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 on 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. The drug’s brochure states that “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 (https://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 revenue. And in 2008, Eli Lilly reported $778 million in sales. (https://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”. (https://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.
I just finished 15 months of Forteo. After 12 months, I had a new Dexa scan. I had gone from minus 3.9 (lumbar area) to minus 2.1 That is an incredible gain in bone density (over 40%). Because it is such a scary drug and that it is so expensive, I decided to end treatment after 15 months. my Dr. kept gtrying to get me to go the full 24 months, but I said NO! I am fearful of “rapid resorption” and plan to go on Boniva for a short period. Pleaselet me know what you think of this plan.
so I too am on forteo and your increased density is great…but now the question is ..will it last 7 what is the quality of the bone you gained??? why Boniva ??? there is a question about it & giving you brittle old bone rather than new bone…find out…ask..
i took forteo for 15 months had pains weakness in arms legs and stomach did not feel normal. i told the doctor Recknor of gainesville ga i wanted it no more. now on reclast. but he puts people on this forteo over 3 and 4 years.
My first bone scan revealed I had osteoporosis in the femur and osteopenia of the spine. After being on Actonel for two or three years, my bone scan revealed no difference. My rheumatologist decided reclast would be a good alternative. One dose of reclast then a test a year later revealed more bone loss. I had another go around of reclast with devastating side effects. I thought I was going to die. Almost blindness for two weeks, barely able to walk, pain, etc. No more Actonel, no more Reclast, etc. I had been taking “Bone-up” in addition to “Bone Strength Formula with Ko-Act”. That’s 8 pills a day. I’m about to gag on all the pills. I’m done. The rest is up to the Good Lord. Let’s face it…it’s part of aging and it’s probably unpreventable. I’m not overweight, had (up until a couple of years ago) been very active, ate sensibly, etc. There are no answers. Signed….62 Years Old and hoping for one more year.
After all I’ve read here and in other websites, I’m amazed these drugs are even on the market. Does that give you an idea what the FDA is doing for the American public? I’m reluctant to take any drug at all.
Hi,
I have recently heard about Strontium, seemingly builds bone. Purchase it at the Bulk Barn. The bottle I have is called strontium 2. 2 per day. made by albi natural.Worth a shot. Read about it on the internet. Owner of bulk barn says it works based on results of her customers who have come in to tell her. Good luck, hang in there!
Donna,
I am the same age, and my doctor scared me I was afraid to leave my house, fear of falling and breaking my hip. I think it is a natural thing boneless as we age, and I put my faith in God also, if I do break my hip, he will help the doctors repair and I will be ok for another few years or longer.
Lynn
Dear Vivian,
I just received your book The Bone Health Revolution. My question is..I have been taking Actonel for the last 20 years. Can I stop now? I am very worried and concerned.
Sincerely,
Glenda
Glenda,
I hope the number “20” next to years is a typo. If it’s not, then you SHOULD stop the Actonel. Some scientists that believe in the drug are debating if it makes sense to prescribe it for more than 5 years. Imagine that!
I am so sorry to hear about all the problems that Osteoporosis can cause for you dear people. My sweet 9 year old son was diagnosed recently with Osteosarcoma and he has already lost his leg to the cancer, he is 9. Osteosarcoma is a very serious cancer and is most certainly life ending for many people. Knowing what our family has been through, I would never take something that might possibly bring about Osteosarcoma, it is a very nasty hard to fight cancer and can be very lethal. Prayers to all of you searching for a drug to help your situation. My son did not take any drugs prior to being diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in the distal right femur, his right leg was amputated above the knee in late October 2009, the fight to save him continues each day with chemotherapy.
My prayers are with your son for his recovery and with you for your faith and strength.
I took Forteo for 10 months, the leg cramps got so bad i stopped taking forteo.
I tried all of the medicine out there to many side effects , Ihave PAD so i have to be very careful what i take for any illness. What did they do in the old days ? when none of this medication was around?
Unfortunately, after years of Fosamax and no improvement, I was prescribed Forteo. I took the injections and my Dexa scan showed a great improvement. I just pray I won’t have any permanent damage or develop cancer from taking the drug. What ended the prescription drugs for me was my reaction to Actenol. What a roller coaster ride I’ve been on for the past 11 years.
so how long did the improvement last? I am on forteo .
