Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

I have recently started on FORTEO a daily self-injected bone building medication that is a para-thyroid treatment (?!) The injections are VERY easy: teeny tiny short needle. Some side affects but I think I can work with them. Forteo is taken for two years only. I could not tolerate the other osteoporosis treatment options. Stomach issues.

What kind of side effects are you experiencing? I am supposed to start on Forteo very soon.

To all of you talking about osteoporosis, this is MarieD, my primary Dr. knew about my osteopenia and never offered medicine, and now I have osteoporosis, a rheumatologist that I went for infusions for the past 3 years didn't give me one this year. He said he didn't think it would help. He said it is too far gone. I was surprised when he said that, I didn't respond. But now I understand. If my primary Dr put me on medicine when I had osteopenia it may not have gotten to osteoporosis already. I will take it up with her. I hear all the meds for this is horrible, but I think she should give me the option. Also my arthritis is so bad, I'm not sure it is not rheumatoid. I'll have to discuss this with her also. Thanks for all the info you girls are giving me.

@ marield65 gailfaith here. I had osteopenia and was on Fosamax for 5 years, and my PCP stopped it then as he was supposed ti!!!!!. Now I have osteoporosis, Now I have been off it for a whole year and my new endocrinologist just restated it. Initially the dose was 35 mg weekly, now 70 mg/ weekly which is he dose for osteo. And the endocrinologist says he will write for that for another year. before they stop it again as it can play havoc with your GI system. But on the other hand, it is slowly released from the bones, so that is why the 1 year off of it. So even though your initial Dr might have written for Fosamax, (though I think there are other meds for the same purpose), you may like me,still developed osteoporosis. I heard that 5-10 prunes eaten daily, might reverse the osteoporosis, I have eaten prunes for a while now (forget how long exactly but started earlier THIS year, and I just had a DEXA scan and the osteo has gotten worse,......even though I have now walked 115 miles (yes, MILEs) since Aug 15, 2016, it still got worse. I would hate to think where I'd be if I hadn't taken Fosamax or walked!!!!!!!!! I broke both wrists after 2 separate falls while I still only had osteopenia. If they up your dose of Fosamax, or whatever, I hope you have a better response. Let us know how you make out in the future.

Hi Gailfaith, Marield65 here. I have never been on Fosomax. When I had osteopenia my Doctor never mentioned medication, now I have osteoporosis I will bring to my primary Dr. why didn't she prescribe something for me. Now a rheumatologist said it's too late for him to do anything. I am furious and will take it up with my primary doctor. Thank you for your support.

I had NO side effects from Forteo. I had fabulous results rebuilding my bone mass. After the two years I went back to Fosamax to maintain the new bone and then a drug 'holiday' from the doctor. Unfortunately I fractured my pelvis in a fall. I am now on Prolia and the doctor is suggesting returning to another two years of Forteo depending on my next Dexa scan.

I also wish now that when I had osteopenia that my doctor had put me on Forteo then, instead now that I have osteoporosis. But, so far, I have not had any side effects from the Forteo. I just hope it works, my osteoporosis is so bad, and with severe spine problems, the last thing I need is to crack a vertebra. Luckily, I have plenty of titanium in my lower spine and neck. I'm glad to hear that others have not had any problems with Forteo. I do have some reservations about it, but I need to increase my bone mass.

Be careful when taking more Vitamin D, I can't remember the exact number, but from what I've read on Mayo, you can't take more than 4000-5000 of D a day, or it can cause problems.

I don't know that your doctor would have put you on Forteo at osteopenia point. My numbers were very severe for pre-menopausal age of 35. Fracturing my T9 vertebra (by raising arms over my head), clavicle(by answering the phone), ribs(by sneezing).... -3.8 spine, -4.6 hip. Now after a fall and having 5 pelvis fractures in 2014, I am on Prolia. I just turned 61.

Wow! You've really been through the ringer. I'm 52 and just started taking Forteo 4 months ago. They can't "measure" my spine because of all the titanium I have, but my hip is -3.9, I was at -.9 last year, so something really took a turn for the worse. I know I went through menopause early, at 30, but I didn't think I'd have osteoporosis so young. I've been on estrogen replacement therapy since my hysterectomy. But with all my spine problems, I've got to do whatever it takes to improve my bone mass. I wish you luck on your therapy treatment.