blindhearted
New member
For those who havent heard of Forteo I'll try to explain before I ask my questions:
Forteo is a precalculated daily injection that goes under the skin (like insulin, they use similar needles). You do the injections every day for 22 months and the osteoporosis is reversed. It is expensive, it has to be pre-approved by the insurance company. Injections are to be in the outer upper thigh or stomach (anywhere you can 'pinch an inch'). It is an option for people (like myself) who cannot tolerate the oral meds (actonel, boniva, etc.). I was also told it works better than an IV infusion. It also doesnt have as many side effects as the pills (like the heartburn, reflux and bone pain isnt as severe). Most common is leg cramps or lightheaded and you lay down until it passes. I saw pictures of before and after, it really looks like it works. So far my side effects havent been bad. I was told I can take Forteo at night so if I had side effects I could lay down after the shot and sleep right through it.
I'm not sure if there is a limit to how severe a person osteoporosis has to be to get it or cant have it, but mine is past Calcium and Vit D. I rate 'Very High Risk' for broken bones and fractures (none so far, thank god) and my CF doctor said I needed to get on something as soon as possible, not to mess around. So I guess mine is pretty bad.
Anyway, my questions are:
1. Has anyone ever been on Forteo?
2. How did you handle it?
3. Does it really work? - I'm gonna be very upset if I give myself a shot everyday and it doesnt fix the osteoporosis
I also wanted to post this in case there is someone out there looking for something else because they can tolerate the IVs or Pills.
If you want to look up the drug aspect of it (whats in it, side effect, what to and not to do) you can look at www.drugdigest.com and type in Forteo.
Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Forteo is a precalculated daily injection that goes under the skin (like insulin, they use similar needles). You do the injections every day for 22 months and the osteoporosis is reversed. It is expensive, it has to be pre-approved by the insurance company. Injections are to be in the outer upper thigh or stomach (anywhere you can 'pinch an inch'). It is an option for people (like myself) who cannot tolerate the oral meds (actonel, boniva, etc.). I was also told it works better than an IV infusion. It also doesnt have as many side effects as the pills (like the heartburn, reflux and bone pain isnt as severe). Most common is leg cramps or lightheaded and you lay down until it passes. I saw pictures of before and after, it really looks like it works. So far my side effects havent been bad. I was told I can take Forteo at night so if I had side effects I could lay down after the shot and sleep right through it.
I'm not sure if there is a limit to how severe a person osteoporosis has to be to get it or cant have it, but mine is past Calcium and Vit D. I rate 'Very High Risk' for broken bones and fractures (none so far, thank god) and my CF doctor said I needed to get on something as soon as possible, not to mess around. So I guess mine is pretty bad.
Anyway, my questions are:
1. Has anyone ever been on Forteo?
2. How did you handle it?
3. Does it really work? - I'm gonna be very upset if I give myself a shot everyday and it doesnt fix the osteoporosis
I also wanted to post this in case there is someone out there looking for something else because they can tolerate the IVs or Pills.
If you want to look up the drug aspect of it (whats in it, side effect, what to and not to do) you can look at www.drugdigest.com and type in Forteo.
Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">