<p>My wife has been diagnosed w osteoporis ( -2.9 ), and we are wondering if any one has taken any of the Rx that supposed to help rebuild bone denisity and how do you feel about them. Do they work, side-effects…</p>
<p>Some Rx, not limited to this list, she is considering are: Fosamax, Bonivir.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I used to take Fosomax, but stopped when my bone density increased after a couple of years of taking the Rx. Numbers still good, not taking any Rx.</p>
<p>I take Actonel, the lowest possible dose because of pre-existing reflux issues. I’m due for a new bone density scan this year, so I don’t know how much change, if any, the medication has produced. But at least I haven’t had any additional reflux problems from the meds, or any other side effects for that matter. Hopefully I’ll see improvement on my next scan.</p>
<p>I tested low on bone density (not at the osteoporosis level) a couple of years ago even though I do a lot of weight-bearing exercise. I resisted the meds, and took calcium and vitamin D for a year. There was no improvement. My doc convinced me to try Fosomax, and said not only will it stop the density loss, but will build the bone back up. I took the Fosomax for a couple of months (once a week) and then switched to Boniva, which is once a month. I haven’t been re-tested yet, but I see no downside (except expense) to the Boniva.</p>
<p>I took fosomax for a couple years until the controversy arose. I don’t remember my ‘numbers’, but they weren’t terrible. I didn’t experience any side effects. I dropped the fosomax but have kept up the exercise and eating calcium rich foods. </p>
<p>I am sick of being offered a pill for what I think amounts to ageing. I’m sure someone can tell a heartbreaking story of premature death or disability due to bone loss, but at some point I wonder what it is my doctor thinks I SHOULD die of - if they eliminate my risk of heart attack, fractures due to low bone density, flu, pneumonia, etc. etc. they’re pretty much dooming me to die of cancer. It would not be my first choice. I’m skeptical, too, when I look around the office and see all the giveaways sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. </p>
<p>It’s a choice.</p>
<p>Please read Gillian Sanson’s book The Myth of Osteoporosis, which talks about the resetting of standards for determining osteoporosis, which has resulted in many more diagnoses, and who championed it, and the problems with bone density scanning as an indicator of bone health and quality and a predictor of bone fracture. At the very least, this book will present a view that questions the prevailing medical orthodoxy. I am suspicious of “life maintenance” drugs peddled by big pharma. It never made sense to me that drugs that prevent the removal of old bone without necessarily increasing the production of new bone can be good for you. (Did you read the NY Times article about the possible connection between bone density drugs and osteonecrosis of the jaw?) After a first routine bone density scan came back with an indication of some osteporosis and some osteopenia, I consulted a doctor with both allopathic and integrative medicine training, who suggested specific dietary and exercise changes as well as the following supplements: calcium, vitamin D, strontium, magnesium and vitamon C. After 9 months of this regimen, bone density improved significantly-- more than the results claimed for big pharma drugs over a two year period. I suggest doing your own research and questioning everything before accepting the first “treatment” recommendation from your doctor.</p>
<p>I thought my post disappeared-then I saw you have two posts.</p>
<p>thank you revoltedmom for the info. It was that article in the NYT that made me stop taking the drug. My doctor, who really pushed it as safe, now says she doesn’t know what to tell people. I learned something from it all.</p>
<p>“I’m sure someone can tell a heartbreaking story of premature death or disability due to bone loss, but at some point I wonder what it is my doctor thinks I SHOULD die of”</p>
<p>Usually one doesn’t die of osteoporosis or the pathologic fractures that can result. But it can make life miserable. And not just for elderly nursing home residents. Last year at age 55 I was active, worked out, ate well, etc. and sustained three vertebral compression fractures. A DexaScan (bone density study) showed bone loss and MRI’s revealed that chronic back pain that I have had for years is probably due to a fourth, old fracture. A year and a half later I still have pain during at least part of the day and it is not going away. I don’t take any pain meds except for anti-inflammatories but it is beginning to look like I am going to be dealing with the limitation created by the discomfort for the rest of my life.</p>
<p>There have been fewer than 200 cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) associated with bisphosphanates and there have been about 20 million patients placed on one or another of the drugs in that category. About half the patients with ONJ also had multiple myeloma (MM). </p>
<p>If I had MM I might be concerned about being advised to take bisphosphanates. One is free to make individual choices about relative risk but in this case the risk seems to be small and the preventive benefit significant. But if you want a risk free life, then I don’t know what to tell you. Fosamax once a week and a delay in my morning coffee is worth it if it will prevent more of the same for me. At least get a bone density study and then review your options. Denial is not an effective therapy.</p>
<p>I completely agree. The risks of these meds are quite low- I am NOT one to take meds without resistance. My once a month Boniva is worth having stronger bones so I can continue running well into my senior years and avoid the common hip fractures we see in the elderly.</p>
<p>Are bone scans routine after a certain age?</p>
<p>I’d sort of like to get one, even though I’m young, just to know where I stand. My mother has low bone mass and is on a Rx for it.