My doctor has suggested that I go on Forteo; I went to an informative group meeting of his other patients hosted by a nurse-practitioner who went through the whole procedure of how to inject yourself; the benefits of the drug; the history of the drug; and THEN THE BLACK BOX WARNING (which I had already read about). No one at the meeting had done any research, it seems. THere were about 9 women there; some were already on it for several months with no side effects. BUT, I was leery from the start. That was in August of 2009; the Actonel did not help me apparently; I had a t-score of -3.7, which is not good. So my last Actonel was in September and the doc wanted me to start last fall. SO I’ve done nothing but take calcium, Vit. D, magnesium. Today I meet with him to discuss my course of action; I have lots of questions for him. But after reading many sites on Forteo, I don’t think I want to go there.
Thanks for another terrific article , Vivian. After two years and no inprovement on fossamax my Doctor tried very hard to get me on forteo. The insurance company already did not pay for the fossamax as I was only 53 at the time. I thought I had been active enough and ate right, knew my mother and grandmother had osteoperosis but neer thought it would happen to me at least not at 51. When the doctor suggested forteo he said go home and look it up on the internet as I was a little skeptical and leary about what he was telling me. I knew if I was going to have to inject myself I wanted to be armed with as much knowledge as possible about the drug. Well after reading about forteo and finding your web site I can say I took myself off the fossamax and have been exercising and eating even better paying mush more attention to the acidity and alkalinity of the foods I eat. I go back to the doctor soon for a recheck and I am hoping since doing all of this and using some vitamins I found that my bones will be better or at least not any worse. I would love nothing better than to tell this doctor “see what I did without your pills!”
Keep up your optimism and stick to the program, Charlotte!
I was prescribed this drug by a DO specializing in rheumatology…I was referred to him as I sustained a fall resulting in a compression fx of T-12 (I landed backwards on the metal legs of the campchair I had in its carrying case over my shoulder – not even a pathological fx). I also have had moderate-severe scoliosis since age 11 (now 60)and had 2 spinal fusions. I have ALWAYS been active..danced,swam, biked, cheer leader and have ridden horses all my life until the fall. This DO told me he was a “spokesman” for the pharmaceutical company, addressing MD’s at seminars about the benefits of Forteo, etc. When he told me I had to take a class with my “medication” before I could begin taking it, I almost dropped my drawers!!!! This man had no basis for starting me on this, did not tell me of the cost ($1040/month at Walgreens); did not tell me of any side effects or of the “black box” warnings…did say it could only be taken for 2 years and the 1st month’s Rx was free!!! I have been an RN for over 35 years…I am not stupid….I did my homework, spoke to a number of pharmacists and found your wonderful website!!!! This is such a sham…just follow the money….Phamaceutical companies need to be brought under control…Thank you for all of your great information. I share it with my peers and colleagues. And since when did ostoeporosis become a disease? It was a sign of aging when I was in nursing school in the late 60’s!! And what 60 yr old should be compared to a 30 yr old in a dexa-scan? Not me…all of this is not rocket science…thank you again for all of your great information.
I took the first shot of Forteo and within 10 minutes had an extreme pressure in my chest, as though a brick had been placed there. It continued, I took three additional shots and when the company called me they said to discontinue use and call my Doctor. He permanently stopped the drug. The next month I continued to feel this pressure, as well as rapid heartbeats.
All of the other drugs I took gave me extreme side effects. Boniva caused such pain in my hands that I had to quit working.
Vivian, thanks so much for your new insightful information regarding Forteo. I always read your expert findings regarding osteoporosis drugs. I truly appreciate your diligence in helping our population better understand the mystery of helpful solutions in the treatment of this common disease. Please keep the emails coming. I continue to share your program with my family and friends.
Eternally grateful,
Bea Justice-Salyers
The situation with Forteo — Unbelievable!! Now I really do believe doctors are in the palms of the drug companies. There is no proof that incidence of fractures has declined, and more and more horrible effects are becoming evident and being reported. More and more people will be suffering these debilitating effects because this is what these drugs DO [stop old bone resorption and PREVENT NEW BONE FORMATION] — bones may be thicker, but they are brittle. Fractured bones will not knit/heal or will be very slow to heal because these drugs interfere with new bone formation. How can we stop this duping of the doctors and their pushing these drugs on us?!!!
