Mina221
11-05-2007, 04:54 PM
Hi All,
My mom will be starting her Forteo treatment tomorrow. She will be going to the hospital with my dad and sis to get trained on how to give the injectin. Just a brief history. My mom who is 78 was taking Fosamax the past 5 years.. In turn she had a spinal fracture last February and another one now in Septembe. Well at that point she needed to see a specialist. He suggested which I knew he would was the Forteo.
She only has the osteo in her lower spine. Hips and other bone parts have some osteopenia so they are not too bad.
Questions I have: How easy is it to give yourself the injections?
Any side affects afterwards like dizziness?
Do you think this will work after unsuccessfull treatment with Fosomax? What is the max amount of time you can be on this medication? Can you get off it after 6-12 months if bones look good?
Any help will be appreciated
Thanks...Mina221
My mom will be starting her Forteo treatment tomorrow. She will be going to the hospital with my dad and sis to get trained on how to give the injectin. Just a brief history. My mom who is 78 was taking Fosamax the past 5 years.. In turn she had a spinal fracture last February and another one now in Septembe. Well at that point she needed to see a specialist. He suggested which I knew he would was the Forteo.
She only has the osteo in her lower spine. Hips and other bone parts have some osteopenia so they are not too bad.
Questions I have: How easy is it to give yourself the injections?
Any side affects afterwards like dizziness?
Do you think this will work after unsuccessfull treatment with Fosomax? What is the max amount of time you can be on this medication? Can you get off it after 6-12 months if bones look good?
Any help will be appreciated
Thanks...Mina221
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Jone
11-05-2007, 08:53 PM
After five years on Fosamax, I had just held my bone density- no increase or decrease. After 18 months on Forteo I had significant improvement.
I believe Forteo is still only allowed for two years but have heard the possibility of extending it.
The shots are a "snap" once you get used to it. The needle is very fine and most days I did not even feel it.
I never experienced any side effects such as dizziness.
I believe Forteo is still only allowed for two years but have heard the possibility of extending it.
The shots are a "snap" once you get used to it. The needle is very fine and most days I did not even feel it.
I never experienced any side effects such as dizziness.
DesertBloom
11-06-2007, 01:00 PM
Hi Mina: Sorry your mom is having such a hard time, but the Forteo should help a lot. They are now using Forteo to speed the healing of fractures and joint replacements because it grows new bone so fast. Of course everyone respond differently to it, but I have had great improvements in bmd since I started it 17 months ago.
I don't have any side effects and never had the dizziness. If your mom has this problem she could take the shot before going to bed at night, if it causes any problem. I haven't had any trouble giving the shot, it is really easy and I rarely feel it. Forteo is a sub qutaneous injection (just below the skin) so the needle is really small, it's not like the type they use for B12 or other injections. If they give her a choice on the needle size it comes in 3/16th of an inch or 5/16th of an inch in length. I used both and can't really decide which I like better.
I took Actonel and it didn't work and the Forteo worked great so hopefully your mom will have the same reaction. Usually you don't take it more than the 2 years, but there are some here that are going past that time limit with their insurance/drs approval. I wouldn't want to stop taking the Forteo before the 2 years are up, but if she needs to for some reason she can; just remember that she has to follow with another bone med to retain any gains she made in bone density.
Good luck to you all...
I don't have any side effects and never had the dizziness. If your mom has this problem she could take the shot before going to bed at night, if it causes any problem. I haven't had any trouble giving the shot, it is really easy and I rarely feel it. Forteo is a sub qutaneous injection (just below the skin) so the needle is really small, it's not like the type they use for B12 or other injections. If they give her a choice on the needle size it comes in 3/16th of an inch or 5/16th of an inch in length. I used both and can't really decide which I like better.
I took Actonel and it didn't work and the Forteo worked great so hopefully your mom will have the same reaction. Usually you don't take it more than the 2 years, but there are some here that are going past that time limit with their insurance/drs approval. I wouldn't want to stop taking the Forteo before the 2 years are up, but if she needs to for some reason she can; just remember that she has to follow with another bone med to retain any gains she made in bone density.
Good luck to you all...
Mina221
11-06-2007, 02:46 PM
thank you all for your replies!
