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Forteo: What is your Experience?

Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Jun 22 6:52am | Replies (67)

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@janflute

I have been approved to take Forteo for a third year. Since I started Forteo I have noticed that my stomach has become like a round large ball.I am thin, so this is noticeable. I wonder if anyone else has had this happen to them. My internist wants me to have a KobRad Abdominal X-ray. Way too much X-ray exposure for me to have right now, so I wanted to know if this producing stomach is fairly common with Forteo users. I am 77.

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Replies to "I have been approved to take Forteo for a third year. Since I started Forteo I..."

I used Forteo the full 24 months and had no issues as described in your post.

Hi @janflute, have you finished 2-year FORTEO already? If so, do you mind sharing your Dexa results? Your case is very interesting in that your remaining parathyroid gland is not working well. Does your lab for pth and calcium level reflect that? The approval of third year of FORTEO is nice! Is the third year treatment for op or hypoparathyroidism or both? I’ve read continuous treatment beyond 2 years with FORTEO may not result in continued bmd increase, although it seems bmd will be maintained. Therefore bone markers maybe very useful in your case, although you’d need a serial of testings. Anyhow, for true and extreme hypoparathyroidism, will the effect of daily bolus of FORTEO mimic that of natural occurring pth, which is fine tuned by serum calcium level at any given moment? Will you be monitored closely re calcium levels as well as by a cardiologist? It’s great that you are under the care of a very skillful endocrinologist! Keep us posted of your treatment progress as your case is so intriguing.

As far as the belly fat issue you raised, I have read many posts describing it. My opinion is our age is the main culprit. I started to have a ‘tummy’ around 57, before using FORTEO. Indeed belly fat is more noticeable in a skinny person. During therapy we all are very focused with nutrition and diet which may cause us to ‘overeat’ a bit. I’m also having a very good appetite. Fatty deposit as a result of excess calories tends to be in the midsection in post menopausal women. In recent months I’ve lost some weight due to increased outdoor activities and a busy schedule and guess what, I notice my tummy a lot flatter! Now I don’t know to be happy with a flatter tummy or to worry about my slight catabolic state, which is not good for bones 🙁

Best wishes!