Dear Vivian:
I have never heard of Forteo before reading hour message. I find it very interesting and am wondering if my doctor might mention it my next visit especially since he has me off everything because of the pains I had with Fosamax and Boniva. Your are great to share your information with so many of us. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for sharing this info as well as all others – you’re wonderful! Truly appreciate it!
Thank you very much for this info. My mom prescribed with this drug.nd thinking about it since a few months couldn.t decide
ai need your help for an another drug. I gave been presc. with Fosteum because of my ostrepenia. Could you tell us about fosteum pls.
Naz,
I’ll write about Fosteum soon. So many drugs… so little time!
I took Fosamax for 12 years and then I decided to stop because of the articles I read about some people having femur fractures near the hip after being on it over 10 years. I had put off going on Forteo but when my Dexa scan was slightly worse in the hip I decided to go on it. I had previously had two compression fractures in the lumbar area in the early 2000s and was put into early menopause when I was 44 from chemotherapy 14 years ago. Chemo made my bone mass in my back worse no doubt. My endocrinologist (the third I have had) took me off of Fosamax for six months before I was to start Forteo for it to be more effective. I was on Forteo for six weeks. On Forteo I was always sleepy. I was trying to nap on my two breaks a day at work, tried to nap on my lunch break and if I was out walking on the weekend I would be so sleepy I would have to drive home and take a nap before I could continue doing anything else. I also remember being very mean and not very nice during that period. I was always totally wiped out. I never drank coffee and have never been a caffeine drinker. I started drinking so much tea to stay awake that I ended up feeling like I could not breathe or get enough oxygen and had to go to the ER after the feeling didn’t go away for two days. Apparently, the ER people felt I only had anxiety. No kidding. When I called my doctor before I went to the ER he said that was not a symptom of Forteo. That was the last time I called him and I doubt he knows I ever stopped taking it as the prescription was for a year. That was in May of 2009. I was willing to take it. I just wasn’t willing to be sleepy all the time. Having had breast cancer I wasn’t real thrilled with taking it either. At least I am not sleepy now.
Nancy,
Your story is literally a “wake-up call”. 🙂
Vivian,
I just want to tell you that FORTEO was prescribed for me, and, Medicare approved $1000.00 a month for my nightly Forteo shots.
I REFUSED the treatments,however…primarily because of information I’ve received in e-mails from you, and, a little research of my own.
Thank you for your input.
With the Lord’s help,…I’ll be fine.
I took FOSAMAX for about a year and developed gastro problems. Took BONIVA i.v. every 90 days…it did nothing. Tried FORTEO in Doctor’s office. Eli Lily nurse injected…I became dizzy, palpatations and my b.p. very elevated. Doc kept me in office until b.p. went down. He then called FDA and reported my reaction. I have been on Strontium Citrate for a year and will have bone density in Spring. Medicare will only pay for once a year. I exercise 5 times a week and practise yoga twice a week,I eat properly, am generally healthy except for oestoarthritis and fybromyalgia.Just beginning a course of Boswellia, Bromelain, Curcumalonga Rhizome extract, Quercetin dihydrate. Am told I should try for inflamation. I have a great deal of discomfort.
Please COMMENT. Thank you…healthy Grandma in 70’s
I took Forteo from 2005-2007, the full two year program. After completion of the program, I was again tested for bone density. It showed a marked improvement to nearly normal bone density. After being off the drug and being tested one year later, it showed my bone density back to osteoporosis. According to the literature and my doctor, this was NOT going to happen. Needless to say, I would NEVER tell any woman to take this drug. It works while on it, and a complete failure once off of it.
