Teriparatide and Depression: What Users Say

• DSD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I’m on my 4th pen and appear to be having every side effect mentioned here. I am losing my hair, my fingernails look like I bite them, major weight gain in the belly, GERD, depression and problems with my short-term memory"

• dsm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 2, 2017

For Osteoporosis "I experienced all of the above, including thinning hair and immediate memory loss. It also affected my overall disposition and gave me what I didn't realize until after terminating my use: extreme confusion, depression, and extreme fatigue. Overall, depression lifted a few months later, and I was amazed at how my outlook brightened. This treatment definitely has a psychological effect that is not truly recognized. Density went from -2.8 to -2.7. More effects are probably overshadowed by the more noticeable ones. Do not recommend this drug to anyone, the side effects and effort to use are not worth the extremely small gain. Lost almost 2 years of my life due to my depressive, fatigued state. At 68, I would like to have them back."

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

For Osteoporosis "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."

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

For Osteoporosis "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 four 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?"

• 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."

• Dr ...
• September 2, 2018

For Osteoporosis "70-year-old male. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis with nonunion of clavicle. Prescribed 2 months of daily injections with weekly calcium blood draws. Multi-joint TAC/Lidocaine inject since my mid-20s. Sero-positive for AS but no real definitive symptoms aside from SI minor joint fusions as a teen. Have severe shoulder degenerative arthritis that will most likely lead to arthroscopic resurfacing/replacement. Side effects of increased joint pain and depression/loss of energy. Insomnia is also not helping. I’m sticking with it for at least 6 months to help my nonunion and perhaps keep my fused spine from further degradation. I’m a retired clinical pharmacist and am feeling I can tolerate the side effects while my nonunion heals."

• Joi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2025

For Osteoporosis "I’ve been taking FORTEO for 6 months now. A nightly injection before bed. I’ve communicated with my doctor the side effects I’ve been experiencing. Side effects I can tolerate: constipation, leg cramps, sleeplessness, urinating every 2 hours at night, serious chills periodically during sleep, serious hot flashes even in an air-conditioned room, periodically swollen tongue. Side effects I find difficult to tolerate (my doctor has not returned my concerns): depression. I find myself in tears for little things, I get this feeling once in a while, it stops whatever I’m doing. I feel uneasy and want to leave my body. The most serious side effect is hair loss, by the clumps in the shower when I wash my hair. I feel my hair is falling out all during the day. I want to stop FORTEO before I’m bald."