”
“Stop acting like a coward, 4T0. Here’s a little secret for you: metacresol is highly flammable and poisonous – even lethal in the right dose. It can help you solve this mystery if anyone gets in your way. So get creative and solve it once and for all.”
“I’m not a fighter! I’m just a synthetic wannabe, I don’t know what to say…”
“Remember our motto: Ignorance is Strength. You don’t have to know anything… nobody has to know anything… that’s our strength, 4T0. Big P’s survival depends on ignorance. Just invent something and Big P will make sure that everyone will take our word for it.”
“Yes, I know that’s the way we’ve been operating in the past, but now people are waking up real fast…Why me, why me?”
“This tape will self-destruct in five seconds.”
“Oh, nooooooo!”
So there you have it.
Were you prescribed Forteo? Even if you weren’t, please share your experiences, thoughts, and comments with the community below.
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April 25, 2013
First and most importantly I would like for everyone making comment here to be assured that I believe in freedom of choice. Having said that, please let me share with you what has happened to my Mother since her doctor put her on Forteo. Although it is very expensive, she able to acquire this drug for free because of being on a fixed income. Anyway, since taking this drug she has had more fractures, aches and pains and now the doctor is telling her that her heart is of a concern. (Heart disease does not run in our family, that is, not until the doctors start prescribing pharmaceuticals.) Further, when she fell and broke her arm three years ago, she had been taking some other osteoporosis drug. Even though she was put on Forteo, her arm looks no different than the day she broke it. When she faithfully took Fosamax, I was taking her to the hospital every six months to a year for a procedure to put medication on the inside of her esophagus at the opening to her stomach. So, now y’all tell me . . . are these drugs worth all that? And now I ave read that this Forteo can cause bone cancer?? So, then isn’t Forteo an oxymoron? Will I take these drugs????? I think not! TY for letting me share.
April 21, 2013
Should I spend the $ (which I don’t have) on it? My mom had amazing results fro this med.. I am going down the same road and DO NOT want to suffer as she did before she received Forteo – but I don’t have the requisite $10,000.00. I am otherwise a young 54 year old. My daughter is 10 years old. What should I do?
April 25, 2013
If you have severe osteoporosis, you need to look at your risk factors for vertebral fracture or hip fracture. These both come with extreme costs associated with surgical repair and after care. The cost of Forteo is a small price to pay considering the fractures it prevents.
April 17, 2013
i am to begin forteo treatments on friday. my concern is that i have both myasthenia gravis and asthma. how will this affect me or should i not even think of starting forteo injections?
April 17, 2013
Linda, your health is in your hands – the decision is up to you! Armed with information from this site, you are free to choose whatever you think is best for your body. The important thing to remember is that you do not have to take Forteo – you do have a choice!
March 16, 2013
i am 80, been on forteo for 7 months. i have alot of aches and pains but i had them before forteo. i will continue forteo and hope that no more pains occur. if they do i will deal with it.
March 7, 2013
Well, I am a 58 year old, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis back in 2002, my primary doctor recomended Foxamas, took it 2 years, the disease didn’t improved or got worse, then I think took actonel for another 2 years, no results, not getting better or getting worse. Then in 2009 I was offered Forteo. Something very important my primary and I we had a very trusthful relationship. She laid all the side effects of forteo but also maybe the benefits. So we weight in was was the best route for me, and we choose to go for Forteo. I was very pro-active so I find out that you have to have a thyroid test done, and a parathyroid which the results shown me that it was low with the hormones.My treatment went by, my result for the oesteoporosis shown an improvement in 2011 when I finished it. I didn’t have any side effect knock on wood, and I really would like to go back with Forteo, the reason being is that if you have any side effects you can stop the treatment right there. There is other treatments that they give you one injection per year and what happens if really you get sick with it? Since the other medication didn’work on me I really would like to find a way to go back with forteo. I haven’t been taking forteo almost for 2 years know and the results of my last test show that again the disease is not getting worst.
February 20, 2013
My good friend, Anne, has been taking Forteo for less than a month. She is only 50 but just two days ago she suffered an aneurism and nearly died!!! She has never had anything like high blood pressure, etal. yet her bpressure went up to 170 over 90. Anne is a very slight, underweight woman. My immediate thought was this had something to do with Forteo. Anybody know anything on this? Thanks
February 5, 2013
Remember, density tests do not measure tensile strength or flexibility.
That’s more important in preventing fractures than high density scores. Mainstream medicine focuses so much on density because it needs numbers (i.e. fixed parameters) to prescribe drugs, so most doctors follow the same protocol.
While density is an indicator of bone metabolism, the main focus of bone health is simply to prevent fractures, and less dense but healthy and renewed bones have better tensile strength than thicker, denser, older bones.
I explain this in detail in the Save Our Bones program!
January 19, 2013
Generally speaking Forteo is supposed to be taken for 18m months to two years. I took itg for ten months and got curious as to what effect it was having on bone dxdensity.i read and was told that an improvewment of 1 to 2% is expecteed after two years.Whdn i asked for a bone density test after 10 months i wsaS ALMOSYT LAUGHED AT..AFTER all IT TAKES two years to even see the slightest improvement,AND MEDICAREwill not pay for a test done in less than two years because the Forteo would not have had a chance to work in that short a period of time.
eI told them i would pay for the test myself and insisted on taking it.
I took he test and found that bone density had improved not one or two% but 22%!!!!!!!i went from severe Osteoporosis to Osteopena.
Granted i exercised daily and Drank and ate DAIRY PRODUCTS but 22% in 8 MONTHS!!!
January 2, 2013
It has been 1 year since I had forteo…for 2 years I had the shots every day..I had no bad reaction during that time and my bone scan showed a 22 percent improvement .I had had no luck with the medications I had taken for several years previous..so I am very grateful for my Dr prescribing forteo Mary
December 18, 2012
I used Forteo for 2 years. My T score for my hips went from -3.4 to -2.8
so the drug seemed to increase bone during that time. Because of a problem with reflux— I cannot take any other type of osteoporosis medication orally and I did not want an infusion drug. Forteo was my only choice.
