This is the first time I have posted so I am not sure it will even go through. Iam 44yo premenopausal and on Forteo for Osteopenia. I am only 5' tall and have always been small boned. I have never had any fractures, but the doctors worry about them. I agreed to go on Forteo, but am concerned about the "black box" warning. All the doctors including my father (a physician) think along the lines of other physicians---I am not a rat! Anyway after being on for 1 and 1/2 months I have also been experiencing leg aches similiar to shin splints and I have not been working out. It concerned me. I call the doctor and he said to go off the Forteo for one week and then on again and call him to let him know how I am doing. If the ache is normal I will live with it, for the good of the drug and a good outcome, but it being a new drug, it concerns me. I have been off for 2 days now and my shins still ache. I am aware of them all the time. No other side effects. any other "young" people having similar side effects? What has your doctor said?
Ruth
Forteo doesn't always work
I'm just 52 years old and was diagnosed with Osteoporosis 3 years ago. I began taking Fosomax. The first year I saw improvement in my bone density, but the second year I lost bone mass. I was bumped up to Forteo as the most aggressive move we could make to stop the bone loss. I've been on it for 6 months and just had a DEXA scan. Not only did the Forteo not work, but it caused a more rapid bone loss than if I had not been taking any medicine during that six month period. My specialist has observed that those of her patients that were on Fosomax prior to going on Forteo don't increase their bone mass, it just keeps it from getting worse - that is when it does works for you.
forteo after fosamax
Hi flowerlady... I am in the same situation... took fosamax for about 5 years with little or no improvement. In August, I started a study with the Mayo Clinic. I am using forteo and stopped the fosamax. For years I have had really bad bone pain... all over. The first part of October (6 or 7 weeks after starting the study) the bone pain just stopped!
But, I will have the bone density tests in February... six months into the study, but I won't get the results until Feb of 2006 when the study is over.
I don't understand your last sentence.... "that is when it does works for you."
mktwise wrote:Hi flowerlady... I am in the same situation... took fosamax for about 5 years with little or no improvement. In August, I started a study with the Mayo Clinic. I am using forteo and stopped the fosamax. For years I have had really bad bone pain... all over. The first part of October (6 or 7 weeks after starting the study) the bone pain just stopped!
But, I will have the bone density tests in February... six months into the study, but I won't get the results until Feb of 2006 when the study is over.
I don't understand your last sentence.... "that is when it does works for you."
To:mktwise What I meant by the last sentence is, if you were on Fosomax prior to Forteo, and Forteo works for you, the best you can expect is that while Forteo will only keep them stable - no loss or no gain.
Headache with Forteo
I just started forteo yesterday and am experiencing a violent intermittent headache on one side of my head. It is like no other headache I've ever had.
Has anyone else experienced this? If so, did the headaches go away after several days on the medication? Did you take anything for the headache?
Thanks
Forteo
Hi, I'm an RN and have been watching the postings about Forteo. I did not know it was being so widely used already. Forteo is not a drug, it's a synthetically produced parathyroid hormone. It was approved for use in individuals with a high risk for fractures due to osteoporosis. Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium and phosphate in the body. Use of Forteo apprears to help increase bone density and thus reduce risk of fractures.
Rory
Forteo
I was on Fosamax for 1 1/2 years and it did not increase my bone density. It actually got worse. Forsamax is used to help prevent bone fractures. I have now been on Forteo for a year and the only side effects were leg cramps which went away. I just had my first bone density since I have been on Forteo and my spine and wrist have improved alot, my hips only a little. I dont want to be in a wheel chair, so Forteo is like my last resort. I will now increase my exercise for my hips and make sure I take extra calicum every day. My specialist did tell me I would be on a maintenance drug when my two years are up with Forteo. I am 56 and my first density was -28 then it went to -39. With my lower back/hips the worst. I did not worry about the black box warning either, as our bones are not like rats. Good luck with the Forteo, the side effects will go away.