She went for the training today with my sister, and my sister told me she feels she will not be able to handle it. I read the brochure on how to administer the injection and I believe once you do it a couple of times it will be no big deal. Unfortunateley both my sister and myself do not live next door to mom and work, so it is not possible for either of us to give ther the injection during the week. Is there any shortcuts to take or the directinsmust be followed step by step. i think the priming gets her confused. I don't know.
When should she go back to check her bones - 3 months?
Do any of you take other supplements - calcium vitamin D?
I was happy that she did not have any adverse side affects so that was a good thing.
She went for the training today with my sister, and my sister told me she feels she will not be able to handle it. I read the brochure on how to administer the injection and I believe once you do it a couple of times it will be no big deal. Unfortunateley both my sister and myself do not live next door to mom and work, so it is not possible for either of us to give ther the injection during the week. Is there any shortcuts to take or the directinsmust be followed step by step. i think the priming gets her confused. I don't know.
When should she go back to check her bones - 3 months?
Do any of you take other supplements - calcium vitamin D?
I was happy that she did not have any adverse side affects so that was a good thing.
osteoblast
11-06-2007, 03:11 PM
Mina- You are going in the right direction with your thoughts about calcium and vit d. If your mother has not had her vit d level checked - absolutely get it done now. Forteo really uses up your vit d, this is stated in the package insert. So, get your mom tested and if needed get her supplemented to a good level not just marginally acceptable. As we are going into the winter, her vit d stores will be depleted too no doubt.Get the info from her doc about supplementing both calcium and vit d. When I started forteo my vit d was ok but it turns out not adequate for winter and the demands of forteo and the vit d went way low. Don't let this happen to your mom. Also it might be best to test the vit d each 3 months or so to see how it goes. And , again don't settle for the marginal level of 30 on vit d . Check out the vitamin d council for what researchers are saying about proper level. Yesterday on Oprah, Dr Oz could not stop with the vit d. I am going to start a thread on this. Does your mom have a friend or neighbor, church friend or someone that could help her with the shot?? Good luck.
petal*pusher
11-06-2007, 07:30 PM
Mina...I worried about the shots too when I first started them in March. I'd carefully unfold the directions...follow them step-by-step...and breath a sigh of relief when it was done!
After a week or so, I realized what I was so worried about was the priming! Now, I just carefully turn the top until it "catches"...then count the "1-2" needed as I continue that twist...then push the plunger to prime! Next, I simply do a count from "1 to 6" as I make the next set of twists...and the pen is ready. Counting out those little clicks instead of trying to keep an eye on them has sure helped me out! Hope this helps!
Funny how quickly we get used to this whole procedure! I'm workin' on positive attitude!............Pam;)
After a week or so, I realized what I was so worried about was the priming! Now, I just carefully turn the top until it "catches"...then count the "1-2" needed as I continue that twist...then push the plunger to prime! Next, I simply do a count from "1 to 6" as I make the next set of twists...and the pen is ready. Counting out those little clicks instead of trying to keep an eye on them has sure helped me out! Hope this helps!
Funny how quickly we get used to this whole procedure! I'm workin' on positive attitude!............Pam;)
Rosegarden
11-07-2007, 05:45 PM
Hi Mina!
When I went for my Forteo training, there was a frail elderly lady in the class who had a lot of trouble with the injection. Her hands were not strong enough to do the prime, and she was just unable to manipulate the pen very well. She was as sweet as sugar, but boy was she having trouble with that injection! Of course I never saw her again and have wondered what happened to her. Your post reminded me of that lady.
I think if someone could sit with her for the first few injections, maybe she could do it. Did you get and watch the movie? If not, call Lily for it. It is helpful.
Is there any chance your father could help? I'm a total needle-phobe, but believe me, this injection is nothing. The needle is extremely thin and not long. And it rarely hurts.
Your parents are lucky to have such caring children like you and your sister. Hope this all goes well.
When I went for my Forteo training, there was a frail elderly lady in the class who had a lot of trouble with the injection. Her hands were not strong enough to do the prime, and she was just unable to manipulate the pen very well. She was as sweet as sugar, but boy was she having trouble with that injection! Of course I never saw her again and have wondered what happened to her. Your post reminded me of that lady.