December 17, 2012
OK, I’ve been on Actonel for as long as I’m allowed (4.5 years), Reclast for 2 years and Forteo for 2 years. According to my doctor the only two things left for me to go on are Evista or Prolia because she will not recommend I return to any of the others I’ve tried. Since my T scores have continued to look bad (now – 3.4), what are my other options? Can I just eat right, take calcium, etc. without fear of further deterioration?
December 17, 2012
I have been taking Forteo for 6 weeks. Side effects have started such as muscle cramping and numbness around my mouth. This is such a highly recommended drug for the severe osteoporosis I have, but these side effects scare me. I am also a cancer survivor and the warnings about cancer this drug can cause is very concerning to me. Has anyone else had these side effects?
February 8, 2013
I too am a cancer survivor, and have had the same side effects as you…muscle cramps, pain behind knees and knee joints. I also got extemely itchy after taking Forteo after 6 weeks. By 2 months I was so itchy I couldn’t even sleep. Pharmacist and dr, said to stop for a few day…the itchy part stopped alost immediately, but the joint pain lingered. So I stopped for 2 months! Now I face the delemia…do I take it again and face joint pain, itchy nights and days, and possibly cancer? Or do I give it the old “college try” just one more time? My numbers were also -3.4 Any input would be appreciated
December 30, 2012
Decided against Forteo because of “black box” and went on Prolia. I hardly felt the pinprick in my arm and have had no negative reaction. Continuing to drink 3 glasses of milk per day. FYI
January 8, 2013
I should also note that the black box warning refers to rats, which have VERY different bones than humans, and even the rats had no problems when given normal human doses…read the warning…osteosarcoma was dependant on dose and duration…not seen in rats until 3 to 60 TIMES the normal human dose….suprised osteosarcoma is the only thing they got at those levels…lastly, rats were injected with forteo which is a human hormone.
April 14, 2013
This is a great point and often missed in the scaremongering.
What is even more problematic is that rat bones grow over the course of their life while humans do not. The high levels of Forteo given to them resulted in a small percentage of rats getting cancer in only those new growth areas at the ends of the rat’s bones.
I was on Forteo for a year and had 12% increase in bone density but it stopped working after that.
January 8, 2013
Prolia works by turning off a natural process of the body…bone turnover…long term effects of this can include additional fractures. BMD or bone hardness is only one contributing factor to overall bone strength…the most important factor is bone quality. Prolia can be a good option only after bone quality is addressed.
December 13, 2012
I have just completed 2 years on FORTEO, and my bone scan reveals no improvement in my bone density. Having paid approx. $25,000 of my own money on the understanding from the doctor that my body would receive a “real boost” from taking this expensive medication, I feel very annoyed and disappointed. Annoyed because I would never have agreed to taking FORTEO on the basis that it ‘might work’. The story line given to me 2 years ago by the doctor, contradicts in every respect the explanation offered this week after my bone density results. I was told that FORTEO does not in fact have an effect on bone density, but rather strengthens the bone itself. However, there is absolutely no evidence to support such a claim. As of this week, I am told by the same doctor, that there is no test to the effectiveness of this very expensive medication. It is all guess work – very expensive guess work.
January 8, 2013
Forteo forms new bone as collagen… If your looking for a BMD increase, you must have proper vit-D levels and take supplemental calcium.
December 12, 2012
My Dr. has suggested that I start Forteo & I’m having a difficult time in deciding. I have had an upper arm fracture and there isn’t any change with the aclasta injections that I’ve had two times.
Help !
January 8, 2013
Understand that all osteoporsis drugs other than Forteo, have a warning stating that they can actually inhibit or slow fracture healing…just FYI.
December 9, 2012
I am looking for testimonials from people who have been prescribed teriparatide forteo for osteoporosis and knee bone degeneration.
January 18, 2013
I was on Forteo 2002-2004 (2 years which is the maximum). My t-score did improve while I was on the injections. Prior to that I hadn’t had improvement with any other drugs. I didn’t have any side effects at the time. However, in 2008 I developed Hypothyroidism. I have no family history of this, and I don’t know if it could be related to the forteo or not…. Now I have a large mass in my thyroid. I just had an ultrasound today so I don’t even have the Doctor report yet. Again, I don’t know if it could be a side effect or not.
December 5, 2012
So true! Just love that humour!
November 28, 2012
I turned 70 this year. I had been on fosamax for 15+ years. My Gyn said my bones would be ok with this. I feel I should not have taken it so long. I was active (did Zumba) and tripped over my dog August 4 and fractured my hip. Bad break with the ball being fractured. The Dr put 3 screws in since it was in place. He wanted me to do Forteo because it helped bone to heal. I am on my 3rd round of shots and I am quitting. i have had so much pain I find it difficult to walk. I want to get my life back to normal and I feel Forteo bringing me down. Before this I was active and now I hurt all over. By the way my bone density of my hips looked good and showed osetopenia in my back.
November 21, 2012
I’m 59 yrs young, hx of osteoporosis,with 3yrs on Fosamax and continued loss of bone density. I was put on Forteo last year and I have had NO…as in ZERO side effects or complications from this “horrible secret agent” med! I’ve not had another Dexa scan yet, because of $$, but I have had 5 major falls in the past 6mos (cause by my loss of sight and “ghosting” vision in my sighted eye)…the last 2 falls in the past week…one off a step ladder down 6 stairs onto a concrete porch. NO FRACTURES TO REPORT!, so the Forteo must be doing somehing positive for me! I ABSOLUTELY WILL CONTINUE TAKING THE FORTEO FOR NOTHER FULL YEAR! I am healthy, happy and walk daily for 10K steps, and watch a toddler and a newborn 4 days/week. I can only share MY outcome, but after lots of research, and MANY prior fractures throughout my active life (10+), I continue as a happy Forteo user!
