Forteo - any experience

[Coastie for Truth]

My wife's Dr has taken her off of Fosamax and put her on Forteo. We are now fighting the insurance company to cover it.

Any DUers have either patient experience or insurance experience with Forteo?

[MockSwede]

1. Cost

Same effect for increased cost.

[dflprincess]

2. My mom's doctor wants to take her off Fosamax

and put her on Forteo. He's currently fighting her insurance company. Mother is not enthused as she doesn't want to give herself shots.

First, I have to say, I am not a medical person but, I looked the drug up in a couple books at Barnes and Nobles. It's bad news and the FDA has apparently issued some very strong cautions about it. There may be a very high (for an approved drug) cancer risk. One book was by Consumer Reports and the other is by Dr. Sidney something - (his last name escapes me now.) In the doctor's book he said people absolutely should not use Forteo.

My mother's osteoporosis is very advanced and Fosamax is really too little too late for her. If she was any younger, based on what I read, I'd tell her to risk the broken bones. But, Mom is 81, no family history of cancer and a broken hip is probably more of a danger for her than cancer is.

You may want to do some more research before deciding to use Forteo (and certainly before taking advice from me!). Remember, just because the FDA approved it, doesn't mean it's safe (think Vioxx)