Forteo for Osteoporosis User Reviews (Page 5)

• Rgibo...
• June 17, 2018

"With a -4.1 t score of the spine at age 50, I started forteo injections. By the 4th day, I was vomiting and had constant palpitations. I tried every other day with no change, so had to stop altogether. My endocrinologist wants me to try tymlos. Very similar drug but hopefully will have less side effects for me."

• Heather...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2021

"I am 69 years old. My endocrinologist prescribed Forteo for osteoporosis. After 6 injections I developed severe bone pain and stopped the med. I saw the doctor again and she urged me to try it again. After injection number 5 I developed acute vertigo on a Friday evening. It is now 48 hours since and I am still bedridden, very dizzy and nauseous. I will call my pcp tomorrow. I have never felt so ill and frightened in my life. Don't take this stuff."

• DGano
• May 13, 2018

"I have been on Forteo for 5 months and was dexa showed at my age of 48yrs old that my spine was -3.5 so they put me on this medication. I’ve noticed aches in my bones-legs, ankles, knees and feet but the biggest side effect is all my hair has stopped growing and us falling out. I will take a broken bone any day. Stopping this medication ASAP!!!!"

• Diane
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 27, 2022

"I consciously injected myself every day for two years and paid out of pocket $10k. Doctor said my bones would grow back together and showed me a before and after picture of what improvement would be made. After two years and a bone density exam I showed no increase in bone density. When I expressed my extreme disappointment , My doctor said “ well maybe your bones are at least stronger”. That was three years ago and I sure wish I had my $10k back and hadn’t been lied or at a minimum misled as to what success I would have. My bones did not grow back together and I was told that with assurance from my bones would be and was shown pictures of a skeleton depiction of what I would see in two years."

• cunucu
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2018

"I used forteo for 3 months and had to stop due to the exorbitantly high copay. I lost my teeth, and also had 2 vertebrae collapse. Fortunately surgeons were able to do a kyphoplasty successfully and I am still walking. As forteo, I really can’t say if it was beneficial or not. I do know the costs are outrageous. Inhumane !"

• Nanette
• May 31, 2018

"I had the 2nd dose of Forteo and had pain at injection site increasing in severity days 2-17; injections stopped after day 17 due to severity of reactions. I developed pancreatitis, ulcer, acid reflux, constipation, vertigo. Another side effect I had was welts. On day 3, I developed a welt behind my ear. Day 4, a small welt at injection site, which grew in size. Developed welts all over my back which were highly painful and sensitive to any touch/stimulus. Along with welts, I began to develop hives all over my arms and trunk. Months later, even though the injections had stopped, I still had those reactions, even while on a variety of different, prescribed, hive remedies. Was diagnosed with chronic urticaria in April 2016, and am now on Levocetirizine - 2 pills/2x per day. Have tried tapering off, but have rash outbreaks within 2-5 days. Also had chronic joint pain which has not gone away. Taking this drug caused worse results than Fosamax, Boniva & several other meds that had to be discontinued because of severe muscle/joint pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2018

"The injections did not bother me, painless and easy. I had broken vertebrae and broken leg, was given Forteo as a last resort. After a few weeks my hair fell out by the handfuls. I was devastated , as I had been so excited with the thought of getting my bones healthy again. But after 2 months of using the drug I took myself off of it. The cost of the drug was not an issue for me, but the cost of losing all my hair was too much to handle. I will discuss this issue with my doctor on the 26th. Good luck to everyone battling the same issue."

• Tom
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 5, 2023

"My Dad has been on Forteo for a year now. He was 90 years old when he started. Prior to Forteo he was on Fosamax and fractured his spine three times and was left with debilitating pain. After being on the Forteo for 3 months, the back pain lessened a great deal. He is really happy with Forteo and so am I."

• ALI
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2022

"My Rheumatologist recomended PROLIA. My GP suggested I try FORTEO first. I injected FORTEO at daily for 5 months, then had a Bone Density test. My bone density had worsened dramatically, there was no improvement at all. FORTEO is expensive in Australia costing $399.00 per month and is not subsidised. I am furious at the waste of money and the complete confusion of my GP who can't explain how I can go from osteopenia to osteoporotic in 5 months of using FORTEO. For me this drug FORTEO was a complete waste of time and money."