November 15, 2012
Four years ago I began FORTEO injections. After a month my body begain to hurt all over, then came the upset stomach, after 6 months I carried a paper bag all the time because I gagged so bad. AT Seven months I quit. I made about 5 calls to Lilly at this time. All they did was ask me all kinds of questions, each time the same questions. I could not get any answers from them. Before starting forteo my kidneys were fine, 3 months after I stopped I still had upset stomach and passed out 3 times. Had doctor do enascope and blood work. My HGB was 9.6 and other blood work showed Kidney Failure. Since, I have go for injections, every 4 – 6 weeks to keep my blood count up to 11. IS THERE ANY ONE ELSE OUT THERE THAT MAY HAVE GOTTEN KIDNEY DISEASE TOO FROM FORTEO ???? PS my bone density never changed in 7 months.
January 8, 2013
The half life of Forteo is less than an hour. Any lasting nausea is usually caused by the anxiety of injecting something into your body. Understand that forteo is biologically identical to the first 34 amino acids of the PTH your body produces naturally.
October 26, 2012
What are your thought about Magnesium Infusion™ is a ‘Pharmaceutical Grade’ Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate derived using a critical extraction method from Dead Sea Minerals
This is a spray that you spray your skin with to improve your bone health they claim that magnesium is need to move calcium from tissue to your bones. This spray is found at Nature City Products
NatureCity
January 30, 2013
This sounds like witch doctor medicine–
April 25, 2013
Witch Doctor medicine? How absurd! The magnesium works! Do your research.
You think it makes sense to fix a mineral or vitamin deficiency with a drug instead of with vitimins and minerals, which all work together inside your body to give back what it lost, causing the condition in the first place? That’s insane.
October 8, 2012
What is the best alternative to Forteau? I can’t spend another winter afraid I will slip, fall, and end up with several broken bones. The doc keeps pushing the Forteau. I would like an option, something to compare it to.
January 10, 2013
Every one take my advise don’t ever take Forteo i took it 1 year now it has been 3 years. July 2012 i got 1 fracture in my right foot and my lower back.In September 2012 both feet started hurting at the same time.October the MRI showed 10 fractures in my right foot the fracture in July did not heal my left foot i had 8 fractures in it.I had 6 fractures in my lower spine,memory loss and weight loss.I can’t walk 5 feet without more fractures.I do have osteoporosis after the sever pain i have had i will never take anything for it again.
November 14, 2012
I have been on forteo for about 8 weeks now and my pains are getting worse each day. So much that tomorrow at my GP’s office I am going to tell him that I am coming off this terrible drug and not going to see my specialist anymore. I have severe bone loss but at 68 I would rather risk a fracture then continue taking this drug, maybe it would be worth it if I were much younger, but I promise you the pain is so bad and I have enough to deal with pain due to bone spurs in my neck and surgeries in my neck and back…Just saying it is not worth it to me as of tomorrow I hope to stop destroying my body with Forteo….
September 29, 2012
Are these adverse events being reported? Your doctor should contact the Lilly Pharmacovigilance Department at 1-800-Lilly-RX (800-545-5979).
The website is: http://lilly.com/products/patient-safety/providers-role/Pages/report-adverse-events.aspx
September 28, 2012
I have been to the Save Our Bones site before. On behalf of my wife, whom is 59 years old, I need to tell this story. Please be patient.
Prologue:
She has had about everything imaginable happen to her during the 12+ years we have been happily married. She lost her spleen due due to a complication of surgery in 2003, she suffered loss of vision due to Optical neuropathy in 2001. In 2010 was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Thankfully she survived all the horrible chemo, and radiation, and underwent a 7.5 hour surgery, in 2011, where 80% of her pancreas was removed, along with the remnants of the cancer. She is cancer free. But was also diagnosed sometime in 2010, with severe osteoporosis.
1st she was put on Fosamax, which caused her to neck to hurt and indigestion. The Dr. said not to take it because of the reaction. Whatever other alternatives there were, she could not do, due to one or another contradictions with other health problems or conflicting medications. Which brought her to the Forteo choice. We were even given a grant for the $2000 worth of meds still in our fridge.
The truth: Wednesday Sept 26th, 2012 in a instructor led classroom, she, along with others administered their first shots. The nurse/instructor told them that if they were going to have an adverse reaction, they would know in 10 minutes or so. After 15 mins, everyone left, apparently nobody had problems. HOWEVER, after about 5 minutes more when Maggie (my wife) went downstairs to wait for her ride, she was overcome by what she can only describe as the back of her head wanted to explode, this coming in waves , like birth contractions. Followed by the same intense and unbearable pain, in her calves. Luckily, this site is located near both our local hospital, and a walk-in clinic. She got the nurse within 5 minutes and went to the clinic. The doctor she recants, sort of took this in stride and he looked up some info on his iPad, and maintained that it was indeed a side effect. DUH…..
I got the call at work after she went home. The intense pain waves in her head and calves subsided. But she still had a headache. She described it as the pain you have after a migraine (yes she takes meds for those too). That was yesterday. Today she awoke early in the am, headache just as it was yesterday. I took her to our GP and although he is not an expert, and obviously knows the injection was the cause. He wants to know why or how, himself. He believes that the injection caused a metabolic imbalance. Hence the reason he sent her to the lab, for a blood draw, to check on calcium, magnesium, and I can’t remember the third component. All in the hopes of finding what went wrong.
We’ll know the results Monday or Tuesday. Anyone wanting to know know more about this, you will be able to email me directly.
Epilogue: Maggie is 59. Takes several different Rx’s. Oh, by the way, one of the drugs that it said to avoid taking it with, is Advair. Yes she takes that. Whether it’s found out that it was a drug interaction, or that the shot caused an unnatural or unstable metabolic reaction, that trigged the very horrible adverse reaction, she won’t take any more.
I would hate to see almost $2k worth of Forteo be destroyed.
Sincerely,
Steve (bidelmanst at yahoo dot com)
September 27, 2012
I started Forteo in February 2012. This website has been very helpful in hearing other people’s stories, since February my overall health has really deteriorated. I have an extreme lack of energy,my wrist and hands ache, and
I have a lot of flim build up in my esophagus. I have lost about 15 pounds and have little appetite. I have gone from a healthy man to extreme feeling of being unwell. I’ve also suffered from shortness of breath which I haven’t seen other people complain of , but I had my heart checked completely and it’s very healthy! it’s been so helpful to know that others have these side effects. I’ve been relating them to other possible causes. I called my doctor and he was very defensive but did say to stop the
Forteo. I’m going to stop it today and will let you know if my good health returns.
