I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis approximately five years ago after I suffered a compression fracture in my spine. I have it in my knees, wrists, fingers, neck, shoulder, back and ankles. I have been on medications for chronic pain for approximately three years, vitamin D and calcium supplements, I tried Fossamax but have Gerd so I was unable to continue it. The rheumatologist I see prescribed Forteo and I have been taking it about a month. I guess it is too early to tell how much good it will do, but I am able to tolerate it and hopefully it work in my case.
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Hi gonesoon3, welcome and thanks for sharing your story. I'm thrilled you aren't having any trouble with Forteo. I took it too and did really well. There is one test you could have if your Dr will order it and it's called a bone marker test. There are several you could have and it will tell you if the Forteo is working. This test won't give you a t-score but it does measure certain components of bone that are excreted into the blood or urine.
Here's an article on this test that you can read. I have the 24 hour urine N-telopeptide (NTx) test, and there others available as well. If your Dr decides to do this, check with your insurance to see if they cover it. Many cover it but you should make sure first. Ideally, you'd have this test done before you start a treatment and then again at 3 or 4 months after starting a drug, but if you don't have a baseline test, it's ok you can still have one now. They usually do this test 2 times a year or more depending on your insurance.
If you have time, we'd love it if you could join us in our discussion on the Question of the Week here.
Good luck, I hope you do really well with Forteo