according to fortea web-site patients who took fortea no bone cancer has been reported in 2 years that they were on it. But........how long would it take for bone cancer to show up from drug if you were prone to get it? Lab studies showed that Rats contracted bone cancer from mega doses of fortea during studies, how long period of time did it take before cancer diagnosed? My doctor said my recent BD test had improved in spine and lumbar region but hips have gotten worst, but regardless of improvement in back, scan was not good news for me. How can spine be better & hips worst? For past 3 yrs. since my first bone density test to diagnosis me I've been taking Fosmax w/calcium supplements. When I recently had my 2nd bone density test I was told by my doctor to seriously think about going on drug and research it in helping to make decision; that continuing w/ fosmax and calcium supplements will not help. I just turned 60 in January and would like to be around for at least another 20+ years, god willing and not have this drug wipe me out before my time. if i decide to go on it. I guess the best question is "if it were you or your family member and you were told this alternative for quality of life down the road, would you go on it or have them take it?
- Find
Q: Skeptical in taking fortea that my doctor has recommended due to bone cancer warning
Hi Denise: I sure wish there was a simple answer to your question, but unfortunately there isn't. You and only you have to determine which of the two decisions is best *for you*.
I had to make this very same decision when I started forteo, and I made the decision on my own, but with the help of my Dr.'s and husband, and finished the 2 year course with amazing t-score improvements.
If you feel that the slim chance of contracting bone cancer (osteosarcoma) is a greater risk than a possible fracture, then this drug may not be for you. You mentioned cancer, in your post, have you had bone cancer where you were treated with radiation to the bone? If so, this drug is not recommended for those who have had this medical treatment.
With this said, I did very well on forteo, without experiencing any side effects but that doesn't mean all people will have the same reaction as I did. I had 6 spinal frax's prior to starting forteo and I just couldn't handle the thought of having another, plus the additional disability. Since I don't have any first generation relatives (father, mother, brother or sister) that had bone cancer, then I figured I wasn't at great risk for this happening, plus I would be getting the low human dose, not what the rats recieved, for only 2 years.
The rats that contracted bone cancer from forteo did so *during* the study, so it wasn't something that occured later on down the road. The rats were given 3 to 60 times the human dose, and it was administered in young--still growing--rats which put them at a much higher risk. Fisher rats are pre-disposed for this type of cancer as well, so it wasn't surprising to me that they would get this considering the amount that was administered and the length of time they recieved it while still growing.
You may have already read the Cleveland Clinic pdf on the study, but if not here it is (page 592). In that study a second group of *full grown* rats were given the human dose of 20 mcgs. over 18-20 months, and none of the rats contracted cancer.
Talk to your Dr. about this and see if you can't come up with the right decision for you. I can't tell you what to do, since you alone need to do this.
Good luck with your decision...
Don't waste anymore time on Fosomax. I've been on it for 15 years and no one suggested anything else until recently. How I need to choose between Reclast ahd Forteo.
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