Sincerely, Lazyj
April 17, 2013
please let me know what happens. i have myasthenia gravis and asthma and i am to start forteo in 2 days. i am scared to death of it.
October 20, 2012
I have been on Forteo for one month and have shortness of breath, loss of appetite and extreme fatigue. I haven’t had any factures in the past month which is a big improvement because I had 7 spontaneous fractures in 4 months after being treated with steroids for Crohn’s Disease. I see my doc on Monday and will probably stay on the Forteo as long as the symptoms don’t get worse. I’m going to try pilates for osteo now that I am stabilized.
September 21, 2012
My GYN has prescribed since my bone density test revealed -3.5 on my hips. I am 53. Thought I was healthy. Never broke a bone, have one crowned tooth in the back. No pain (not even Advil in my med cabinet) I do need to eat better, and exercise more. I am little 5’5 115 lbs. which comes naturally. After reserching the internet on this drug I say NO WAY! I wiil clean up my diet, excercise and take more vitamins and supplements. I am not a guinea pig!
April 17, 2013
good for you. i think i will also clean up my diet and take my chances. i drink ovaltine several times daily in soy milk. forteo scares me and i do not need any more problems added to the ones i already have. thank you for your input.
March 11, 2013
I am the same. I am 54 and was diagonised wit severe osteoporsis in my spine with a t score of -2.8. I have esophogus problems and therefore can not take any Fosomax etc by mouth. My doctor said Foreto is my only option. I am totally surprised by this diagonsis – I have never broken a bone. I am really afraid to take Forteo because of the side effects but wonder if I should because I of my age. I am terrified of needles (still cry when I get a shot) and then recently read that people can lose their hair – not to sound vain, but I have beautiful hair. I don’t like to do any research on what to do, because I feel lik my options are limited and I start to get discouraged when I read anything about osteoporosis. My husband is self employed and I pay for my own insurance – I am terrified of fracturing a bone and losing everything I have to be in a state run nursing home! Any suggestions would be great!
April 17, 2013
i drink ovaltine every day several times a day in soy milk. i too have significant bone loss, but i think i am better off taking my chances with an altered diet, and using natyral, possible remedies, and skip the osteocsarcoma. i have 5 fractures in my spine, have never broken a bone so i think forteo is a bit extreme for me. i am 63 years old.
March 21, 2013
I am 55 and have been taking Forteo for almost one year. I too had osteo in my spine (-3.5) I have seen a marked improvement in my spine which is now at -2.6. I have had no ill effects from the drug and have been religious about giving myself the shot every day, along with Ca and Vit D. I will continue to take Forteo for another year and then switch to Reclast (most liekly) to preserve what I have gained back. The needle feels like barely a pinch. I have gotten used to it. Yes, it’s a pain in the rear, but it’s worth it to see such a dramatic change. Best of luck to you!
February 3, 2013
Me too – same age. Gyno gave me the option for Forteo – read the reviews and I think I’m going to pass. 5’3, 116 pounds (petite). I walk daily but I’ve now increased my walks, started taking calcium and vitamin d (never did – I’m a very healthy eater – just can’t drink milk – makes me sick). I think I’ll choose Boniva and then get another bone density test next year.
I HATE the fact that I would be taking a medicate that if I’ve ever lost my job (husband is self employed so we depend on my health insurance) then what? I can’t pay 600.00 a month for a medication that may or may not work.
Glad to see that others have the same doubts as I do.
April 17, 2013
my ins. co. was billed $1100.00 for my first dose of injections. how can they justify that? and it may or may not work. i think i will opt not to use the forteo. too many adverse side affects. i already have myasthenia gravis and asthma. don’t need any more problems.
September 3, 2012
I WAS STARTED ON FORTEO LAST SUNDAY (ONE WEEK AGO). I STARTED OUT WITH 1 FX RT. WRIST> FX PELVIS >ANOTHER FX PELVIS> 6 FX RIBS, FX FINGER, FX ANKLE> ONE MORE FX PELVIS AND FX ANKLE. THEN FX TO BACK IN 2006 AND ANOTHER BACK FX IN 2010 THEN 3 MORE BACK FX THIS MARCH TO L AND T-SPINE. DOCTORS SAID THAT FORTEO MAY HELP. WHAT WOULD YOU DO.
September 6, 2012
As I wrote just before your entry…forteo worked wonders for me!!! It greatly improved my T-scores and obviously strengthened my bones enough to endure a horrific fall without any fractures! I, personally, am so grateful for the invention of this medication. For the most part, I do not like to use pharmaceuticals and look for other healing/treating modalities; however, there are times when a medication is beneficial. Forteo literally saved my life. If you chose to maintain this course of treatment, may it help you as it did me. Jo
September 3, 2012
I don’t think anything is 100% good or bad. Forteo saved my life! When I started taking Forteo in 2006, my T-score was
-5.3 and my ribs were fracturing literally from rolling over in bed. After the 5th rib fractured (I thought I was just having muscle spasms until a PET scan proved otherwise) my endocrinologist recommended Forteo. At that time, after forteo had been available for 4 years, there had not been one documented case of osteosarcoma in a human. I felt it was “take the forteo or risk my lower spinal column crumbling”. I took the forteo injections daily for 2 years until 2008 with absolutely no side effects. In 2009, my dexascan score was -3.1. At that time, I had a very serious fall while holding something in each hand. I landed directly on my chest and chin requiring 6 stitches in my chin. My chest was bruised from the falls impact and very painful. And…nothing broke!!! If not for the forteo, I would have ended up like a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle with bone fragments ripping into my heart and lungs. My belief is: saying something is always “bad” is the same as saying something is always “good.” I’ve been maintaining stable T scores. Also, I’m VERY grateful for this SaveOurBones program. I stopped fosamax 6 months ago, made significant changes in my diet (I had no idea about alkaline/acidic foods and learned I had been eating about 80-90% acidic foods) and feel empowered and wonderful! Yeah to us all for taking care of ourselves!…and thank you to Vivien!
