Newly diagnosed with osteoporosis - Osteoporosis Message Board

dlvs · 11-30-2008, 01:26 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.

starfish81 · 11-30-2008, 04:39 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

.

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, 05:48 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, 01:46 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.

starfish81 · 12-01-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teri51629

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?