I’m on forteo and appreciate your info because I am trying to get statistics on this issue and so far have not been successful….you are the 1st person to give a time line…one year’s worth of improvement…good to know…thank you
I will starting on the forteo program, wondering what should I except. thanks layne
I will be starting to take forteo , very interested in hearing what everyone has to say who is also receiving it. Thanks layne
I was on several drugs for osteo that didn’t work and now I am on Forteo and my wrist hurts so next month I see my doctor. I read one of the replys to skip a day so I will try that. Been on Forteo for 7 months. Thank you all that reply.
very interesting…I too noticed wrist ache twice…informed the very unempathic Lilly rep who asked no further questions and very coldly replied..if it continues tell your doctor…and then she hung up…Eli Lilly really needs better representatives …thus far I have only spoken with one out of a possible 15 who had any personality or correct info…
I went to see a bone specialist. Dr. Greenspan told me that I was at risk for fractures in my hip and back. The two treatments available are Reclast and Forteo. I read all the literature on both products and I cannot bring myself to place the order. I was leaning to Forteo. What I have just read in your e-mail to is frightening. What do you suggest? I have a twin sister and she has been on Cal-Apatate for 10 years. Her bones are great! What do you suggest?
I was amazed at how many replies there have been already, to this article! Obviously, there are thousands of us “bone piles” out there! I have had osteoporosis for many years, and have taken both Fosamax and Actonel, but suffered 4 fractures in 14 mos. even while taking those meds! So, after reading Vivian’s book, I went off all the ostoporosis meds in Nov. 2008. I’ve had several docs tell me Forteo is the only drug for me to take. Like many of the rest of you, when I researched this drug and the side effects, alarms went off in my head! I’m only 54 and have many years left to live! I’ve already had cancer once, and it was terrifying! I was blessed to have a full recovery. I don’t want to risk that again! Unfortunately, I am now recovering from another rib fracture that I got 2 wks. ago from a gentle hug from my husband! I’m very disappointed to have another fracture, since it’s been quite a few years since the last one. I just had another dexoscan last week, so will find out how the bone density has done since going off meds and just following Vivian’s food plan. I’m just hoping there hasn’t been any more loss, but obviously there has been no improvement, either! What to do? Good luck to all of you!
I was on Forteo for the limited time–two years.My bone density became all pluses–previously all minuses. So it was a great improvement.Now I am on Boniva. No ill effects from either just pluses on my bone density.Thanks.
okay good for you!!! now keep us informed…how long do the pluses last ?????? and are you not afraid Boniva will shut down the osteoclasts for 10 years & leave you with old brittle bone ???
I took fortego for 6 mo. continued back ache daily . stopped . have better in all ways since
Thank you, as always for your great information. It is very hard to do all the research needed to be well-informed about our bone health. We appreciate your efforts on our behalf!
Hi Vivian,
I was actually told by my doctor to take Forteo last year as the Actonel which I took for 2 1/2 years didn’t do much. Naturally, I refused & now I am glad.
Thanks for the informative articles.
I had two years of treatment with this drug with fantastic results. After many years on prednisolone my bones had a very low density and I suffered three fractured vertebrae and lost an inch in height. That’s a big blow to a young man in his twenties. I have read many medical journals about the drug and many of the findings which i read suggested that the risk of bone cancer was not really that high. I’d rather risk cancer than suffer like I did. And by the way actually it is a picnic injecting youself twice a day. It’s no big deal getting it out the fridge and sticking the tiniest needle ever into your thigh. It doesn’t even hurt. If you get offered Forteo in the UK then you are very lucky because it does cost alot of money and as I understand it the Nation Health Service only prescribe it in extreme cases.
Anyway it worked for me, my bone density is much stronger and I don’t have cancer.
Remember don’t take anybody’s word for things just because they said a certain study says this and a certain study said that. For every piece of scientific research that says one thing there is a piece of research that had different findings. Also remember that all scientific research is flawed in some way eg the sample group was not large enough or did not relate to the tests being carried out or even the way in which the testing was done could be flawed. That’s why very few things are actually proven and research continues. Always look into things yourself and make up your own mind. Google Scholar and Pubmed are good places to start.
