Is anyone else afraid to start taking Forteo?

hi lauren, I've had such a good two years with Forteo that I've decided to take it for a third year. I haven't had any side effects, except that I have to cut my fingernails more often. Tymlos may be a little more effective than Forteo, I think fewer people have side effects because it is 1/4th the medication and doesn't contain the preservative. I think it is the best drug, ever.
Some people can't tolerate Forteo. If it causes adverse effects you can just stop taking it. Like Tymlos it starts to leave your system right away and is usually gone within 24 hours. So you wouldn't suffer for long if you had a bad reaction.
My best result after two years was from -3.2 to -2.6 in the lumbar spine.
I don't think a few weeks pause could be problematic for you.
I wasn't afraid of Forteo. I decided 21 years ago when it was first approved that it would be the drug for me. I'm a little afraid of all the other choices, but most afraid of spinal fractures.
Don't wait too long. Bless your choice.

Thanks for your response. I had no problems with Tymlos and feel defeated that I have to stop because of insurance. I also just realized that there will most likely be another drug after this one if I start it which I also don't like. I'm tempted to try the natural route with supplements (AlgaeCal & Osteostrong) for a year and see if my numbers change.

With both Forteo and Tymlos the full course is best because it takes a while to secure calcium in the bone. These medication remodel your bone right down to the osteocytes.
lauren2024, I hope you choose Forteo and that it makes your bones strong.

I am on Forteo (month 6) and have no problems at all. I did take it a couple years ago for 7 months but my doctor at the time made me stop because my alkaline phosphotase went up (which it's supposed to do). Tried some other things and now back on Forteo. My insurance made me stop after 4 months to go on Tymlos which caused horrible back spasms so my doctor appealed and got me back on Forteo. I have had no problems with it. Good luck with your decision.

I recently had to switch from Tymlos to Forteo (generic) due to insurance issues. I prefer Forteo and have fewer side effects than when I was on Tymlos.

I understand your reluctance about starting Forteo. I had many concerns as well, but I knew I had to do something to deal with worsening osteoporosis. I started Forteo 4 months ago and it's gone really well. I had a slight headache and minor achey symptoms the first day or two, but since then no side effects. I've gotten into the routine of injecting every night before bed. I'm really looking forward to my first scan and am hoping it's working!
Good luck.

Lauren,
I too was afraid to begin Forteo but after 3 compression fractures I finally gave in. After 1 year my Dexascan showed that my lumbar spine score improved 22%! It went from -3.5 to -1.9 do I would recommend it. I was originally going to do a full 2 years but will stop at 18 mo. and do a Reclast infusion.
Side effects were afternoon fatigue, some cramping in my feet and belly fat. I took it at night but some take it in the morning. I would recommend staying hydrated, make sure you're getting enough Vit D (it is fat soluble so take it with your fattiest meal), magnesium (competes with calcium so don't take at the time), calcium (spread out through the day) and protein.
I was able to get copay assistance from Lilly which brought my cost down to $4/month with private insurance. You need to renew annually. Go to their website.
I hope you have good results.

I had excellent experience with Forteo. I do understand how scary it is though. I had no choice to over think it as I had several spinal fractures to deal with. I can tell you the daily injections (I did mine at night) were not a big deal and pharmacy will do your first one with you if you like). Only mild headaches at first and then fine. I did the full 24 months as my T-Score was -3.5 and fracture risk high. That was in 2016. I have not fractured since. I followed up with Raloxifene . Just doing another course of Forteo now. Plan is for 6 months and then Evenity. (I am very nervous of Evenity! and may just do 4 months of it in stead of the full year)
I wish you the best. I am very grateful to Forteo!

I need to start a medicine for my osteoporosis and my doctor wanted me to take Reclast but after researching the drugs I have decided to take Forteo. I listened to a blog from a Harvard doctor Dr Ben Leder and that helped me with my research.
Forteo’s side effects don’t seem as terrible as some of the other drug’s medicines. The information you just mentioned really helped.
Thanks!

@broken13 I'm wondering what's the thinking behind retreatment with Forteo for only 6 months this time, then followed by evenity? Why can't you use Forteo 1-2 years this second time?

How much did Forteo help your bmd (or T score) last time when you had 24mo treatment?

It looks like raloxifene worked very well for you to maintain what's gained from first round of Forteo.