Saturday, December 05, 2009 K. A. C. asks

Q: I have been taking Forteo for the past 7 months can I safely stop abruptly?

I have had a change in insurance and the new doctor I see does not want me to continue because of the risks (or so she says). I trusted my former physician (20+ years) and it was not a choice made lightly!. I am very concerned about abrupt cessation of the drug...are there risks associated with stopping?

What tests should/could I request of my doctor to determine my best treatment options?

Other than HRT I was taking nothing prior to Forteo and have had multiple compression fractures and arm fractures. I have lost over 50% of my bone mass since my hysterectomy in 1973 and am 58 now. Along with the Forteo I was prescribed 50000 units of Vitamin D (now on monthly dose) and Calcium Carbonate daily.

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Answers (1)

Pam Flores, Health Guide

12/ 5/09 12:25pm

Hi K.A.C. welcome to the community. What do you want to do? Would you rather continue with Forteo? I would talk to the Dr. and make sure your opinion is considered in this decision. If you decide to stop Forteo and start something else you and your Dr. will have to decide which drug to take. Is your Dr. worried because you've had some form of radiation to the bone, which is a reason not to use Forteo?

I took Forteo and did really well, and I did stop it abruptly because I had to have my calcium levels checked, so there is no problem in doing this. When you finish a 2 year course on it you stop abruptly so there's nothing to worry about other than what you'll take instead.

Make sure that whatever you decide to do, that you have a say in that decision since you are the one who'll have to live with it.

Good luck...

K. A. C.

12/ 6/09 5:08am

My opinion is that; I committed to the 2 year protocol for Forteo and if there is no medical indication I should come off, I want to continue. No prior radiation to bone and I had never taken another drug for the osteoporosis (Why my former Dr. and the endocronologist both agreed Forteo was the best option for me). Now all my labs are back and there have been no adverse effects from the Forteo. So I am forced to conclude that the issue is more cost related than health concerns. Not a good way to form a relationship with a new patient , but there it is! In a way, I feel the same...I have been paying out of pocket for the Forteo for almost eight months and it irks me to no end that it may have been for nothing if I am forced to come off of a therapy I have confidence in. I am at a loss on how to best handle this as I have only had one physician my adult life, one OB/GYN, and one orthopaedic surgeon...they knew ME, the whole person, lifestyle etc. This doctor made a snap decision after a 10 minute interview and I am feeling a bit defensive and a whole lot stressed!

Pam Flores, Health Guide

12/ 6/09 9:29am

Hi KAC, I don't understand this at all. If you are paying for the Forteo, then there shouldn't be any concern about cost, unless you can't afford it and it's putting financial stress on you.

Can you get a new Dr? If not, I would explain that you are willing to pay for this, have taken it for 8 months, with no adverse effects, see no reason to stop it and if the Dr. won't write another rx for it you'll find someone who will.

Have you had a bone marker test while on the Forteo? If you have and it showed bone growth, you'd have that evidence to present to this Dr. to show Forteo is working. If you haven't had this test, then it will probably be difficult to get this new Dr. to order it since you have to be on Forteo when it's completed.

Can your previous Dr. contact this new Dr. and explain the reasoning for you being rx'd Forteo and that since you had previous fractures it was warranted. Don't give up keep trying to rectify this.

Good luck and let me know what happens.

Q: I have been taking Forteo for the past 7 months can I safely stop abruptly?

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