August 12, 2012
hi!,I like your writing very a lot! share we keep in touch extra approximately your post on AOL? I require a specialist on this house to solve my problem. May be that is you! Looking forward to see you.
August 6, 2012
HIGH VIVIAN;
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFO. ON FORTEO.MY DOCTOR SUGGESTED A NEEDLE CALLED
PROLIA. HOWEVER, I WENT ON MY COMPUTER & FOUND OUT THAT I SHOULD NOT
TAKE IT & MY PHARMASIST AGREED . SHE ALSO MENTIONED FORTEO –NOT TO
TAKE IT EITHER.
August 3, 2012
I am suffering from serious osteoporosis because no doctor bothered to find out WHY I had osteoporosis. They just wanted to prescribe Fosamax. This went on for several years until I went to a good Endocrinologist who found out using 2 simple blood tests that I have parathyroid disease. I am awaiting surgery.
In the process of researching parathyroid disorders, I came across some interesting things about FORTEO. There are some other very mysterious things about this drug also. For instance, why was it approved by the FDA for osteoporosis when it was developed specifically for a very rare disorder called hypOparathyroidism? In addition, why do the foremost experts in the world on parathyroids and PTH NOT RECOMMEND FORTEO for the treatment of osteporosis? It appears that FORTEO was approved for osteoporosis AFTER it was developed and approved for hypOparathyroidism, which is very rare. Oh and how do over 99% of people with hypOparathyroidism get it in the first place? By being operated on for hyperparathyroidism by a clumsy general surgeon, who accidentally removed all traced of parathyroid tissue, leaving the hapless patient not able to regulate calcium in their bodies.
February 11, 2013
Thyroid cancer also removes your parathyroid glands. They try to save two of them, but ?? Depends on the surgery. I have one, and they lost sight of the other. They are real small.
July 26, 2012
I feel for the people that go to doctors & follows orders without hesitation regarding pharmaceuticals. It’s like sheep being led to slaughter. One should research & educate themselves at least to a certain extent. I would never be put in a position to be used as a guinea pig like that & for that amount of money?! I was diagnosed with osteo years ago, had some symptoms show up but w/checking out all my options on alternatives (I am taking 50,000 units a mo. of Vit.D3, & K2.) Do other supplementation of the best available along with tonic herbs & bone strengthening exercises. I’m back at Risk now. I’m feeling fine. I believe in what I’m doing because it resonates with me. I could never believe in toxic synthetics put into my system.
October 24, 2012
I’d sure love to know what all you’re taking. I am seriously considering starting Forteo this week.
July 29, 2012
You really are smart, aren’t you? But do you really feel you need to deride other people? After all, everyone has different backgrounds, and you can’t possibly know what made a person take osteo drugs. I think this forum would be a lot nicer if we stayed away from mockery and tried to support each other instead.
July 16, 2012
I started Forteo 14 months ago. Had a bone density test in June and was expecting good results. Instead I found out that my osteoporosis is worse and had shown up in more places.
Left femur T-score of -3.3, spine -2.5, forearm -3.1, plus what showed up in 2010. The dr.s comments are that my fracture risk is high, and bone density has declined significantly in spine and left hip since the baseline test of 2010. She advised that I continue Forteo until at least Sept. 2013. It makes no sense at all to me.
August 3, 2012
Orwellian, to say the least…
July 9, 2012
My wife took Forteo for 2 years for her bone density from June 2007 to June 2009. 2 months ago, she had shingles @ age 54. Can it be the side effect of this medicine ?
April 17, 2013
shingles is listed as one of the possible side affects of forteo. but lots of other things can cause shingles also. i had them and they said it was triggered by stress. i wonder if they really know….
January 21, 2013
No
November 30, 2012
No
June 30, 2012
I´ve been on Forteo since August, and want to stop taking it, but worry about the consecvences, since I´ve read that immediately after quitting, your bone density will deteriorate badly (if you don´t proceed whith bisphosphonates or Prolia afterwards, which I won´t do). So I would really appreciate if anyone who knows more about this could comment or give an advice.
June 10, 2012
Just started my third month of Forteo and I still am having joint pains in feet, ankles, shins, hands and elbows. They weren’t supposed to persist this long. I would like to think they are bone “growing pains” but I refuse to put up with them anylonger. I stopped the Forteo for now to see if I feel better. I am physically active but the pain is bad enough to discourage me from exercising sometimes. I don’t think there is anything better for building strong bone than weight bearing exercise! Maybe quality of bone is more important than density of bone as measured by a DexaScan?
September 5, 2012
i have all the same symptoms…..pains all over and I have decided to stop because I can’live like this. I don’t have osteoporosis…., but bones in arms are disinter grating
Due to elbow. Replacement surgery.
August 3, 2012
You bet!
June 1, 2012
I worked for Lilly’s Forteo Connect support program. Everything with this drug is a scam, including the “support” program used to try to keep patients on the 2 year therapy. Side effects they don’t tell you about are hair loss, shingles, thyroid problems, along with the normal muscle and joint aches, constipation, racing heartbeat, etc. Lilly was so worried about what we said to patients everything was scripted. You could be punished if you went off script to try and help a patient.
Also bear in mind Lilly has a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the FDA currently for deceptive marketing practices.
Don’t get me wrong, I did speak to patients that this drug has helped, however it seems that many more were sickened by it. Hopefully the once a year IV treatments will become more popular than the Forteo. I would never recommend this drug to any family member or person I cared about.
March 7, 2013
I really dissapointed with your comment. I would not trust you with what you said. Where is your integrity if you found out that everything is a lie you should left your job or contact the FDA? and you are promoting a new medication now? I have been in the treatment for 2 years and never had any side effect. Actually I am trying to go back to get the medication again. YOu should delete your coment you are making good to no one with it!
