Considering Forteo

@broken13 thank you so much for your help. Do you know if a drug like Evista can be taken instead of a a drug like reclast?

@gently thank you so much.

@lisitabelle I understand that Reclast is stronger and the preferred medication for follow up. With my severe reaction to bisphosomates, I just did not want to risk it.

I was given the option of Forteo or Evenity and I chose Evenity.

Forteo requires daily self injection for 18 months which I didn't want to do. Also it requires refrigeration and I travel somewhat. The hotels in Europe do not have refrigerators in the rooms like hotels here in the US. It would be a hassle to travel with the drug in a specially insulated bag.

The other issue is that Forteo would need to be filled at the pharmacy every month. I get Evenity in the doctor's office and it is covered under my Medicare supplemental plan (I guess because it's a procedure).

@followheart87 Realize that you have opted for Evenity, but for future reference, I am on teriparatide (generic Forteo) and it is covered by my Rx plan (Wellcare) in Pennsylvania (the plans vary by state). I get it from a pharmacy that is affiliated with a major medical center and they bring it to me, a few months at a time. Pretty great.

@yvettenie
I started Forsteo 20 months ago and my last dexa showed an improvement on my hip 👏my doctor told me to stop and only take calcium and vitamin D As for now I’m happy !

@sodita Your doctor said that? That sounds like poor advice. Normally, if you don't follow up Forteo (or Tymlos) with a biphosphonate, you will lose the gains you made. Calcium and vitamin D aren't going to work.

@sodita Hope mine turns out the same! Thanks for sharing!

@sodita Like @njx58 I am also surprised that your doctor is not putting you on another drug to lock in your gains from Forteo (generic name Teriparatide).

Below are some references. In your situation I would print out some articles and take them to your doctor to discuss. My doctors have been open to such talks.

Cleveland Clinic:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/osteoporosis-medications
Excerpt: " After finishing your course [of teriparatide (Forteo®) ], you’ll need to start on an anti-resorptive medication, like bisphosphonate or denosumab. “If you don’t do anything further, you’ll lose the ground you gained,” Dr. Mileti points out."

Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF):
https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/treatment/medicationadherence/teriparatide-parathyroid-hormone-pth-1-34-forteo/
Excerpt: "At the end of [Forteo treatment], bone loss can be rapid. In order to retain the benefits of treatment with teriparatide, most experts recommend that patients start an antiresorptive medicine right after finishing the teriparatide therapy."

@njx58, except that not knowing the medical history makes our questioning of the doctor's wisdom also questionable. Men, for example who have suffered from bone loss due to androgen deprivation can recover easily without further medication after regaining the loss and the testosterone.
We also don't know the doctor's intent. Or if they are yielding temporarily to a patient's need for a break. I suspect that a month or even two month interlude might be advisable. It is a very good question for the doctor, though.