• AtlAm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2017

"I was prescribed Forteo because of early-onset osteoporosis Plus a rare hereditary bone density disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (O.I./brittle bone disease). At time prescribed, I had a seriously broken arm that DR said would take "a long time to heal", but the Forteo sped up the process as predicted. I've only taken Forteo 2 or 3 months but haven't had another fracture. If you don't have fantastic presciption insurance then you need to skip Forteo because it costs appx. $3500+ per month/per pen and that's obviously well above 95% of people's budget! The med was easy to use and to inject. I felt very little to no discomfort. Don't be intimidated by the glucose- blood-test-sized-ultra-tiny needles."

• staylor
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2018

"I started on Forteo Jan 2018, 4 days into the injections I started hurting all over. My ankles, feet, legs, knees, on up the body. Keeping me up at night, during the day at work I'm miserable. I'm hoping this comes to a stop soon!"

• Rosie
• July 8, 2021

"My first injection of Forteo (teriparatide) was a few days ago. It did not hurt at all and was easy to use. All went well, but after about ten minutes of injecting myself into my tummy, I suddenly felt the most excruciating pain in my lower back/spinal area. This was so severe it was very hard to take and also frightening. It went on for nearly fifteen minutes. I know I have read a lot of reviews where people get no symptoms. However, on looking on the internet, this side effect is well documented, with many people saying they have experienced it shortly after injection. So, this cannot be coincidence. I would like to know the reason for this, and maintain that this should not be ignored. I would be happy to carry on taking it if someone could explain what is happening to cause this pain. This needs to be looked in to. We should not be used as guinea pigs."

• 62...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2017

"I have only been on Forteo for 2.5 months and have been feeling nauseated, tired and depressed. I have bumps growing on two of my fingers. I have osteoarthritis in my family but never had these bumps before starting this drug. I can tolerate the nausea, low energy and impact on my sleep. I am worried about escalating symptoms of osteoarthritis and depression. The depression is making things far worse. I have broken my foot bones 4 times, and an arm once. I have been told to seek out homeopathic solutions in lieu of pharmaceuticals. Chelation, elderberry, increased K2 and calcium supplements would be my only alternative. Anyone have success with any of these?"

• just...
• June 30, 2017

"I just started my Forteo. I am 49 yrs old. I have hashimoto Thyroiditis, auto immune hepatitis, auto immune pituitary disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Also asthma from childhood. I've been on steroids every day for 7 years as well as other immunosuppressive drugs. I have osteoporosis of lumbar spine which I have been treated by pain management doc because orthopedic changes significant and orthopedic unable to help. Rheumatologist reinforced necessity of treatment since there is no end to need for steroids in the future. Shots easy to give.... simple step by step guide to assist at first. Knock on wood....no major negative effects at this point. Too early to know much but am very hopeful."

• 43 Male
• December 3, 2022

"I was diagnosed with severe and rare osteoporosis early 2021(-5.6 spine -2.8 hip), for a male at my age I was in shock, lots of exercise, no drugs, my doctor was as surprised as I was; I went through all sort of tests to find the cause but nothing all normal; thanks to perhaps the best Doctor I could find in Montreal who put me on forteo and prolia simultaneously, my scan 11 months after shows I have improved 14% BMD in my spine and 5% in my hip; so good that the Dr. Recommended me to stop at 18 months to leave the 6 extra left for possible fractures when I get older; can't be happier."

• Notah...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2021

"Went on for Forteo in October 2020 and have gained 40 pounds I have now taken myself off of it. After reading the many articles about the belly fat and the thigh fat most are saying they’re not gaining weight they’re just getting the girth but I’m getting girth and the weight! Is anyone else out here getting both girth and weight gain?"