September 6, 2012
I have been on Forteo for one month now. Unable to take bisphosphonates. I have noticed some hair loss in the past week. In your studies, how serious did this side effect become? I had alopecia many years ago and do not want to go through that again.
June 12, 2012
I cannot tell you how glad I was to read the 6/1/12 comment frm fc who was part of the “support grp” for Foreto. Forteo made me very sick after 3 weeks & I have not used it since. One of the main reasons I stopped was all the phone calls from the “Forteo support grp.” Whenever I mentioned a side effect, I was immediately transferred to someone who records “side effects.” My fear re this drug started to rise since these people were calling me so frequently. No other drug company has ever called me to ask how I was doing w/their drug. The price is exhorbitant! The cost is $1132 a mnth! While I do have insurance, I would quickly go thru the “donut hole,” & w/ins co-pay, it would still cost $60 a mnth. That aside, it made me sick, (vomiting, headache, bp so low I could barely get out of bed to walk across the room. I decided if this was how I had to “live,” I wld rather be dead! I had no social life, barely had the strength to even talk on phone. And all the “support” from Lily made me leery of continuing even w/out side effects.
June 10, 2012
I wonder if you ever contacted me from Lily’s Forteo Connect? I’ll bet it ruined your love life constantly hearing yourself repeat that insipid script even when you were away from work!
July 25, 2012
Great roundup! The Eventlet bcnahmerk could benefit from a little tweaking. I used the following code and achieved significantly better performance.from eventlet.green import socketfrom eventlet import api,hubshubs.use_hub(“pyevent”) def handle_socket(sock): sock.sendall(“HTTP/1.0 200 OK\r\nContent-Length: 5\r\n\r\nPong!\r\n”) sock.close() server = socket.socket()server.bind((‘localhost’, 8030))server.listen(500)while True: try: new_sock, address = server.accept() except KeyboardInterrupt: break # handle every new connection with a new coroutine api.spawn(handle_socket, new_sock)The major difference here is that makefile() and its consequent object creation cost are not called. This alone makes a big difference, and has the side benefit of being more readable and closer in spirit to the other tests.Also, this code uses pyevent for event dispatching. Pyevent is disabled by default within Eventlet because it is not compatible with threads, but in this sort of test, it provides better performance.
May 23, 2012
I am 29 yrs old and started forteo today as prescribed by my doctor due to my -2.5 dexa scan on my spine lower lumbar. I have also low vitamin d and my urine test came back that my body isn’t holding on to any vit d. Bc of my age and with me not knowing about anymore kids in the future my doc would not put me on any other meds which could ruin that possibility. I unlike the others here hope this works bc i have had three serious foot fractures in the past 4 years and the last one has taken the longest to heal. For me this is my only shot right now for things to either turn around or come to a stand still.
November 13, 2012
I took Forteo for two years every night. I also have fibro so I was used to aches and tiredness.
I had a reclaspt infusion last Friday and became really sick like a bad flu for about six days.
I am 56. I have not broken anything and take my Citracal calcium citrate and D3 petites twice a day. I have difficulty sitting too long as my tail bone hurts, feels like a cyst. I take Tramadol for pain. I also take an antidepressant for chronic depression. I have had weeks of being bedridden and then will be okay and energized for a few days.
My mother who died at age 86 last March was in the original test group for Forteo with no bad side effects. She also was in the Enclaspt test group without bad side effects.
This has been my experience with these medicines.
I truly hope the women who have not been helped by these drugs will not give up and continue to search for the best remedies for them. I am so sorry for your pain and unpleasant experiences.
December 28, 2012
I want you to know that there is a successful treatment (practically unknown) for fibromyalgia since the mid 1990′s, developed a Doctor from UCLA. I know all about it, if you are interested. You contact me at fibrocan@hotmail.com
July 20, 2012
Hello Catherine–I’m curious to know if you are still on Forteo and if it has been successful for you. I am 39 years old. After years of pain at a tibia fracture site (broken 17 years ago) and numerous doctor visits, I finally found the right doctor and learned that the break never healed. I have been working with several doctors for 2 years to heal this nonunion. They now want me to start Forteo next week. I’m a bit concerned to say the least.
December 28, 2012
Hello, Jennifer: I want to know, if you were treated with microcurrent for your pseudoarthosis. If you did not, I could give you more info. It promotes healing. You can contact me at fibrocan@hotmail.com
May 19, 2012
I wrote a history of my osteoporosis and my prescribed Forteo history. I asked that My name and email not to be printed but I wanted my comments printed. Where are my comments
May 19, 2012
History of many stress fractures feet,age 51.
Diagnosed Osteoporosis 1995. Started on Fosamax 1995-2007
2000-2001 Developed numerous vertebral fractures (Several Kyphoplasties performed 2001-Life Saving)
2003 Forteo was implemented for 18 months
2006:Vertebral Fracture.
2007: L. femoral Fracture.
Dec 2010: L.Sacral Fracture.
Dec 2010: Forteo re-started for an additional 6 months.( FDA Total usage 24 months.)
Feb 2011:Rt. Sacral Fracture
May 2012 Rt. Sacrum re-Fracture -Forteo recommened . Present Meds for Osteoporois: Calcitrical with D
Calcitriol.
Decision is not made regarding continuation of Forteo.
May 19, 2012
I have made a decision not to take Forteo. I have used prescribed dosage of 24 months. Which is the total amount allowed by the FDA. However, my bone issues are present and troublesome-to say the least. The site of my recurrent fracture, Rt.Sacrum, S1-S2 is most disturbing. Prolia was suggested by another renonwned MD last year. I have to consider this. Any other participant with a similar history to mine?
September 3, 2012
I have just joined this online community and not exactly sure how it works. I just finished typing my very positive forteo story. As I’m reading comments, I came upon yours and just want to say “Bless your heart!”. I have no personal herstory that has the extent of fractures that you do. From what I understand, tho the recommendation is 2 years of forteo, IF needed, i’d be able to have a short “booster” of it for 3-4 mo. Forteo was a totally positive and beneficial experience for me tho I read that that is not the case for everyone. How are you doing now? What have you decided? My heart is with you. Jo Getter
May 19, 2012
I would appreciate a reply from the Website.
