CynAnn
07-17-2006, 11:00 PM
Hi,
My Mom is 73 and has osteoporsis. So did her Mom and sister.
She has been taking Fosimax for several years and last weeks bone denisty test shows that it is not helping. Her Doctor said that she would need to start taking "a shot, each day"
My Mom called me, upset and concerned. I searched the web for a once a day shot for osteoporsis but came up with nothing.
If anyone has any information about this shot, side effects, success stories, etc. Please reply.
Thank you so very much!
My Mom is 73 and has osteoporsis. So did her Mom and sister.
She has been taking Fosimax for several years and last weeks bone denisty test shows that it is not helping. Her Doctor said that she would need to start taking "a shot, each day"
My Mom called me, upset and concerned. I searched the web for a once a day shot for osteoporsis but came up with nothing.
If anyone has any information about this shot, side effects, success stories, etc. Please reply.
Thank you so very much!
Sponsor
taape
07-17-2006, 11:31 PM
CynAnn,
Look up Forteo - it's an injectable medication for osteoporosis that several of us here are using. It does work to build bone density. It's very easy to do the injections so tell her not to worry about that. She should review the side effects with her doctor. I don't have any side effects and I've been using it for 1.5 years.
Look up Forteo - it's an injectable medication for osteoporosis that several of us here are using. It does work to build bone density. It's very easy to do the injections so tell her not to worry about that. She should review the side effects with her doctor. I don't have any side effects and I've been using it for 1.5 years.
Emptybonz
07-17-2006, 11:48 PM
I'm sure the medication her doctor was talking about is Forteo. Like Taape said in the previous post, several of us are currently taking it. I've only been on it for about six weeks. My doctor told me she has a 90-year-old patient who is giving herself daily shots. She told me if her 90-year-old patient can do it, then I could, too. The needles are so tiny you barely feel it. She would be trained in how to give herself shots. Read the posts at this site...there is quite a bit of discussion about Forteo. I wish her luck in fighting her Osteoporosis.
CynAnn
07-18-2006, 12:29 AM
You guys are wonderful!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for the information.
Cyn
Cyn
newbones
07-18-2006, 12:14 PM
I have been taking Forteo for about 16 months with no problems. My last dexa scan showed slight improvement so I'm hoping that it will be even better next time. Being a needlephobe I was very anxious about injecting myself in the beginning; however, the needles are very small and most of the time I don't even feel it. Good luck to your mother.
CynAnn
07-18-2006, 01:27 PM
Question.....is Forteo only used for a 2 year period? if so, what happens to those with osteoporsis after than? Thanks!!!
CrohnieToo
07-18-2006, 08:45 PM
Well, until something better comes along then its back to the bisphosphonates to maintain the good Forteo did. Or, I am sure there are some brave souls who will continue on past the two years w/Forteo but given the recent "study" stating Forteo wasn't cost effective except for certain cases of osteoporosis I wouldn't count on many, if any, insurances being willing to pay for it.
Protelos or strontium ranelate appears to be close to FDA approval. That may be an option by the time "we" run out of time w/the Forteo. There doesn't appear to be anything else on the horizon that will gain approval before most of us run out of the two year time period on the Forteo.
Protelos or strontium ranelate appears to be close to FDA approval. That may be an option by the time "we" run out of time w/the Forteo. There doesn't appear to be anything else on the horizon that will gain approval before most of us run out of the two year time period on the Forteo.
spinewhine
07-19-2006, 11:10 PM
I have been taking Forteo for about 16 months with no problems. My last dexa scan showed slight improvement so I'm hoping that it will be even better next time. Being a needlephobe I was very anxious about injecting myself in the beginning; however, the needles are very small and most of the time I don't even feel it. Good luck to your mother.
Same here. I've been on it since March 2005 with no side effects and I went from a complete needlephobe to being able to do it with ease in just about no time. Good luck to your mom from me too. By the by, it's a very expensive drug (which has to be kept refrigerated) and some have posted that their insurance companies will not cover it, so that's something to look into.
Same here. I've been on it since March 2005 with no side effects and I went from a complete needlephobe to being able to do it with ease in just about no time. Good luck to your mom from me too. By the by, it's a very expensive drug (which has to be kept refrigerated) and some have posted that their insurance companies will not cover it, so that's something to look into.
Granniluvs8
07-19-2006, 11:28 PM
CynAnn,
I started taking Forteo the end of March when my scores got a little worse after taking Fosomax for a couple of years. I had no problem at all giving myself the shot. As others have said the needle is small and very easy to use. It just take a little bit of practice to get to feeling completely comfortable with it. I was an RN and was used to giving shots but the idea of doing it on myself I was not to sure about. However, it didn't take long !
I also have not had any side effects from it. Yes, after the two years I am afaraid we go back to Fosomax or one of them. Maybe something else like Strontium will be OKed by the time we are ready to get off the Forteo.
Good luck to your Mom !! Also luckily I have good insurance coverage. It can be VERY expensive.
