Hello,

   I am an 81 yr. old female who had the first Bone Density and was told (by the tech) I had "severe osteoporosis" in 1998.

  At that time the M. D. that read the Bone Density reported "Left total hip bone mineral density measures 74% of average peak bone mass (-1.99  SD), indicative of borderline osteoporosis.  I was immediately put on Fosamax.

   In 1999 this same doctor read the density report and reported "Left total hip bone mineral density measures 77% of average peak bone mass (-1.78 SD), indicative of low normal bone mineralization.

   I have had yearly Bone Density tests every year since 1998 and my regular doctor said to stay the course with the Fosamax as I "was holding my own".

   I took Fosamax every day for 5  1/2 years when I almost insisted we try something else because I didn't see where I was "holding my own".  He referred me to a "specialist"  who immediately took me off Fosamax and began intravenous infusions of Zometa.

   I do not have the reports between the 1998 and 2002 but in 2002 my T-Score was -3.8 and the impression was "Bone Mineral Density of the spine is in the Osteoporotic range and is slightly decreased from that measured on 11 Aug 2000.  Bone Mineral Density of the hips is in the Osteopenic range and not significantly changed from the previous examination".

   On 25 April 2007 I began the Forteo  injections because I was "still below normal".  I have been on the injections for six months now and am experiencing more and more low back and leg aches, especially at night.

   What I would like to know is, are these increasing "aches" good or bad signs?  So far I can aleviate the pain mostly with Tylenol.  Does anyone else have these aches and do they reach a level or do they continue to increase in severity?  I hate the thought of taking prescription pain meds, especially if this Forteo is not doing me any good.

   Thanks for any input.

Maxine