Question about Forteo

By Rhonda Tuesday, August 28, 2007

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I am a 46 year old woman who was diagnosed with osteoporosis a couple of years ago. Because of other health problems I can't take the other drugs for this, so this was my doc's only other solution. However, I am just scared out of my wits! I have taken so many drugs over the years for my autoimmune disorder that have since been recalled that it's scary to try something so new. I give myself the shot in my upper thigh, and usually I end up getting blood back with it, or getting some type of bruise, or it ends up stinging for some time. Has anyone had any problems with this medication? What about muscle spasms in the legs? I have started having those quite frequently. If anyone has had any of these experiences could you please write in?

Thanks!

Comments (6) | Add comment

Lila de Tantillo, Health Guide

8/29/07 7:52am

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, Rhonda. Your situation is challenging and I wish you the very best. Hopefully someone with firsthand knowledge of Forteo will respond. Good luck with this.

Maria Gifford, Editor

8/29/07 11:01am

Hello, Rhonda. Thanks for writing and welcome to our community.

Your fear in taking a relatively new and powerful drug is understandable. The side effects of Forteo can be significant. Here's more information for you:

Forteo: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?

http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoporosis/c/73/2677/forteo-risks/

I'm confident other community members who have experience with Forteo will share what they know with you.

If you need more information let me know. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Best,

Maria

karen698

9/12/07 9:41pm

Hi Rhonda,

You say that you are unable to take any other drugs for your osteoporosis. Is your osteoporosis severe? I was diagnosed with moderately severe osteo in 1995 at the age of 49. I started taking Fosamax as soon as it was available. I took it until 2004 when I fell and broke my left femur. At that time, my rheumatologist felt I should go to forteo. I have a slight improvement in my bone density after 12 years. The important thing is that I have not lost any more density! I had the same reactions you have had----bruises, stinging, bleeding, etc. I am so thankful that the Forteo was there for me. Many times I felt like I couldn't give myself another injection. But I could and I did and I am ready for the next adventure, whatever that may be. Rhonda, just hang in there. It will get easier.

Karen698

Rhonda

9/13/07 12:25pm

Karen,

Thanks for the support. I am thinking that my osteoporosis is probably mod to severe. I broke my sternum bone about 8 years ago, and I cracked a couple of vertebra in back due to seizures. I also have esophagus problems so I can't take the regular osteo meds.

I have a morphine pump and the last time I had a bone scan, it scrambled my pump and I had to get another one. So now the docs are scared to scan again. I found that if I give my Forteo shot on leg where I can get some " MEAT " (LOL) it doesn't hurt as bad!!!

karen698

9/13/07 5:10pm

Rhonda, have you tried to give your injection in your tummy? Just squeeze a bit of skin and inject. It's not quite as painful .

I have systemic lupus, but thankfully it has been in remission for almost 15 years. My earlier use of prednisone is probably what caused the severity of my osteo. I also have a history of seizures.

Karen698

Joyce Tremblay

3/ 5/08 1:26pm

Rhonda, I have been on Forteo for almost 6 months, I have not had any side effects that I could attribute to Forteo. Before I started the injections, took part in a class on how to

inject the med.. At this class we were told to give the injections in the abdominal area or upper thigh. The thigh is the most likely place to have some bleeding after inj. I also get bruising from the shot, have also had the stinging, which

last only a few seconds, and is likely due to the rubbing alcohol on the skin as you inject.

I had been on Fosamax & Evista for a few years, yearly bone scans showed no improvement. At the age of 61 (I am 64) I fractured my right femur, and show some "old" fractures in my spine and one in my neck.

Hope that this inform. helps. Joyce

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