Forteo and Fatigue: What Users Say

• May...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2017

For Osteoporosis "On Forteo for 7 weeks now. Saw a rheumatologist who did a bone density test and told me that I was at high risk, especially for wrist fracture, due to low bone density. He said my spine looked okay. He said I needed Forteo for 2 years as the osteoporosis was so bad. Since starting Forteo, I feel extreme fatigue all the time. I also feel muscle weakness and can't keep up with my light exercise routine. I have also had multiple aches and pains in my joints and long bones of arms and legs. The pain feels deep in the bone, not muscle. The pain seems to migrate from one bone or joint to the other since starting Forteo. There is redness and bruising at the injection site. The worst symptom is fatigue. I may have to stop Forteo."

• dsm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 2, 2017

For Osteoporosis "I experienced all of the above, including thinning hair and immediate memory loss. It also affected my overall disposition and gave me what I didn't realize until after terminating my use: extreme confusion, depression, and extreme fatigue. Overall, depression lifted a few months later, and I was amazed at how my outlook brightened. This treatment definitely has a psychological effect that is not truly recognized. Density went from -2.8 to -2.7. More effects are probably overshadowed by the more noticeable ones. Do not recommend this drug to anyone, the side effects and effort to use are not worth the extremely small gain. Lost almost 2 years of my life due to my depressive, fatigued state. At 68, I would like to have them back."

• Ash...
• November 29, 2019

For Osteoporosis "My mother is 74, she had been on Forteo for the last 9 months. From day one she started injecting the drug, she is suffering from a frequent urination problem and loss of energy. I have ordered the 10th dose and also received the same but have decided not to go for this option."

• LAM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2018

For Osteoporosis "I took Forteo for 2 years, initially, I thought I had avoided side effects. It took about 6 months for them to show up. I started to have flu-like symptoms a few times a week that would last 3 to 4 hours, generally in the afternoon. I would feel fevered, my throat would be sore with visibly red lines, and I would be very low energy. This lasted the remainder of the 2 years without any doctor recognizing the cause. Additionally, in the last year, I developed acid reflux, which I had never had before. And after all that, I did not show much improvement in my osteoporosis. Definitely do not recommend it."

• Trk...
• July 15, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I have been using Forteo since January 2021. I have tried or been on all the other osteoporosis meds and found out I have severe osteoporosis in my hips and jaw. I have had jaw surgery and have broken many bones in the past. I am only 58 and have lost at least 1-1/2 inches in height. Unfortunately, this runs in my family. I have and still suffer from sometimes debilitating side effects, but I have decided to continue this as long as I can because I don't want to take 15 years off my life without it, and food, vitamins, and exercise are not working."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I break one or two ribs every year at the drop of a hat. I've broken over 20 ribs in the last 10-15 years. I'm on my 5th pen. No side effects during the first month, however, now they are just short of debilitating. Severe knee and lower leg bone pain, fatigue every day, nausea once or twice a week, and increased stomach girth. Walking a 1/4 of a mile is challenging. Nighttime pain keeps me from sleeping most every night. I plan to tough it out as long as I can. I've only missed 2 days so far."

• Dr ...
• September 2, 2018

For Osteoporosis "70-year-old male. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis with nonunion of clavicle. Prescribed 2 months of daily injections with weekly calcium blood draws. Multi-joint TAC/Lidocaine inject since my mid-20s. Sero-positive for AS but no real definitive symptoms aside from SI minor joint fusions as a teen. Have severe shoulder degenerative arthritis that will most likely lead to arthroscopic resurfacing/replacement. Side effects of increased joint pain and depression/loss of energy. Insomnia is also not helping. I’m sticking with it for at least 6 months to help my nonunion and perhaps keep my fused spine from further degradation. I’m a retired clinical pharmacist and am feeling I can tolerate the side effects while my nonunion heals."

• Gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I am a 50-year-old man with severe osteo and scoliosis, up to 6.5 in my left hip. Within days of starting Forteo, I began experiencing severe shortness of breath, even getting dressed. I have lung pain, and water now goes directly to my windpipe, and I cough up far more than went in, so pulmonary edema. My already severe insomnia got worse, barely 3 hours a night. My memory started declining, mood swings worsened, constant nausea but always hungry, flu-like symptoms, minor back spasms, tender skin, headaches, severe fatigue, lack of caring about daily chores, hoarse voice and can barely raise my voice, worsened hand arthritis, and minor palpitations. I'm afraid to tell my nephrologist because she already took me off of Fosamax after having no appetite. I need spinal surgery for scoliosis hardware to anchor onto, hence the 2 meds in phases. I am at 70 degrees and my lungs are literally being crushed."