Has anyone taken Forteo for more than 2 years?
I haven't been here for a while. My question is whether anyone has taken Forteo for more than 2 years, and if yes, what their experience was like. I'll give the details below:
A quick review of my husband's situation. He's in his late 70s. In 2023, he developed Polymyalgia Rheumatic (PMR), took prednisone for about a year (40 mg daily), then developed Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). He landed in the ER where they gave him 3 days of 1200 mg IV infusions of prednisone. Followed by a couple years on high doses of prednisone (80 mg per day).
He ended up with 3 stress fractures in his back. We then discovered he had developed osteoporosis. Something we were unaware could be a side-effect of prednisone.
He was put on Forteo shots weekly for two years, which he tolerated well.
Then, the two years was up, and his doctor put him on a weekly dose of Fosimax. He didn't feel great after his first dose, but nothing earthshattering. However, the following week was a different story. He took it on Monday, and by Wednesday was so weak in his hands he couldn't do normal things. And the pain in his hands was excruciating. He also had neck and knee pain, all quite severe. The symptoms reduced by Sunday evening, and resolved the following Monday.
His doctor suggested putting him on Residondrate which we understand is in the same family of drugs. Which frightens us. We've researched all of the options and they're all frightening. From pills to infusions, and how long the effects can last from the infusions.
So, we are considering asking his endocronologist (sp?) if he could start taking Forteo again. He's been off it about 2 1/2 weeks. They lifted the 2-year limit for certain cases. It sounds like he might fit in that category.
I'd love thoughts.
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Isabelle7, I'm on my 4th year of Forteo. It may work well for your husband. Some doctors aren't prescribing it this way, yet. They aren't sure which patients would benefit.