I really liked your comments. I too have taken Forteo. I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis at age 50. The doctor put me on Forteo and I was on it for 24 months. I did pray about this suggestion before starting and did feel it was a right choice for me. Within a month after taking it my pain from the 3 spinal fractures were gone and I was feeling better. It was great! I continued for the 24 months and then put on Boniva. I took it for a year and came up with 2 more fractures and two bulging disc. I was sent to an Orthopedic surgeon and he put me in a brace before leaving his office, which I had no idea what that cost until later, Which I would of never done if I knew the cost. However, It helped me keep my back straight and taught me how to bend. I had to wear that thing for three months and wasn’t suppose to drive but had to work to pay the bills. The surgeon told me I should take off of work but that was out of the question. He also told me one of my higher disc was 50% gone and possibly in a state of collapse and two others were 25% deteriorated. I went to him for awhile and stopped the Boniva because I felt it wasn’t working for me or I wouldn’t of came up with three more fractures after a year. He told me I needed to continue withBoniva but I refused. He also told me all meds for bone lost worked by killing the cells that took bone out causing the cells that put bone in to work better but FDA determined after 5 years the meds killed not only the cells to take bone out it also killed the cells to put it back in. So I have not went back to him or taken anymore meds for this. I refuse to take anymore since I had been on them for a total of three years already. I don’t really discredit the doctors for prescribing meds but they don’t really know what will work for another person, everyone is different and something that works for one may not work for another. We have to adapt to lifestyle changes as they come and with God’s help we will get through this life and into the eternal where the pain of today will be gone forever. I have lost around two inches of height which is an aging process also. From time to time I hurt and have to readjust my activities but life goes on and death will surely come to us all someday. We all must face life with caution but fear not what tomorrow will bring and live as you can. Having the Lord on our side who can really be against us in the end! I pray to the Father and my Lord Jesus alot and have faith they will lead me. May God bless you and keep you!
at long last…a man….with good results and hopeful attitude…I’m a woman on Forteo with hopeful attitude because the pain and risk of fractures need to be understood above and beyond the greed & flawed research of pharmaceutical companies….we are not all stupid gullible freaks…just desperate thin boned human beings….thanks for your input !!! spoken like a man !!
Hi Vivian,
Thanks for the info. Yikes!!!! Why would anyone take anything that might cause cancer? You are a God send for helping us find alternatives to drugs. Keep up the good work.
Sandy
because we have pain…broken bones…and fear of same in future…..cancer is one thinh..broken bones another…have you ever fractured your spine and thought you would never be able to support yourself physically or financially?????
When offered Forteo, I looked at the preliminary findings. Rats, the first subjects got bone cancer. Then I found a medical note that announced that six women had been diagnosed with bone cancer just recently
In reading the journals, one physician suggested that patients limit their use of a drug to 18 months, not 2 years.
In a word, all the red flags were flying. I declined the drug.
good to know…I was told only one patient in study had osteosarcoma….the question is…would these people have had the cancer even if they had not taken the forteo ??
https://www.betterbones.com/blog/post/forteo-and-osteosarcoma-new-data.aspx
thought this might be of interest for those on the fence about taking forteo
I broke my femur 12 months ago and was diagnosed with osteoporosis, condition of bones being especially bad around my knee replacements. When the doctor was putting in a steel plate with screws, he discovered that my bones were very soft and sponge-like and so he felt I needed the strongest drug on the market- Forteo. Yes, it comes with risks, just as all drugs do but one should always way the risk factors with the benefits and how bad your situation is as mine was pretty bad.
I got three different opinions and read a lot about bone loss. I have Vivian’s book but wish some of the claims were more scientific to be believable.
I have been on Forteo since September with NO side effects. I DO believe, for me, the risks are worth it if my bones get stronger with the Forteo,exercise and better diet.
The percentage of bone cancer in humans, as the worst side effect, is so low, extremely rare and as with all medications, there can be bad side effects so I am okay with it and I will only be on it for 2 years.
The injections, having to give myself a shot was my biggest obstacle I had to overcome but I am totally fine with it- even traveling on planes,etc. is no problem as it must be refrigerated.
thank you as i did like you…outweighed risk vs. benefit….doing forteo…so far so good but for how long ???? keep us notified…maybe we should start a forteo website ..how does one do that Vivian?????
