Update: Husband's test is encouraging (Forteo) - Osteoporosis Message Board

Aleta145 · 05-28-2008, 03:47 PM

After five months on Forteo his doctor is very pleased with test results. He went from 9 to 29. Not sure what that means, but the endocrinologist says he's surprised it improved that quickly, especially after 8 years on Fosamax. I assume that's urinary N-telopeptide NTx. I don't know what his serum osteocalcin was.

So he's feeling a little better about taking Forteo and looking forward to having a DXA to confirm, but that won't happen until next year.

I, on the other hand, have taken three months of Boniva and I'm NOT feeling good about it. But that's a subject for another thread.

phylwill1152 · 05-30-2008, 07:38 AM

Hi Aleta...glad to hear that your husband had good results so quickly, its nice to hear success stories. I wonder if the same drugs work differently in men than in women? Men and women have different body chemistry and it seems men sometimes have better results with some drugs than women do. Other than taking different drugs for the osteo are you both doing the same things as far as supplements, diet, exercise?

Sorry to hear that your not feeling better about your choice of treatment. Are you looking for other options?

have a good weekend..take care...phyllis

osteoblast · 05-30-2008, 11:07 AM

Aleta-Great news! As I have been on forteo for almost 2 yrs. and your husband is somewhat in the early phase of his treatment, I think you want to KNOW what the number is that the dr. is encouraged by. And, it would be great if you got a copy of the lab results to keep for your records. It could be the ntx or it could be BSAP-bone specific alkaline phosphotase (sp?) in any event, it would be great for you to find out. I would think you could call the office and get the verbal on which test was done and, ask them to mail you a copy. Let us know. I am still trying to figure all of this out and would be interested to know what the doc is checking.
I hope that you find the treatment that is right for you. Good luck.

DesertBloom · 05-31-2008, 04:05 PM

Hi Aleta: Are you saying that your husbands NTx baseline score was 9 and the follow up score was 29? If so that's a great increase and would explain the encouragement of the Endo. BAP and Osteocalcin scores don't respond as well to Forteo, but that's okay the NTx gives a better idea on resorption scores than BAP/OSC does.

I don't have my NTx scores in front of me, but I think I only increased by 10 points from the first test to the second. I didn't have a baseline test, so I can only compare the two while on Forteo.

I'm not familiar with mens scores either, but since you want to see an increase of n-telopeptide while on Forteo he's done that!!

Are you having trouble with Boniva, in the way of side effects, or is it a lack of response in scores? Let us know what's going on with you and I hope you find something to help out a lot.

Aleta145 · 05-31-2008, 06:14 PM

Phyllis, we are both taking 1500 mg of calcium and 750 mg of magnesium (divided in three doses) per day. We eat lots of calcium-rich foods, and we both walk daily and do yoga. He also goes to the gym three times a week to work out with weights. In fact, he has done weight-training all his life, which is why we were so surprised by his Dx.

As for me, I'm gun-shy about taking bisphosphonates for all the reasons we've discussed on this board. My osteo isn't severe--I have no vertebral fractures--so I'm torn. Do I wait until I start fracturing and then start aggressive treatment? Or do I take a drug that comes with its own risks in order to forestall any theoretical future fracturing? I have just re-read The Myth of Osteoporosis and that makes me question the so-called "gold standard" of osteoporosis treatment.

Osteoblast, you're right, we should get a copy of the lab results. I'll call them on Monday. We like to have copies of everything and I'm surprised DH didn't ask for it.

DesertBloom, all he said in the message he left on our answering machine was that "he went from a 9 to a 29" and "the numbers are really good for the short time he's been on the Forteo."

I have taken the Boniva for three months, and felt sick for a couple of days last time, with a fever, fatigue, and body aches. I thought I was coming down with the flu, but then it cleared up. I'm still taking taking Evista, so if I decide not to continue with Boniva, at least I'll be doing SOMETHING.