Very healthy athletic 55 year old female, Bone density spine -3.3, hips osteopenia; three fractures (pelvis, ankle, wrist) from hard falls over last eight years; have not taken bisphosphonates, but at drs suggestion have recently started Calcium supplements (1200-1500) and D3 supplements (2,000); I feel very well, I do not like to take any medications (all of them have side effects) and because of all I have read about forteo side effects (and the actonel side effects), why would I want to make myself sick (if not with the black box warning which is scary enough, but with the side effects (nausea, bone pain, dizziness, etc.) I have read from other people posting)? I feel very well now, so this disease is definitely silent. I am very conflicted as to what to do and I need some guidance.
- Find
Q: To take forteo or not, that is the question....
Hi Susan, welcome...Unfortunately only you can make this decision, with the guidance of your doctor. As you know, all drugs have side effects, and each of us experience differing levels of them. Many experience the majority of side effects and some don't have any, and it's impossible to discern which category you'll fall into before you take it.
Read as much as you can and decide the risks versus benefits and go from there. Be sure to voice your concerns with your doctor to get his or her take on it. Since you've had previous fractures, and a low t-score, that is probably why the doctor recommended Forteo.
I took Forteo and did really well and didn't experience any side effects, but that doesn't mean all will have the same outcome. Keep up the good work with your supplements and add weight-bearing exercises if you haven't already.
If you'd like to read more about Forteo, here's an article from the Cleveland Clinic that explains this to help further your understanding of the risks and benefits. One thing to keep in mind, is that Forteo has a very short half-life, unlike the bisphosphonates (Boniva, Actonel, Fosamax and Reclast) which is approximately 45 minutes, where the bisphosphonates varying in half-life, from several days/weeks and up to 10 years (Fosamax). If you were to decide to try Forteo, you wouldn't have to worry about it being incorporated into your body for long, and could discontinue it if a problem arises. That said, you still have to make the decision for yourself based on what you can learn from reading and your doctor.
Good luck with your research and decision.
Pam, Thanks for referring me to the Cleveland Clinic report. I read it with great interest, however the report is from July 2003, which leaves me wondering, what have "they" found out since then? Have there been any resolutions to the "Unresolved Issues and the Authors' Bottom Line"? Can you refer me to more recent and credible independent research and/or reports? As I suspect you can tell, I have a great aversion to drugs, and yet I do realize I need to do something. Do you have any suggestions/resources for a more natural therapy? Thanks again.
Hi Susan, yes it is discouraging that this article is from 2003. I've tried to find a CCJM update on this, but no luck so far. You can also search the CCJM articles from that link to see if you find anything, but I've done that and haven't found a good follow-up, but maybe I just missed one. I do know that this article has been updated since 2003, since some of the info has changed from the first time I read it in 2004.
If I can find anything I'll certainly let you know. I understand your concerns, and the only other option that is considered natural would be Fosteum. Of course there is the over-the-counter Strontium Citrate, but it's not FDA approved, and some feel the underestimation strontium has on DXAs (bones look artificially denser) makes it unreliable during repeat scanning. UC Davis is currently studying Strontium Citrate but the trial isn't complete. We may know more when that is done. The main thing they need to establish is fracture prevention, side effects and the reliability of t-scores while taking this. Of course there are some clinical trials on-going with new protocols, if you're interested in this. Here's one that may be of interest, but it's not a natural tx. It's similar to Forteo with much less side effects (so they say) called PTHrP check this out and see if it's something of interest oh and one more Lp533401 on gut-derived serotonin at Columbia.
If I find anything else on Forteo I'll let you know, and you can look at the above treatments to see what you think. Most drs will not recommend Strontium Citrate, but they will recommend Strontium Ranelate which is available in the EU only and I'm not sure if it can be had through a Canadian pharmacy or not-you could look into that. Also, Osteologix Inc. is working on a version of Strontium Malonate, but I'm not sure where they are in the approval phase with the FDA.
Good luck...
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Susan, sorry I missed what you said about your active life-style so it appears you are already doing the necessary exercises to strengthen you bones. Keep it up!!