Forteo daily shots for 18 months

Posted by lucy5812 @lucy5812, Dec 21, 2025

My doctor wants me to start the Forteo daily shots for 18 months. I have severe osteoporosis in the lumber area
He told me that he strongly believes in those shots , and once I do the entire 18 months my bones will build back up and I do not need any medications after that .
Anyone that have done these shots ? Any feedback please?

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lucy5812 | @lucy5812 | Dec 22, 2025

In reply to @lkel "I did Forteo for 24 months. It went very well. My endo put me on Fosamax..." + (show)

@lkel
Thank you so much for the feedback

bswpb | @bswpb | Dec 22, 2025

In reply to @lucy5812 "@bswpb Thank you so much for the feedback All the best" + (show)

@lucy5812 honestly I don’t know a good answer. It’s unfortunate that insurance only covers DEXA scans every 2 years to see if alternatives are working. This stuff can make you crazy with worry if you let it! I am not happy with Prolia but it is what it is! I finally had to give it all to God and let it go! I hope you find what works for you! Have a Merry Christmas!

broken13 | @broken13 | Dec 22, 2025

I did 24 months of Forteo in 2016. followed by one shot of Prolia and then 5 years of Raloxifene . I am now on Teriparatide for 18 months and then may risk another shot of Prolia followed by Ralozifene again. I found not tolerate Bisophomates and perhaps this is why Forteo worked so well for me. It does seem to have some slight side effect of a bit of brain fog and stomach upset for me, but I am very grateful for this medication.

tonilynn | @tonilynn | Dec 25, 2025

In reply to @kar50 "Hello Lucy, good luck with your decision regarding Forteo. I have been injecting Forteo for 13..." + (show)

@kar50 Regarding the need to wait for two years before health plan covers Dexa scan, I am doing a self-pay Dexa after one year. I got a cost estimate from hospital, and found it not high priced. Also found I can make $50 monthly payments. Knowing my one year Dexa numbers is worth the cost to me.

rjd | @rjd | Dec 25, 2025

In reply to @tonilynn "@kar50 Regarding the need to wait for two years before health plan covers Dexa scan, I..." + (show)

@tonilynn I am curious whether those of you who say insurance will cover DEXA ONLY every 2 years are Medicare eligible? If so, you might want to check out the 2 year rule when you are receiving treatment. My understanding is that Medicare allows DEXA every year during treatment.....and my not generally well-informed PCP actually knew this.

tonilynn | @tonilynn | Dec 25, 2025

In reply to @rjd "@tonilynn I am curious whether those of you who say insurance will cover DEXA ONLY every..." + (show)

@rjd Thank you. Good to know and will check that out. Right now I have not yet started treatment, so am prepared to self-pay if needed.

gently | @gently | Dec 25, 2025

In reply to @tonilynn "@kar50 Regarding the need to wait for two years before health plan covers Dexa scan, I..." + (show)

@tonilynn
I was told by a dxa tech that the cost is much lower at clinics outside of hospitals, but I haven't checked.

njhornung | @normahorn | Dec 25, 2025

That 2 year interval may be for screening DEXA's. If undergoing treatment, different rules my apply. Similar to mammograms and colonoscopies.

gowalking | @gowalking | Dec 26, 2025

In reply to @bswpb "@lucy5812 honestly I don’t know a good answer. It’s unfortunate that insurance only covers DEXA scans..." + (show)

I needed a DEXA Scan one year after I had one. Insurance covered it because the doctor requested it. I was starting Tymlos and we needed to have a baseline number to compare later, if the Tymlos was doing its job.
As a precaution, I got (in writing) the out of pocket cost, just in case. It was $100