May 19, 2012
Again, what is required to hear from the community please?
December 28, 2012
If you have not, why don’t you try “Save Our Bones Program”?
May 8, 2012
I recently learned that I have low blood calcium and was diagnosed at 40 with osteoporosis. Though premenopausal, they put me on Fosamax from 1997- 2005, which did nothing. My doctor, an early tester of Forteo has ignored my other illnesses and focused on the osteoporosis ( 2-point bone density scan), told me yesterday, when I expressed concerns about the drug, that I will die without Forteo. I do not think that he has done any testing to explain what is wrong with my parathyroid, nor is he interested in having me try anything but Forteo, which is sitting in my refrigerator like a lurking monster. In 2007, I had a tumor that was related to over-exposure to radiation removed along with half my thyroid, but this doctor hasn’t touched my neck. I am 55, with a BMI of 20.4 and little fat to inject the Forteo into. This situation has me extremely concerned.
February 28, 2013
One of the contraindications for use of forteo according the packet I received was prior exposure to radition therapy. I think that means it’s not recommended for those people. You might want to check on that.
Good luck. Hope you do well with what ever solution you choose.
My Dr. has recommended it for me and I too am doing my research before I decide what to do.
April 24, 2012
In 1997, I had back surgery with a spinal fusion. During this operation, my surgeon found that my bones were soft and were of a person in their 80′s. I was sent to an endocrinologist and he determined I had osteoporosis. I am a male and was only 47 years old. I was given Fosamax and then Actonel but my stomach could not tolerate them. I tried dietary changes but apparently those did not work because in 2004, I sustained a compression fracture in the vertebra above my fusion from coughing during a bad cold. From this my endocrinologist put me on Forteo which I took for 24 months. Upon completion of Forteo my bone density started to rise. It apparently kick started my body. I then was put on Zometa for a year and one half. Then went to Reclast, since I would only have to get a yearly infusion. I have had three of those yearly infusions and at my last Dexa scan my bone density is where I no longer have to take any drugs and can just use diet now. After reading the posts on this site, I have been recalling some joint pains the last several years and have been told these are just some bone spurs which older people get. I will continue to monitor and will follow directions in the Save Our Bones Program.
August 22, 2012
Thank you for sharing. I’m a 50 year old lady with the bones of an 80 year old, and after doing some research and speaking with a former FORTEO rep (whose own mom and grandma have used it with success), I insisted on FORTEO over biphosphonates.
I am hopeful, and I am not afraid of pharmacueticals; I research the heck out of any med I might need to take. Other than vitamins, FORTEO is all I take.
I am hopeful. Also, I a little “achey” and a little tired. It’s been a month. I’ll try and post again, as time progresses.
October 24, 2012
Hope you will post an update very soon!
September 3, 2012
I just posted my very positive forteo story. It literally saved my life! I certainly hope the same will be true for you!
August 3, 2012
Of course, the medical establishment blames “aging” for many of the nasty drug side effects. But we know better
May 8, 2012
Here goes… My 19 yo son was Dx with IJO at age 12 after he fell and Fx a hip. On Fosamax since. Dexa scans climbed slightly the dropped. After 4 surgeries in hope to delay replacement (due to AVN) he now needs the replacement. Plus Scan results are at a new time low. MD insisted on Someta (No way). So I took him to Boston childrens hospital for info followed today by an appt with the local childrens hospital’s bone health team. It was suggested today to consider Forteo. There are posts here on both sides of the fence. IJO had so far left my son with a life time of issues with his hip,back and feet. Plus now he is in pain. As a parent its a difficult position to decide for your child. Unrelated.. my son also has Aspergers syndrome (autism).
April 13, 2012
Dear Johanita, no I don’t beleive that the Dexa-scan machines would be rigged,however I don’t know who produces them or who subsidises the cost of these machines?but, I do beleive that you don’t always get the same results from each scan machine and, that different machines,makes,and models ect, can produce difference outcomes. Every person has some story as to pathology test result ending up when thoroughly investigated and re-done to be less than perfect showing up as, not as bad as first thought, or more severe than expected, or even “no problem at all everything all ok” so there can be large discrepences in all pathology and testing. For me, I would want multipul testing on all different scans before I would be prepared to make a full and contious decision about my health. ( of which I have done with other health issues and with excellent results,and without medical assistants and against the advice of my MD)
“To each his own” Rhonda
December 28, 2012
General Electric produces one model called Lunar. There are other manufactures. And yes, different machines give different results
December 24, 2012
awwww ang sweet! how i wish my hubby would write something as sweet as this! ehehe it’s rlaley nice to have someone to love, and to be loved in return.hmmm anong event sa UP dil ang nagtrigger ng mga fireworks? lantern parade? but whatever it was, whether imagined or real, I’m sure it felt magical just being with him. there’s just something about UP that’s where my husband and I met and we enjoy going back because it has changed so much from the time we were still CMC students. napadaan lang.
March 14, 2012
I was on the Forteo for four months approximately and it did me no good at all that I could tell. I became very fatigued and finally went to the doctor and found that my calcium level was extremely high. I then got kidney stones and had to deal with that pain. I would not recommend this treatment to anyone. I feel lucky I didn’t end up with bone cancer.
March 3, 2012
Vivian: Hi. Thank you for your serious and light approach to a very interesting topic
March 4, 2012
LIGHT approach???
February 27, 2012
I have been allergic to practically every med I ever took for the last 60 years! I moved to Dallas in 2007 and found a new Dr. I told him of my allergies. Then he promply told me to attend a class where I would be taught to give myself a shot of Forteo every day for 18 months! Needless to say, I did not attend the class and I changed doctors!! I am now 88 and other than painful arthritis in my left hip, I am in excellent health. I am considering prolozone therapy, however. Do you have an opinion about that treatment? Thanks, Margie ^o^
December 28, 2012
I know about Prolozone. It is effective. I could give you more info, if you email me at fibrocan@hotmail.com
February 23, 2012
I have been along time believer in alternative medical practices that aids and abets the body’s own healing powers.
