dlvs
11-30-2008, 04:26 PM
I'm so glad I found this site.
56 year old - female
About 3 weeks ago I was diagnosed with osteoporosis - sever.
My doctor is putting me right on foreto injections, had to wait for the insurance companies approval to pay. Anyway, my insurance company called me yesterday - they were surprised I didn't know about approval to pay for
the shots for 2 years - as they had notified by doctor days ago.
I know nothing about this medication - after reading about this medication
I now have more fears about it - all the warnings in my pamphlet, what I've read online and all the side effects.
I will keep reading and try to understand all this.
Thanks for your time.
56 year old - female
About 3 weeks ago I was diagnosed with osteoporosis - sever.
My doctor is putting me right on foreto injections, had to wait for the insurance companies approval to pay. Anyway, my insurance company called me yesterday - they were surprised I didn't know about approval to pay for
the shots for 2 years - as they had notified by doctor days ago.
I know nothing about this medication - after reading about this medication
I now have more fears about it - all the warnings in my pamphlet, what I've read online and all the side effects.
I will keep reading and try to understand all this.
Thanks for your time.
Sponsor
starfish81
11-30-2008, 07:39 PM
Hi Dlvs, and welcome to the boards. I couldn't tell from your post if you wanted advice or just wanted to share your strategy. It sounds as if you have some concerns about Forteo. There are some on these boards who swear by it, and others who won't even consider it. If you're at all uncomfortable, you don't have to rush into this. Do some research first. Check out some of the older posts, both about Forteo and about alternate non-pharmaceutical means.
Finally, if you do nothing else, get yourself a copy of "The Myth of Osteoporosis" by Gillian Sanson. It will provide reassurance as well as open your eyes to what may be the biggest scam since hormone replacement therapy for women:mad:.
Many of us post our scores here so that we can be of more help. If you feel comfortable doing so, by all means.
Finally, if you do nothing else, get yourself a copy of "The Myth of Osteoporosis" by Gillian Sanson. It will provide reassurance as well as open your eyes to what may be the biggest scam since hormone replacement therapy for women:mad:.
Many of us post our scores here so that we can be of more help. If you feel comfortable doing so, by all means.
taape
11-30-2008, 08:48 PM
I used Forteo medication injections for 2 years. Be glad your insurance company approved it so quickly. The warnings are kind of scary but then doing nothing scared me more, so I went through with using the medication. My bone density improved alot but unfortunately went right back down when I was fininshed with the medication. There should be a toll free number on the information that comes with the pen where you can call with questions about the medication specifically.
teri51629
12-01-2008, 04:46 PM
I'm also glad I found this board, also. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis a year ago and since I'd had breast cancer the doctor put me on Evista. Evidently it didn't do anything good for me because last month I went for a follow up bone density and from what I can understand, my condition has worsened. I haven't had a doctor's appt, but my primary care physician just mailed me a prescription for Fosomax and has prescribed it "once a day". I had already heard horror stories about the drug, so I started to do some research and found that I've just confirmed my suspicions about "why" I don't want to take it.
My question to y'all is.....what do your doctors say when you tell them that you'd rather not take any drugs, but handle your condition with natural remedies? I can almost hear mine now.
My question to y'all is.....what do your doctors say when you tell them that you'd rather not take any drugs, but handle your condition with natural remedies? I can almost hear mine now.
starfish81
12-01-2008, 05:05 PM
My question to y'all is.....what do your doctors say when you tell them that you'd rather not take any drugs, but handle your condition with natural remedies? I can almost hear mine now.
Well let's see.....
Endocrinologist I saw: "these are the drugs we use to treat your condition. If you don't want to take them; there's nothing I can do for you. Goodbye." (showed me the door)
Gynecologist I no longer go to: "if you don't take forteo, your trabeculae will be destroyed permanently. I don't know why you waste your money on these 'alternative' methods"
My Family doctor: says nothing, just shakes his head
My Naturopath: "By all means continue with the strontium, Vitamin K, and make sure you exercise regularly. Pilates is a great idea!"
Typical eh?
Well let's see.....
Endocrinologist I saw: "these are the drugs we use to treat your condition. If you don't want to take them; there's nothing I can do for you. Goodbye." (showed me the door)
Gynecologist I no longer go to: "if you don't take forteo, your trabeculae will be destroyed permanently. I don't know why you waste your money on these 'alternative' methods"
My Family doctor: says nothing, just shakes his head
My Naturopath: "By all means continue with the strontium, Vitamin K, and make sure you exercise regularly. Pilates is a great idea!"
Typical eh?
phylwill1152
12-01-2008, 05:34 PM
Hello and welcome to the board... Hi Starfish....when i told my dr. i was going to use strontium instead of the actenol he prescribed he really didn't say much except that he didn't agree with my decision. After 9 months of use i had a DEXA that showed improvements in both total hips and lumbar spine... he still didn't want to believe that what i was doing was working. In his mind if something isn't FDA approved it can't possibly be safe and effective to use. The one thing that helped was when i told if anything went wrong in the future that i wouldn't hold him responsible ...like a broken hip or something. Relieving him of the possibility of a malpractice suits seemed to soothe some of his his concerns. I'm due for another DEXA in the spring and am hoping for even more improvements.
