Forteo Injectible for Severe Osteoporosis

[CrohnieToo]

Originally Posted by taape

I have been on Forteo for 5 months and will be having a repeat DEXA scan soon. Kathy Mac-after 1 1/2 years of using Forteo how much did your bone density improve? Does anyone know what the alternative for continued treatment is after using Forteo for 2 years? I can't stomach the oral medications and only lasted 3 weeks on Fosamax before being put on Forteo.

I know, I know!
I haven't even started the Forteo yet but my Endocrinoligist has laid out a plan of 2 years of Forteo and then IV infusions of pamidronate (Aredia) every 3-4 months thereafter. Pamidronate is a bisphosphonate like Actonel and Fosamax but because it is infused rather than an oral medication we are bypassing the digestive tract and avoiding the damage Actonel and Fosamax can do.

Do I get a candy sucker or a gold star???

[CrohnieToo]

Originally Posted by ********

.... My goal this year is to be able to stand up straight. I don't know what is preventing me from being able to do that, but I go to my Pain Management doc in early February and will get more answers. ...

I just read about something in this forum and already can't remember what post or how to spell it or who posted it - BUT - someone in the forum who is a nurse and caring for her mother w/severe osteoporosis compression fractures, pain and the slumped back posted about a surgical procedure, kytoph... something or other. And I seem to remember it was just a one or two day hospital stay. It has to due with separating the fracture fragments and putting glue in the space which helps to straighten and strengthen the back or at least the fractured area. I'm sure it was in a post at the top of this forum about either the IV infusions for osteoporosis or Forteo subjects.

I suppose my reply is too vague to get a gold star or a cookie, huh??

[spinewhine]

Hi fellow Forteo users. This newbie has some questions. Does anyone know how this drug is absorbed and whether it matters if it gets injected into a fatty area or a more muscular area? I know it doesn't go into a vein so I was wondering how it gets where it needs to go. I've read some discussion of the best site for the injection -- I've only used the thigh so far -- but I didn't see anything about the fat vs. muscular question.

My doctor just kind of jabbed it in my left thigh and said that would probably be easiest for me as a righty. He didn't mention what I saw in the literature about holding a fold of skin so you don't go into the muscle. I've followed the literature suggestion and had less after discomfort than I had from his shot, or my own first shot, which I did like his. However, I'm concerned that maybe this isn't the best way to make sure the medicine goes where it's supposed to. I hope this is not a situation of "no pain, no gain" but I'd like to know.

If anyone has the answer, I'd be grateful. Otherwise I may call the customer service line again. The rep who took my first call was helpful. Thanks.

[ThinBones]

I'm far from the expert on this, but I do think Forteo is suppose to be a subcutaneous injection, which means not in the muscle. Yes, you can absolutely fold up some skin to inject as it is absorbed just under the skin but as I said I am not an expert and I have not started this yet but jabbing it in the leg, especially if you are thin, may really hurt. This is how insulin is injected. Call and make sure with your MD or the drug company but it really should not hurt that bad I would not think (hope) as I am probably going to start Forteo soon!!!

[spinewhine]

"I have not started this yet but jabbing it in the leg, especially if you are thin, may really hurt. This is how insulin is injected. Call and make sure with your MD or the drug company but it really should not hurt that bad I would not think (hope) as I am probably going to start Forteo soon!!!"

I hope I wasn't frightening. As I posted on another thread, if I can do this, anyone can. My thighs are not that thin (sigh), but lifting the skin should be doable for anyone. Giving the injection is far less frightening than I imagined and we're not talking about great pain here -- just that it was more uncomfortable after he just put it in without lifting the skin than it was with lifting the skin. Good luck if you're going to start. I'm just starting my second week.