What is best for us: An endocrinologist or a rheumatologist?

If you go to two different doctors one of them will label you non-compliant. I think the field of knowlege has expanded so rapidly that no one can keep abreast. I try to read everything, but haven't heard about cancer of the jaw from osteoporosis meds. I have known about avascular necrosis and want to avoid antiresorptive drugs.
I haven't had any negative effects from Forteo. And I know they use it for damage from bisphosphonates, and for the atypical femur fractures.
Be careful. No matter how smart they really are or how confidant their behavior, no one is omniscient.
We need our teeth.

I am about to start Forteo in January. Thinking twice about it after reading how to use it.
- I travel quite a bit and I see it needs to be refrigerated. Not sure how this will work.
- the instructions for use seem complicated but I suppose you get used to it
- where do you get needles and how much are they?
Thank you for any feedback you may have on the practical side.

Hi Madeleine,
I've traveled with Forteo. On a 13hr flight I ask a flight to refridgerate it for me. But ice packs are sufficient for longer than thirteen hours. The pen needs a little padding from the ice packs so it doesn't get too cold. Keeping it at a proper temperature has never been a problem traveling. I did forget to replace a pen in the fridge once. But found out it can be at 70 degrees if it is less than two hours.
The instructions only seem complicated. I only use the upper right thigh. I leave the needle on the pen and use it for a week on the advice of the endocrinologist I see. This makes it even simpler.
My sister taught me a little trick about pinching the skin and then letting it go before putting the needle in, otherwise you might get a tiny bruise. But I do look at the surface skin to make sure there isn't a tiny blood vessel in the way. Really its just use the alcohol wipe, dial the pen, squeeze the skin, let go and press the needle in. Not even one minute.
In the first minutes after the injection, your vessels dilate and your blood pressure will drop. Some patients get lightheaded or have balance issues others get slight headaches. I wouldn't even notice except that I took careful blood pressure readings at first. The response is immediate but also begins to resolve as immediately peaking at six minutes in. Hydrate before the injection and be careful the first thirty minutes.
I take calcium two hours before. PTH draws calcium into the bloodstream and I have the (maybe crazy) idea that if there is calcium in the blood, it won't take any from my bones. I take k2-4 two hours before the calcium so the calcium won't stiffen my cardiac valves.
The needles come from the pharmacy. I paid 23$ for 100ct the last time. You probably know they are really tiny.
Some people have adverse reactions to Forteo. I've had none. But if you do have problems, I say quit. The drug leaves the system in 24hrs so you aren't trapped for months with side effects.
I hope you don't change your mind in January and wonder why you wait.

I went to a rheumatologist who said “rheumatologists don’t know anything about HRT. You have to go yo an endocrinologist for that.” I’ve been on low dose transdermal HRT for several years. Bone density has decreased but doctors say the changes haven’t been statistically significant. I want a slightly higher dose but am getting pushback though many studies say as long as the dose doesn’t exceed 50mcg the risks don’t increase.