I think if someone could sit with her for the first few injections, maybe she could do it. Did you get and watch the movie? If not, call Lily for it. It is helpful.
Is there any chance your father could help? I'm a total needle-phobe, but believe me, this injection is nothing. The needle is extremely thin and not long. And it rarely hurts.
Your parents are lucky to have such caring children like you and your sister. Hope this all goes well.
Mina221
11-08-2007, 01:44 PM
thank you for your replies!
Unfortunately dad has a phobia with this so it is up to mom. Today she is actually going to her regular dr. for a sore throat and will also bring the FORTEO pen so he can give her the injection and teach her too. I believe once she does it a couple of times it will be no problem.
Have all of you had great success with this treatment and have you had significant bone increase? What happens after you stop taking it - does the bone revert back to the osteoporosis state? Right now my mom who really does quite alot of work around the house is walking on eggshells since she is so afraid of breaking anything. I hope this treatment will alleviate that fear if it shows bones filling up.
Any one taking a really good Calcium vitamin D supplement? Sometimes I wonder about the over the counter ones since some may not be as absorbable.
Unfortunately dad has a phobia with this so it is up to mom. Today she is actually going to her regular dr. for a sore throat and will also bring the FORTEO pen so he can give her the injection and teach her too. I believe once she does it a couple of times it will be no problem.
Have all of you had great success with this treatment and have you had significant bone increase? What happens after you stop taking it - does the bone revert back to the osteoporosis state? Right now my mom who really does quite alot of work around the house is walking on eggshells since she is so afraid of breaking anything. I hope this treatment will alleviate that fear if it shows bones filling up.
Any one taking a really good Calcium vitamin D supplement? Sometimes I wonder about the over the counter ones since some may not be as absorbable.
taape
11-08-2007, 09:14 PM
I'm sure your mom will do find with the injections. I used Forteo for 2 years but after I stopped yes, my bone reverted back and even worse than when I started. There just aren't good options available for after using Forteo for 2 years.
Mina221
11-10-2007, 01:33 PM
I am not so happy that your bones revert back even worse after Forteo treatments. Is that the norm? Anyway my mom is having a very difficult time with this. SHe has missed a few doses, had to go to her regular dr. for one of them so basically she has only taken 2 doses since Monday. Mys sister is going today to help. Mom feels very frustrated and dad cannot help at all. So I feel maybe this was not a good decision.
I am reading about this Stronium(?). What is it, does it work and what are the side affects. If mom canno give herself these shots then what alternative is there? SHe has fractured her lower spine twice within a year. The osteo is mostly in that area - not in hips thank goodness. She was on Fosamax for 5 years and I do not believe it really did anything case in point she fractured her spine anyway.
Please advise if anyone has any good ideas. thank you all for your encouragement and help!!
I am reading about this Stronium(?). What is it, does it work and what are the side affects. If mom canno give herself these shots then what alternative is there? SHe has fractured her lower spine twice within a year. The osteo is mostly in that area - not in hips thank goodness. She was on Fosamax for 5 years and I do not believe it really did anything case in point she fractured her spine anyway.
Please advise if anyone has any good ideas. thank you all for your encouragement and help!!
taape
11-10-2007, 03:00 PM
Mina 221,
Why is your mom unable to do the injections herself? Are all the steps in the process a little bit confusing to her? It does take a little getting used to and then became routine with me. Does your mom's health insurance provide for home health services where a nurses aide could come give her the injection each day for a while until she knows how to do it.
I'm not happy about the bone loss I have after the Forteo but perhaps if I had had a fracture then the Forteo treatment would have been enough to heal the fracture.
Why is your mom unable to do the injections herself? Are all the steps in the process a little bit confusing to her? It does take a little getting used to and then became routine with me. Does your mom's health insurance provide for home health services where a nurses aide could come give her the injection each day for a while until she knows how to do it.
I'm not happy about the bone loss I have after the Forteo but perhaps if I had had a fracture then the Forteo treatment would have been enough to heal the fracture.
Champy87
11-10-2007, 06:37 PM
Fold the skin before sticking in the needle - It won't hurt at all if you do it that way
Rosegarden
11-12-2007, 11:49 PM
Why is Mom having trouble?