Teriparatide and Nausea: What Users Say

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

Teriparatide 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."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2011

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "On day 5 of taking Forteo, I got so very sick; in a lot of pain from head to toe. I had nausea severely. I was so hoping this medication would work for me. I had to go to the emergency room from the effects of Forteo. Hope it works for others."

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

Teriparatide 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."

• pur...
• August 13, 2014

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "I started taking Forteo and within 3 days was having side effects (nausea, loose stools, increased body aches, and mental confusion). My doctor asked me to stop for 2 weeks and try again, and if side effects persist, then I may have to stop altogether."

• MoK...
• July 12, 2016

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "I have been taking Forteo for ten months, and I just had a bone density test. My bone density improved an average of 7 percent overall. I am very pleased since I had a bad fall 3 months after starting and had no fractures. That is a great accomplishment since last year I had 3 spontaneous fractures. I fractured my tibia while sleeping! But the negative part of the treatment (aside from injecting yourself every day for 2 years) was the severe side effects. I was very, very motivated, or else I would not have persevered. For the first 6 weeks, I had simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea every night. I still experience nausea and general feelings of being unwell for 4-5 hours after each dose."

• Ski...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2015

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "Have been on Forteo almost four months. At first I had mild nausea and my appetite was down. But now my body has adjusted to it. Compared to all the other medications I tried, the side effects were non-existent! Hope to get a good report on my next bone density test."

• gro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2015

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "I gave this medication a 9 despite some uncomfortable side effects because after 6 months of treatment my spine BMD has increased from 3.4 T score to 3.0 T (+ 8%) but my hip has gotten 5% worse. I experienced a lot of nausea (especially about 2 hours after shot) but I also experienced about 15 pounds of weight gain. Shooting pains in my legs and arms occasionally and small bruising around injection spot sometimes. I am stopping medication for other reasons but I am happy about the 8% gain in my spine after 2 previous painful spinal fractures."

• PSR...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 8, 2019

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "I’ve been on Forteo for six months. I stopped between months 2 and 3 due to heart palpitations. I then resumed after a complete heart workup that said I was healthy. I initially had bad nausea and vomiting. Since starting up again, no problems with either. Will continue as I have lupus and had a compression fracture at T8. I am 60 and have steroid-induced osteoporosis."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2018

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "I started Forteo in April 2018, almost 6 months ago. I have had osteoporosis since age 52 (now 63). My body could not tolerate the medicines, so I didn't take them. However, earlier this year when my Dexa scan again showed a huge decline, I agreed to take Forteo. I take the injection before bedtime and very rarely feel any nausea. My legs do ache, but I'm not sure if it is all from Forteo, as I try to walk 3-5 miles 5 days a week and recently added some weight-bearing exercises. I have not had any noticeable hair loss as others have reported. This is the only medicine I take. I do take supplements: one-a-day vitamin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, magnesium, and calcium. The copay card from the manufacturer helps tremendously with the cost. I am so thankful to have it. Good luck to all of you in your decision and your battle with osteoporosis."

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

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "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."

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

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "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."

• Dar...
• September 8, 2017

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "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."

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

Teriparatide 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?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2022

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "I break one or two ribs every year at the drop of a hat. I've broken over 20 ribs in the last 10-15 years. I'm on my 5th pen. No side effects during the first month, however, now they are just short of debilitating. Severe knee and lower leg bone pain, fatigue every day, nausea once or twice a week, and increased stomach girth. Walking a 1/4 of a mile is challenging. Nighttime pain keeps me from sleeping most every night. I plan to tough it out as long as I can. I've only missed 2 days so far."

• Gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2022

Teriparatide for Osteoporosis "I am a 50-year-old man with severe osteo and scoliosis, up to 6.5 in my left hip. Within days of starting Forteo, I began experiencing severe shortness of breath, even getting dressed. I have lung pain, and water now goes directly to my windpipe, and I cough up far more than went in, so pulmonary edema. My already severe insomnia got worse, barely 3 hours a night. My memory started declining, mood swings worsened, constant nausea but always hungry, flu-like symptoms, minor back spasms, tender skin, headaches, severe fatigue, lack of caring about daily chores, hoarse voice and can barely raise my voice, worsened hand arthritis, and minor palpitations. I'm afraid to tell my nephrologist because she already took me off of Fosamax after having no appetite. I need spinal surgery for scoliosis hardware to anchor onto, hence the 2 meds in phases. I am at 70 degrees and my lungs are literally being crushed."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2019

For Osteoporosis "Started Forteo and thought great, no side effects I couldn’t handle. Slight nausea, slight headache. Then on the third day, felt completely exhausted, couldn’t put one foot in front of the other. Then the side effects started: terrible pains at night from knees to feet. Could not sleep at all, my ankles swelled, left worse than right. I got itchy, and a rash appeared round my back and under one boob. I felt terrible but tried to continue. I then felt burning in my veins, like I was on fire - that was it for me. I said to my husband I can’t do this. Very disappointed, as the first couple of days I thought I could handle it. I only did 8 days, but after a week off, still have pains in legs, feet, and hands. This is a strong drug, and I do not think it should be taken lightly. I do have allergic reactions to some drugs and have always been very careful, but was told this had a few side effects that would go, but these were severe. Good luck."