Teriparatide for Osteoporosis User Reviews (Page 4)

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 18, 2018

"I have only about 6 months left and will be having my DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan upcoming in the month of Feb. Nervous to learn the results as I have been praying that this process was worth the loss of my hair and now a bald spot the size of a half dollar on the top of my head. I have also been experiencing depression, which I initially attributed to all of my previous health setbacks over the last several years. My osteoporosis specialist said that she never heard of anyone losing their hair due to Forteo and believes I am losing it because I have developed a thyroid condition or an autoimmune disorder or could be extreme stress. Now I am in the process of getting that all checked out. Previously, I had the best hair EVER, thick, strong, and beautiful. Now I am trying to live with the bald spot I can no longer hide and finding hair in my hand every time I touch my head. The results of my bone density need to show dramatic improvement for this to have been worth it."

• S T...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2015

"98 years old with a hip fracture and small spinal fractures. After 1.75 years of treatment, the spinal fractures are gone. Some rebuilding of bone mass to the hips. Have to stop in 3 months as two years of use will be reached. Used Calcium L-Threonate instead of other standard types of calcium. It starts dissolving in my mouth if I don't swallow it quickly. Milk is what I use to take it. The extent of bone loss required massive doses of calcium and Vitamin D3. Calcium L-Threonate was chosen because renal excretion was not its major elimination route in a study reported by APS, so kidney stones were not an issue. Received the medication as a grant to low-income patients."

• Dog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2017

"I have been on Forteo for 2 months now. I had 2 spinal compression fractures, 4 fractured ribs, right side, and then I hollered at a dog, another fracture. MRI said osteoporosis, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, severe osteoarthritis, surgery. My bones were mush. I'm supposed to do Forteo for 2 to 3 months. Now I have bad stomach aches, a hoarse voice, shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, charley horses in legs, and trouble sleeping. It's a complicated, risky surgery. I hope this is all worth it. I feel awful and crooked badly."

• Dia...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 27, 2022

"I consciously injected myself every day for two years and paid out of pocket $10k. The 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 to 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2025

"I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my hips, along with osteoarthritis and osteopenia in my feet. I have been using Forteo for 5 months now. I have not experienced any adverse reactions. What I have experienced are random constipation, pain in my feet and ankles, and occasional worsening cough with my asthma. All of these are listed as possible side effects. I have not had any additional x-rays or an updated DEXA scan yet, with only using it for this short time. Hoping to see improvement when I do."

• Tho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2022

"I began taking Forteo on August 25, 2022. After four doses, I began to experience painful side effects, including severe leg cramps while both awake and asleep, pain in my knees and ankles, headaches, and a stiff neck. I messaged my doctor, and she suggested injecting the Forteo every other day for a few days. So, I skipped August 30th and September 1st, but I did inject the Forteo on Wednesday, August 31st, and on Friday, September 2nd. Then, on the afternoon of Saturday, September 3rd, approximately 16 hours after my last injection, during a casual walk, I experienced a sudden pain in my right leg and knee so severe that I was unable to walk without a cane or walker. Since then, despite not having taken any additional Forteo, the extreme pain has persisted. I sincerely hope that it will start to abate soon. After taking only seven doses over the last thirteen days, and none for the last four days, I am still experiencing pain so severe that I have difficulty walking. No more for me."

• Ash...
• November 29, 2019

"My mother is 74, she had been on Forteo for the last 9 months. From day one she started injecting the drug, she is suffering from a frequent urination problem and loss of energy. I have ordered the 10th dose and also received the same but have decided not to go for this option."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2019

"After injecting Forteo each morning for 1 month, I experienced an ill feeling in my stomach. I switched to nighttime doses and felt better. Then, after 4 months, my migraines started and happened every morning for one week until I stopped injecting the medicine. One week later, I was asked to start the drug again, and within 2 hours, another migraine hit. I stopped taking the drug and have felt so much better. I'm now on a cluster drug that is supposed to help once a year."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2018

"My DEXA scan showed severe (-3) osteo. Forteo is costly, even with Medicare paying a large %, but I chose to take it because of the risk of bone breakage, which would also be costly, not only monetarily, and because I was encouraged by 2 PCPs and my pharmacist. In the past, I had bad reactions to several medications, so I was apprehensive, partly because of so many published negative reviews. However, I am glad I'm taking it. I've had no side effects, and I recently had an incident that likely injured my coccyx, perhaps other vertebrae, but I believe damage would have been worse, probably a broken pelvis, if I wasn't on Forteo for almost 3 months."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2015

"40-year-old female! I have Hoshi thyroid disorder. Had a hysterectomy in my mid-20s, which is the cause of my osteoporosis. I have been on this going on my 4th month. So far, no side effects. Small bruising at the injection site. I'll have a new scan in about 6 months. I feel very hopeful for improved results."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2017

"I am 64 and diagnosed with severe osteoporosis 6 months ago. I began Forteo 3 months ago. Before taking the Forteo, I had 7 fractured discs, 5 were compression fractures from the osteoporosis. I had already broken a wrist, fingers, and several toes. 6 months ago, I broke 8 ribs in a car accident. Now, two weeks ago, I had a fall and was certain from the level of pain that I had broken my arm, the ER seemed to think so until the X-rays came back. Severe bruising, sprain, strain. I am certain that I would have broken a bone in that fall had it not been for the Forteo. The jury is still out. I have some side effects: bone aching, occasional stomach ache, but nothing that I can't deal with. I have also noted an increase in my height. Plan to continue."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2015

"I have not started Forteo yet, but will by mid-May. My Florida Blue will not cover any of this medication, so I am self-pay. I am really shocked to see how many people are using this drug. Husband and I are both retired, though I am not Medicare eligible yet, and I will be paying $2,000.00/month out of pocket. How have any of you on this site have insurance coverage? Seems a great deal of you are under 65."

