Teriparatide (Forteo Generic) Use & Side Effects

@tkdesign,
parathyroid glands control calcium in the blood. When we have low serum calcium, parathyroid hormone is released, which signals release of calcium from our storehouse of calcium--the bones.
Forteo is a segment 1-34 of parathyroid hormone. When we inject the 20mcgs we by pass the gland and trick our bodies into thinking our serum calcium is low. Calcium is pulled from our bones and from the digestive tract even back from the kidneys were it is slated for elimination. Our bodies recognize the flood of serum calcium as a physiological emergency, and recruit osteoblasts to renew that lost bone.
Our parathyroid glands produce little hormone while we are on the pth drugs, as your pth labs will attest.
The reaction to the flood of calcium happens within seconds of the injection. And just as quickly the calcium is directed to the endangered bones. To speed the distribution our blood vessels widen, and our hearts beat faster and stronger.
Within 4 to 6 hours calcium is normalized in the serum. Except with kidney disease. It can take 16 to 24 hours with reduced kidney function. With reduced function the calcium isn't eliminated as well as it form can form calcific obstructions even further reducing kidney flow.
Your endocrinologist will monitor calcium, pth, and egfr during your treatment.
Anyone having serum calcium labs withing four hours of the injection will have elevated serum calcium.
I take K2 and magnesium orotate 2 hours before the injection that pulls all that calcium into the blood stream. I wonder if it helps keep calcium out of my vascular tissue and back into my bones.

@laren3, depression and insomnia were signaled on the clinical trials at 5% of patients compared to 1% on placebo. I think from patient reporting the percentage may be higher.
One advantage of Forteo and Tymlos is that the medications leave your body so quickly, so the side effects usually evaporate rapidly if you decide to quit. With all the other meds quiting can leave you suffering for months (some report years).
Both insomnia, depression and some of the aches, (especially headaches) dissipate in some after a week or month of use as our bodies adjust to the calcium flood.
As you wisely recognize, this drug isn't for everyone. Some brave souls tolerate side effects for the two years. Some few simply cannot tolerate the drug. My fingers are crossed that you'll have an experience like mine, if you decide to try forteo.

@gently
Thank you Gently. I consider all comments and appreciate your insight and experience with the drug. Take good care.