1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health
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Limits of improvement with Forteo

Posted by skdooley1 @skdooley1, May 19 5:41pm

Has anyone had bone growth greater than Osteopenia range after Forteo treatment for Osteoporosis? I was able to find out after about 14 months that things had improved into Osteopenia range but am wondering now how hard to look for a follow-up DEXA scan. I took Forteo for 24 months.

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cavlover | @cavlover | May 20 5:36am

I took Forteo twelve years ago. I did it for 20 months. I think I was scared of bone cancer at the time because I’m petite. Btw they have not seen any human cases of bone cancer. My spine went from osteoporosis to normal after Forteo and a couple of years of Prolia. My hips continue to improve ever so slightly, but at least they’re going in the right direction. I’ve been on Prolia for 12 years. My doc said to continue for two more years, and then I’ll switch to another treatment. I have no idea what I’ll switch to yet.

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njx58 | @njx58 | May 20 7:06am

Are you on a followup medication? You should be. Normal procedure is to repeat DEXA every year to monitor your bone density. Nothing permanently cures osteoporosis. If you're in osteopenia range, great! But, you still need to do things to stay there.

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skdooley1 | @skdooley1 | May 20 7:50am

I was a year and a half ago. Then completed the next nine months of Forteo to complete the two years. Got an infusion to maintain. Unable to obtain the follow-up DEXA so looking around. Might have been able to travel to have someone prescribe it elsewhere. Whole process has been driven by me and a bit disconnected. What went into the infusion was prescribed, though last summer. I believe it was Reclast.

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cat1203 | @cat1203 | May 20 12:36pm
In reply to @cavlover "I took Forteo twelve years ago. I did it for 20 months. I think I was..." + (show)
Profile picture for cavlover @cavlover

I took Forteo twelve years ago. I did it for 20 months. I think I was scared of bone cancer at the time because I’m petite. Btw they have not seen any human cases of bone cancer. My spine went from osteoporosis to normal after Forteo and a couple of years of Prolia. My hips continue to improve ever so slightly, but at least they’re going in the right direction. I’ve been on Prolia for 12 years. My doc said to continue for two more years, and then I’ll switch to another treatment. I have no idea what I’ll switch to yet.

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@cavlover Do you remember or have access to your DEXA scores after your 20 months on Forteo? It sounds like it improved your BMD but you didn't hit "normal" range until after you'd been on Prolia a few years, is that right?

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cavlover | @cavlover | May 20 5:47pm
In reply to @cat1203 "@cavlover Do you remember or have access to your DEXA scores after your 20 months on..." + (show)
Profile picture for cat1203 @cat1203

@cavlover Do you remember or have access to your DEXA scores after your 20 months on Forteo? It sounds like it improved your BMD but you didn't hit "normal" range until after you'd been on Prolia a few years, is that right?

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@cat1203 yes although my spine was just about normal. Now it’s normal (of course with meds). I thought I could only do Prolia for ten years max. That was incorrect.

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hdeff | @hdeff | May 21 10:22am
In reply to @cavlover "I took Forteo twelve years ago. I did it for 20 months. I think I was..." + (show)
Profile picture for cavlover @cavlover

I took Forteo twelve years ago. I did it for 20 months. I think I was scared of bone cancer at the time because I’m petite. Btw they have not seen any human cases of bone cancer. My spine went from osteoporosis to normal after Forteo and a couple of years of Prolia. My hips continue to improve ever so slightly, but at least they’re going in the right direction. I’ve been on Prolia for 12 years. My doc said to continue for two more years, and then I’ll switch to another treatment. I have no idea what I’ll switch to yet.

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@cavlover That's so great! What was the T score in your spine before you started Forteo?

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ceciliabaker | @ceciliabaker | May 21 4:26pm
In reply to @cavlover "I took Forteo twelve years ago. I did it for 20 months. I think I was..." + (show)
Profile picture for cavlover @cavlover

I took Forteo twelve years ago. I did it for 20 months. I think I was scared of bone cancer at the time because I’m petite. Btw they have not seen any human cases of bone cancer. My spine went from osteoporosis to normal after Forteo and a couple of years of Prolia. My hips continue to improve ever so slightly, but at least they’re going in the right direction. I’ve been on Prolia for 12 years. My doc said to continue for two more years, and then I’ll switch to another treatment. I have no idea what I’ll switch to yet.

Jump to this post

@cavlover How do you take Forteo? Is it a pill or powder you put in your food? Is it a prescription?

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1 reply
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ceciliabaker | @ceciliabaker | May 21 4:29pm
In reply to @skdooley1 "I was a year and a half ago. Then completed the next nine months of Forteo..." + (show)
Profile picture for skdooley1 @skdooley1

I was a year and a half ago. Then completed the next nine months of Forteo to complete the two years. Got an infusion to maintain. Unable to obtain the follow-up DEXA so looking around. Might have been able to travel to have someone prescribe it elsewhere. Whole process has been driven by me and a bit disconnected. What went into the infusion was prescribed, though last summer. I believe it was Reclast.

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@skdooley1 Did you have any reactions to the Reclast? I am considering taking it.

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1 reply
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cavlover | @cavlover | May 21 8:54pm
In reply to @ceciliabaker "@cavlover How do you take Forteo? Is it a pill or powder you put in your..." + (show)
Profile picture for ceciliabaker @ceciliabaker

@cavlover How do you take Forteo? Is it a pill or powder you put in your food? Is it a prescription?

Jump to this post

@ceciliabaker Forteo is a shot you give yourself daily.

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