Teriparatide and Cramps: What Users Say

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I started on Forteo 4 months ago. I decided to stop this on my own when I started developing the side effects after the 3rd month. Horrific back pain, hip pain, cramping in back, nauseous, just overall miserable. I felt like I had the flu on top of this pain. I have been off Forteo for a little over a week and still have back pain, cramping, and feel blah. It made no sense to continue taking something that made me worse. I hope this pain clears up quickly, I'd almost rather have a fracture, and that's sad. Women will get this, the way I can describe the back pain is it is like having back labor almost non-stop. I didn't sign up for all this garbage, I was better before this damn drug. I want to be able to enjoy my life and grandson, and this has made it extremely difficult to enjoy anything. I just hope these side effects stop quickly, I can't stand it."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I took Forteo daily injections for one month and had to stop. As a result of Forteo, I now have severe debilitating bone pain, all-over muscle weakness, knees are buckling, severe joint pains in legs, knees, shins, ankles, and toes, as well as wrists and fingers. Cramping and swelling in my legs. My mobility is affected. I fell down as my knees were buckling and had to go to urgent care and ER. From a brisk walker, I am so debilitated due to Forteo that my mobility is slow and painful. How can the Forteo manufacturer release such a product into the market that has such serious side effects? Forteo Manufacturer must understand that human beings are not rats and they cannot conduct real-time Forteo study on human beings."

• Dut...
• January 5, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I'm having high blood pressure issues. (Never had a problem with BP.) Muscle and bone pain. Leg cramps and muscle spasms in weird places (i.e., back, arms, sides). Loss of balance. Great deal of problem walking."

• Reb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 24, 2019

For Osteoporosis "Took Forteo for 1 year to boost bone density into osteopenia. Lilly co-pay card covered cost for 3 months, then needed to pay $3,500 a month for 3 months until my deductible was met. Injections were fairly easy; side effects of leg cramps, nausea, some palpitations but didn't feel they were severe enough to outweigh the expected benefits. Recent DEXA showed a DECREASE of bone density by around 5% in each hip, eliminating 5 years of progress I'd made with other approaches. On top of that, my TSH (thyroid) is now elevated so don't know if that's connected or not. Not happy with this drug or my doc."

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

For Osteoporosis "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."

• Cal...
• January 15, 2021

For Osteoporosis "55 yo female with osteoporosis (-3.5) in my spine. Several vertebral fractures at 53 years. Still very active, youthful, but after healing, started Forteo and was on for 14 months. Beginning at 6 months, experienced leg cramping and stiffness in hips - to the point that at 14 months, could not easily go up or down stairs, hike, etc. It is just too debilitating. I made the decision to go off and try Tymlos now instead, another bone-building med, that's a sister to teriparatide... we'll see how it goes. Goal: finish the next 10 months to have 2 years of bone-building medication as directed by my MD. I have not had a bone density test since initial -3.5 score, so can't comment on the effectiveness of either drug at this time. I'll update the review at 2 years after finishing Tymlos. I will need to follow up with other osteo medication forever after. Thanks to others for sharing their experiences here to help inform my medical decisions/choices around this osteo health issue."

• Bin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 15, 2018

For Osteoporosis "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 it has nothing to do with Forteo. I exercise every day, diet consists of water, a handful of Cheerios in the morning, no lunch, and 1/2 salad in the afternoon, that's it! I'm a male, 58 years old. My doctor is wrong all day long. My stomach weight gain won't stop, they won't acknowledge your side effect unless it's on Lilly's "list", period. Got depression, cramps, weight gain, etc., but the prescribing doctor can’t or just won't acknowledge anything. Forteo does its job though."

• Bin...
• May 23, 2018

For Osteoporosis "Been on Forteo for 13 months, been through leg cramps, severe stomach growth, have depression sometimes, but the drug does work. Broke 13 vertebrae 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 having a better quality of life after injections are over."

• Sil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2017

For Osteoporosis "No pain with actual injection or at the injection site. Heart palpitations, severe leg cramps, bone and joint pain (not severe)."