<p>Anyone have thoughts about the various options for bone-strengthening medications? I have a family history I’d like to not repeat and am at the phase where I should choose my poison so to speak…I don’t like the idea of regular meds but would be happy to have the good effects…Any anecdotal experience is welcome.</p>
<p>I take meds for that. I’ve had no problems with the meds. A friend of mine, however, got so sick from the meds (I think she was vomiting) that she just takes over the counter calcium.</p>
<p>I am not drug-adverse, but I discontinued osteoporosis meds. I was on the once a week for a short time, then the once a month (Boniva?). A co-worker wound up with a serious jaw issue which was almost a fracture that the doctor attributed to the osteo drugs she was on (google it). I broke my knee skiing in 2007 and the failure of the bone to heal properly, believe it or not, was attributed to the osteo drug. I wound up having surgery, and then went on Forteo, which is a daily injection. This was HUGE for me, since I hate needles, but it wasn’t all that bad. After 6 months, I stopped the Forteo and am taking my chances. I do everything right in my life (am a competitive marathon runner etc) but have a genetic propensity to osteoporosis. I am due for another scan within the next year. We’ll see.
Just do your homework and see what you think is best for you. I really think the jury is still out on these drugs.</p>
<p>Our bones are living tissue, and as such, their cells are constantly breaking down and rebuilding throughout our lives. At a certain point in everyone’s life, the breakdown starts to exceed the rate of build up. For women, this happens immediately following menopause. Ancestry plays a huge part - if your ancestry is northern European and you are thin, you are very high risk. A bone scan will tell you if you are osteopenic. Fortunately, there are drugs that can reverse this.</p>
<p>I take alendronate. It is only $4 per month - a bargain compared to once a month Boniva! Also, you only have to wait 1/2 hour for that first cup of morning coffee with alendronate, versus an hour for Boniva. That is HUGE!</p>
<p>If you do nothing to stop the progress of bone loss, you will be very sorry when you are 85 and lose your independence because of a broken bone due to a fall. I would not take my chances.</p>
<p>While I am neither osteoporitic or osteopenic, I have spent the last two years healing a bone graft, so I’ve done a lot of research on bone health.</p>
<p>You can build up your bone density. Walking helps. Weight lifting helps. Weight bearing exercise is essential to building bone. Bone responds to physical stress. People think of bone as static, but you have active osteocytes (bone cells) your entire life. Give them a reason to build bone. </p>
<p>Don’t drink sodas, whether diet or regular. The acids in soda are thought by many researchers (I’d say it’s a consensus) to upset your homeostasis and draw calcium from your bones. Drink water. Drink coffee. Drink tea. Drink (heaven forfend) milk. Drink calcium-fortified juice with fizzy water. Whatever works for you.</p>
<p>Don’t assume that drinking vitamin D milk supplies you with enough calcium or vitamin D. 15-20 minutes of sunshine on unprotected skin helps make vitamin D but might not be enough. (My levels are chronically low despite drinking vitamin D milk, taking vitamin D supplements, and getting lots of sunshine. My doctor advises 3000 mg/day for my situation. Get your vitamin D level checked.</p>
<p>^^ That is true about colas. You can still drink non-cola sodas (diet or regular) such as Mountain Dew, Fresca, Sprite etc.</p>
<p>I will revisit the issue of meds in 10 years or so, but for now I think there are too many drawbacks with what is out there.</p>
<p>Re: Vitamin D. I was recently diagnosed with a deficiency and am on a prescription dose for 10 weeks and then have to be re-tested. I do all the right things… My doctor son in law thinks the whole Vitamin D thing is sort of the “flavor of the month” and is not really a big issue.</p>
<p>I agree that the long term affects of bisphosphonates have not been proven safe enough for me to feel comfortable using them. I’ve known too many women who have had problems with them after several years of use. Excercise and calcium rich foods, along with supplements of calcium, D3 and magnesium will help regrow bone, or at least slow down the loss of bone.
I was just diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism, which causes rapid bone loss. After this is treated, my bones should rebuild for the next 10 years if I take care of them with exercise and diet. I never knew about this disease, but it usually shows up first as high blood calcium levels. Had I taken bisphosphonates to improve my bones, I would have made the situation worse because of my parathyroid problem.
These meds are very powerful, and should be treated with respect and caution. I’m not saying they should never be used, but I would be very, very careful and research their side effects before taking them. For me they would be a last resort for a very severe problem.</p>
<p>3 years ago my dr called me in a panic after my bone density scan, told me I already had osteoporosis, and I was way too young for this. She strongly recommended the meds, but after researching a bit, I decided to wait until I finished up some dental work. When I spoke to my endodontist, he basically scared the **** out of me with the stories of jaw necrosis. </p>
<p>I don’t know if I’ve made the right decision, but I just way upped my calcium intake, and quit drinking my beloved Dr. Pepper. I can’t possibly exercise anymore than I already do, so I just keep that the same. I kind of feel like my body betrayed me though.</p>
<p>I don’t drink soda, I do weight bearing exercise three times a week, I eat healthily including a fair amount of stuff that’s got reasonable amounts of calcium. and take a vitamin with calcium just in case. Who knows if I get enough Vitamin D, but sitting out in the sunshine is out - I already have had a melanoma and a carcinoma removed. I haven’t had my bone density tested, and right now I’m of the school I’d rather not know!</p>
<p>The drugs of choice depend on the severity of the disease. People with stable osteopenia should take calcium with vitamin D supplements. You shouldn’t take more than 500mg at a time, though.