• Forte...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2017

"Due to early onset of osteoporosis (I am 55) I decided to try Forteo at my GYN’s recommendation. My bone density tests were -4 in the lower back and wrist. It is very easy to use if you don’t mind daily injections and it is pretty much painless. Insurance covered all but $4.00 with an Eli-Lily sponsored prescription discount card given to me by the doctor prescribing it. However I didn’t make it past six months on Forteo due to severe lower leg pain. Pain was severe enough that I had to quit. I also had an extreme hair loss that started 3 months in. Might try Prolia next. Good luck to all."

• Bingi
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 15, 2018

"Second time on this website updating you all on my Forteo experience .Going on my second year now still have stomach weight gain my doctor says has nothing to do with Forteo. I exercise every day, diet consists of water , a hand full of cheerios am, no lunch, 1/2 salad pm, thats it! I'm a male 58 years old. My Dr. wrong all day long. My stomach weight gain wont stop ,they wont acknowledge your side effect unless its on lillys “list” period. Got depression , cramps , weight gain, etc but Prescribing Dr. can’t or just won't acknowledge anything. Forteo does its job though."

• TamBab
• February 8, 2018

"After completion of injections and getting a scan, my bone density did increase quite a bit. However, within 3 years, they reverted right back to where they were before the Forteo - even worse. I wouldn't recommend it for that reason."

• Neki
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2021

"I have been using Forteo for about two months. After two or three doses, I suddenly experienced sharp pain from the top of my spine to the bottom of my spine. I couldn't move because of the pain, so I sat still for about forty minutes. The pain slowly eased and finally disappeared completely. I have had a couple other pain episodes in the lumbar area if my spine, but nothing as painful as the first episode. My question is: are these spinal episodes something for which I should be concerned or is Forteo simply zeroing in on my particular orthopedic weakness and should I continue to use this medication?"

• LAH
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2022

"" I was put on FORTEO in October of 2021. My spine surgeon will not operate on my C5 C6 cervical spinal stenosis until my bones are "optimized". After 5 months of daily injections, I just had another bone density exam. It showed no improvement whatsoever. I realize it is "early days", and I will have to continue. (My Right Total Femur was -3.00 and went down to -3.40). I am terrified."

• Color...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2020

"I started Forteo in May of 2019. I have never experienced the side effects that have been noted. After approximately 6 months of use, I noticed that my back felt stronger. I have not had any back pain since I started this medication. Before doing so, I had episodic back spasms and a general sense of discomfort. Those symptoms went away with these injections. I fell recently on my left wrist and did not experience a break. It took about 10 days for the sprain to heal. This medication is well-worth trying. My one year bone scan was considerably better."

• Trk
• July 15, 2021

"I have been using Forteo since January 2021. I have tried or been on all the other osteoporosis meds and found out I have severe osteoporosis in my hips and jaw. I have had jaw surgery and have broken many bones in the past. I am only 58 and have lost at least 1-1/2 inches in height. Unfortunately this runs in my family. I have and still suffer from sometimes debilitating side effects but I have decided to continue this as long as I can because I don't want to take 15 years off my life without it and food, vitamins and exercise are not working."

• Conce...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2022

"I took the Forteo injections for about five or six weeks and talked with my doctor and stopped the injections. The worst pain started in my right hip joint; not only pain, but weakness too. By the time I stopped the injections I was limping. Then I started having pains in my legs, ankles, knees, fingers, and my neck. It's been two months now and I'm still having joint pain and weakness issues. I'm in more pain now than I was before I used Forteo. Due to the problems Forteo caused with me, I started looking up side effects. After following the side effects from one page to the next, I stumbled on a Black Box Warning: May cause bone tumors. I will never use this drug again."

• Bingi
• May 23, 2018

"Been on forteo for 13 months, been through leg cramps, severe stomach growth, have depression sometimes but drug does work. Broke 13 vertabrae last year and bones are getting stronger. Now I have hot flashes, bad acid reflux and severe GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) I can't concur with specialists help. Is forteo worth the side effects? It depends on your willpower, determination and looking forward to have a better quality of life after injections are over."