Forteo Side Effects
Has anyone taking Forteo had insomnia as a main side effect? I don't mean that you're kept awake due to other side effects such as leg cramps, nausea, or headaches. I started Forteo a week ago, and I haven't slept since. I have no other side effects. I'm wondering if this will go away because I can't keep going on only 2-3 hours sleep a night.
Re: forteo
maryjane wrote:I JUST STARTED THE DRUG FORTEO. THE ONLY SIDE EFFECT I AM HAVING IS A HEADACHE. BUT LAST JUST FOR A SHORT TIME. I REALLY HOPE THIS DRUG WORK. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM SOME ONE TAKING THIS MEDICINE
THANKS,
MARYJANE
Hi MaryJane,
I am at a high risk for a fracture so my dr wants me to take forteo. I am concerned about the bone cancer risk but I don't want to fracture any bones either.
Are you still taking forteo and have you had any side effects that were lasting. Is it hard to inject yourself? How have your bone dentistys been since you have been on it. How did you feel about the bone cancer risk?
I really hope to hear from you.
My email address is
[email protected]
Sheila
Forteo
I'm a 57 year old male who has been on Forteo for almost a year. Would like to hear about side effects anyone is experiencing. I've had leg cramps primarily. Thanks.
I am a 56 year old female, who has also been on Forteo for a year. I have had slight leg cramps, but nothing I cant handle. No other side effects. My last density did show the forteo is working.
I'm just starting Forteo and have concerns about the problem with bone cancer. Is there anyone that has been on the drug for some period of time. Since it's such a new drug, doesn;t seem to be much data. Would appreciate hearing about the experiences others have had with this drug. Thanks Letty-Feb 27, 2005
Letty, they had to put that warning on the medication. The bone cancer was in rats that were given alot higher doses and for a lot longer time than we get. I choose to ignore the warning, because are bones are nothing like rats. Rats bones are constantly growing and ours has stopped. I read all I could on the drug, and came to the conclusion this is my last resort. I dont want to be bed ridden or in a wheel chair the rest of my life. I have been on forteo for a year now, not many side effects, a little leg cramps, not bad. I had a bone density 3 weeks ago and it shows alot of improvement. My lower back is the worst, but has showed improvement. My dr. said I might not see any improvement the first year, but we did. I now will walk more and concentrate on my lower back as far as excerise. Good luck on the drug, it should help you alot. I dont have any back pain at all any more.
I had to stop taking Forteo after 4 months due to my legs shaking. Night cramps were getting progressively worse, but the daytime quivering was really scaring me. The good news is that I gained 5% in bone density from the 4 months (although the test was a different doctor on different equipment as I moved). I had no luck for Acetonel as it upset my stomach. I'm considering going back to Forteo, but worried about the return of the problem with my legs. Anyone else find a way to overcome leg problems?
Before taking quinine sulfate for leg cramps check with your doctor. My grandfather went deaf from taking the med.
"There are certain medications, such as gentamicin, neomycin, streptomycin, kanamycin and quinine sulfate which are medically necessary to treat serious illnesses but may cause hearing loss. These medications are referred to as ototoxic."
Forteo
Just saw the postings for Forteo and would like to know if it works my last bone scan was -3.6 in hip and -3.2 in spine I don't know any body with osteoporosis this severe Is it possible that this drug could help
forteo
Marilee, my first bone denisty was -25 then in one year it went to -39 in my lower back. Have been on forteo for a little over a yar, as its the last resort to rebuild my bones, otherwise I would be at higher risk for fractures, breaks, and could possible not be able to be up and around. My most recent bone density showed improvement. Lower back in the slowest, but my doctor said it should really show a difference in 1.5 years. You can only take the forteo for 2 years. Then go on a maintenance drug.
Hi I'm wondering if anyone else has pain from the osteoporosis, I'm 54 years old was always very active now everytime I exercise I have pain for several days after . I am very depressed Marilee
forteo
Marilee, I had terrible back pain. I thought it was my protruding disk, so under went steroid shots in my lower back. Helped somewhat, but since I am on Forteo, I have no pain. I exercise everyday and take my calcium and actually feel great. I am 57 this year, and really feel the shots are doing real well.