I also get plenty of exercise, take supplements and try to eat healthy most of the time.
For the new kids...you have to be an advocate for your care and what you you want to do and what you don't want to do with your body. It's your job to research of your options, to take a list of questions with you when you see/talk to your dr. and not let the dr. scare you into something you don't want. Bottom line is that you have to find the treatment that is right for you and is one you can live with. Please read the book starfish mentioned..its a good one. take care..phyllis
I also get plenty of exercise, take supplements and try to eat healthy most of the time.
For the new kids...you have to be an advocate for your care and what you you want to do and what you don't want to do with your body. It's your job to research of your options, to take a list of questions with you when you see/talk to your dr. and not let the dr. scare you into something you don't want. Bottom line is that you have to find the treatment that is right for you and is one you can live with. Please read the book starfish mentioned..its a good one. take care..phyllis
Todd500
12-01-2008, 07:39 PM
I think "Phylwill" hit the nail on the head. Patient education is key. Do the research, discuss options with your physician, and make educated decisions based on facts.
Mel52
12-02-2008, 01:07 AM
My former doctor wouldn't even test me for osteroporosis. Said I didn't need the test for 5 years so I went to my obgyn who of course said he would test me. When it came back that I had osterporosis, I said I would increase my calcium and vitamin D. The dr said that wasn't enough. So I tried Actonal. My obgyn retired and I continued on with my regular dr who wanted me to take Boniva once a month and gave me samples. I wouldn't take them I didn't want the Boniva in my system in case I reacted negatively to the drug. I stayed on the once a week Actonal until I ended up in ER with chills, bone pain etc etc. I stopped taking it. The doctor wanted me to also take hormones like Evista. I told him no way, I was waiting for back surgery and definitely not active enough to prevent blood clots and my mom had breast cancer. After that argument, I went to another dr who gave me the Fortical with the comment it is better than nothing.
The doctor I have now is fine with it but he knows nothing about any of this stuff. I did ask him how often I should have a bone density test and he said he didn't know, but he said if it was bad what would change? He has a point. When Amgen comes out with their new osteroporosis drug in 2009, I will ask him to do the test to find out where my levels are before I start taking the new drug.
The doctor I have now is fine with it but he knows nothing about any of this stuff. I did ask him how often I should have a bone density test and he said he didn't know, but he said if it was bad what would change? He has a point. When Amgen comes out with their new osteroporosis drug in 2009, I will ask him to do the test to find out where my levels are before I start taking the new drug.
dlvs
12-02-2008, 08:30 AM
Well I see my doctor today -
I still have fears about Forteo and will try to explain these fears to my doctor - she (doctor) is really hard to deal with.
I'm still looking for a specialist for osteoporosis - I just don't feel my doctor is up to date with dealing with my age group, 56, serious!
Last time I was at the doctor I really did not know what to ask for or ask about. Reading here everyone talks about different T scores - blood count etc.
Appointment is at 9:00 AM, If anyone has any suggestions please post and I will check back before my appointment.
Thanks
DLVS
I still have fears about Forteo and will try to explain these fears to my doctor - she (doctor) is really hard to deal with.
I'm still looking for a specialist for osteoporosis - I just don't feel my doctor is up to date with dealing with my age group, 56, serious!
Last time I was at the doctor I really did not know what to ask for or ask about. Reading here everyone talks about different T scores - blood count etc.
Appointment is at 9:00 AM, If anyone has any suggestions please post and I will check back before my appointment.
Thanks
DLVS
starfish81
12-02-2008, 08:51 AM
Dlvs: hopefully this reaches you before your appt. Definitely get a copy of your T-scores, and if you have recent bloodwork for vitamin D, thyroid and parathyroid hormone levels get those too.
You mentioned that your doctor is "hard to deal with". If you are dissatisfied with today's appointment, would you consider finding a new doctor? Forteo, while an effective drug for many, is not something to start if you're unsure how it works or if you have serious concerns. Your bone density numbers aren't going to drop off a cliff if you wait another month or so to do some proper research.
Stand your ground with the doctor and tell her you need some more time before making a decision. Then, if you do decide to take the Forteo, at least you'll be informed. If not, there are alternatives.
Let us know how it went!
You mentioned that your doctor is "hard to deal with". If you are dissatisfied with today's appointment, would you consider finding a new doctor? Forteo, while an effective drug for many, is not something to start if you're unsure how it works or if you have serious concerns. Your bone density numbers aren't going to drop off a cliff if you wait another month or so to do some proper research.
Stand your ground with the doctor and tell her you need some more time before making a decision. Then, if you do decide to take the Forteo, at least you'll be informed. If not, there are alternatives.
Let us know how it went!