I started this "new drug"...Forteo...in March of '07. The
Osteoporosis board located right here has been extremely beneficial in helping me understand the pros and cons of this medicine...and I'm truly excited about the possibilities it offers me. In fact, researching Forteo is what brought me to these pages...when I saw the
Alzheimer's board...I knew there was comfort to be found here also as my own Mother is 9 years into this horrific disease...FIL also diagnosed 2 years ago...MIL very recently passed from Alzheimer's also!
Side effects of Forteo are minimal or non-existant for most. Benefits I've noticed is stronger nails, very quick healing of external cuts, thicker hair...I sure hope the INSIDE of me is responding as well! The shots were a little intimidating at first, but now easy to do. I would assume your Mom would not be able to give them to herself....right?
Your question has made me think about if I would continue if I were in your Mother's shoes................and why is her Dr. suggesting it for her. I would think that the very real possibility of a broken hip if she falls helped him think this would help her. It's very common for ANY situation to make this disease progress more quickly...a broken hip would surely do this...it happened like that with my Mom.
If your Mother is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's...I would not let him talk me into it. The hoped-for outcome for most of us who (knowingly) take Forteo is for a stronger skeleton to carry us thru our advancing age! (I just turned 60...have lost 4 1/2" in height...surely want to keep working for several more years!) The other major concern would be the cost...$800.00 every 28 days...good thing I have excellent insurance!
Do you have others in your family to help you make this important decision? Hope I helped a little.....Pam