Forteo

[Nemone65]

Hi, is anybody here taking forteo ? I have been on this drug for nearly a year and have gained weight around my middle. I keep getting told the drug has nothing to do with weight gain. As I had 3 fractures and 2 compression fractures which was treated by kyhoplasty surgery on them. I do have osteoporosis in my spine but fractures were due to me helping lifting a washing machine. I just wondered if you finished your treatment on forteo what then did you have to take

Many Thanks

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi, I had the full 2 year course on forsteo.I actually lost a considerable amount of weight whilst taking it.

I have 5 compression fractures, all of these happened without trauma.

When you say you have put weight on around your middle this may not actually be true.

What happens after having spinal fractures is that the spine shortens and everything begins to be compressed down.Although it looks like we have gained weight around our middle and also on our stomach, as it causes our stomachs to stick out, we actually have not.

It is frustrating and depressing and I struggle with this as I am and always have been of a slim build and when younger was actually a model.

The other changes you may notice (and it took me a long time to realize this) is that tops and bras become tighter around your back.

I am experimenting all the time with the type of clothes that accommodate these changes and what to avoid wearing.

It has not been and is not easy knowing that I can no longer wear my beautiful clothes.

As for what treatment next they will usually follow on from forsteo with a yearly infusion of Aldronic acid.

They may also offer Prolia which if started and not stopped after first injection you would need to stay on it for the rest of your life.

There are some very sad people experiences on here regarding Prolia and I personally would recommend staying clear.

The yearly injection appears to suit many people and the ROS nurses do speak well of it.

Everyone is different and if you have tolerated forsteo well then you will most likely tolerate the other treatments.

It is down to personal choice and trial and error.

Let us know when you begin your next type of treatment and how you do on it.

[Nemone65 in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Thank you for your reply

I hadn’t thought about the weight gain around my middle could be due to everything moving forward

I will definitely look up the follow up treatment

I think consultant is pushing for Prolia which I don’t want to take

All I ever get told is how lucky I am to be on forteo

Many Thanks

[Kaarina in reply to Nemone65]

Also if you have lost any height this makes changes around the middle as the internal organs are "fighting" for space.