I am 28 years old and was diagnosed with osteoporsis and osteopenia when I was 21. I have been taking Forteo for 8 months now with no side effects. I have not yet had another bne density test so it is still unknown how much it is helping. My doctor prescribed it for 2 years. My insurance does pay for most of it, I have to pay $60 a month and the insurance pays for the rest. It is delivered to my house every month via overnight shipping.
oh goodie another one….me too…let’s keep each other informed…this is not to say following Vivian’s advice is no good….just some of us need her way PLUS a boost…
What do you think of the drug injected(IV)once a year???Thankyou
Pretty scary stuff.
You might want to check out this blog:
https://www.sideeffects101.com/health-polls/reclast-side-effects-poll-and-discussion/
I am a 61 years old male who just completed 5500 miles on a road bicycle last year. I also have osteoporosis and broke my back in December 2009, just falling out of bed. Why Osteoporosis? I was given dilantin for over 30 years for a seizure disorder. Guess what? In 30 years no one told me that one of the side affects was osteoporosis. No one told me to take extra calcium or do weight bearing exercise. It was only a friend who told me about the osteoporosis side affect and only after I asked, did a doctor tell me osteoporosis was a side affect and that we should get you on a different drug. Only it was to late they determined I had osteoporosis.
Now they’re asking me to take Forteo and how timely was this article from Vivian. Does anyone out there know who we can trust? The Spin doctor didn’t tell me about side affects and it wasn’t until I researched the internet that I found that it had cause cancer in animals. Just think all these years our schools have tried to convince us we are from monkeys. I have a dumb question. Aren’t monkeys animals?
When I expressed my concerns about the other so called bone building drugs, the doctor only stated I had a lot of bad information. Yet he did not over any rebuttal or positive information.
At least my family doctor admitted that Fosomax does not build bone mass.
So next week I see the expert osteoporosis doctor who will try to convince me to take Forteo and will have to show him the article and ask his opinion.
Yes as we all are I am afraid of breaking my back again, this has been so painful yet I am just as afraid of the possible side affects from Forteo.
I would like to add that my neighbor who works at a local hospital was given Forteo and in 2 years of doing the sq inj. she has completely filled in her bones.She had no side effects while doing her two years of injections Her physician was perplexed by the treatment, but it worked. she is in her early 50s.
has she maintained positive affects???
I have osteoporosis. Working in the dental field, my choice was not to take any of the osteoporosis medications.
Then I went to an endoconologis (sp?)and was given Forteo. The daily injections were not a problem, but after a week, my heart started racing and I was experincing headaches. I never get headaches. So I stopped Forteo and after three days, I started to feel better.
I was doing the daily shots in the morning, so after a week off Forteo, I started again only at night. Same side effects happened. Heart racing and headaches are no fun.
I also called the manufacture of Forteo to asked about the frequency of possible osteosarcoma developing and was told one (1) out of 250,000 per year develope osteosarcoma.
I called my Doctor and told her, what my side
effects were and that I discontinued the Forteo treatment.
I take approximately 1800 mgs of calcium, 1200 mgs of D3, a multi vitamin and 1,000 mgs. of magnesium daily. Exercise is also part of my life on regular basis.
Thank you for all your continued reseach and keeping us informed.
I understand that in the “rat experiment” the animals were given several times the dose they would receive given there weight. Apparently, you have left out some details to this study. After many millions of doses by thousands of patients there has been no human cancers directly attribitable to Forteo.
However, I do have a friend that used Forteo for the 2 year period and it did not work for him.
as a forteo client…..appreciate your info….
Hi Vivian,
Thank you for your expertise.
I just retired and now have time to try silver sneakers to work out and not be on any other medicine. I enjoyed everyone who submitted their comments. My doctors have tried to get me to take Boniva and a yearly shot. I do not want to be on medication for the rest of my life. So I will take your advice and stay away from medication that will give me any side effects. I tried to take vit C with k and that made me sick to my stomach.
Thank you
I gave myself Forteo injections for two years. My density improved dramatically. However, two years after completing the therapy, my bone density was right back where it started. No lasting improvement, and many dollars down the drain!
Just want to say, that is exactly what happened to me. Totally agree with you.
My doctor is pushing me to take Forteo. He believes, it is the only way to improve bone density. After reading about the cancer issue, for now I won’t take this drug.
