Teriparatide and Weakness: What Users Say

• 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."

• Shi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2016

For Osteoporosis "Just finished 2-year treatment. I was 53 years old when I started and in extremely good health other than these poor old bones! Spine T-score -4.2 and left hip -3.5 two years ago. New Dexa as of last week shows 20% improvement in the spine and 13% improvement in the hip. It doesn't sound like much, but when bones are this bad, anything is an improvement! So for all the aches and pains (some pretty significant) that I have endured over the past two years, I feel it was worth it. Definitely no doubt that this drug caused pain, weakness, some upper respiratory issues... but nothing that I couldn't deal with and nothing that caused me any 'down time'. Maybe for someone else these side effects are too much. But for me, worth it!"

• Bab...
• June 13, 2015

For Osteoporosis "I started Forteo 3 months ago after a bad fall. I am a 55-year-old female. I thought at first it was my miracle answer. After starting the meds, my health began to decline with frequent infections of thrush, overall weakness after month 3. I'm unable to even go to church, which is my life. I play the piano and am a praise leader. My pain has gotten worse and it drops my BP way down. I was told to take it at bedtime, and that helped somewhat, although I have stumbled and fallen a few times due to dizziness. I wonder, has anyone else had any negative side effects? I am so scared. Lilly and the nurse have been very helpful and call frequently asking for lot numbers and usage. My OBGYN gave it to me. My PCP said to get off of it. Any help, please?"

• May...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2017

For Osteoporosis "On Forteo for 7 weeks now. Saw a rheumatologist who did a bone density test and told me that I was at high risk, especially for wrist fracture, due to low bone density. He said my spine looked okay. He said I needed Forteo for 2 years as the osteoporosis was so bad. Since starting Forteo, I feel extreme fatigue all the time. I also feel muscle weakness and can't keep up with my light exercise routine. I have also had multiple aches and pains in my joints and long bones of arms and legs. The pain feels deep in the bone, not muscle. The pain seems to migrate from one bone or joint to the other since starting Forteo. There is redness and bruising at the injection site. The worst symptom is fatigue. I may have to stop Forteo."

• Bab...
• December 14, 2016

For Osteoporosis "I am a 56-year-old female with severe osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. My ortho and gyno doctors said my bones were so frail I had no choice but to take Forteo. I started in 2015, and after a few months of just overall weakness and being sick all the time with low blood pressure, I went to my primary care doctor. After blood work, he said your immune system has crashed, get off the Forteo! I was homebound, had pneumonia, etc. Now, over a year later, my bones went from -2.9 to -3.1. He finally agreed I have to get back on it, so... I'm having sweats and severe stomach issues, chills, and aching bones. Overall not feeling well. Has anyone had any of these side effects? I'm happy for the ones who can take it with no side effects! Hope this helps someone and maybe gets answers. Blessings."

• lyn...
• February 16, 2016

For Osteoporosis "I have been using Forteo for 6 months. I have been experiencing burning stabbing pain in my leg, which only lasts a few seconds but makes my leg weaken. I was wondering if anyone is experiencing the same. My legs feel weakened."

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

For Osteoporosis "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?"

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

For Osteoporosis "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."