That and yoga have served me well for many years. I am now 83. About 18 months ago, i was dancing at a wedding, having a wonderful time until a young man came along, and seeing this old lady having such fun, came up and gave me an unexpected twirl that caused me to lose my balance, fall, and break my hip. The ER staff thought this was hilarious, The hip was pinned and since then have been exercising and doing all possible to get rid of any gimping or need for a cane.
My Dr. requested a new bone density test that registered my hip area at a -3.20. My last test ( in a different state) almost 2 years ago had and had read at -1.2. I was told that I was at serious risk and should start Forteo immediately. Scared witless, I reluctantly agreed and started the regime about 6 months ago-hating every minute of it.
Recently, I noticed increased hip pain in the hip area as well as continued redness around the injection so decided to do further research on the drug and fortunately, at this point, came across the SAVE YOUR BONES ad on the internet. Sold me! I no longer take Forteo, but admittedly am still anxious about fracturing another bone. However, I am encouraged now to go for the collards and other alkalizing foods recommended, exercise, pure water and happy thoughts and hope for the best. I am still unclear about the amount and kind of supplements I should add. I am not good at pill taking. Any advise on this? Thanks, Lois
December 28, 2012
No, but I will give you a joke.This 83 y.o man goes to the doctor. The doctor examines him, orders some tests, makes his recommendation and sends him home. 2 months later, the doctor goes to a social affair and sees his patient, dancing with a beautiful blonde, going all over the floor. The doc goes to him and says: Hey! what are doing here? Doctor, I am doing what you told me: get a hot mama and be cheerful. No, idiot! I told you you got a heart murmur and be careful!
August 3, 2012
Lois, now that you’ve taken your bone health in your own hands, you don’t need to do everything in the Save Our Bones Program to get the results you want. Do your best and enjoy life, with NO nasty side effects
February 11, 2012
I was prescribed forteo two years ago, have 2 more doses to take,i do not want to take them.I have been having severe muscle cramps sporadic in legs.Also hip pain, and jaw tenderness, my latest concern is losing weight and muscle.I turned 65 years old and lost 5 lbs since December of this year.Not trying to loose weight.
I had my Dr to do blood work up on me yesterday.I am frightned because she want to do a lung x ray. Sarcoma show up in the lungs after the bones.
I am dealing with bad back 5 degenerative disks,and hernaiated disc which
i am in physical theraphy dont want the shot in back.Opted to strengthen muscles.Fighting back.
My question is should i stop the forteo,can it be causing the weight loss.Jaw pain, and dizziness which i did not mention to her because it did not seem significant.
I am on aciphex and zantac for low grade barretts but it is being monitored.
i believe that high doses of calcium and vitamin D.And extensive exercise may be as good as putting up with possible sarcoma.I was not told at the time humans were getting this disease only rats.
What to do,i am at loss my Dr has not called me back on blood work.
July 27, 2012
I feel this is largely miorifsimnng to someone who doesn’t understand how the frameworks work as the approaches and architectures wildly differ:For example, would fork in two processes and that’s the only reason it won the benchmark. It’s a nice feature but one could argue that this should be handled elsewhere (loadbalancer/clustering).gevent is largely written in C (well, pyrex apparently) and that’s the reason it’s the second fastest (it would clearly win if would run in single process mode).Also, the code approaches differ, some start coroutines/greenlets/whateverlets on a new connection and some don’t. This is a very important difference and the results can differ much depending on this aspect.The error rates worry me – I think it’s a good exercise to find out why they happen. I would add portability and test code coverage to the comparison table.
February 4, 2012
I attended a seminar–learned abour forteo. Being on a limited [very] income, I inquired from supplemental insurance—-impossibly expensive !!!!!! I am 81– and glad to be alive, but still need to eat !!!!
August 3, 2012
A blessing in disguise…
January 28, 2012
I have taken Forteo for 4 months but have decided to stop due to knee and hip pain. Previously I took Fosamax for about 5 years and fell down steps and broke my femur and hip in two places (this was 4 years ago)
I do not believe the Fosamax helped me. I have been fearful of this Forteo causing cancer however the assistant at the Bone Research Center said not to worry — my body not hers!!! I will just try to excerise and eat properly. I am 74 and recovered completelly from the fall so figure that I am not too bad off.
January 25, 2012
My mom is in the hospital because of high calcium levels, low potassium levels and kidney problems. Newest drug she has been taking is forteo. Symptoms she was having loss of appetite, weakness, falls, confusion, tiredness, wobbly knees ect. My guess is that forteo along with high doses of calcium prescribed by her md have made her sick. We take medications for granted and are not careful enough to monitor what we are taking and how we feel. Listen to your body and trust your common sense. If it doesn’t feel right it probably isnt.
August 3, 2012
Yes, trust yourself and your common sense…
March 22, 2012
Shouldn’t it be the doctor’s job to monitor closely if perscribing a medication? It seems as if we should be more and more the experts, but then pay the doctor.
February 28, 2013
Contrary to what some doctors try to make their patients believe, they do not know everything. Every body responds differently to most every treatment because we are all individuals and there are far too many variables for a doctor or anyone to figure in. That is why it is called practicing medicine. A really good doctor welcomes our questions and any research we share with them. If you are not comfortable with what your doctor is telling you and he or she is defensive when you question him/her, it might be time to find another doctor.
February 28, 2013
I completely agree with Vivian. Listen to your body. You live in it 24-7. No one knows what is normal for you better than you.
January 26, 2012
I have been taking Forteo for 2 years…just completed the 2 yr program yesterday. The only side affects were very, very minor muscle pain for a few seconds at a time, once or twice a week. NO other side affects. I cant wait for my next bone density test
October 24, 2012
Please post again.. or if you’re willing to have a conversation with me, post and reference me, Suzanne R. I’d gladly see that you got my phone number (Montana).
I’d love be able to talk with someone who has had good results with Forteo.
Suzannne