1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Forteo: What is your Experience?

Posted by leeosteo @leeosteo, May 18, 2023

I'm looking for anyone's experience with Forteo. What were your side effects? Were they tolerable? Did you see good gain in bone density? What med did you follow up with to lock in gains?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

vkmov | @vkmov | Jul 5 2:01pm
In reply to @tetris "I have gained some belly fat but just a couple of pounds in weight. I had..." + (show)
@tetris

I have gained some belly fat but just a couple of pounds in weight.
I had a DXA scan performed in April after 12 months on Forteo. 16% BMD improvement/gain in spine (-3.6 t-score on first DXA), 4% in total left hip. Lani Simpson also confirmed. My endocrinologist is pleased with my results.
Also for the past year, I've been taking Dr. Sherri Betz's online strength-training classes, which are based on the LIFTMOR program. I'm vegetarian and have been on gluten-free diet for over a year since being diagnosed with celiac disease.

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Do you mind sharing what your t-score was after the 12 months on Forteo? You indicated it was -3.6 when you started.

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1 reply
tetris | @tetris | Jul 5 4:24pm
In reply to @vkmov "Do you mind sharing what your t-score was after the 12 months on Forteo? You indicated..." + (show)
@vkmov

Do you mind sharing what your t-score was after the 12 months on Forteo? You indicated it was -3.6 when you started.

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My spine t-score increased/improved from -3.6 to -2.6 after 12 months on Forteo.

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vkmov | @vkmov | Jul 5 6:44pm

Wow!! That is awesome! Thank you for sharing. I’ve been on Forteo for a little over three months so that is wonderful to hear. Mine is -3.2 at present.

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inam | @inam | Jul 6 9:44am
In reply to @sandybeach4567 "Started with Fosamax but now Forteo suggested by doc. Wondering if others have experienced many side..." + (show)
@sandybeach4567

Started with Fosamax but now Forteo suggested by doc. Wondering if others have experienced many side effects and if benefits have been worth the high cost and daily injections.

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I was able to take Forteo injections for only 6 months with a coupon. The cost was only $4.
But now the coupon has run out and I can't afford the injections anyone!
The only side effect I had with Forteo was increased belly fat. I tolerated the injections really well. I would definitely choose this need over evenity! Those side effects scare me to death! I also have severe osteoporosis and osteo arthritis!
Good luck with your journey!

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2 replies
mayblin | @mayblin | Jul 6 4:39pm
In reply to @tetris "My spine t-score increased/improved from -3.6 to -2.6 after 12 months on Forteo." + (show)
@tetris

My spine t-score increased/improved from -3.6 to -2.6 after 12 months on Forteo.

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Hi @tetris congratulations! I'm envious at the same time...

What will be your follow-up med? Thanks!

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1 reply
mayblin | @mayblin | Jul 6 4:43pm
In reply to @inam "I was able to take Forteo injections for only 6 months with a coupon. The cost..." + (show)
@inam

I was able to take Forteo injections for only 6 months with a coupon. The cost was only $4.
But now the coupon has run out and I can't afford the injections anyone!
The only side effect I had with Forteo was increased belly fat. I tolerated the injections really well. I would definitely choose this need over evenity! Those side effects scare me to death! I also have severe osteoporosis and osteo arthritis!
Good luck with your journey!

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Hi @inam have you tried re-enroll Lilly card? It doesn't appear that they have a limit as long as you have private insurance, not government sponsored ones.

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2 replies
inam | @inam | Jul 6 8:51pm
In reply to @mayblin "Hi @inam have you tried re-enroll Lilly card? It doesn't appear that they have a limit..." + (show)
@mayblin

Hi @inam have you tried re-enroll Lilly card? It doesn't appear that they have a limit as long as you have private insurance, not government sponsored ones.

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Thank you for your response to my comment. And yes I did try that, but because my insurance doesn't cover any specialty drugs they wouldn't accept my application for help. 😔

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1 reply
tetris | @tetris | Jul 7 4:45am
In reply to @mayblin "Hi @tetris congratulations! I'm envious at the same time... What will be your follow-up med? Thanks!" + (show)
@mayblin

Hi @tetris congratulations! I'm envious at the same time...

What will be your follow-up med? Thanks!

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Hi @mayblin, my endocrinologist and I will discuss follow-up meds in Feb after my next DXA scan. I assume it'll be Reclast (1 or 2 doses). For various reasons, Fosamax is not a good fit for me. However, I will research and compile info before my appointment.

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gently | @gently | Jul 7 10:51am

@njhormung,
as a radiated person with bone marrow edema, I found this article fascinating. Are you considering the function of PTH to control MSC fate or the danger of adipose tissue to bone formation as interesting to Forteo users. I don't want to miss anything. Thanks for the link.

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