I don’t believe in the other drugs. Believe Forteo can improve it … but at what cost.
For now, I am not taking anything except calcium, vitamin D and exercise. I will eventually have to take a decision if my bone density is getting worst .. and it is quite bad right now.
Nothing is black and white.
Good luck to all.
One year ago, my doctor, a specialist, perscribed Foreto to me because I had been on Foxamax for 11 years, and it was no longer helping my bones to improve. He actually got angry when I refused to comply and told me to keep taking my Foxamax. I met with my Internist, and together we agreed to do some research and come up with another plan. He also agreed to follow my case. I found this website and ordered the book, The Bone Health Revolution. As a result, I began a program of eating correctly and working out, using weight-bearing exercises. I also changed my calcium to Citracal. I will have my yearly bone dentisty test next month, and am very anxious to see the results. Will keep you posted.
Iwas prescribed Forteo in 2006. Had fractured 2 vertabre just getting out of bed. Started taking thr Forteo shots in Nov of 2006. Took them for 1 month and had a stroke in Dec of 2006 for which they never gave me a reason. My heart was good and so was my blood pressure. Have you ever heard of this being a side effect of Forteo. My left side is paralyzed.
My mother took Forteo for 2 years, and now is recovering from 2 broken hips and 2 hip surgeries. Each surgery left her a bit more out of touch with reality and she now requires full time care.
Great Success story…
In 2005, I was told I had to do something about my thinning bones. I thought it was strange they were thin, but only broke my foot over 10 years before in an accident. I was very suspicious of many drugs, but my doctor seem really worried I wasn’t doing anything. I couldn’t take any of the tablet stuff (Fosomax, Evista, etc.) without feeling like I was coming down with the flu. Who wants that? Finally, the doctor suggested Forteo. A shot? Are you kidding me? I hate needles!!!! But, I read about it and listened to the doctor’s clarifications on my questions. I finally went for it. I went from 2005 to 2007. My insurance took care of the extremely high cost, but now I am wondering what did it cost me? I felt no ill effects during the time I took the drug and I’m praying nothing else will show up now or in the future. Thank you, Vivian, for your website, newsletter, and everything!! I am educating my younger sisters and sisters-in-law.
I took fosamax for 4 1/2 years and lost 4″ in my lower spine. No waist anymore. Then ‘they’
put me on forteo for 2 years. Muscles are weak.
Then came a hip replacement and it never did right. Nerves in leg are near gone. Half numb from the knee down. I am now 76 and can still
walk slowly. I do Tai-chi. It’s easy for me and
I do enjoy it……….Carol
When I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in ’96, the specialist immediately put me on Forteo…3 months later I began experiencing mild chest pain and shortness of breath. My general physician had me go through a variety of heart and lung tests: all normal. She suggested I look at the Forteo and sure enough, within 72 hours of not taking it, my symptoms went away! NO DRUG on the market is passing my lips! The drug companies are using all of us as experimental rats. Exercise and diet is the course I’m on.
I am confused! I thought Foreto was not approved until 2002 by the FDA. How did you get the drug in 1996?
I’m a very healthy 58 year woman diagnosed with SEVERE osteoporosis. I went to Mayo clinic in AZ for a second opinion and extensive tests after the original diagnosis to see what could be causing such severe bone loss. There was nothing that could explain my condition. 3 doctors tried convincing me to take forteo with the grim prediction that I would break if I sneezed, rolled over in bed, got hugged too hard, lifted anything over 10 lbs. Being very physical and often lifting heavy bags of soil and mulch for gardening, they could not explain why I had not broken anything yet. I considered taking the drug and for a month I cried every day about putting that chemical in my body and fearful that I would break if I turned the wrong way. That was 8 months ago. I did not take the drug(even though my insurance would pay for it (and it’s VERY expensive, I have not broken any bones, I feel strong. I have changed my diet to be more alkaline, I eat 10 prunes daily (which has been shown to be a natural way to increase bone..google “osteoporosis and prunes” to read the study) and will have another bone density in 4 months. Regardeless of what that test reveals, I WILL NOT be a guinea pig for the drug companies and will continue with my diet and exercise and positive thinking to remain strong and healthy.