Blessings,
Granniluvs8 (Marilyn)
I started taking Forteo the end of March when my scores got a little worse after taking Fosomax for a couple of years. I had no problem at all giving myself the shot. As others have said the needle is small and very easy to use. It just take a little bit of practice to get to feeling completely comfortable with it. I was an RN and was used to giving shots but the idea of doing it on myself I was not to sure about. However, it didn't take long !
I also have not had any side effects from it. Yes, after the two years I am afaraid we go back to Fosomax or one of them. Maybe something else like Strontium will be OKed by the time we are ready to get off the Forteo.
Good luck to your Mom !! Also luckily I have good insurance coverage. It can be VERY expensive.
Blessings,
Granniluvs8 (Marilyn)
neelia118
07-20-2006, 01:31 PM
Hello! I am new to these boards and am only 18 years old, but I have the bones of a 75 year old. I have osteoporosis in my lower back and right hip, and osteopenia in my left hip. I also have scoliosis and kyphosis (the list goes on). I am taking Viactiv right now for calcium, but since I am lactose intolerant, I am not getting any calcium from dairy, although I do get calcium from other foods. My question is general: why are these bone-strengtening medicines like Fosomax and the shot only targeted to post-menoposal women and older people, in general? I feel like I should be on something like that, but no doctor has been that concerned. I have also been told that my bones won't grow back very much, and that they will grow back because I am young, so that's why I'm not on these medications. Does anyone have any information about treatment and bone growth or anything, really? I was just curious. Also- how long should one wait before getting a second bone scan to see if there is improvement?
I'm sorry this is long and scattered, but I haven't gained the courage to start a new thread just yet. Thanks for any help!
neelia118
I'm sorry this is long and scattered, but I haven't gained the courage to start a new thread just yet. Thanks for any help!
neelia118
spinewhine
07-20-2006, 07:28 PM
Hello! I am new to these boards and am only 18 years old, but I have the bones of a 75 year old. I have osteoporosis in my lower back and right hip, and osteopenia in my left hip. I also have scoliosis and kyphosis (the list goes on). I am taking Viactiv right now for calcium, but since I am lactose intolerant, I am not getting any calcium from dairy, although I do get calcium from other foods. My question is general: why are these bone-strengtening medicines like Fosomax and the shot only targeted to post-menoposal women and older people, in general? I feel like I should be on something like that, but no doctor has been that concerned. I have also been told that my bones won't grow back very much, and that they will grow back because I am young, so that's why I'm not on these medications. Does anyone have any information about treatment and bone growth or anything, really? I was just curious. Also- how long should one wait before getting a second bone scan to see if there is improvement?
I'm sorry this is long and scattered, but I haven't gained the courage to start a new thread just yet. Thanks for any help!
neelia118
Neelia, when I first was diagnosed with osteoporosis and I started to do internet research, I came upon at least one web site that was devoted to young people with osteoporosis. Do some research using a search engine and I'm sure you'll find it. As I recall, it had very detailed information about medications and everything else. Best of luck to you.
I'm sorry this is long and scattered, but I haven't gained the courage to start a new thread just yet. Thanks for any help!
neelia118
Neelia, when I first was diagnosed with osteoporosis and I started to do internet research, I came upon at least one web site that was devoted to young people with osteoporosis. Do some research using a search engine and I'm sure you'll find it. As I recall, it had very detailed information about medications and everything else. Best of luck to you.
CynAnn
07-27-2006, 11:30 PM
Thanks everyone for your kind words and very helpful information. :angel:
My Mom is feeling some better (more at ease) after getting the helpful tips on Forte. She and I are going for the Forte "training class" on August 18th.
Also thanks for the insurance tip! I didnt think about that, something to look into!!!
Thanks again!
CynAnn
My Mom is feeling some better (more at ease) after getting the helpful tips on Forte. She and I are going for the Forte "training class" on August 18th.
Also thanks for the insurance tip! I didnt think about that, something to look into!!!
Thanks again!
CynAnn
CrohnieToo
07-28-2006, 03:01 PM
Neelia, ask to see an Endocrinologist for your osteoporosis. Also ask about vitamin D supplementation. I was just reading the results of a recent study that the recommended daily dosage is WAY to low and that a good 50% of adults should be getting 700-1000 IU of vitamin D daily.
All studies have included participants being on calcium supplementation along w/the Actonel or Fosamax or Forteo. I can't take calcium supplementation. My Endo did put me on high doses of vitamin D weekly, SCRIPTED high doses, and I've only been on Forteo for 10 months yet my DEXA scores IMPROVED not only over my 2005 DEXA but are almost as good as my 1996 DEXA scores when I was first Dx'd w/osteoporosis!
Also: don't forget to EXERCISE as much as possible!
All studies have included participants being on calcium supplementation along w/the Actonel or Fosamax or Forteo. I can't take calcium supplementation. My Endo did put me on high doses of vitamin D weekly, SCRIPTED high doses, and I've only been on Forteo for 10 months yet my DEXA scores IMPROVED not only over my 2005 DEXA but are almost as good as my 1996 DEXA scores when I was first Dx'd w/osteoporosis!
Also: don't forget to EXERCISE as much as possible!