My grandmother (in her mid-80s) suffered a broken hip last year. And no, she didn’t fall. She was simply standing there, and her hip bone shattered. It didn’t kill her, but her quality of life plummetted immediately, and she will never be as physically able as she was before. I supplement Calcium and D, eat well, and do a lot of weight bearing exercise. I’ve got a long time before it really becomes an issue, but given my family history, it seems intelligent to be proactive about it now…</p>
<p>"The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women aged 65 and older be screened routinely for osteoporosis. The USPSTF recommends that routine screening begin at age 60 for women at increased risk for osteoporotic fractures.</p>
<p>The USPSTF makes no recommendation for or against routine osteoporosis screening in postmenopausal women who are younger than 60 or in women aged 60-64 who are not at increased risk for osteoporotic fractures."
<a href=“Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality”>Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality;
<p>No mention of screening in males or in younger females. You could ask your doctor, based on family history, if he/she would order a study. The amount of radiation is minimal. Certainly much less than a CT scan which so many people seem to willingly undertake for even less evidence of benefit in many cases.
<a href=“http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116243449214110976.html?mod=todays_us_personal_journal[/url]”>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116243449214110976.html?mod=todays_us_personal_journal</a> (Worries Mount Over Excessive CAT Scans - may be subscription only)</p>
<p>My doc beats on female patients to start bone scans at age 50. I put it off a few years since it was going to be a waste of time for me, the great runner/athlete. 
Oops- several spots showed loss of bone density. The first symptom is frequently a broken bone.</p>
<p>“The first symptom is frequently a broken bone.”</p>
<p>Exactly. That’s the point of screening. If you wait for symptoms, the first symptom is a broken bone, sometimes as a result of relatively minor exertion or fall.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how bone scans work? Are they just x-rays of designated areas? I’ve had several x-rays of my hips/pelvis, and my orthopedic doctor said that my bones look good. Is that sufficient for detecting osteoporosis?</p>
<p>After a dexa scan they determined 4 years ago that I had osteopinia which is steoporosis’s precursor. My grandmother, mother and sister suffered from it and I’d do anything not to go through the debilitating effects of it. I’ve read the articles saying it may not be all its cracked up to be, but I do take one called Actonel. This will sound completely nuts, but I tried Boniva and started experiencing memory loss at the same time I started it. (I’m only 50). I couldn’t figure out what was going on so I looked at the very few meds I took, and it did coincide with the Boniva so I stopped taking it and went back to Actonel. The memory loss stopped within a week of stopping the Boniva. I told my physician about it. Very odd.</p>
<p>“Does anyone know how bone scans work? Are they just x-rays of designated areas? I’ve had several x-rays of my hips/pelvis, and my orthopedic doctor said that my bones look good. Is that sufficient for detecting osteoporosis?”</p>
<p>Bone density studies measure the density at three specific and standardized points in the body, the upper thigh bone, spine and wrist. These are all areas prone to fracture with osteoporosis. The equipment uses a very limited amount of x-ray (about 1/10 of a chest x-ray) and is calibrated so as to allow comparison of the penetration of the x-ray through those areas with standardardized tables for age, sex, height, weight, and race. The results are reported out as indicating average, lower or higher risk of fracture. The test is more accurate than eyeballing a plain film of the pelvis or spine.</p>
<p>By the way “bone scans” are not the same as “bone density studies”.</p>
<p>Ditto on discovering I had osteopenia and starting Boniva (I am 53). I am already short and dont want to shrink any more. And, I don’t want to be a little old person who falls and breaks their hip (happened to our babysitter). </p>
<p>DKE, cna you expand on what kind of memory loss you had? Trouble recalling new info? Names? Directions? Inattentive/distractible? I am most intrigued.</p>
<p>Thanks, 2dsdad. Very helpful information.</p>
<p>Anyone have any thoughts on why Asian cultures experience less osteoporosis, even though they consume very few dairy products?</p>
<p>Dear Calif_dad,
Wonder what your wife decided and what info you found that was helpful. I have an appt next week to “discuss tx options” based on my recent scan.
Thanks,
LA</p>