Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Do you know what your density was before and after 2 years on Forteo - i.e., the percentage of improvement as a result of your treatment?

I'd have to go back in my medical records...

I had taken fosamax and other drugs for years and finally did the Forteo for two years. I was very happy to have some gain. The doctor I had gave me another fosamax type drug to help maintain what I had gained. He moved to another state and his replacement immediately took me off any osteoporosis drugs because I had been on them so long. After several months I went to an Endocronologist because I kept feeling an internal nudge to do so. I have lost a lot of what I had gained and am now at a scary -4. She highly recommended Prolia which I am going to start as soon as possible. I do have a tooth to be extracted and may have to wait a bit after that. I would definitely try the Forteo. I had no reations to it at all.

I have been doing a lot of research about drugs for osteoporosis and I would add this to the other information I have. It would be very helpful as not everyone has had good results from these drugs - or at least enough to compensate for the trouble and expense.

Donna, this is very helpful. Thank you so much.

I finally got a chance to quickly go thru my massive binder of medical records....Sept 1998 (back -3.8)(hip -1.7)....on Fosamax the first time...Aug 2004 after Forteo (neck .842) (spine(.760). back on 70 mg Fosamax in 2006 with an increased 3.3% right hip, 2.2% left hip and 10% spine. Both hips considered normal with slight osteopenia. 3rd year of Prolia will be complete Dec 2016.

Dolan - Was it the Forteo or Foxamax that gave you 10% improvement in the spine?

Forteo. It built up the bone mass I didn't have. After the 2 years I went back to Fosamax 70 mg to sustain it.

I'm taking Forteo. My last DEXA was -2.5 - I've had no problems with the drug. I also take 2,000 units Vitamin D a day on my doctor's recommendation. Good luck to you.

Thanks for your reply. I am curious as to your out-of-pocket costs. I found out that with my insurance, it would cost me a total of  $6,000 over the 2-year program - at the least. The company reports that the price goes up three times a year so it would be even more.