• Ksd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2019

"47 yr. old with severe osteoporosis due to complete hysterectomy at age 30. Was placed on Forteo after being taken off Tymlos due to side effects. I was only on Forteo for 2 weeks before having to come off it because of depression/irrational thinking, brittle nails, bloated stomach, bruising at injection sites. The endocrinologist is putting me on Reclast infusion once a year."

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2018

"After years of ignoring early onset osteoporosis, ending up with the bones of a 100-year-old woman, I had a bad fall that resulted in a broken hip in 2014. After a rod and pins were put in, my surgeon got me started on Forteo as it stimulates bone growth rather than saving bone (I had almost no bone density left). I have to say the difference I saw in my x-rays in 3 months was amazing. However, I did experience major hair loss, developed GERD, and loss of teeth. I've not taken Forteo since due to financial issues and the side effects mentioned, but the results for the months I was on it were incredible, and sometimes I wish I could afford it again."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2018

"Due to osteoporosis, my spine surgeon would not do the required lumbar fusion unless I went on Forteo for 3 months before and after surgery. Supposedly, it increases the chances of a successful fusion. I've only been on the med for 3 weeks but have had constant nausea, bone and muscle pain, and fatigue/depression, which has significantly decreased my quality of life. I keep hoping that these side effects will improve because otherwise, it's going to be a long, miserable 6 months. If it wasn't for the fact that I need the surgery, I probably would go off the med."

• 43 ...
• 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 sorts of tests to find the cause, but nothing was 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 doctor recommended me to stop at 18 months to leave the 6 extra left for possible fractures when I get older. Can't be happier."

• Hea...
• 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."

• Osk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2016

"I began Forteo one month ago because I have a very, very severe osteoporosis. I am in testosterone therapy. Four years ago, I began, but since the insurance did not cover that and it was very expensive, I had to quit. Now, last month, my doctor said I needed it. I am in 3.5!! I do not mind the injections, they are okay, and for the side effects, I have had none. Maybe later, but I have been a month so far, and nothing wrong has happened. I take my injection and no reaction. I have great hopes since I am 75 years old and at risk of spontaneous fracture. So far, I have managed to get the drug for next month, and I am working it out with the insurance (AARP) to see if they can help me. It is extremely expensive... 2,500 a month, and with the copayment, 800."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 29, 2025

"Have been taking FORTEO for 18 months. Both hip and neck are now osteopenia (they were osteoporosis before starting FORTEO). Spine is still in osteoporosis but has raised from T4.1 to T3.3. Great positive outcome, but in my situation, the muscle cramps, aches, and weakness have continued the full 18 months. I am hoping once I stop the medicine (6 months to go), the aches/pains will subside too. Has anyone else continued with muscle cramps, etc. throughout their treatment?"

• Tin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 29, 2016

"My mother was placed on this after a broken wrist, broken hip, and fractured pelvis. I do believe that this medicine kept her from having a broken shoulder when she fell out of her wheelchair. Granted, there was a small hairline fracture. I just know it could have been worse. (She was also a T2 and had dementia). Her Encro had her placed in a study that paid for the medicine."

• Poe...
• January 20, 2016

"My mom is 89 and has been using Forteo for almost 2 years. We are feeling hopeful about the results of her bone density test, as she hasn't had one since before she began the injections. Mom has Medicare and supplementary insurance with AARP, but it wasn't covered and was beyond our means. Our doctor's office referred her to another pharmacy, where she qualified for and received an income-based grant! Their customer service is exemplary and they deliver it to our door. I hope this is helpful for some who desperately need it but can't afford it! I can't wait for her bone density test next month (she hasn't had one while on the medication)! I just know it will be a huge improvement!"

• LAM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2018

"I took Forteo for 2 years, initially, I thought I had avoided side effects. It took about 6 months for them to show up. I started to have flu-like symptoms a few times a week that would last 3 to 4 hours, generally in the afternoon. I would feel fevered, my throat would be sore with visibly red lines, and I would be very low energy. This lasted the remainder of the 2 years without any doctor recognizing the cause. Additionally, in the last year, I developed acid reflux, which I had never had before. And after all that, I did not show much improvement in my osteoporosis. Definitely do not recommend it."

• Dar...
• September 8, 2017

"After one injection, 20 minutes later I was dizzy, nauseous, and overall yucky. 4 hrs post-injection my acid reflux was so bad, I could not sleep laying down. The next day, I have had such horrible diarrhea, I am down 3 pounds since the morning. I am not going to take another shot until all this subsides."

• Van...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 7, 2016

"I am entering my 6th month with Forteo. I will be taking a bone density test next week, 11/7/16, and then I can gauge any bone improvement. I am to have two surgeries. Cervical #6 is too close to my spine and could cause nerve damage when they do a ten-hour surgery on my lumbar with screws and a rod. I am scared to death, but I know it has to be repaired, or I will be walking around like my cat 'on all fours.' I was horrified to discover I have scoliosis, and my spine is leaning to the right. 5+ months on Forteo, voice is now choppy and harder breathing. Bone density -1.5. I have now discovered that my left hand has extreme osteo issues, calluses growing in my bone marrow can cause fractures. Any advice is welcome."

• Jea...
• April 11, 2018

"I was on this medication for 1 year. My physician prescribed it due to my -4 osteoporosis, trying to make sure I wouldn't break a hip. No, instead my teeth are falling out of my head. I would have taken my chances of breaking a hip. Please, someone make this company own up to the facts. It sucked the calcium out of my teeth and jaws."