People with more severe disease should take a bisphosphonate, i.e. Boniva, alendronate, etc. Most of these are taken either once a week or once a month. When it is taken, it should be taken on an empty stomach. You should not lie down for at least one half hour after taking it; otherwise, it’ll become a very expensive placebo pill. Reclast is an IV bisphosphonate which can be given once a year. SERMs can also be used for the treatment of osteoporosis. It is recommended that because of their estrogenic properties that they should be reserved for the pre-menopausal population.
For most severe cases, parathyroid hormone (Forteo) can be used. Also, in severe causes, calcitonin is used. The issue with that drug is that over time its effectiveness will decrease. It cannot be used in those allergic to fish because it is derived from salmon.</p>
<p>^^ With all due respect to your medical/drug knowledge, I know what we are told we “should” take, but there are too many risks to these drugs, in my opinion.</p>
<p>I have had jaw problems for years. I also had a jaw bone graft 2 years ago that grew just fine but then reversed itself after a year. A second bone graft failed to grow. My oral surgeon has a huge sign in his office that says you must report taking any of these drugs, so after I was diagnosed with osteopenia I asked her about taking them. He very strongly suggested I not take them.</p>
<p>I’m in the high risk group (thin, northern European). I do what I can (calcium, vitamin D, exercise) and hope it’s enough.</p>
<p>One of my dear close relatives took Fosomax for 4 years as directed and developed a precancerous condition of her esophagus attributed to the drugs. What she is able to eat now is severely limited, as swallowing is painful. Her docs were very slow to see what was happening to her, even though she got several opinions. After being off the meds for 10 years, the problem is no better.</p>
<p>I have a strong, strong, strong family history of osteoporosis and am at very high risk due to that and my small stature. I also had a relatively early menopause.</p>
<p>I’ve taken Actonel for 10 years. I take 1200 mg of calcium every day, in divided doses. I take 1300 mg of Vitamin D, in divided doses. I lift weights three times and week and do weight-bearing cardio three times a week.</p>
<p>For years, my bone density was going down, down, down. At my last two scans – each one after I added the weight lifting and weight-bearing exercise – my numbers were up, up, up. My endocrinologist – the doc who specializes in this disease – called it “trememdous gains.”</p>
<p>I haven’t had any of the side effects, and I have absolutely no plans to stop the Actonel.</p>
<p>I know I’ll die eventually, but my bones are going to be hard and firm when I do!!</p>
<p>OP, thanks for starting this thread. I had forgotten that I haven’t received the results of my first bone scan which was done last week. Due to other more pressing medical issues, I haven’t researched this topic so I appreciate all of the firsthand experiences posted here. Now I’ll know to give this some serious consideration if my results indicate a deficiency.</p>
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<p>Oh, I agree with you, and I am afraid for that. But I think I am more afraid that my jaw could start disintegrating now, than breaking a bone at 85. (I’m kind of used to my face the way it is!) I really struggled with the decision to not take the meds. I almost didn’t open this thread, cause I didn’t want to dredge up all my worries again.</p>
<p>On Boniva for two years. Started only after 2 years of major decline on dexa scan. Do the diet & exercise just had too many factors beyond my control. My dentist has not any patients with problems, but I was worried. I did experience a Few minor muscle cramping-much less than the leg cramps I had when pregnant. I reported them to appropriate agency. Cramps have long disappeared Last scan was very recent and I have improved significantly. The nurse practioner couldn’t believe I didn’t hurt before I started on Boniva. I HATE taking pills. But as a hospital pharmacist , I see the terrible things that happen when people with “weak” bones fall.</p>
<p>It’s my understanding that the jaw necrosis is extremely rare. Whereas, osteoporosis is extremely common. I’ll take my chances.</p>
<p>Agreed, veryhappy. I’ve been on Boniva for a few years. Reversed the osteopenia… I am already short-- dont need to shrink any more! And everyone in the family but me has broken a bone or 2 in the past few years. I’ll stick with my meds.</p>
<p>back to the issue of sodas…I believe it is the phosphate in sodas that cause the problems concerning the calcium…you see phosphorus and calcium are on a so called teeter totter…If your blood levels of phosphorus are up it causes you kidneys to excrete calcium…(phosphorus high…calcium low…teeter totter)…Therefore to bring the blood calcium levels back up into normal range…calcium is drawn from its reserves(right out of your bones)…Not sure if all sodas have phosphorus…you were referring to some being okay…would need to check that out.</p>