Has anyone been on FORTEO and had horrible pain and side effects?

I had several compression fractures in 2016 and it took about 4 months for the Forteo to noticeably start working and my fractures to stop. The pain journey was intense from the repeated fracturing. I did the full 24 months of Forteo and believe it saved my life. Now, 2025 I am doing another course of Forteo (generic brand) and because I don't have fractures this time, I can tell you more specifically my noted side effects are minor. Some joint pain and lower back ache. Stiffness and initial headache, tummy upset that resolved itself in the first few months. Now on my 9th month of daily injections and mostly doing fine.. Some stiffness but I am 67, and had lost 4 1/2 inches in height with the fractures, so think that's to be expected. I am very appreciative of Forteo and the amount of research that was done before its release. I had excellent follow up in 2016 by Forteo. Nothing this time around. Seems we all have to really do our own research and advocacy these days.

Do you start lower? Is that the common practice?
I’m thinking ahead to starting Forteo

I don’t know if you read my first post, but I was on Forteo for six weeks and I had to come off of it. The pain was excruciating. I started the TYMLOS and they do start you on lower doses. You can ask your physician. I’m currently doing four clicks instead of eight and so far no side effects. After a week I will go up to five and so on.

I was on Forteo for two years. I experienced pain in my knees and lower back. After about a year and some months in, the doctor said I could take a month off. The knee pain subsided. Can't remember how much it helped my back since I do have chronic low back pain. Anyway, the thought that pain relief would come when the treatment ended gave me something to look forward to. I finished up about 8 years ago and my knees are fine now and my back is pretty good. I had 2 or 3 vertebral fractures prior to treatment and none since. Always wise to talk with your physician so maybe he can advise on some pain reliever until you get to the end of your treatment. I thought 2 years would be forever when looking forward, but when looking backward, it didn't seem as long. I don't regret it because I was likely in for more fractures and far less quality if life. Best of luck.

Hi All

I started Forteo Wednesday by Monday. I had so many side effect. Frequent urination, headache ,constipation
extreme tiredness Icould not function , of course dizziness, dry heaving, my body was on fire, ran so hot not a fever just hot hot hot. and itchiness, some ear ringing. Dr tells me to stop until today and then do shot at night time. I am hesitant.... I could not go to work it was so severe. Any suggestions, it say take for 2 years. and btw I applied and was granted based on lack of income for it to be free, I saw someone said their Medicare approved it but I believe she had to pay so please look into financial aide, Ok friends what should I dooooooooo???? thanks

I was on it for 6 weeks. Same thing for me. My doctor took me off for 2 weeks and started me on Tymlos. It’s the same type of medication. You can adjust the dose with this one. The actual does is 80 mg (8) clicks. My doctor took started me on 4 clicks first week 5 next and so on. I’m now on 7. No pain at all. Just a high heart rate and dizziness for a while after injecting it. I don’t at night while I’m in bed. I have five compression fractures in my back and I have no other choice but to take this medication. I didn’t have kyphoplasty on two of them. Really hope this helps.

I’ve been on Forteo since May of 2023 - take it just before going to bed.
When I started I don’t remember having issues except for the areas being injected sometimes turning red…bruising afterwards…but I was going through a lot of other health issues at the time so may not have noticed if there were other effects. I haven’t fractured since August of that year (it must have taken a little more than 3 months to build up my bones).
Was scheduled to have Reclast this past Spring but opted out after reading accounts here and decided to continue with Forteo since it’s been successful so far and I’ve been cleared to continue past the 2 year limit.
Praying for you and all going through these life changing challenges. “My health may fail and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.”
~ Psalm 73:26
This reminder helped and still helps keep me safe in those times of uncertainty.

I love the verse, I agree God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever! I also want to comment about Forteo as I was on it for 18 months I think it was about 6 years ago. I did well with the drug up until the last few months when I started having hearing loss. The pharmaceutical company would not verify it was the drug my my doctor had me go off it once the hearing loss (permanent) was apparent. I was told it affected the small bones in the ears. Otherwise, I had no problems but that one was pretty significant. I have been on other osteo drugs since then. I really don't like any of them. Take care.

I started Tymlos 2 weeks ago. Notable fatigue and some bone aches where I already have prior issues, particularly my toes (neuropathy). and my teeth have become sensitive (I'm undergoing dental work). My hands hurt as well, but possibly from the free weights I have begun to use, to try to build up my wrists. They measured -3.2 in a recent bone scan. Beyond that, just some lightheadedness, particularly after administering the injection. It's still early in my treatment and I'm hoping nothing else will become sensitive to the meds.

@06111945cc
which pain went away? Back pain??? Were you doing Forteo every other day instead of the recommended daily injection?? Please clarify.